1970 Chevrolet El Camino – Today’s Tempter

By: Alex Affat, Unique Cars magazine

Date: 07.10.2019

South African HT Holden export – one of less than 500

‘Bakkie’ backpacker comes home the long way.

The HT Holden of 1969/1970 was something of incremental facelift, with minor styling updates, a wider track, suspension revisions, and (finally) a fully synchromesh three-speed column shift on the manual transmission.

Amongst the approximate 180,000 HTs produced, fewer than 500 utilities were exported to South Africa as CKDs for local assembly and distribution.

The South African cars were badged as Chevrolet El Caminos, and were part of a varied – albeit short-lived – export program to the land of the Bokkes. They gained unique front ends, badging and interiors for the SA market, and were fitted with either a Chevrolet 250 six, or a 308 V8.

South African export models boast a niche but dedicated cult following, and for a while were seen as affordable and unique alternatives to desirable locally-produced models for those in the know.

This 1970 Chevy El Camino-badged HT Holden has been re-imported back to its spiritual home Down Under, and presents with its specification-correct Chevrolet 250-six mated to a three-speed Trimatic auto.

The listing states that the car ‘runs and drives well’ and is in ‘good condition’ for its age.

Unfortunately there are no interior or engine bay photos attached to the listing, but from the exterior – it looks to be all there and in good condition.

The car is based in Victoria, and is listed for $15,000 (or nearest offer).

Check out the full listing here!

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