Legendary El Camino muscle pickup reborn

The HotCars exclusive render takes the best parts of the original El Camino and reimagines the iconic Chevy into a modern version.

In the golden era of muscle cars, Chevrolet built a vehicle that resembled the Chevelle but with the bed of a truck. The El Camino would eventually have a run that lasted over two decades before its discontinuation in the late 1980s. Like most Chevrolet vehicles of the era, Chevy built a higher-performance version of the El Camino using the popular SS nomenclature.

In a nod to this unconventional Chevrolet powerhouse, HotCars digital artist Rostislav Prokop renders a 1970 Chevrolet El Camino SS restomod, a vehicle that revitalizes the El Camino SS in a version that looks right at home for enthusiasts in 2023.

The 1970 El Camino SS closely followed the Chevrolet Chevelle in terms of exterior styling. At the time, the El Camino SS would wear racing stripes and come available in a wide array of color options popular for the era.

The double headlight design and SS badging on the front grille distinguish the 3rd generation SS. Over the El Camino’s several decade-long run, the vehicle was a unique variant in the Chevrolet lineup which lasted through the majority of the 1980s. A similar vehicle by Chevrolet wouldn’t return until the introduction of the obscure Chevrolet SSR in 2003.

In the restomod render, the El Camino SS modernizes the 1970 design that looks surprisingly in place in the current automotive era. This new El Camino has similar headlights to the Dodge Challenger, which incorporate a classic design with a more modern halo light.

Side air intakes, a blacked-out grille, tinted windows, and a subtle wing over the rear window further add to the overall styling of the El Camino restomod. The rear taillights closely resemble the production El Camino, further establishing the overall profile changes of the vehicle as subtle

The render also has an army green exterior paint color and yellow brake calipers behind black wheels with a chrome rim. The exposed big block engine would likely use a modern version of GM’s well-respected V8 engines to power the vehicle. To take this restomod to the next level, the 10.3-liter crate engine from GM making over 1,000 naturally aspirated horsepower could put Dodge and Ford on notice.

With the popularity of small trucks like the Ford Maverick, Honda Ridgeline and Hyundai Santa Cruz, a small truck that revitalizes the spirit of the El Camino could be a decent option to get added to the current Chevrolet truck lineup.

In 1970, the motor which came in an El Camino SS was dependent on the buyer’s choice of two V8 engines. Although listed as a 396, the engine actually displaced 402 cubic inches and came with the 350 horsepower L34 or the 375 horsepower L78. The 396 L34 traveled from 0 to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds and could run the quarter mile in 15.4 seconds at a top speed of 92 mph.

The 1970 El Camino SS also introduced the 454. It was available with the 360 horsepower LS5 or the more powerful 450 horsepower LS6. The 454 LS6 could complete the quarter mile in 13.44 seconds with a top speed of 108 mph.

If you’re looking for your own 1970 Chevy El Camino, prices are going to depend on the condition and other factors. However, 1970 El Caminos for sale range from $20,000-$100,000 according to Hemmings.com.