The recent history of this 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu is slightly convoluted, but it is being offered for sale due to the recent passing of its owner. It it has been listed by his son, who also happens to be the car’s previous owner. This is not a genuine SS 396, but it is a tribute that will cost the buyer considerably less than the real deal. Located in Clarkston, Washington, you will find the Chevelle listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has raced to $12,800 in this No Reserve auction.

The seller initially purchased the Chevelle 15-years-ago, and the previous owner had commenced transforming it into an SS clone. After three years in his possession, the seller sold the car to his father, who drove it for a while. The father then parked it with plans to tackle it as a father-and-son project with the seller (are you keeping up so far?). Unfortunately, the father passed away before work could commence. Further adding to the bad news is the fact that the Chevelle has spent most of the past 15-years parked outside under a fabric cover. This is always a worry, especially in wetter climes. With that thought in mind, I’m quite surprised that the car hasn’t dissolved into a pile of rust by now. The Red paint is past its prime, and the Black vinyl top has shredded beyond salvation, but there is no evidence of significant rust problems. It looks like some is developing in the lower rear quarter panels, and some sinister bubbles are forming under the vinyl, but overall, it looks particularly promising. The seller doesn’t mention any issues with the floors or frame, so things might not be bad with this classic. The hood has some nasty cracks, and the paint has deteriorated badly, but the glass and the trim look okay. If this Malibu is as sound as the photos suggest, that could make it a straightforward project.

The Chevelle started life with a V8 under the hood, but it wasn’t the big-block monster that we see here. Its specifications aren’t clear, but the Malibu comes equipped with a 402ci V8, a 3-speed Turbo 400 transmission, and power steering. The seller believes that the motor has received some internal upgrades as well as a set of headers. That means that there would’ve been at least 325hp on tap when the V8 was at its best, although a higher figure is possible. Point it at a ¼ mile, and it should easily produce a sub-15-second pass. When the seller’s father purchased the car, he drove it for a while before parking it in preparation for the project build. This stalled before it started, so the car has been sitting idle for more than a decade. It doesn’t currently run, although it does appear that the 402 does turn freely. With something approaching good luck, it may be possible to coax this classic back to life.

Opening the doors and taking a look inside the Malibu reveals an interior that is better than expected. A few aftermarket components like a Sun Tach and some other gauges are mounted under the dash, but the rest of the interior appears to be all genuine Chevrolet. The factory radio is missing, the front of the headliner needs attention, the carpet is faded, and the seat covers are split. However, some of the more costly items like the dash, pad, console, and door trims, seem to be in excellent order. Whipping this interior into shape should not be a difficult undertaking, nor should it break the bank.

If this 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu were a genuine SS 396, it would have the potential to command some serious cash once restored. Figures over $50,000 would be easy to achieve, while prices beyond $70,000 would be possible if the next owner completed the work to a high standard. The fact is that this is not a genuine SS 396, and while it is still a desirable car, it will fall short of the real deal. However, it could still be worth a fair chunk of change when the work is complete. So, if a genuine SS 396 project car is out of your reach, maybe this tribute deserves a closer look.