For some of our readers, there may not be many weekends left in 2026 to drive around with the top down in their dream car, since cool weather will be here before you know it. Still, there’s always next spring to look forward to, and this 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle here on Facebook Marketplace seems like a decent candidate for those seeking an early seventies convertible. Hemmings agrees with the seller’s count that about 5,000 convertibles were produced in ’71, with their number placed at exactly 5,089 Malibu droptops. That’s quite a few, but Chevelles and ragtops were both very popular at the time, and only around 1% rolling off the assembly line without a steel roof seems fairly low. This one’s in Milford, Connecticut, priced at $28,500, and the seller says it’s not negotiable. Zen, thanks for the fun tip here!
There’s a bit of a conundrum: the seller says it’s a one-owner car, but he’s not certain of the mileage. He may just be handling the sale, and although he was told the Malibu has only been driven 23,000 miles, he says that may or may not be true. That point is also clearly stated as not up for debate, so the best stance here might be that potential buyers should assume the actual mileage may be unknown. This one’s equipped with the popular 350 V8 and Turbo 350 automatic combo, and it’s said to start, run, and drive. Unfortunately, the brakes are soft, so I’d certainly check into this issue before getting behind the wheel.
The seller also mentions they were told that the Malibu was never garaged, and for a 55-year-old car residing in The Constitution State, much of the exterior still looks pretty good. There is some visible rust in the lower sections, such as the bottoms of the doors and quarters, but it doesn’t appear severe enough that any panels will necessarily need replacing. Much of the sheet metal is straight, so repairing the corrosion will likely be most of what’s needed before it’s ready for a fresh coat of blue paint. Another option is to choose a different color, but that decision will have to be made by the next owner.
The seats are said to be original, and based on their condition and the minimal wear on the pedals, the seller thinks the low-mileage claim could be legitimate. It’s going to need a new dash pad, and the top is described as mostly good but aging, so it might be time to considering replacing the canvas as well. With a firm price, prospective buyers will have to ponder whether the cost justifies whatever they have in mind here, whether that’s a restoration keeping things original, a Restomod, or perhaps an SS clone. How do you envision moving forward with this 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle convertible?
For a flippers he seems to be attached to the car, if he thinks someone will give him $28,500 in order to “pry this car from my clutches”, he’s going to own it a long time.
He needs someone to define what 1 owner means.
Steve R
Could not agree more Steve. He is going to have this car for a long time being firm on his price. With just a quick look going to have to replace the trunk pan and trunk hood along with all the weather stripping and replace the rear quarters.
I beg to differ. This thing is going to need a WHOLE LOT more than what you pointed out.
Where you and I are in total agreement ís regarding the price. That “firm” number is the stuff fairy tales are made of.
Connecticut roads looks like had an effect on vehicle.
Some folks would’ve high pressure sprayed engine and rattled canned the valve covers and breather then considered then while apart painted the block and oil pan.
Kudos to showing what the vehicle looks like currently.
Convertible Malibu Chevrolets are cool but this needs an inspection prior to purchase to assess tin worms then make a real offer on state of vehicle…
Fyi: Its hard to validate mileage without maintenance records listing dates over the years.
Front seat does not match back seat
Good call! Nice catch.
This seller is absolutely clueless. It’s obvious. Period. Knowledge is indeed power.
The engine compartment looks too crusty to justify the low miles claimed. I would not change the color, that Blue is one of my favorites. The price seems a bit high to be firm.
It looks like it is ready for an enthusiastic new owner before it gets too far gone.
Nope on the milage, I was stationed in Groton Connecticut for years. And I would also be concerned about the motor and undercarriage.
He knows what he’s got but not what it’s worth
Dude if you really wanna sell that girl find me and talk to me.. I built 1 once and wanna do another..I’m in florida get hold of me and let’s get serious and make something happen…waiting on you
If you are interested in the car, you have to contact the seller directly. The seller likely won’t ever know this site featured his ad.
Steve R
Alot going on here for a 23k mileage car. Mismatched seats, pedal pads are easily replaced. Bad rust on the rear horizontal surfaces. 55 years in New England is never kind to any vehicle.
Dude if you really wanna sell that girl find me and talk to me.. I built 1 once and wanna do another..I’m in florida get hold of me and let’s get serious and make something happen…waiting on you
LMFAO YOU, have to CONTACT THE SELLER DIRECTLY!!!!!
I guess John john is a bit on the slow side
LoL with the firm price for something that clearly is mis-mashed and easily way way over the mileage claim. There’s bumper to bumper work that needs done and only someone with a delusional sentimental attachment for the car might pay it.
Apparently that person is John J Britt!!
this by no means a 23k car. 123k+. loaded with rust that has not even been seen yet. i see holes in the floor pans and the frame is extremely crusty. the front bumper is solid rust. the interior is missed matched. this was poorly stored and it shows. the sad thing is even with the lousy attitude the guy has somebody will give him what he wants just because it’s a Chevelle and more than likely will end up SS.
For 28K the seller better include a bale of whatever they’re smoking
She’s definitely a New England car I live in Ma and we get lots of rust! But it’s got some pretty wheels on her. 28 k that’s what dreams are for . Good luck on the sale
If you look at the front and left lower block what’s visible, you tell me with the oil sludge buildup alone, my money bet is 123.000 on the motor. If they had thought to photograph the odometer or even the dash for that matter, I would have to pass on this one, my pockets are not that deep.
From the rust on the body and the engine compartment, it’s a good indication the floors and frame need attention. without seeing pictures of them there’s no way to put a fair value on it
He can keep his car it’s not like it’s an ss396 much less a 454
She is a scruffy little thing, isn’t she. I driven some rusty Michigan cars and this one is right in line with the finest of them. Front seat cover probably came from the same place as the outside mirror. May have been a sweetie in her time, but that time is past. Drop a zero and find some interest.
Being a 1971 Chevelle owner since 1988 I can tell the seats don’t match and the door panels are black while the seats look blue. Rear seat seems to be more original here. There is rust. Price would be more real around 10k here and more pictures would be needed here. East coast cars tend to have rust. The trunk has rust and the car was never stored inside. Still it is a convertable v8 car and worth looking at
Being a 1971 Chevelle owner since 1988 I can tell the seats don’t match and the door panels are black while the seats look blue. Rear seat seems to be more original here. There is rust. Price would be more real around 10k here and more pictures would be needed here. East coast cars tend to have rust. The trunk has rust and the car was never stored inside. Still it is a convertable v8 car and worth looking at Also has wrong outside mirror
Here we go again …another case of Chevelle derangement syndrome.Hey it is a Chevelle,ask any Chevy owner they’ll explain to you why this the fastest,most valuable, beautiful car ever built……forget the Torino Gt’s ,the GTX’s, Javelins,Cuda’s etc. Chevelle Chevelle Chevelle.The fastest thing about a Chevelle is the speed it rots away!
I had a 66 Mustang that rotted as fast as any Chevy !
Are you sure???lol
Here we go again …another case of Chevelle derangement syndrome.Hey it is a Chevelle,ask any Chevy owner they’ll explain to you why this the fastest,most valuable, beautiful car ever built……forget the Torino Gt’s ,the GTX’s, Javelins,Cuda’s etc. Chevelle Chevelle Chevelle.
Just for grins and giggles let’s compare it to the “Mopar or no car” crowd. Admittedly the Chevelle guys and gals have a tendency to suffer from delusions of grandeur (I should know as I suffered from that particular problem in the past) but I don’t believe that any other car people compare to the enthusiasm of the Mopar folks.
This car has 123000 miles on it . and is way over priced . As is about $7000 you will have another $30000 in it just to get it a good driver.