I’m always dubious about the idea of tackling someone else’s part-finished restoration project, but that doesn’t extend to cars like this 1966 Chevelle Malibu. This is a car that follows the “what you see is what you get” philosophy. In this case, it is a rolling shell with minimal rust problems for the buyer to address. It was spotted by Barn Finder Larry D, so thank you so much for that, Larry. Located in Elmhurst, Illinois, you will find the Malibu listed for sale here on eBay. The auction is set to open at $4,999, but there have been no bids. There is a BIN of $6,999, and 34 people are watching the listing.

The owner offers a few suggestions about what path the buyer might choose to follow in this build, but whichever way that person goes, they will be starting with a good foundation. The body comes with all of its hanging panels, and there is very little external rust to be tackled. There are some small spots around the window frames that could be easily repaired, while the areas in the bottoms of the front fenders could be addressed with patches. It looks like the rear quarter panel on the passenger side might require attention, but beyond that, it seems good. There’s no evidence of rust in the rockers or any of the other normally prone areas. The bumpers and grille are present, but the buyer will need to source other trim pieces, along with a complete set of glass and seals.

If I were to buy the Chevelle, I would have no hesitation in going the whole hog with a frame-off restoration. With the car dismantled to its current level, that would not be a major undertaking. The frame itself wears some surface corrosion, but it does appear to be structurally sound. Stripping the car and going down the rotisserie path would also maximize the chances that all work could be completed to a high standard. The trunk pan will need to be replaced, as will the floors. If the whole thing can be flipped over at will, that would make these tasks far more straightforward. What you see of the interior trim is what you get. That means that the buyer will be starting from scratch. The owner suggests sourcing a reproduction interior, although the buyer might choose to opt for custom trim. It offers an opportunity for the buyer to let their imagination run free.

The Malibu is being offered as a rolling shell with a 10-bolt rear end. It isn’t clear what used to occupy the engine bay, but now is the chance for someone to slip something special under the hood. That might be a fire-breathing big block, or following the restomod path would be worth considering. I’d find it very tempting to slot a fuel-injected V8 under the hood, backed by a Tremec transmission. I’d also perform some suitable suspension and brake upgrades to transform the Malibu into a potent but practical vehicle. That would allow the car to retain its classic looks while making it a more pleasant vehicle to live with on a daily basis. Your ideas might be different, and I respect that. When it comes to the question of blank canvas projects, there are no right or wrong answers. There are merely personal preferences.

There’s no denying that returning this 1966 Chevelle Malibu to the road is going to be a significant undertaking. When you look at the work that will be required and the shopping list of parts, it will take a lot of time and money before it sees our roads once again. However, if the work is completed with care and attention to detail, it has the potential to eventually become something special. It will require a special person to create that special classic, but is that person you?