Been looking for something original, not too expensive, and fine to both drive and preserve? Past and Present Motor Cars might just have your ticket in the form of this 1970 Chevrolet Malibu. It’s listed for auction here on ebay, with a couple of days left and a bid just past $15,000 registered. Note, however, that you’re going to have to sweeten the pot a lot to get it. The dealer’s online ad has the car for sale at just under $40,000. So maybe my promise above that’s it’s not too expensive was a bit hasty. Still, you can see for yourself with a visit to Ocoee, Florida.
What grabs you right off are the dog-dish hubcaps this little beauty is sporting. We always got those on our cars when I was growing up. Saving on trim like full wheel covers allowed my dad to splurge on AC. That might have been the logic with this Chevelle, too, as it sports factory air. Note that it blows, but needs to be recharged, which really means resealed, a common but not inexpensive proposition. The 350-CID engine is presumed original, as are the 85,000 miles, but what’s with the rhythmic ticking sound when the engine is running (see the video in dealer’s ad)? The steering wheel wrap lends a touch of authenticity to the whole proceedings, it feels. This probably is the “survivor” it’s advertised as. The presence of the Protect-O-Plate adds to that. Old-fashioned handwriting on the warranty car says that this car was put into service on November 13th, 1969.
Aesthetically, the car’s white paint and matching interior are more grandma than drag strip, but that would be fine with me. And while the dealer says the car is a survivor, as mentioned, he declaims responsibility for further disclosures by indicating that he does not have full history on his cars. So you’re going to want to figure some things out. Is the paint original? All of it? Any accident damage? Body filler? Has there been rust? What’s going on with the package shelf—did a teenager cut holes for bigger speakers at some point? The photos of the trunk suggest only the rust that comes from leaving the mat in after water has leaked in is present, a relatively easy fix. The floors look solid.
Nothing seen in the ebay ad, or the dealer’s extensive collection of photos in that ad, is off-putting. In fact, I’m quite fond of what I see. The under hood area needs a thorough professional detailing, and not just with spray bottles. Stuff needs to come off and be bead-blasted and then painted or preserved. Do that, look at all the rubber seals and hoses, and address a few other things sure to come up (including that AC), and you’re sure to have a real looker of a car. Whether it’s going to put you upside down for a number of years to come value-wise is anyone’s guess. I’d say we’re well into overpriced dreamland with this Chevelle, but how often do you find one this authentic?
Not seeing this as the muscle car the dealer describes it as. Decent shape but not worthy of $40k.
That term “muscle car” gets misused a lot these days. Perfect example here.
it is in fact a ‘muscle car,’ more so than a Nissan ever will ;) This is an absolute gem ! Im envious of and happy for who ever steps up to get it.
Why would you assume that black small block is O-E???
Looks like it’s got GM Goodrich valve cover stickers so that would make the engine not original
It will get built faster and stronger that is it’s a clean example. Pictures always look good! Price is a bit steep to buy as a build car but has some of the right stuff. Come on look at that profile, it’s great. Best to the new owner.
Someone nailed the stance on this car, it seems easy, but few pull it off. That the color combination, bucket seats and console are the selling points on this car. It’s still hard to see this car bringing $39,970, but it’s a dealer in Florida, that probably ships a lot of cars overseas. Thus their prices shouldn’t be considered representative of the market.
Steve R
Steve R., you probably know better than me, but I think this EBay seller never actually sells anything they put up for auction.
Must be window dressing for finding potential direct sale customers who have deep pockets. Like you mentioned – most likely overseas buyers.
They have sold 7 vehicles through eBay over the last 90 days. I think many of the dealers use eBay as a way to get their cars noticed. I’d call anyone selling a car and want to speak directly, maybe finishing the deal with them directly.
They have a lot of cool cars, but are way overpriced, like most dealers. Buying locally from a private seller is almost always the best route.
Steve R
I love 70 Chevelles the last muscle car I owned was a 70 SS. But this isn’t an SS it’s got a 350 that’s probably tired, the air doesn’t work and it’s not a 4spd. They didn’t even try to detail the engine and who knows what else could be wrong with it. I don’t see $40,000.
Original engine whould be Chevrolet Orange, not black. Appears to be a GM Goodwrench replacement, not a bad thing.
Pretty typical to see, dealer buys car seeing big bucks, does very little and when they do it’s usually the wrong things then start taking pictures for the ad, dreaming of the big payoff. Lazy. Not a 40k car, should be cleaned up, new carpet, clean the back seats and enjoy. No need for anymore clown, clone cars built to go fast and crash coming out of a car meet.
I agree with other comments. That is probably a GM replacement engine with those newer valve covers. I know I have one in my 1971 Chevelle. The vehicle is clean but the price is too high for a Malibu car. The engine bay is dirty, the A/C is all there which is a good thing but does not blow cold, the rear seat looks dirty and it does not even have dual exhaust!
What a joke…stop featuring these stupidly overpriced dealer’s ads unless they’re paying you!!!
It’s an outrage Micheal!!! How long will we suffer!!??
I agree that the engine appears to be a replacement. I would go one step further and say that while you could get a 350 in a 1970 Malibu, the majority of the V8 malibu cars were equipped with the 307. Without any documentation you can’t prove if this car was a 350 or if someone just swapped in a 350 and changed the fender emblems which are easy and readily available
Better take the 15000 and run! Dealer car ! Enough said! Peace! P.s enough with the pop adds already bf!
This would be a bargain at $15,000 in its current condition.
Steve R
We all seem to agree, 40 grand is crazy money for this car, but at 15k, I’d buy it. Probably worth mid to high twenties in this market, which is more than likely exactly what this dealer paid for the car. The Malibu has a lot going for it, but the dealer should’ve spent a weekend doing a little detail work to up the presentation. But, like many dealers, the car gets put up for sale at a minimum ten large up-charge as soon as the car is rolled off of the trailer.
the black valve cover makes me wonder if the engine is a Target Master or Goodwrench or other replacement engine.
It’s a bondo full rust bucket.
That negates “survivor” or “original” status.
Totally agree, Pugs. If this car had a personality I would say it is bubbly. It waves back to you.
Back seat needs a thorough cleaning, A/C not working. I wonder what else needs attention? Not worth even HALF the $40k the dealer’s asking, IMHO.
I will leave another comment. The heater core is by passed and the rear window shelf is peeling.
Gotta watch the car dealerships here in Florida, they’ll rip you off if you’re not careful. I recall going to one of those credit rebuilding dealerships in Tampa with my SIL a few years back. They tried to put her into a ’99 Malibu sedan with over
200K miles on it for $33,500!!! The payments would have been $750 a month for 48 months at 30% interest over the life of the note. And what you got was a tired looking vehicle
that needed everything and was bound to quit before their sky high payments did. So she tries one in Orlando, with almost the same results. $5K down and $650 a month for 48
months for an ’01 Nissan Ultima sedan with 190K miles on it.
The interest rate: a little better at 28.9% for the life of that note. And again, the car looked tired, the paint was baked, the inside was trashed, it needed tires, and most importantly,
it was a Nissan! My point is that car dealers here in Florida have always sold used cars at overinflated prices for years.
And this Chevelle is one of them. $40K for this? not in my book. You can find one at half the price if you bide your time
and look. They’ll find some poor desperate soul to buy this car but when I see stuff like this, it makes you wonder what
kind of stuff are they smokin? Whatever it is, I’ll take some.
Ended at 18K.
Reserve Not Met.