With all the recent high dollar Chevelles that have been popping up, this Chevelle Malibu project looks rather tempting. While it isn’t an SS, it is a factory V8 car with disc brakes and is ready to be built the way you want. You could restore it back to original or you could drop a big block in it and create your own SS without having to break the bank. The best part is that it is being offered without a reserve! You can find it here on eBay in Troy, Michigan with a current bid of $4,550.
The seller isn’t sure what all is missing outside of some of the major components like the engine and transmission. It appears to be a project that was started a number of years ago and then for whatever reason abandoned. The body looks pretty solid though, there is some damage and rust in the right rear corner that will need to be addressed. It shouldn’t be too difficult to get it cleaned up and prepped for paint, or you could just fix the rear corner and touch up the current black primer to give it a rat rod look.
It isn’t in perfect shape and it’s green, but the interior looks like it could be salvaged. Interiors can get expensive, especially if you have to replace things like the dash and all the trim pieces, so having them present is a major plus. The green color isn’t my favorite, but it is different. If you decide you can’t handle it though, there are some great products out there now to paint or dye interior components.
This Chevelle won’t ever bring SS 454 money but it also won’t cost nearly as much to buy. Even if you paid a shop to do all the body and paintwork, you still will be in it for less than a comparable big block car. A brand new GM 454 crate engine with a transmission will set you back about $10k but you’re getting a brand new engine with a warranty and over 400 horsepower! Sure it won’t have the resale value, but it would be just as much fun to drive. So what do you think, is this Chevelle project worth taking on at the current bid? And would you go the big block route or just find a 350 for it?
the seller almost apologizes that the interior is GREEN , personally would leave the interior the way it came from the factory bench, column auto. most likely put a “new” sound system in it as for the rest, would make sure that it is ” fixed” so it will pass inspection. I think a crate 350, or one that is in excel. shape out of a newer car .. dog dish hubs, radials.. good to go
Hey Josh.. I am sorry for hijacking here, by all means remove this post if needed, but I had no other way to reach you…
I posted this on my YouTube Channel and thought you just might be interested in watching…. of course anyone else who sees this link is welcome to check it out as well….
https://youtu.be/5aJvuuWjrtU
I like this–a reasonably priced V8 Chevelle that isn’t a basket case. Factory A/C and front discs really add value for me, and I do like the green interior.
I’m with Mike D: drop a good used 350 in it, fix the body damage, make it fully functional, and call it good. Cruise and enjoy.
I like these do it your way projects for the price and vision of a completed car.
Find a decent drive train, some wiring, some body work, some paint and you’d have yourself a decent driving car that didn’t break the bank. Sounds like a win-win to me.
This 2- door body style in any rendition or year is an icon of the street in every town; Saturday nights, brake stands, and in the yard repairs. Americana in one of its best forms. That’s right , an affordable and fun to incrementally fit-out the way you want “muscle car”. No mattter if a Chevelle , Le Mans, Cutlass, or Skylark
Big blocks are over rated, they make the car handle like Poo, But if you go big at least go 454, Never understood the 396 unless its a numbers matching original low mileage car. (if it makes you happy buy some 396 stickers for your 454.
Small blocks are a great choice for these. Ton of suppliers to upgrade suspension, brakes and performance and if you shop well can be done on a small budget.
In my area, because of DEQ/EPA there is a number of good later model donor cars with guys who invested a lot of money in hopping up their engines but cant pass DEQ, Anything newer than 75 has to pass inspection. So buy up a good deal donor camaro, corvette or other car and you have a nice drive train for cheap (Plus perhaps a Overdrive trans, posi rear/w disc brakes too) and then part out the rest and its all nearly free.
Good start here for the builders out there. Already has the 12 bolt posi rear end, the cowl induction hood, and the interior, uh, at least it’s somewhat there.
Power wise I’d say stout running 355 or maybe a small block stroker motor. The big block route just seems so typical it is almost expected to be an SS454 clone, how about something’s else?