1970 El Camino Paint Codes

Notes:
1. While not exclusive to 1970, special order colors seem to be more common with this year. Some DuPont paint code formulas found on build sheets and trim tags are: 926-76248, 926-99568, 926-98371, 926-99616, 926-97249, and 927-98457.

The first 3 digits denote non-metallic (926) or metallic (927) paint. The last 5 digits are the mixing formula for DuPont.  No special paint 1970 El Camino has turned up yet but colors found so far on sport coupes are:
926-97249 is Red
926-98371 is Blue often referred to as Carolina Blue *
926-96881 is Blue is also described as Carolina Blue *
926-99539 is Orange (similar to Pontiac Carousel Red)
926-99568 is Yellow (1969 code 76, Daytona Yellow)
926-99616 is Orange (1969 code 72, Monaco Orange)
927-98457 is Gold Metallic (Tercentennial Gold)
927-99846 is Citrus Green
927-99593 is Metallic Blue (1969 code 71, LeMans Blue)
Build sheets would annotate a ZP3 special paint code and show the particular DuPont mixing formula codes.

* There seems to be two paint codes attributed to 'Carolina Blue. The DuPont mixing formula 926-96371 is attributed to 71 and 72 model years while 926-96881 is found on 1970s. It's known that code 926-968841is found on a 1970 build sheet and color is simply listed as "Blue Acrylic Lacquer" but no mention of Carolina Blue specifically.  A 1972 build sheet does show the wording CAROLINA BLUE but the mixing formula itself is obscured.

Matching wheels could also be ordered painted with the first 3 digits being 766 and 767 for non-metallic/metallic followed by the same 5 digit number for the body.  As more colors are discovered, they'll be posted here.

Depending on the assembly plant a special order paint would show the DuPont mixing formula as above, some plants would show two dash characters or the paint code area simply left blank. The mixing formula would be designated on the build sheet. Special order paint had to be approved by the Fleet & Special Order section of Chevrolet. Special order paint could be any color available by any automotive paint manufacturer except Cadillac Firemist colors.

2. 1970 appears to have done away with letters designating paint codes, even on the invoices.  All numbers in parenthesis were followed simply by 'AA'.

The lower body panel on El Camino for Argent Silver is DuPont 9296L or Ditzler (PPG) color number DQE-8568.

The charcoal gray on SS wheels can be duplicated with the following formula.
DCC DK Argent Metallic Flat NX
Match to DDL32961

DMC 900 38.0 38.0
DMC 908 10.0 48.0
DMC 983 110.0 158.0
DMC 902 153.0 311.0
DX 685 850.0 1161.0
DMC 981 790.0 1951.0

The formula states to mix 4 parts paint one part either DU 5 or maybe DV 5.

Special Paint (RPO ZP3) was coded differently from different plants. As seen here, the Van Nuys example puts the DuPont mixing formula on the trim tag itself where Atlanta, Baltimore and Kansas City tended to simply put two dashes ( - - ) in the paint code position on the trim tag. If the car included a vinyl or convertible top then one dash or the DuPont mixing code would appear followed by the normal letter designation for the top. If you have a special paint ordered El Camino, please let me know where the car was built and what the trim tag indicates and please include a photo of the trim tag if possible.

The double-letter codes below are ordering codes. Where applicable on the Fisher Body number plate a single letter is used.