16. 1970 Chevrolet El Camino SS 454
Power, speed, and versatility were the name of the game with the El Camino. Inspired by an Australian influence – this coupe utility was made to work all week, and drive to church on the weekend. Built to directly compete with the Ford Ranchero, the El Camino was based on the Chevelle Station Wagon and Four-Door sedan wheelbase, it had impressive length at 208”. And although technically classified as a truck in the U.S., the El Camino is a muscle car at heart.
The ’70 El Camino came equipped with a SS396 engine, which actually displaced about 402 cubic inches. But a select few El Camino’s received the LS 454 CID engine, which boosted the beast to 450 HP. Holy ponies, Batman! With 500 lb./ft. of torque, this gave the El Camino a 13 second quarter mile time. You can haul with power like that.
With new and improved styling from the earlier models, the ’70 El Camino was given new style on its front end and headlights. It also included a vacuum driven Cowl Induction hood to boost power.
Many consider the El Camino the mullet of the muscle cars, business up front, party out back. One thing is for certain, the El Camino is down in history as a classic.
Engine: LS 454 V-8 – Top speed: 105 mph –
Quarter mile time: 12.7 seconds – 0-60 mph time: 5 seconds