With the advent of the compact market segment in the late 1950s, a gap between the new smaller cars and Detroit’s full-size transports quickly developed. Ford was perhaps the first to respond by creating a mid-size or intermediate series of automobiles, shifting the Fairlane nameplate to that duty. Chevrolet would follow two years later with the Chevelle, which ironically had similar dimensions as the 1957 Bel Airs. This second-generation 1968 Chevelle wagon would be an ordinary people mover if it didn’t have a 396 cubic inch V8 under the hood. Located in Creswell, Oregon, this performance coach is available here on craigslist for $10,000 OBO (thanks for the tip, Rocco B.).
All of GM’s intermediates were redesigned in 1968, including the Chevelle. The softer styling saw production exceed 464,000 units, including four station wagons that came with six-passenger seating (nine-passenger was also available). Those choices, from basic to upscale, were the Nomad, Nomad Custom, Malibu, and Concours. The seller’s wagon is one of these, but there’s no indication which one this is and we can’t make out any badging. Also, we’re told this is a 1969 model, but the front end and steering wheel are all from 1968.
This wagon sports a rebuilt 396 V8 and a 4-speed manual, typically reserved for the Chevelle SS 396 and not a “Family Truckster” like this. While they could be original, we’re guessing the drivetrain components are replacements for something that was once more sedate in the performance department. Also, the “high-rise” floor gear shifter is not something that would have been stock in a ’68 Chevelle.
The body looks okay, but the black (?) paint looks to be an older finish, a likely respray. And some of the side trim is no longer present. The interior has had a makeover, with new upholstery, per the seller. But some of the door panels are MIA. The odometer reads 80,000 miles and it’s on its second time around the dial. As far as wagons go, this Chevelle may easily be able to match any SS 396 at the traffic light drag strip.
Didn’t vent windows go away after 68?
Not on wagons. They had wing windows all years.
Not in Chevelle wagons and El Caminos, 73 would be when they went away
I had a 1972 Pontiac Lemans 4 door post sedan with vent windows.
Boy howdy, this will haul the mail. This is a very rare 12 speed, you know, 3 main, 4 auxiliary,,cough, and I believe it was a 6 cylinder/3 speed on the column originally. The front marker light would have indicated a V8. I read, the 396 was not available in the wagon, and a 327 was it, although, a 4 speed was available, obviously, not on this car. This was just a basic “series 2” Chevelle wagon, the “Concours” was the fancy one. Tell you what, had it had a 396 4 speed, it would have been the coolest car to be dropped off at school with. Mom would have been pretty cool too.
A 5 speed, AC and a good stereo and this could easily be my daily driver.
The pic of the tall shifter, clearly shows an automatic trans lever on the steering column……so definitely not stock 4spd
Thats THE surf 🏄♂️ 🌊 wagon right there.
My grandaddy had one. An automatic. I don’t know what the motor was I would drive to around the farm when I was 10 down to the fish ponds with Jon boat in the back. Wish I could go back to those days
You would think that with the asking price of $10,000 the seller would have taken some decent pictures.
Is that a RAT FINK designed shifter?
This has potential to be a lot of fun but too rich for my blood. I’m still stuck in the 80’s when you could buy a ’70 GTO for $500 that had been parking with a bad transmission. And yes, that tall floor shifter reminds me of those Rat Fink muscle car tee-shirts from back in the good ole days!
Your groceries would never know what hit ’em.