l78 elco

[dmasiv1]

have a numbers matching 68 ss396. would like to get some history on it.
thanks,dave

[L78M22Rag]

Tell us what you know about it for starters....

[dmasiv1]

history that I know is that it is a numbers matching l78 m22 12 bolt 3;55. it was owned by someone in Gardena ca before I bought it from a junkyard in Wilmington ca. I've had it for the past 31 yrs. am now retired and about ready to start restoring it. I also believe it was built in Fremont Ca. hope this helps.
Dave

[dmasiv1]

I am to understand this is 1 of only 332 made. It also is a factory idiot gauge package. The only extras are buckets and a console.

[Mr70]

Why do you think it is 1 of 332 made?

[dmasiv1]

Read it somewhere.

[442w30]

The numbers of L78 El Caminos aren't known. One person extrapolated info and it's possible the info came from there, but overall there's no documentation to support that.

[Lee Stewart]

Here is what we know for sure:

5,190: 1968 El Camino SS 396s were built

57,595: 1968 Chevelle SS 396s (Hardtop & Convertible) were built

62,785: Total 1968 SS 396 Chevelle/El Camino built

4,751 L78 396 engines were installed in the above.

EXTRAPOLATION:

8% of all 1968 SS396s were El Caminos

8% of 4,751 = 380

So if the above is correct . . . of the 5,190 1968 SS 396 El Camino built . . . 380 had the L78 engine option

[442w30]

Just wanted to add, with all due respect to Lee, that the math may be correct, but 380 or 332 are not documented, so they are only speculation and aren't hard numbers.

[Lee Stewart]

Just wanted to add, with all due respect to Lee, that the math may be correct, but 380 or 332 are not documented, so they are only speculation and aren't hard numbers.

There are no "hard numbers" for any of the Chevrolet muscle cars with the exception of the Z/28s because there was no optional engine(s) available.

[442w30]

I just wanted the OP to understand that the estimate doesn't constitute actual production.

[Lee Stewart]

dmasiv1:

You may enjoy going through this 74 page PDF on the 1968 El Camino. From the GM Heritage Center

https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/docs/gm-heritage-archive/vehicle-information-kits/El-Camino/1968-Chevrolet-El-Camino.pdf

[Charley Lillard]

Browsing that Gm Heritage doc the L78 wasn't even available so I take a lot of Heritage Center facts a with grain of salt.

[Lee Stewart]

Browsing that Gm Heritage doc the L78 wasn't even available so I take a lot of Heritage Center facts a with grain of salt.

Charley:

None of the GMHC Docs show the L78 (Nova, Chevelle, Camaro or El Camino)

https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/gm-heritage-archive/vehicle-information-kits.html

[Charley Lillard]

Exactly.

[442w30]

Exactly.

Charley, Chevrolet rarely advertised the L78. I know you know that.

The docs you're looking at are just like what the dealership had. Has nothing to do with the integrity of the GM Heritage Center and has everything to do with skirting GM's fabled rule about hp/cid.