Other engine options included the base 230 CID six-cylinder engine and an optional 250 CID six. There were three different versions of the 396 engines available, with one producing 325 horsepower, the next producing 350 horsepower and the most powerful engine rated at 375 horsepower. In addition to the more powerful engines, the package also included simulated hood scoops, blacked out grille, power front disc brakes, dual exhaust and special wheel house moldings. Chevy seemed to finally recognize that there were building a high performance machine that could also be used for practical hauling when they introduced the SS396 as its own model in 1968, which not only include one of three 396 V8s, but also distinctive styling.įor 1969, the SS package did not change (other than the two new colors), though it did become just an options package that could be added onto an El Camino Custom rather than its own model. By the end of the second-generation models, the car had a lineup of optional 396 engines that gave the car its muscle car label it retains today. Since the El Camino was reintroduced for its second-generation in 1964 (it had been on hiatus from 1961 to 1963), it had been slowly growing more and more powerful.

A new grille, front bumper and rear backup lights were introduced, but were still relatively similar to the models of the year before. The El Camino had received a significant restyle in 1968 when the third generation of the car was introduced – so very little was changed for the 1969 model, and the year was largely a carryover year.

1968 el camino ss 427