This 1970 El Camino was Patrick’s first car he had back in high school in 1982!
He restored this 1970 El Camino back in 1985, when it was maroon with a 350 small block, 4 speed manual, and stock suspension and drivetrain. Pat sold it twice never changing the title but ultimately got the car back in both instances. It sat at his house for almost 20 years when he decided to do a Ground Up restoration.
He started by powder coating the frame, then bought a stage 4 touring kit from CPP, tubular a-arms and big disc brakes. After putting it all together, he bought a Dart 406 SBC with about 550 hp, a Tremec 5 speed with a Centerforce clutch to a 3:73 geared positraction rear-end. On the exterior he had it painted GM gunmetal gray metallic with black ghosted SS stripes, shaved the door handles and drip rails, and fabricated a billet gas cap door into the body.
He also added one-piece windows and got rid of the wing windows to use bullet mirrors. Pat installed a Dakota Digital VHX dash cluster along with Vintage Air A/C to keep cool in the summer months. Customizing the 1970 El Camino to his own tastes, it has a custom console and a Pioneer sound system that rocks! To keep the car up with safety standards he has Cipher seats and 4 point seat harnesses.
This 1970 El Camino will continue to be a life-long project for Patrick, which is hopefully passed down for generations to come! He’s excited to be featured on Ground Up SS396.com, as he’s stated;
“It would be a real kick in the pants to see it on your website.”
– Patrick D.
Well, Patrick, you are up on our website. We hope this makes your day!
