Throughout most of its long run (1964-77), the mid-size Chevelle was one of Chevrolet’s best-selling nameplates. During that period, the Malibu Sport Coupe would be the dominant series, accounting for more than half of production (if you include the SS 396). This second-generation edition from 1968 is said to have been stored for 20 years and is ready for restoration. Will the next owner keep it as original as possible or clone it as an SS 396 which happens quite often? Or something even more exotic? Located with a dealer in Pleasanton, California, this GM product is available here on eBay for $12,995.
Not everyone who bought a Chevelle was looking for a family car to haul around the brood. In 1968, the first year of the first redesign, Chevy built more than 200,000 Malibu Sport Coupes, the upscale and sportiest of the mid-size autos. Add to that another 55,000 SS 396 editions which were marketed as a series of their own that year (and the two before it). Most were ordered with a V8 engine, and the front fender script says this one started life with a 307 cubic inch small block. But we’re told not only is this not the original motor, but it also doesn’t run. Which opens the door about staying original or cloning this car into something more sinister.
We’re told the born-on exterior color of this automobile was Ash Gold, but faded burgundy is present and it’s shiny under the trunk lid. Plus, the firewall where the cowl tag is located looks to be blue. There is some evidence of rust, present and previously repaired, and the interior is incomplete and sporting a pair of bucket seats that came from something other than another ’68 Chevy.
The seller says the vehicle was in storage for two decades (reasons not mentioned) and does not operate. It’s said to have an automatic transmission, although it appears as though there are shifters on both the steering column and floorboard. If this car has 45,000 miles as indicated, it has lived a very tough life. The odometer has probably turned over. If you were to click the Buy It Now button, what would you do with it? Original, clone, or restomod?
not often you see a pontiac engine in a chevy, usually other way around….
Not to mention the Pontiac steering wheel .
And the seats. Is this a Canadian Chevelle? No, wait… Canadian Pontiacs had Chevrolet parts, not the other way around.
The 307 was not a Pontiac engine
13K seems like a lot of money for a rusty car assembled from spare parts
Has a 136 VIN… in this kind of condition it’s not worth restoring, go find a 138 vin car
The body looks in excellent shape, with holes in a few places.
Floors and trunk look quite good.
I have a 68 chevelle, true 138 SS car. New floors, quarters, with buckets and back seats. No engine or trans, body rest free, and ready for paint. Wonder what my car is worth to this classic, in this day and age?
At least 30 G’s.
Rust and non running for $12K? No way Jose!!!
The canadian chevelle was called a beaumont and used chevrolet engines only no pontiacs as pictured. Easy to recognize by the split grille so I think this car is just patched together.
2500.00 is bout what I would pay, it needs about 25,000.00 to get it on the road, with a decent small block 350, nice common easy to find parts for lots of beaumont’s chevelle Malibus around just some think it’s a chevelle but it’s not an ss 396 or 454 so a fixed up 307 or 350 would get more than 20,000.00.
John, like your thought process. However, if I am going to put a new engine in after spending 20k, it sure would not be a gutless 307, and I would hesitate even at the 350. You have already dropped the Ks, finish the deal with a solid 396 ( really that is the engine Chevelles are best known for) and look toward current and future appreciation value of the car… You can thank me in a couple of years as the value of these cars keep going up!…by the way, I like my steak medium well..take care.
Danny, I like how you think.
However, a 454 with 396 decals on the breather lid and no one would know the difference.