Some projects develop a life of their own, consuming years of an owner’s time in their quest for perfection. This 1964 Chevrolet Chevelle Super Sport takes that concept to an extreme, with the owner pouring their money and sweat into this classic for twenty-one years. Have they achieved perfection? The photos suggest they have come mighty close. However, all good things must come to an end, and this Chevelle is set to find a new home. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mitchell G. for spotting the SS listed here on eBay in Sarasota, Florida. Bidding sits below the reserve at $3,050 with time remaining for interested parties to stake their claim.
There’s a lot to unpack with this Chevelle, but it undoubtedly deserves close inspection. The seller confirms that the owner commenced the build in 2001 and completed it in 2022. That’s a mere twenty-one years, which is a lifetime for some of our regular readers. The seller describes it as a restoration, but the changes made by the owner motivate me to consider it a refurbishment. The Chevelle presents superbly in Palomar Red, the car’s correct shade, as confirmed by the Cowl Tag. The panels are laser-straight, and since the SS has only clocked 201 miles since the build ended, the lack of paint imperfections is unsurprising. I found another recent listing for this classic featuring underside shots, and that aspect of the Chevelle is as impressive as the exterior. Every bright trim piece has been restored or replaced, the glass is clear, and the SS rolls on a spotless set of Rally wheels.
Lifting the hood reveals the main reason I consider this Chevelle refurbished, not restored. The seller indicates that the build included sending the car’s 327ci V8 to a quiet corner of the workshop. As a purist, I think that is a shame, because Chevrolet only introduced the 327 to the Chevelle range in June of that year. The space now houses a 350ci V8, with the factory Powerglide also leaving the building in favor of a three-speed unit. The seller indicates that this small-block features an Edelbrock intake, a four-barrel carburetor, and an aluminum radiator. They don’t specify any further upgrades, although the air cleaner decal quoting 350hp could be accurate. The engine bay presents superbly, proving that you don’t need acres of chrome to draw attention. It doesn’t flatter to deceive: this YouTube video confirms that the engine is as sweet as a nut and that this Chevelle runs and drives perfectly.
Decoding this Chevelle’s Cowl Tag confirms that the current Black vinyl interior trim isn’t original. It left the factory wearing Light Fawn vinyl, further reinforcing my belief that this build was a refurbishment. It also reveals what appears to be the only aspect of this classic that falls short of perfection. A close examination of the listing images reveals scratches on the gauge fascia. They aren’t severe, but when we assess the attention to detail elsewhere, their presence is surprising. Otherwise, there is nothing about this interior deserving criticism. It isn’t loaded with factory options beyond bucket seats, a console, and an AM radio. However, I believe the glovebox may house a modern stereo.
“Stunning” seems the best word to describe this 1964 Chevrolet Chevelle Super Sport. The engine upgrade means it should be considered more of a refurbishment than a restoration. If not for the dash fascia scratches, the owner may well have achieved perfection with this build. It isn’t the seller’s first attempt to sell this gem; a previous auction stalled at $15,900, while another saw the Chevelle passed-in at $26,000. If those figures are indicative of the seller’s expectation, there may be a fair way to go before this Chevelle heads to a new home. What do you feel would be a fair price?
Always a favorite here.
If the 327 in the corner is validated as the original, a purist might be tempted to push higher than the $26k once offered although the lack of the original SlipSlide might be a barrier to some. If it’s not then it’s just another Chevelle and the 350 is a period substitute with the 3 spd auto behind it and those range from $30k to $97k depending on where you look and what you want.
GLWTA
Great looking Malibu SS!!
Absolutely beautiful Malibu. It looks like no expense was spared refurbishing this one. I agree with Afam, this is kind of a combination restoration/refurbishment. Not sure why or what was wrong with the original 327, or the Powerglide, but maybe it was a driveability choice. I’m thinking they built their dream car over the course of over 2 decades. The surprise is they’re selling it now after all that time, effort and money. But maybe they’re hesitant to drive it ( I know I would be afraid of ruining all that work). Really nice one here Adam, I enjoyed your write up. Thank you.
Don’t give the 2-decade restoration too much credit. I’ve got a ’57 Nomad I started restoring in 1976 but along with making a living, fixing other people’s cars, home repairs, raising a family, life in general, I haven’t finished it yet.
The car is being sold on consignment.
Very pretty car. I do like it. I don’t mind the transmission swap but don’t know if the 350 is a great upgrade over the original 327. Maybe the 327 was damaged.
What I don’t get is if you’re essentially resto-modding, why not upgrade the brakes? The car can definitely run in modern traffic. It might as well stop like it too
My brother in law had a yellow one while dating my sister in the late sixties. Always liked that car so when I started to look a couple years ago for a classic I set my sights on a yellow 64SS but my search came up empty. I ended up with a 1969 Camaro convertible but I still keep watching.
This is a very nice Chevelle, but I wonder, since it has an upgraded master cylinder if it also has disc brakes. I’m surprised that the engine emblem isn’t the crossed flags that Chevy used to indicate a 327 in 1964.
The engine emblem is indeed strange. It appears to be the basic “V” indicating a 283 that they have put the 327 script above it. In the end I suppose that it doesn’t make much difference as it isn’t a restoration. Pretty car, but the factory Fawn interior would be stunning, and since the builder wasn’t concerned with originality, a 4 speed would be my choice.
I’d say 25k would be a good deal. Knowing time and effort as well as expenses paid to accomplish this task.
we wish the word ” restored ” was reserved for cars that were actually restored , rather than modded . anyone shopping for one of these will walk away because it is incorrect . . i dont see it bringing more than $10,000 because of the sins of the owner , sad really .
Very nice looking Malibu. I am a stickler for original but, changing out the 327 and powerglde doesn’t bother me near as much as a complete restomod.
Beautiful car! Obviously the owner knew what he was doing. I’d prefer the 327 over the 350. I’d be afraid to drive it. Too many ways to get her hurt
Looks well sorted, 25,000-30,000 all day long. Couldn’t build this car for less than that.
Hard to complain about a 350ci/350hp Chevy 🏁
A 350 HP sticker on the air cleaner doesn’t make it a ‘L-79 Just sayin’.
Thanks for the nostalgia, this is identical except for the wheels to a car i owned in the 60’s. Mine had a 283 2 bbl and a 4 speed which I would prefer over any automatic. Having owned some big engines over the years, I prefer a car that is responsive and controlled by a manual transmission, a car that you have to drive in order for it to perform. My car satisfied those things. With an automatic, you may as well have a 6 cylinder. Yes, I realize that the bigger the engine, the better the collector value. I did add dual exhaust to mine. What a sweet car that was to drive!
Very nice clean Chevelle here being a 1971 Chevelle owner myself.