I just returned from California, where I found a rust free 67 big block, 4 speed El Camino for sale for $1,000! It has a 12 bolt rear end, front disk brakes, a big block, but no heads, no seat, no windshield, no intake or carb, some trim missing, rally wheels, no drive shaft, no dash except for a speedometer and glove compartment, and the body is super straight except for a small dent in each of the front fenders. The hood is a flat hood, doesn't look like a SS hood, but it is real straight. I would like to find out if it is a SS, all the emblems are gone, but the guy selling it said the fender emblems said Turbo-Jet 396, that it wasn't a SS, but came from the factory with the big block. Is this possible?

Google search for vin verification sites. That's how I figured out the #'s on my 350 block.

Couldn't get the door open to check the tag on the door (I think that is where the vin is on a 67), but here is the cowl tag:

01A

ST 67-13680 BF04141

TR761 FF PAINT

B90

C4571 050053

No SS in 67, but you could get a big block, first SS in 68.

No SS in 67, but you could get a big block, first SS in 68.

Thanks, bigjames. So they made a SS396 Chevelle, but not an El Camino?

That would be correct!

Check this link for more info.
Elky info (http://chevelles.com/elcamino/)

I probably shouldn't say this............but who in the heck would care if it was a real SS or not if it was that good of a body? :lol: You are talking about finding a 38 year old Elky that is restorable, and by restorable I mean to a road worthy street rod or a close original that will never matter if you could find out that it was born an SS? The difference between a real SS and a Clone as some call them is the emblem went down the line with it and wasn't put on in your garage.

If you were buying a totally original restored Elky that was to the T and the I dotted, I would see a concern. It is worth no more to me with or without this SS birth certificate. Cars such as the one you described will never see the category of restoration to matter. Enjoy the building of a personalized Elky and for $19.98 you can buy an emblem.

Sorry for the rant it just gets to me all of this pedigree stuff. I got tired of this dealing with the NCRS Corvette crowd that does some silly things. I saw a wing nut from a '72 Corvette sell for $52.00 on ebay the other day. We joke about original air being on there next. Buy this and don't look back. jim

Prosouth, you are right! I just thought it was strange when the guy told me it wasn't a SS, but still a big block! I was under the impression that all big block Chevelles of that era were SS's, thats all! Now I know, that's why we have this forum. BTW, my 68 El Camino is not a SS, but I still love it. My El Camino, which I brought back to show condition, was more complete than this 67, but this car is much more straight than my 68 was. I told the guy selling it I need to get home and check out the numbers on the car, and I'll call him back. Now I think this car is worth the $1,000, right?

If I was any closer I'd ask you where it was at! I've always had a spot for a '67. Just look at the style of my '78 and you can tell from it.

If it is a solid chassis and the body is not rusted out then go for it! There are to many parts available today that will allow you to make a nice Elky out of it. The drive train is a good start to rebuild and the sheet metal sounds really good as well. That is what I look for in a project.

If I did not have the time or patience to finish this car I would do a quick freshing of it. Not half way do anything, just add the missing major components like the windshield etc.

And please do not shake up prime it. I will give much more for a car that has not been hidden under a couple of three dollar cans of primer. Show what you have that is good. take anything rough off, its better to not have something than it to deter from the good parts by something hanging there looking ugly. Clean it up make it look like a complete car and then decide what you want to do with it. Sounds like a good deal to me. jim

Jim,

I am in the process of contacting my son, who went with me to look at the car, to take some digital pictures of the car and e-mail them to me. Maybe I'll post them on this site, so if I can't find the money, I can put somebody interested in it in touch with the seller. He told me the day before yesterday he was going to get the title, (he is selling it for a buddy in financial straits).

Terry

I'm with prosouth, and I'll make it short !!!

BUY THE DADGUM THING!!!

OK, guys, you convinced me! I'm going to buy it! Especially after Dan Carr tells me there were only 2500 manual transmission big blocks made in 1967, (some of them were 3-speeds), and if this turns out to be a L-78, there were only 201 of them made! :)