The owner of this 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu claims that it complete and original, but that it will require a full restoration. You will find it listed for sale here on eBay. Located in Henderson, Nevada, it is being sold with a clear title. The seller has set a BIN price of $10,500 for this car.
This car looks pretty original, and there aren’t a lot of rust issues with the body. The seller states that the floors and frame are solid and that this rust in the trunk floor is the worst that will need to be dealt with. I can also see some present in the driver’s side rear quarter panel, and in the lower front guards on both sides. The seller is including a new rear bumper and new lenses with the car at the BIN price.
The interior is complete, but there will be some restoration work required. The dash pad looks like it might be able to be saved, while what we can see of the front seat actually looks quite promising. We can’t see a lot more of the interior, so the condition of the remaining trim and headliner is unknown. However, since the seller does state that the whole car needs restoration, including the interior, we can just take that as written.
The car is mechanically complete, but it’s not all great news. The owner has fitted a new gas tank, rebuilt the carburetor, installed new ignition parts and new fluids, but there is a problem with that 307ci V8. He states that #1 cylinder is dead. I’m not sure what is wrong with it, so it will require further investigation. The seller does say that the transmission is good, and that it shifts smoothly, and that the brakes are also good. Once again, the seller will include something extra with the BIN price. If it sells at that price, he will include a set of rally wheels with tires.
This Malibu is a nice looking car with a lot of potential. It doesn’t appear to have any major rust issues, and the body restoration should not be particularly difficult. There is a question mark hanging over the engine, but the seller does float the idea of an LS swap. Which way would you go?
Still good bones – what should be shown on BF with some achievable results for say….normal achievers ?
Dropping a rebuilt small block in this car will be the easiest part of the restoration. Don’t waste your time and money trying to revive the 307.
Seller is dreaming on that asking price. There’s rust literally everywhere, including the glovebox door (???), and the engine is blown? At least its a cool color, though it’s in desperate need of bodywork and new paint.
It’s a little on the pricey side for what is basically a roller. I’d agree with above, ditch the 307 and go with a pretty mild small block. The rust in the trunk is likely due to a leaking rear window, there is anything or chance there is a considerable amount of work to do there and possibly in the area of the rear bulkhead. There is also an unknown amount of rust on the rear quarter panels and floors. An offer in the $7,000-8,000 range is probably more realistic, hopefully the seller is willing to negotiate.
Steve R
To much video time, and photos of a junk/worthless motor. Show more of the “good bones”. Did you see the bondo behind the left wheel,inspect “carfully before jumping in.
Mike
That vintage 307 was notorious for developing round camshafts, and 68’s were also prone to breaking the drivers side motor mounts.
Seller is a bit optimistic for a 307, Powerglide, non AC model.
5K tops in my opinion, even with parts. The trunk rust probably came from the fact that most of the weather striping around the truck lid was missing, and it probably had a bunch of stuff laying in the trunk include a trunk mat, so water got held under all the stuff and caused the rusting. As for the 307, well pull it out and put a replacement 350 in there it will bolt up nice to the tranny.
I owned a 68 for a few years that had the 307 it a rounded cam shaft it barely had enough power to pull in it the garage. I changed out for a rebuilt 350, and it ran good the day I sold it, it was a solid ride when I sold it, but I put a lot of time and effort into it to get it in that shape, I sold it for 15K but it was a show car.
Whoever buys it good luck is all I can say!
It’s a rusted hull that needs everything!!!!!! $3,500.00 is fair while $5,000.00 is top dollar, $6,000.00 at the outside most. Another 15 to 20 to build. Total of 20 to 30 thousand for a 68 Malibu when you can have an SS for not much more. Or if no paint; 10 to 15 thousand (engine and wheels and tires) to have a driver needing paint? Let’s be realistic.
I agree with Raymond’s comment above, it is overpriced by about $5k, it would take $15 to $20k for a proper restoration, and a good one might sell for $30 to $35k as an SS clone. A plane restoration of this plane Jane Malibu might only bring $18 to $20k. Now your upside down.
Reminds me of my clapped out ’68 I used to mess around with. Mine looked worse for the most part, especially inside, but with the bored out 396 it was kinda fast, dangerous really with the washed out front end, small brakes. Just a stupid project car but I did have some fun. I always liked the 327 call outs on it but the noise it made fooled no one. Can’t believe what some people think these are worth, it’s no SS, not even a more desirable 327 car. Wow.
Troy, people see the big block SS versions sell for big money and think “my car has the same body so it must be worth a lot”.
The same thing is happening with the Satellites from Plymouth.
The prices have risen because people think they are worth a lot because the GTXs and Road Runners sell for a lot.
The problem is that a lot of stupid people out there are paying the price not knowing any different.
Some people want an SS but cannot afford the big price. They get one like this and build one out of a catalog. They just want the look but do not care it’s real. You folks are right about the price, too high.
Needs a lot of rust repair. Nicer cars for that money out there. Leave it as is and put a 351 Windsor in it just because you can lol. P off all the GM guys that think their motor should go in everything lol.