1970 Chevrolet El Camino SS 396

1970 was the high-point of the muscle car era. That year, GM introduced the LS5 and LS6 454 V8 engines. The L6 had 450 hp and 500 foot-pounds of torque. Only a year later, GM was already de-tuning its performance engines. In 1974, you could still get a 454 in a Chevelle, but rated at a pitiful 235 horsepower. (Heck, today's Toyota 4-cylinder engines are rated at 206 horsepower!)

This El Camino has the 396 rated at 350 horsepower, just one step down from the legendary 454. Note the "cowl induction" feature on the back of the hood. Cowl induction hoods use a backward-facing scoop to draw in some of the cool, high-pressure air that collects on the windshield at speed.

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