Vehicle Sighting - 1968 Chevy El Camino

[Number_35]

'68 is my favourite year of Malibu, and thus of El Camino too.

I should have gotten a close-up of the front side-marker light/engine badge. In any case, it was a 396! And note the tranny is a 3-speed, so a TH350 or 400, rather than the more-common Powerglide.

 

[hemitom]

Another nice classic !

 

[Owen Lucas]

Wow, the bed has some actual use. Very nice, the shifter is pretty cool too. I would rather have one of these for transporting mulch and appliances than into the bed of a truck which is at least foot higher off the ground than the El Camino.

 

[wag123]

I don't believe that Powerglides were used on big blocks after 1967.

 

[Number_35]

I don't believe that Powerglides were used on big blocks after 1967.

You're likely right - the '68 Malibu often (usually?) had the 307/Powerglide combo. Big blocks were rare.

 

[Wrenchturner44]

You're likely right - the '68 Malibu often (usually?) had the 307/Powerglide combo. Big blocks were rare.

Likely the TH400....behind the 396. I bet it has a 12 bolt rear axle as well......sweet, thanks for sharing.

 

[Wrenchturner44]

More info about those models for anyone who is not familiar.

Buyer's Guide: 1968-1972 Chevrolet El Camino - Motor Trend Classic

Named in Spanish for "the path," the El Camino is perhaps best summed up by Billy Ray Cyrus' description of his legendary mullet: "Business in the front, party in the back." Read on to learn more on 1968-1975 Chevrolet El Camino's brought to you by the automotive experts at Motor Trend Classic.

www.motortrend.com

 

[clinebarger]

TH400 was the only automatic available behind Mark IV big block Chevy's, TH350 didn't come out 'til the next year.

Owned a '69 El Camino SS396 325HP with a (floor shifter) 3 speed manual.

 

[Chris142]

I don't think Chevy ever put a th350 behind a 396. My favorite year too. Was it born an SS?

 

[wag123]

TH400 was the only automatic available behind Mark IV big block Chevy's, TH350 didn't come out 'til the next year.

Owned a '69 El Camino SS396 325HP with a (floor shifter) 3 speed manual.

It appears that we are both wrong.
It is true that the vast majority of Mark IV big block cars came with TH400s, but I have found several sources that show the Powerglide to be available behind Mark IV big blocks up to 1968 in several different Chevy models. I have also read confirmed accounts about quite a few different 1966 & 1967 models with the 396/Powerglide combination that actually exist. There were even a small number of 427/Powerglide Corvettes produced in 1966 & 1967 as well as 396/Powerglides in 1965 Corvettes (Corvette aficionados are obsessed with production numbers, so I believe it).

Classic Cars for sale & Classifieds - Buy/Sell Cars & Trucks.

Oldride offers classic car/truck classifieds, parts, sales, & purchases. Find your vintage vehicle here!

www.oldride.com

1968 Chevelle Power Teams

Decoding Chevrolet VIN, trim tags, cowl tags, engine, engine block casting numbers, cylinder head casting numbers, intake manifold casting numbers, transmission, interior codes, and paint codes.

chevellestuff.net

 

[Number_35]

 

[JeffKeryk]

It appears that we are both wrong.
It is true that the vast majority of Mark IV big block cars came with TH400s, but I have found several sources that show the Powerglide to be available behind Mark IV big blocks up to 1968 in several different Chevy models. I have also read confirmed accounts about quite a few different 1966 & 1967 models with the 396/Powerglide combination that actually exist. There were even a small number of 427/Powerglide Corvettes produced in 1966 & 1967 as well as 396/Powerglides in 1965 Corvettes (Corvette aficionados are obsessed with production numbers, so I believe it).

Classic Cars for sale & Classifieds - Buy/Sell Cars & Trucks.

Oldride offers classic car/truck classifieds, parts, sales, & purchases. Find your vintage vehicle here!

www.oldride.com

1968 Chevelle Power Teams

Decoding Chevrolet VIN, trim tags, cowl tags, engine, engine block casting numbers, cylinder head casting numbers, intake manifold casting numbers, transmission, interior codes, and paint codes.

chevellestuff.net

In the Corvette, the 1st BB was the 396 in 1965. I believe you could order a Powerglide, but not sure. I kinda remember seeing one but who knows if it came that way from the factory.
The Powerglide was available in the 390 and 400 HP 427 engines in '66 and '67.
The '68 used the 3 speed TH400.

There are rumors Zora had a L88 spec car with the TH400 he used to prowl the streets with...
This is my recollection; I could be mistaken.

 

[k1xv]

That style car/pickup always reminded me of the Flower Cars used in the past at Mafia funerals.

 

[Nesterenko]

That style car/pickup always reminded me of the Flower Cars used in the past at Mafia funerals.

View attachment 166254

Back in that era Flower Power would be appropo in this case. Groovy huh?