The Chevelle was Chevrolet’s mid-size car in the 1960s and 1970s and the most popular version was the Malibu Sport Coupe. That makes the latter one of the most popular autos of the era to clone into an SS 396 or SS 454. The seller’s Malibu has only had one prior owner, but the engine has been changed (at least according to the VIN) and the color went from green to red about 40 years ago. We assume it runs and drives, but the seller doesn’t make that point.
Chances are this Malibu was built with a 250 cubic inch inline-6 and a 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission. But a more potent combination is there now, a 350 V8 with a 4-barrel carburetor, HEI ignition, and headers with dual exhaust. The transmission is a TH-350 automatic. Power front disc brakes and power steering round out most of the accessories.
Though it resides in New York today, we’re told this Chevy originated in the South and is largely rust-free. When the machine was repainted, the hood was likely changed, too, as it has the bulge of the Super Sport bonnet. The interior may be original, and the carpeting has been removed, revealing what appears to be clean floors.
The paint is showing its age and there are some scrapes and chips. If you were to restore this Chevelle, this would be the time to go back to green paint. The indicated mileage is 68,000 but that doesn’t speak to what’s under the hood. From Burt, New York, this Malibu is available here on eBay where the opening bid of $20,000 is waiting for the first would-be buyer to step forward. If you were thinking of doing an SS 350 clone, you’d already have halfway there.
The fact that this isn’t an SS clone is what makes it interesting. Especially in red on those wheels, at first you think it is until you notice those oh-so-1970 fender moldings that was part of the regular Malibu trim over a base Chevelle but deleted by the SS package. Then you see the silver grille with bowtie and realize it is indeed not an SS.
For the serious person looking to build or restore a Malibu/Chevelle this is a no brainer.
I think that reality is starting to set in on the prices for these plain jane Chevelles. No one is willing to pay these exorbitant asking prices.