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General Information

Name
JL Camino
Year
1969
Make
El Camino
Model
SS 396
Color
Monaco / Hugger Orange
Packages
Custom SS 396 option Fisher Body code 72
History
Don’t know much about history. Wasn’t that a song? Would love to find whoever restored her.
Dealer said he bought her in Arizona.
Update: This vehicle was entered in the 2019 Chevy Showdown in Tucson, AZ and got 2nd place.
The sponsoring car club Pres was only able to give me the owner's name.
Update 2023: Holley Sniper EFI w/ conversion fuel tank installed, CVF serpentine system installed, Classic Auto A/C installed, and custom audio system w/ Apple Car Play, and backup camera installed. Installed Craftec tonneau cover and chrome tailpipe tips.

Modifications

Drivetrain
Power is provided by a Chevrolet 454ci big-block 450 HP V8 and backed by a 700R4 automatic overdrive transmission. Underhood features include an orange engine block and valve covers, an aluminum Edelbrock intake, a Holley four-barrel carburetor now converted to Sniper EFI, Hooker Competition stainless steel headers, and a chrome air cleaner. Additional features include an MSD ignition, a Holley Pro-Billet distributor, a chrome master cylinder, a chrome alternator, and a CVF serpentine belt engine accessory drive system with billet aluminum brackets and pulleys. Cooling is handled by a new Frostbite Performance 4 row radiator and Derale high output fan and shroud kit.
Interior
The AutoMeter Pro-Comp Ultra-lite gauge cluster includes a 160-mph speedometer, a 10K-rpm tachometer, and gauges for the fuel level, coolant temperature, oil pressure, and voltage.
The two-seat cabin is furnished with black vinyl bucket seats and door panels. Features include a center console with a horseshoe shifter and a storage compartment, power steering, power brakes, manual windows, and a tilt steering column with a Grant GT steering wheel. A set of orange accent / black CoCo Mats is installed.
Exterior
The exterior has been restored and refinished in Hugger Orange. Features include chrome bumpers, a black grille with chrome trim and an SS 396 emblem, a black vinyl top, dual rearview mirrors, chrome bed rail and tailgate trim, black accent stripes, and a black rear accent panel with an SS 396 badge. A Craftec vinyl tonneau cover has been installed. Manually operated windows are One Piece Products custom glass eliminating the vent window glass assembly for a clean look matching the body lines.
Audio
Custom Boss w/ Kicker amp & subs, JBL speakers, Bluetooth audio, Apple Car Play. backup camera, and multicolor illumination.
Lighting
Interior LED lights under dash corners and center rear of head liner.
Exhaust
A full-length dual exhaust system with Flowmaster mufflers exits at the rear through stainless steel tips.
Suspension
This El Camino was factory-equipped with an independent front suspension and a solid rear drive axle. Classic Performance Products (CPP) A-arms have been installed along with front and rear sway bars.
Wheel and Tire
A set of 17-inch aluminum Magnum 500-style wheels with SS center caps is wrapped in radial tires.

Michelin Pilot Sport A/S, F 255/40ZR17 / R 275/40ZR17 ( mounted 4/14/23 )

Drilled and slotted power disc brakes on all 4 wheels bring the car to a stop.

Gallery

Comments

· Deputy Director Region 6
69 El Camino Hugger Orange 454
Joined
·
180 Posts
I saw somewhere someone said we like pictures.
 

· Deputy Director Region 6
69 El Camino Hugger Orange 454
Joined
·
180 Posts
Did a little research based on the key chain that came on the car key that was from a show in Tucson, AZ. The show is an annual event called The Chevy Showdown sponsored by a local classic car club. I visited their web site and emailed the listed President who responded immediately. I learned the name of the previous owner but that's about all the info they had except that he participated as a non member in their last event held in 2019 ( Covid forced them to cancel in '20, '21, '22 ) and won 2nd place in class.
I'm hoping I can find this previous owner and learn about how my el Camino came into it's current state.
 

· Deputy Director Region 6
69 El Camino Hugger Orange 454
Joined
·
180 Posts
Just a couple updated pics since work under the hood is finished:

 
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