We always appreciate input from our readers at Barn Finds. Whether it is via article feedback or the willingness to refer classics for us to feature, we simply wouldn’t exist without you. Therefore, I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting this beautiful 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu. It might not be a fire-breathing big-block SS, but it is an exceptionally tidy vehicle featuring mechanical specifications that seemingly guarantee motoring pleasure and bulletproof reliability. The seller has listed the Malibu here on Craigslist in Vancouver, Washington. They set their price at $34,700 for a classic that seemingly needs nothing.
Chevrolet introduced the Chevelle to American buyers in 1964 as it sought to go toe-to-toe with the Ford Falcon. An updated Second Generation landed in showrooms for the 1968 model year, with our feature Chevelle Malibu leaving the factory in 1969. The seller is sparing with their information surrounding its history, although the spotless presentation suggests that it might have been the focus of a recent project build. The Garnet Red paint has a beautiful depth of color and shine, and is perfectly complemented by panels that are as straight as an arrow. The Black vinyl top, which is in as-new condition, provides a striking contrast that will turn heads and help the Malibu receive plenty of positive comments. The glass is crystal clear, while it is seemingly impossible to fault the exterior trim. The Chevelle rolls on iconic Rally wheels, with those on the front being 15×7, and the rears are 15×8 to help this baby apply its power to the road.
This Malibu’s interior presents as impressively as the exterior, needing little beyond a radio to look complete. It is trimmed in Black vinyl that looks perfect, with the same true of the matching carpet. The dash and pad show no evidence of UV impact, while the underdash gauge cluster will help the driver to monitor this gem’s mechanical health. Finding an original radio to slot into the dash would be fairly easy, although the new owner may choose to follow the retro path to combine modern features with period-correct character.
The fender badges suggest that this Malibu left the factory with a 350ci V8 under the hood, but there is no iron-clad guarantee that this was the case. However, that is what occupies the engine bay today, and it is a freshly rebuilt 4-bolt unit. We can speculate on the potential power, but numbers north of 300hp should be possible. The builder followed a sensible path that should guarantee reliability, teaming the small-block with a four-speed Saginaw transmission, a 12-bolt rear end, power steering, and power front disc brakes. They also recently added new springs, new shocks, an aluminum radiator, and dual electric cooling fans. They suggest that there is more to add to this list, but it is fair to say that they have followed a commonsense approach with their build. Finding parts for ongoing maintenance shouldn’t present many challenges, allowing this beauty to grace our streets for many years. The seller describe the Malibu as being super fun to drive, and are those thoughts enough to tempt you to contact the seller? I won’t blame you if you do.
I like the builder’s decisions to keep the bench seat and avoid the clone route.
Bench seat was standard equipment for SS’s.
Steve R
Nice looking Malibu. Fresh 4bolt, 4sp, should be fun. Saginaw trans should be used with a softer touch 💅 through the gears.
Right back at ya’, pal, since we can’t afford the dang things, all we have is our .02, some more than others( cough), oh, I think the site would exist without my half baked comments, but it’s the interaction with fellow motorheads, and the cars we trashed, that makes it unique.
Take this car, for example, about as red flag as the color. Every Chevelle that comes down the auction line today, has a 4 speed. Just twern’t so. If it had a 350, those buyers, like my grandpas 350 Nova, didn’t want a 4 speed. I know, big shocker, but I rarely remember any 4 speeds, except the big blocks at the dragstrip. Think I’m nuts? I read, of the almost half a million( 455,000) ’69 Chevelles sold, only about 9,000 had a 4 speed, and those were mostly the 396. For me, and like 360,000 others, they wanted a Chevelle like this because it was such a cool, affordable car, and not really for its neck snapping performance. It really was one of Chevys nicest cars.
It’s actually closer to 60,000 4spd plus 15,000hd 3spd. There were 44,950 M20’s, 13,786 M21’s and 1,276 M22’s. A 4spd was not rare at all, or exclusive to SS’s. Part of the problem is these were so easy to clone many 4spd cars now look like SS’s.
Steve R
Saginaw 4 speed was the default 4 speed for a small block Chevelle. Seems likely this one was born with it. If I was gonna buy a 4 speed to upgrade my ride, it wouldn’t be a Saginaw.
Interesting that it still has the Saginaw, but yet has a 12 bolt rather than a 10 bolt rear, not that it is a problem! Nice car, but I’m not a fan of red cars
And the Camaro that year if not mistaken.
19sixty5, 12 bolt rear ends have been a popular swap for decades. You used to be able to buy one complete drum to drum at a Pick N Pull for $65, every 1970-1972 Monte Carlo factory equipped with a 4bbl carb came with one, they were common in El Caminos too. At a car show or drive in that was something you’d look for. As for a Saginaw, it’s nearly a direct bolt in if you blew up a Muncie, even one from a Vega will bolt in, I’ve bought a few cars that had a Saginaw swapped in so sellers could get a car running on the cheap and get rid of it.
Steve R
Glad someone resisted the urge to affix SS emblems and left it a “plain ol'” Malibu. Cool car. Love bench seat four speeds.
Seems like I have not been on here in forever. Miss all the comments, the frequent contributors and the articles. Sadly, my dad passed away July 4 (befitting as he was a patriot that loved and served his country in Vietnam). It has been tough. Miss him so much. Just so fortunate that he taught me everything I know about cars and how to wrench on them. Going back thru old service records (fricking meticulous!) my dad kept for his cars, and mine, when I was younger, has been cathartic and allowed me to relive memories that we shared together. I hope he has reunited with my mom and both of them are cruising the great two lane up in the sky.
Mike, sorry for the loss of your father. He seems like he was a good man.
Steve R
Amen.
Sorry to hear of your father’s passing, Mike. God bless him and a posthumus thanks for his service. Vietnam vets suffered some of the worst treatment coming home to the country they were protecting. A shameful period in our history.
My Dad was a diesel mechanic in the mines of N. Mn. for 46 years. Like you, I learned from him and have lots of his wrenches & other tools in my tool box as I write.
To the car, I’m always happy that someone hasn’t cloned, wildly customized, but left well enough alone, which this car should be proud to do.
God bless.
Maybe it’s just me but the chrome trim on the sides of this Chevelle sure looks like what I remember on a 68 SS the grill is definitely 69.
Jim I had a 69 and it had the chrome, although it was gray below it.
pull the sag and put a m21 in it. problem solved
💯 true hairy.
Spot on hairy!
Personally I don’t care what this car was originally. It looks to me the builder has done a great job of making a fun usable cool looking street machine that I’d certainly want in my garage. They resisted building another SS clone and you couldn’t build this car for the asking price.
It is nice and usable. The builder spent his money wisely, the valve covers can found at swapmeets for about the same price as the cheapest generic Chinese chrome valve covers and look much better. The use of painted parts and the attention to detail makes it stand out compared with most cars that built from a catalog. Not a fan of the Saginaw and rally’s, but they are budget oriented. This car has the feel of something that was built to make a profit, there is nothing wrong with that as long as it holds up well over time and the next owner enjoys it.
Steve R
Man, this car screams “love me”! Although not exactly rare in its day these were still uncommon as many wanted the Malibu look without the SS effort or premium. Power brakes and steering along with that beautiful bench seat seem to say you’re gonna like this. And it’s red. /melt :)
Is the master cylinder correct?
This is how I like a ‘69 Chevelle.
Jason, all I’d change would be the wheels. IMO, a set of Cragars would do nicely with the red.
While in high school, a guy a couple years older had a 69 Chevelle with a 300 HP 350 and a 4 speed. It was very fast and I often told him as soon as he wrecked it, I wanted to buy the engine. He soon did so I followed the wrecker to the junkyard and bought the engine before they sat it on the ground. I had a good paying job so I had the local dirt track engine builder do a 3 angle valve job, install a Chet Herbert solid lifter cam and put an Edelbrock Torker intake with a 650 CFM Holley. What a sweet little engine! I put it in a 67 ElCamino with a 3 speed and overdrive and drove it for my first 2 years of college. The column shifter precluded many drag races, but few could beat it off the line!
With a story as good as yours, 427, you should consider adding “435 hp” onto your user! LOL!
My 427 is a 66, so I have to make do with only 425 HP.😁
Is the master cyl. correct for disc brakes?
Yes, it might not be original, but it’s not a drum brake master cylinder.
If you want to see a drum brake master cylinder look at the 1968 Firebird 400 featured today, 7/20/3025. That has a drum brakes master cylinder, the drum brake master cylinder has a specific look and the differences become readily apparent once you see the two side by side.
Steve R
Probably came with the saginaw from the factory.
Pull the saginaw and put a five or six speed in it with the right rear gears. Then it will launch like it has 4.11’s but cruise the highway at 1500 rpm at 70 mph.