A year after its 1969 Chevelle was called “America’s most popular mid-size car,” Chevrolet brought few changes to the 1970 model. A fresh grille and tail light styling and new options like a low washer-fluid light, wipe/wash button, and newly available power locks arrived, but otherwise, why mess with a good thing? This 1970 Chevelle Malibu in Kingman, Kansas is a two-owner survivor in seemingly great shape. Its auction here on eBay has drawn over 45 bids to a market value of greater than $10,000.
The rear bumper panel gained a smoother look for 1970, and that Malibu trim on the top edge of the fenders flowing back to the c-pillar is a classy touch. This right rear quarter-panel may have been replaced or repaired as it wears newer non-original paint. I just left Wichita yesterday; I could have struck a deal and driven this Malibu back instead of two Canada Regional Jets!
The gold interior compliments the Gobi Beige paint, and the interior is in great shape. With the odometer reading 9363, the seller assumes it’s covered 109,363 miles. Some careless owners can trash a driver’s seat in less than half that, which might bode well for the care this Chevy received elsewhere. Thanks to lov2xlr8.no for some details.
The ubiquitous 350 cid (5.7L) small-block V8 ranks among the planet’s cheapest to modify and maintain. Air conditioning and power steering ease the driving task, and the manual brakes will work just fine while transmitting excellent feedback to the driver. It would be interesting to see this car with no changes other than upgraded brakes and suspension, slightly wider tires on the stock wheels, and a 350 HP rebuilt engine under that same dusty air cleaner housing, and a tissue box Velcro’d to the package shelf (evil snicker). What would you do with this beige and gold beauty?
Man at least wipe the surfaces In the engine compartment with a wet rag.
Is upgrading to power brakes as simple as adding a vacuum booster and master cylinder,
or is there more to it than that?
Just install booster. I would also install front disc brakes for safety.
I like this car. Hope it doesn’t get clone into a SS.
Wouldn’t going from drum to disc brakes also require a proportioning valve be added to the lineup? It’s a good move, just want to insure it’s covered.
Factory correct power front disc brake swap, along with a date coded original factory 4 barrel intake manifold and Quadrajet carburetor/factory air cleaner changeover and it would be perfect. Maybe swap to F41 suspension and a 3.08 Posi rear gear along the way as well. Beautiful car, and well cared for.
Power front disc brakes, dual exhausts, black wall or BF Goodrich Radial T/A’s and a simple stereo upgrade. Keep it original appearing.
A strong 377 small block 4L 60 E trans 3.70 gears paint it Black and live.
Keep the manual brakes for a future cam upgrade, manual steering, remove the AC for later sell, 355 cubic inch street mill not this one, save this engine for resale, no smog at all.
Leave the paint and interior, add torque thrusts and nice tires a bit fatter in the back wee bit narrower in the front, loud turbo muffler’s, stickers plastered all over the glass, ……..okay okay, I just can’t help it when it comes to these. Probably best to just enjoy what is there…
I had a 70 with 400 .my brother had a 69.with 327.I actually preferred the 69.it was a convertible.4 speed car..it was faster than mine..id take either now days tho.
if it was a factory equipped Malibu 400 it was quite rare, many have been cloned into SS chevelles though I would not even consider such sacrilege.
The name Gobi Beige Chevrolet chose for this color is hilarious, while the other GM divisions chose more attractive names like Bamboo Cream, Casablanca Yellow and Sierra Yellow for the same hue. Gobi is such a deserted, windy and hostile far-way place…!
Its colors just add the perfect touch for a homely under-the-radar sleeper. I’m actually surprised it isn’t powered by a 307 or six; the 350 is a bonus but it definately needs some wake-up parts. I’d upgrade the brakes to a beefier power-assisted 4wheel disc system, however not over-doing the diameter – wheels would be painted steel with poverty caps or wheel covers.
Finally a thorough suspension drop (because any car looks better dropped!), more rigid F/R stabilizers and I’d call it done!
with a set of dual exhaust and a fresh tune the 250 horse 350 is a nice torquey motor which would stay under the hood if it was mine. these have the bigger two barrel and 1.94 intake valves in a decent open chamber head. amny of these were also factory equipped with the 12 bolt rear, I have seen several 307 powered chevelles so equipped. Disc brakes are an essential upgrade. nice looking car. the 14 inch rally wheels are rareish and a nice bonus.
The hottest Chevelle, someone has been waiting with thier toast ss for a body, someone had to say it. Great rigs, keep them coming barn finds!
Beautiful basic Chevelle!! It amazes me someone can take car of the basic daily driver that no one thought would ever be worth much more that what they bought it for and we see big block SS cars that are just trash!! You have to commend the owner on taking go care of his machine for the next generation!!!
Yup. next time we see it, it will be an SS