The second generation of the Chevelle (1968-72) would be the nameplate’s most popular. 50 years later, the Super Sport models are the big draw with collectors, with their 396 or 454 V8 engines. This ’71 Malibu is an SS clone and a stalled project that comes with a lot of parts to help finish the job. And what makes this car especially appealing is that it’s a convertible, a body style that would only run another year under the Chevelle banner. Available here on eBay, the bidding on this car in Sag Harbor, New York is up to $25,100.

In the 1950s, there was only one size Chevrolet – the Biscayne/Bel Air/Impala. Then came the compacts Corvair and Chevy II, and a void was created. The same thing happened at Ford who responded with an intermediate in 1962, the downsized Fairlane. Chevy would follow with the Chevelle in 1964 and they had a hit on their hands. The redesigned Chevelle’s in 1968 followed the industry trend of shorter rear decks and longer hoods. Combined with contoured sides, the second-gen cars took on a “Coke bottle” shape. The Super Sport continued to be widely popular, so much so that five decades later the Chevelle SS has become one of the most often cloned muscle cars.

The most noticeable change on the Chevelle in 1971 was the use of two single-beam headlights rather than duals. And the recessed-in-the-bumper taillights became two concave ovals rather than square. The SS that year, which was based on a Malibu, used a 350 cubic inch V8 as its standard powerplant. The seller’s car has the appearance of a true SS, but it’s not. It may have started as a Malibu convertible with a 350 that was rebadged before the seller acquired the car.

This clone or tribute is for sale because the seller is unable to complete the project due to an injury. The photos provided show the vehicle in different stages, but not necessarily in sequential order. One photo shows a rather messy but complete engine compartment, which other photos are of an engine block, transmission, and other components separately and then together. So, reading between the lines we believe the seller pulled the original engine and tranny, started building a big-block (396 or 454?) and 4-speed transmission, and paused before putting the new stuff back into the car.

The body may be in transition as well, reflecting an older attempt at an SS. The red paint may or may not be the car’s original paint or color and it’s dirty in some photos and clean in others, with the front grille installed in some and not in others. So, we’re not real sure of where the body stands in the transformation right now. The beige interior will likely need work, but we don’t know the extent of it. The seller has replaced some of the floor pans and has a new convertible top and carpeting are waiting for the buyer to install. We’re told there is a ton of parts coming with the car and we hope the lot is sufficient to complete the work.

Chevy built more than 387,000 Chevelle’s in 1971 and the Malibu convertible comprised 37,400 units with a V8 engine and another 4,200 with an inline-six. So, there were plenty of candidates for the cloning process to be applied against. If done well, this convertible could be valuable one day, which is what several bidders are betting on given where the bidding has taken the auction.