Here’s an interesting one, it’s a 1964 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu SS that has undergone performance mods but has obvious appearance issues. The seller suggests, “This is very honest car with good bones that is an excellent candidate for a full restoration“. Really, well let’s examine it and see if we agree. Located in Los Angeles, California, this freshman year Malibu SS is available, here on craigslist where it can be yours for $24,995.
Chevrolet’s new midsize Chevelle got off to a bang in ’64 with over 330,000 units sold in that introductory year. The Malibu SS was a separate model with its own numerical ID and this example’s VIN checks out as one of 67K assembled. Body styles for all trims included two-door sedans, hardtops, convertibles, and station wagons along with four-door sedans and wagons.
Our subject car has undergone a repaint and it hasn’t held up too well though the body seems to be straight and free of rust. Most of the stainless trim is still attached though a horizontal piece for the leading edge of the hood is missing as well as the “CHEVROLET” brand badge letters for the hood and trunk. That grille is a bit banged up too. Chevrolet’s “seen everywhere” rally wheels complete the exterior picture.
Likely powered, originally, by a 283 CI V8, this Malibu SS is now sportin’ a 350 small block attached to a Turbo-Hydramatic 350 three-speed automatic transmission. The engine has been treated to headers, dual Flowmasters, dual pumper Holley, MSD Electronic Ignition, and an aluminum radiator. The listing mentions that front disc brakes are on the job too. The seller adds, “The engine is strong and car runs and shifts“.
The interior, well, it’s inside all right. The driver’s bucket seat has seen better days and the carpet is a wreck. The dashpad checks out OK and the original Malibu SS center console is still right where it belongs. The headliner has undergone some Frankenstein-style stitching and will either need to be replaced or just removed. The floors do seem sound, however, and the underside images reveal no faults.
So, an easy project? Well, it depends on how far one wants to take this car – there are varying degrees of “completeness” and they are as individual as the next person who takes ownership of this Chevy. I suppose I’d go for an interior redo and a paint job, but how about you, what would be job one for you?
Always had a weakness for the ‘64 Chevelle 2 door. Our family landed in the US near a NJ Chevy dealership and drive their new ‘64 2 door 6cyl column shift 3 spd across the continent via the southern states-3 times. In HS traded my LWB dune buggy for a ‘64 El Camino. Clean simple lines, smaller machines with less weight made for a good time.
This one may be a little high on price but it still sings the Sirens Song…
The first car I remember my Dad drove us around in. My Mom learned to drive a stick in it and I remember being at a red light on a slight hill and she was scared to go with cars behind her so eventually a trooper shows up and directs traffic so she could pull away. Us kids were 4 and 6. Just hanging in the backseat no belts no car seat
Lower the price.
Would be a nice driver though.
Not a bad car but between a pro paint job and interior 25k is to high and it’s not a #’s car which will always be worth more if you have to or want to sell it.I’m sure it’s gonna need all kinds of other stuff that pops up during a restore that adds up real quick.I could see around 15 grand imo.
Easy, new carpet, and headliner refurb. the seats, the missing trim and banged up grill give purpose for cruising swap meets, lastly I’d drop in a manual Trans, then drive it all day long with reckless abandonment. If it was an East Coast car, I’d be there with 17k cash in hand and drive away grinning.
Learned to drive in a 65 Chevelle 2 door with 6 cyl auto. I think this one’s priced a little high for what still needs to be done.
There’s a lot more to get this even looking as it should. Replacing and lining up the grill. Pull and paint the block, derust the mastercylender and paint it with a rustoleum aluminum, replace the airbreather, and clean the entire engine bay and give it a fresh respray, pull and straighten or replace both bumpers, then remove existing body paint n tend to any rust issues and repaint, pull all side glass and bring back to clear or replace with new, fix or replace all trim, pull all the entire interior seats and repair to look new , pull headliner and replace, replace all light bulbs including turnsignals inside and out, make sure all the switches work on the dash and the horn, replace the carpet and rocker panels, grease the working parts of the doors, wax and buff new paint job and hand wipe all excess clean to a mirror finish, and while the engine is pulled replace the wiring harness and get rid of the old crusty wires in the picture. Now when you look at this list you’ll know this ain’t no $20 thousand something car because you are going to have to put at least that much into it to bring it up to par and make it look better than the ol beater condition it’s in. I, agree with Maggy. $15 grand tops as is. And I still love a Chevy.
The biggest downfall to this one is the missing air conditioning components. In fact, the complete heater/air conditioning box is completely gone. This is an over-priced black plate 64 Chevelle SS that requires a lot more than cosmetic repairs. I’m surprised that in the write-up for this article that there’s no mention of this. Unless the buyer lives in a neutral temperature climate this should be of the greatest concern, and as far as I know, state inspection requirements include that a working defroster be present.
In all honesty, a good price for this car is 10 grand and you better have deep pockets to bring it back to its glory days and especially since everything has increaded in price the past couple years. Love the car but the I’m thinking with my head…..and my wallet.
I especially love the 64-65 body styles when the SS Chevelles were born and would like to have one restored ( I was able to buy a new ’69 SS Chevelle that year), but I’d have to subtract about 10 to 15 k from the current bid, and also the impossible, subtract about 30+ years from current age of 72…still this is gonna be a sweet project for someone #’s matching or not.
The 64 Chevy SS Malibu is in good condition for the year but over priced to finish it, back in the day you could buy one for 2/4 grand and enjoy ,but in this day and age to restore is out of this worlds pricing,if it cost 20k to restore and 24k to buy it not Worth the it,I’ll go out and buy a nice challenger for that
I know prices have gone crazy but that’s a 10K car max.
10 grand and you’re going to spend alot of money and your own time on this car, 10 grand and I don’t know if you would want to take it on.
Love this car out of sight price though asking price would be for an almost there car in my neck of the woods.
$25,000-? Maybe I should put my ’64 2 door Cutlass on Craigslist. It has a 455 Olds engine and SSl’s on all 4 corners. It needs bodywork as well. Right now it’s just rotting away in the woods where it’s been for the last 25 years.