The seller of this 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu says you’ll never run across another example that’s still as original as his, and from what I can tell this one really does seem to have what it takes for the car to be branded a survivor. It’s also a candidate to make something different out of, should the next owner be thinking SS clone or LS swap, but for the Chevy to carry on just like it is now for another 55 years is a great choice as well. Whatever your fancy, the Malibu is currently in North Highlands California, and can be spotted here on eBay, where 40 bids have taken the price up to $25,200 so far, enough already for the biggest spender to drive the car home.
The owner claims the Chevy is 100% original and knows the car’s history, which prior to his acquisition was a single-family-owned vehicle. The story goes that the seller purchased it from a 98-year-old lady, whose nephew was the original owner, followed by her late husband, then she inherited the car upon his passing. It’s said to have been stored for 22 years until the seller bought it, with the paint stated to be the original factory finish with some patina on the roof and trunk. A brand new set of Cooper white letter tires are on Chevrolet rallys, but the original wheels and hubcaps are included in the sale.
One of the neat features inside is that the dealer-installed plastic seat covers were never removed, which have been in place front and back since the car was new. The interior is stated to be one hundred percent perfect, and from the areas we get to view it seems exceptionally well-preserved, all the way down to the carpet. But surprisingly, there’s not a photo of the entire dashboard and instrument panel, but if those components look like everything else, the condition should be no problem here.
The numbers-matching 307 and Powerglide automatic are both still in place, and if they’ve been well-maintained should be good for quite some time with just 41,000 miles on the pair. But here’s where opinions will start to differ, as I’m guessing our readers will be split between those wanting to put a more potent drivetrain in here versus purists who like to keep things original. It’ll be up to the future owner to decide, but I’d have to leave the paint and motor the way they are for at least a few seasons before even considering taking anything to a higher level. What would you do here?
If the seller isn’t trying to just blowing smoke up our..tailpipes, this car is one that should be left AS-IS and taken care of as it sits. In a world of clones and clowns, why make another wannabe SS? Drive it, enjoy it leave it original for the real feel of history in automotive lineage.
I’m a friend of the seller and actually was the person who found the car & facilitated the sale to my buddy on the west coast. I can confirm that story is 100% true and the car comes with all the ownership history to that effect – including the 98 yr old prior owner posing next to it in her driveway. Her niece is my neighbor (herself in her 60’s) and I had been hearing stories about the Malibu for years. Despite still driving her daily Ford Fusion, she was finally ready to part with the Malibu a few months back. Truly a 1 of a kind find, especially in NJ where everything turns to iron dust.
Jason, it seems sort of sad that your friend would buy this car and immediately turn it over for, no doubt, a very large pay day.
I know, free market and everything, but too bad it couldn’t have originally gone to someone who would have kept it.
Wow, an all original car in such nice shape, with knee-knocker air conditioning. The 307 with a powerglide is quite peppy, believe it or not. I’d leave it as original, and enjoy it for what it is. They’re only original once, and the world doesn’t need another ridiculous, tubbed hotrod with a Tahoe engine.
“dealer-installed plastic seat covers”; I encountered those once in a ’65 Impala 4dr. pillarless hardtop. Just imagine the original space age synthetic fabric, intact and in pristine condition, under that thick, clear vinyl. I don’t know how that’s survived decades of ozone and UV rays.
307 2 speed. Did I miss the front seat pictures? Assuming bench, no console. Rust patina is not attractive. Overpriced even at that mileage.
Spend 15-20k on paint and you’re upside down. Someone will spend $30k and build a clone.
Big Bill, check and correct your numbers.
And that’s exactly what I been saying here thousands of times. People don’t realize paint alone properly done is 10 to 15k a proper interior is another 10k
If you start 10 15 20k deep just buying a shell…. It adds up quick. People are dumping 70k into ars worth 45… Just insane.
I had a ’66 Impala sport coupe with a 327. I replace it with a 307 and it came original with a 3 on the tree. It screamed especially out of the hole. BTW…I blew up the 327 and our local mechanic had the 307 ready to go. He had just rebuild it.
That looks like a York AC compressor, not Frigidaire as was supplied on every GM car I have seen.
With a BBC motor, IMO, it would make a nice sleeper.
In one of the inside floor pic you see a glimpse of the aftermarket a/c so maybe dealer installed ?
My best guess would be that not the dealership installed the York system but someplace place like Western Auto. I’m 99.9% sure any dealer installed a/c would have been Frigidaire only. Great old Malibu regardless!!
I’d keep it as is and do a respray and a nice detailing inside and engine compartment. Maybe get an aftermarket intake and quadrajet and oem air cleaner assembly to put a few more ponies underhood and keep the stock look.
The general consensus is to leave the car alone and love the one your with. Good song better advice. Everything has already been said. No the world doesn’t need another SS wannabe. I don’t believe a set of Hedman headers would kill the originality nor would and good hipo kit for the carb. Keep original parts of course. Good luck the person who ends up with that one. Possibilities are endless.
Hi, my 1st car 68′ malibu blue black/v-roof, 2dr, blk. int, p.glide, 307-2brl.! It came from my grandmas neighbor. had only 13,369mi’s original front tires! best car I ever had!! it was like new! engine bay amazing! 307 is very,very, disrespected…same block as 283-327. What I did was put headers on! OMG…night & day! wow! damn car couldn’t breath !! got 5 more MPG to 24mpg and became a sleeper!! my dad sold it while I was at work…told me I couldn’t have 2 cars!! never forgave him for that! woo wiz me…the only car I had was 68′ 400 firebird!!! this malibu is nice, but not 25k though…
What a beautiful start for a SLEEPER. Leave all the badges as factory. Address the outer skin with patience by doing it yourself. Build a high H.P. + high torque engine and tranny plus rear axle and head for the street to mess with the mosquito transplants making nothing but noise.
I have two high school friends that did exactly this. One was a 58 vette the other was a 70, I think, Olds 442 w30 his hers Hurst. They both still have them. What fun they had with the local street kings.
P.S. I forgot to mention that they both kept the original drive trains so as not to loose the originality of the car.
That is a cool car. It does have cloth seats in the front as well. They also still have the plastic clear covers. Do ya’ll know how rare and desirable cloth seats are in the South?
Ewww I have leather seats, But I have to cover them with lambs wool seat covers cause Heat. Buy this car, Leave it just like it is for 20 years and it will be the only Cloth seat Malibu in the world. It will be worth 4 times what a 454 Chevelle is worth now. But no someone one will listen to the good idea fairy and restomod it. If I didn’t have a 69 Convertible i would buy it just to save it from a fate like that.
Why not buy the seats? Stranger things have happened you know. Make your wishes known to all parties of your interest. What’s the worst thing that could happen
I would leave the car as is for awhile b c it s got only 41 k miles on it ;& drive it to 75-100 k miles ?! then take out 307 to keep it original & build up 307 to maybe 327 ?!;30-60 over?! & ( depending on what gears are in rear; 10 bolt?!) ; headers to let that engine breathe a little more & some other upgrades to get more H P out of that small block & as long as tranny shifts fine ;leave well enough alone & maybe save up for respray of original color ?! remember Chevy guys & gals the $$ is in the body work & as long as car is solid beef up power train instead of body work bc mechanical is easier & faster than body work & less time consuming! And like the guy said their only original once even though they made 1000’s of these cars & prone to rust and / or rusting in field somewhere there aren’t many left out there ?!
Back in the day one of neighbors had a 68 Chevelle 327/ 375 4speed I would love to find a Chevelle with that engine transmission combo.
Now that’s a part of days gone by and the beauty of what was. I’ve had many restored vehicles but to find one totally origional, no frills, no beefed up motors, showing just the way she came off the line, now that’s a collectors dream and a once in a lifetime find. I’d never change a thing on this beauty. Leave it just like she is and love every minute of it. Your a lucky man, congratulations on your find, be safe and God Bless.
My daily driver before going in the military. Not to powerful but comfortable and had cold air
I suspect the plastic on the back seat was an early form of birth control.