General Motors redesigned its mid-size cars in 1968 (they debuted in 1964). Chevrolet’s popular Chevelle was included, and the changes gave it a nice sales boost. V8-equipped Malibu Sport Coupes alone saw a 27% increase in demand. This beauty has had one repaint across its two previous owners, but otherwise, the Chevy could be original. Equipped with a column-shifted manual transmission (getting rarer by 1968), this near-survivor can be found in Winchendon, Massachusetts, and is available here on eBay for a flat $25,000.
The seller’s Malibu Sport Coupe is one of 180,400 produced in ’68, up from 141,000 the year before. That excludes six-cylinders and the SS 396, which had been a separate series since 1966. Other than its 307 cubic inch V8, vinyl roof, and Rally wheels, this Chevelle may have had few options. You might have expected to see a 2-speed Powerglide automatic, but the original owner wanted to go old school and shift gears from the steering column. We’re told the drivetrain is matching numbers.
We assume the redone Ash Gold Poly paint is the original hue, which looks good when contrasted with the black vinyl top. The interior seems nice enough, although the upholstery on the front bench seat is a little sunburned. We don’t know the full history of the 57-year-old Chevy, but it appears to be well-kept at 85,000 miles. It started life in Mississippi and eventually found its way to New England.
Most of the seller’s presentation uses a fair amount of marketing lingo. But we’re told there are some nearer parts that help it run well, including a new dual exhaust and real springs. All-in-all, this should be a nice cruiser for weekend outings to Cars & Coffee. The seller has provided a YouTube video to help showcase the Malibu’s many attributes. Our thanks go to Mitchell G. for another fine tip!
I know, the stick, I’ll get to that, but 1st, this is so cool. What I think this was, was grandpas Chevelle that the grandson inherited and put those wheels and dual exhaust on, but I believe this was a bare bones Malibu. No P/S or P/B, or A/C, prolly only an AM radio( $61.00) and vinyl top( $84.30),, but not much else. Look at the engine compartment. The other day, a neighbor raised the hood on his Nissan Whatsis for a “funny” noise, and no lie, I didn’t recognize ANYTHING.
Okay, the stick. Automatics were still a pricey option $200 for the V8 Powerglide,( $240 for the T-H) A/C ( $360 !, just roll the window down, sonny) P/S, $94, PDB, almost $100, wheels $31,, nah, nah, nah,( gramps getting frustrated with the salesperson) it added up quick and in ’68, and many old timers that shifted all their lives, just preferred the stick. And there was merit to that. A stick was more reliable if driven properly. I believe this car has some tall(?) gears, like 3:0something( 2:78 available) and unlike say my Jeep or a VW that goes 5 mph in 1st, with the soccer mom almost hitting you, this car would do at least 35 in 1st gear, you still on my rear? 2nd gear, and see ya’.( 2nd good for 70, no?) I think with proper instruction, anyone can learn to shift it, just that “rollback”, and the inevitable stalled motor, at stoplights, sets fear in that is tough to cure.
Proof positive, while most all we see are the big block ones, these filled the driveways of most of America. A salute, of sorts, to the ’68 Chevelle. Like the Mach 1, they were beautiful cars standing still, regardless of what moved it.
About your 3 speed comment Howard. I’ve always said….. You only need 3 speeds…. Slow…. Medium…. and Fast….. lol
-Dave
I do wonder how many 3 on the trees equipped like this one stayed that way for long. A Hurst floor shifter kit was a widely available “day 2” mod in this car’s day.
nlpnt, I think a lot of people converted to floor shift when the factory column linkage started wearing. I worked at an auto parts store that sold Hurst, I can’t remember how many universal 3spd floor shifters we sold to people having issues. Even if they were inclined to try and fix their original shifter where would you get the parts, most owners didn’t want to dig around the internal of their steering column. The Hurst shifters were inexpensive, it wasn’t worth the hassle.
Steve R
My 1971 Chevelle came that way except it has powerbrakes owned it since 1988 since been converted to a 4 speed 350. It had 3.08 rear gears but now has a 12 bolt rear
I did what Steve R stated. Back in 1988 my 3 speed shifter on the column jammed up and the local shop put a Hurst shifter on the floor. I have since converted mine to a Muncie 4-speed.
I have to admit. I miss the time you could walk into your local ( insert your favorite make here) dealership, and order what you want. A 2 door hardtop with a vinyl top, small V8, but a column shifted 3 speed. I would keep this one exactly as is. We have enough Super Sports. Its nice to see the more bread and butter versions of these cars. Nice find here Russ and I enjoyed your write up too.
💯
We probably have more Super Sports than were ever made by Chevy, and many of them ridiculous hotrods, far from original.
Love it.
nice piece and already sold. i would lose the stick shift. no fun on todays congested roads.
I believe this started life as a “stripper,” short for stripped down. A bare minimum car for the cheap buyer or traveling salesman, the sort of thing the Central Production Office sent to dealers to flesh out back-of-the-lot inventory, especially for the 2nd string dealers in the hinterlands. This gained the Malibu bits later in life.
While I’m fairly certain that I will be in the minority, I simply do not see the value in these ’68 and ’69 plain Jane Chevelles. Even though I am, and always have been, a pretty rabid Chevrolet fan, I just do not find these particular Chevelles very attractive, especially when compared to all the others from ’64 to ’70. Just my humble opinion.
The ’68s were always my favorite year!!
SOLD.
I will never understand the high prices for these 1 of 180,000, stripped, 3 on the tree, 307 lumps.
This is a far cry from it’s muscle car big brother.
That money will by a really decent Corvette – C3 or later.
Steve R. If it was in the mid sixties, then you would remember the Hurst “mystery shifter”. I knew a couple of guys that bought one just because of the name.
Thank goodness this piece of Chevy nostalgia is still a great investment for a Chevy purist.
I still think of Kathy Mattea’s song every time I see a Chevelle. LOL.
Love it. Love the ’68-’69. I became infatuated with them because my uncle(s) had them. I currently own a ’69 SS 396