Gorgeous looks and exhilarating performance. Those words perfectly encapsulate this 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu. It could also be classified as a genuine sleeper, with its mild-mannered appearance giving no real hint of the power hiding below the surface. This is courtesy of the first owner’s decision to order this classic with the L79 version of the 327ci V8 under the hood. This car appears to need nothing, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting it. The seller has listed the Malibu here on Craigslist in Denver, Colorado. They set their price at $69,000, and it appears they are fairly firm on that figure.
Chevrolet introduced the Chevelle as its contender in the mid-sized model market in 1964, with the First Generation remaining on sale until 1967. It underwent a significant mid-cycle model upgrade in 1966, with our feature Malibu rolling off the line in the following year. This is not what many would class as a genuine survivor, with the seller performing a no expense spared restoration that included a repaint in the car’s original shade of Royal Plum. Interestingly, the process didn’t include any rust repairs because this classic retains all of its original steel. The exterior shows no evidence of problems, while the underside shots reveal floors that are clean enough to eat off. It is unclear how long ago it was that the work was performed, but the lack of paint or panel imperfections suggest this Malibu has led a sheltered life since the tools went back into the cupboard. The paint and trim shine beautifully, ensuring that this classic makes a positive first impression. What initially attracted me to this car was its “sleeper” appearance. There are no wild stripes or enormous wheels, with the Malibu rolling on steelies with dog dish hubcaps and Redline tires. Rounding out the package is tinted glass, an option that would have cost the original owner $32.55.
The beauty of this Malibu extends beyond its exterior, with the interior featuring faultless Black vinyl trim, bucket seats, a console with an integrated clock, and a walnut-grained wheel. It appears that the factory radio has made way for a retro-style stereo, which is one of only a few reversible changes that I spotted in the supplied photos. As with the exterior, there is seemingly nothing to fault about this Malibu’s interior. The upholstered surfaces look perfect, and the carpet doesn’t exhibit wear or marks that typically can occur under the driver’s feet. The faux woodgrain, dash, and pad are immaculate, and the photos confirm that this is another aspect of this classic that needs nothing.
The first owner didn’t restrict their cash splash to creature comforts, equipping this Malibu with a 327ci V8, a four-speed manual transmission, a 12-bolt rear end, and power steering. However, this isn’t any old 327, with the first owner selecting the L79 version that produces 325hp and 355 ft/lbs of torque. That places the performance of this seemingly mild-mannered classic squarely within muscle car territory, which is why I describe the Chevelle as a sleeper. The engine bay shots reveal the other changes made by the seller, with the V8 sporting a few cosmetic enhancements. I am not a fan of these, although finding the correct components to return the appearance to stock wouldn’t be difficult or expensive. The seller doesn’t provide information regarding the car’s mechanical health, but I see nothing suggesting the news would be anything but positive.
Some classics manage to tick almost every box that an enthusiast will prioritize when searching for a car to park in their garage. That appears to be the case with this 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu. Its presentation is first-rate, it hasn’t suffered the plague of major and irreversible aftermarket additions that detract from its originality, and the mechanical specifications guarantee that it will command respect from knowledgeable enthusiasts whenever the hood is lifted. This Malibu has only been on the market for around a day, and although it can’t be genuinely classed as affordable, my instinct tells me that it won’t take long to find a new home. Do you agree?
Top model for this year. Don’t even think the hot 327 was offered with an autoloader. 3 or 4 sp stick only.
4sp had a 3.31 gear ⚙️ perfect for a street/hwy combo. Sleeper for sure. Wind it up and row through the Muncie. 🏁
Going to pick up a Powerball ticket and dream..
Adam – If by “cosmetic enhancements” you mean the chrome valve covers, air cleaner and oil filler tube and cap, those were all part of the L79 package.
This truck looks very stock under the hood, save for the repro radiator and missing air cleaner decal.
Jeff do you have the correct listing?
I owned a 68 Chevy II years ago with the L-79 & a 4-sp. That car was a blast. Those 327’s wind up fast & they wind up tight. Those engines are a huge bang for the buck.
An L34 & a L79 with 4 speeds listed in B.F on the same day. It’s a good week to be a 67 Chevelle. Good luck with the sales for the respective owners. I don’t think either one will have a hard time getting their asking price
I’d like to see a drag race between this L-79 Chevelle and an SS 396 325hp. Same hp but big block has 65 ftlbs more torque and is 150 lbs heavier. I think I’d rather have the L-79 for better handling but it’s still no sports car.
First things first, this is a seriously cool car! I would prefer this over an SS 396, (unless the big block was a L-78) The L-79 in ’67 was the same motor that in ’66 was rated at 350 HP and is an absolute screamer. Rumor has it that the 325-horse figure was because the powers that be at Chevrolet didn’t want a small block with more advertised HP than the 396, at least in the Chevelles. Don’t really know whether that’s an “old wives’ tale” or not, but that’s the rumor. This car is beyond nice in just about every category with only thing that I see missing being the “turn signal” tach. The price seems optimistic, but I would be willing to bet that the seller will get it. I would absolutely love to own this cutie. This is from an era when men were men, women were women, and factory hot rods were everywhere. Man, I miss the sixties.
AMEN oldrodder well stated.
I heard the same story on the HP rating on the top of the line small block. When I was in high school, Jerry Thornton’s dad officered him any car he wanted and he wanted a 396 Chevelle. His dad didn’t want him having that much horsepower, so Jerry custom ordered his Marina Blue 327 with the “350HP” engine that the salesman suggested. Depending on who you get your specs from, the 396 was a “345HP”. Either way, the same horsepower in the lighter car bought young Jerry a car length on any 396 in Oak Cliff.
Please don’t ruin my story with inconvenient facts.
Have fun
My money is on the 396 as a big block has more untapped potential than mighty mouse without using a blower or resorting to solid lifters IMHO
@ oldroddder…….’66 & ’67 L79s are NOT the same. In ’67 the prior years’ aluminum intake was swapped for one of cast iron, & the ’66 Holley carb was replaced w/a Quadrajet. The intake on this motor is not stock….or it was painted to emulate aluminum.
Utesman, I didn’t say that they were “exactly” the same engine, I said that they were both 350 horse. Yes the ’67 had a cast manifold but the Quadrajet was 750 cfm as opposed to the 585 cfm used on the ’66 high-rise. As all the internals were them same, it was pretty much the consensus that losing the high rise but gaining the cfm was a wash. It may be one of those things that can be open to disagreement, but that has always been my understanding.
That’s not correct for a 67 Chevelle L79. They had the aluminum intake and Holley carb. Only the 67 Chevy II L79 had the cast iron with Quad.
There in lies the problem with the Internet. There’s information out there that says that the L-79 in the ’67 Chevelle did have a cast manifold and a Quadrajet. So if is sometime best to attempt to get your information from someone with extensive knowledge of the subject such as yourself.
69k for this and the black one that was just on here with 20k miles was 89k!
Had one of these back in the early 70s. Butternut yellow. Bench seat with the black deluxe cloth . The guy I bought it from changed the rear gear to 3:73.. unfortunately I was on a date at a movie theater and some one what it .Never was found. It was a real screamer.
@Utesman – That’s not correct for a 67 Chevelle L79. They had the aluminum intake and Holley carb. Only the 67 Chevy II L79 had the cast iron with Quad.
Cool car, but it should have a cast iron intake and a Quadra Jet carb and was rated at 325hp
Doesn’t matter how many times you say it, it is still incorrect. The 1967 Chevelle L79 engine came with an aluminum intake and a Holley carb. It is well, well documented if you look for the correct answer (from a reliable source). Not to mention that I have a good friend with 3 legit original 67 L79’s (Malibu coupe, convertible, and ElCamino).
You are correct though that it was rated 325 HP in the 67 Chevelle.
Jeffschevelle: near as I can figure the confusion seems to come from the ’68 Nova L-79 having the cast manifold and a Q-Jet. There’s a ton of mis-informatlion on the Internet.
Interesting. I was certain that all non Corvette ‘67 L79’s had the cast iron intake and Q Jet. What’s the reason for the 325 hp rating? Competition with the Corvette?