Sitting in this parking garage is a classic showing a world of promise. This 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu has hibernated for four years and is begging for a new owner to revive it and return it to active service. The process may be relatively straightforward, because the supplied images suggest that this survivor is as solid as the day it left the factory. The seller has listed the Malibu here on eBay in Avilla, Indiana. Bidding sits at $4,300 in what appears to be a No Reserve auction.
Chevrolet released its Second Generation Chevelle range for the 1968 model year, with the latest offering featuring radically different styling from its predecessor. The company followed a developing industry trend where vehicles became more “sculpted,” providing a greater sense of presence. The seller states that this 1969 Malibu is all original, suggesting that the Frost Green paint cloaking the exterior was applied at the factory. It wears a light layer of dust following its hibernation, but what is visible seems to indicate that all this classic needs is a wash and polish to present well as a genuine survivor. The limited underside shots reveal that someone undersealed this Chevelle at some point, and that it remains rock-solid and rust-free. The trim and tinted glass are in good order for a vehicle of this vintage, and the Malibu rolls on a set of Rally wheels.
The seller does their cause no favors by providing no engine shots. However, they confirm that lifting the hood will reveal a 307ci “Turbo-Fire” V8 that produced 200hp, according to that year’s Sales Brochure. The V8 is paired with an automatic transmission, and the shift indicator confirms that it is a two-speed Powerglide. The seller’s emphasis on originality probably means that this classic is numbers-matching. However, it has hibernated for four years. It doesn’t currently run, with the seller indicating that the buyer will require a trailer to take it home. This is one of the great unknown factors, because it is unclear whether the car doesn’t run due to lack of long-term use, or if it was parked due to some mechanical malady. I always recommend an in-person inspection in cases like this to ensure that everything is as it appears. It could save a lot of heartache down the track.
The first owner teamed an exterior finished in Frost Green with an interior trimmed in Black vinyl. The most glaring problem is a weird section in the center of the dashpad that receives no explanation. However, with high-quality reproduction pads typically selling for around $250, addressing this shortcoming won’t break the bank. The dash retains what appears to be the factory AM radio, although the kick panels house aftermarket speakers. That suggests that there may be a hidden stereo, which may account for what the seller terms as an unusual antenna cut into one rear quarter panel. The vinyl surfaces are in good condition, and with a new pad and a deep clean, this interior should really sparkle.
This 1969 Chevelle Malibu is a solid survivor, and the listing statistics demonstrate that many people can see the potential that hides below the dust. It would be interesting to treat the exterior to a wash and wax, because I suspect that the overall presentation would be very acceptable to those seeking a survivor-grade classic. The lack of apparent rust is a bonus, and it would be fascinating to discover what is required to return it to a mechanically roadworthy state. It has attracted nine bids, and with healthy Watch List and View tallies, I suspect that the action is far from over. Is this Malibu a project that you might consider tackling? If so, what path would you take?
A ’69 Chevelle sure makes me squirm. If it was a 300 2-door with a six it could cause me to do things I otherwise might not. I have to admit that I’m getting really tired of seeing Super Sports. True, they were popular but almost too popular. Give me a bone stock 2-door with an AM radio and I’m all in. And a 307 isn’t all that bad…
Meee too….
Looks like it might have factory A/C, too. I can’t imagine why they couldn’t be bothered with engine pictures. Why be so lazy when expecting big money for an all original car?
Sell the Rally wheels and put on full covers and white stripe tires.
I’d want to see it in person, it shows signs of an inexpensive repaint that lacked attention to details around the front windshield, rockers and quarter panel, being from a rust prone area should looked at carefully. It has a 307 powerglide, which the seller says doesn’t.
It’s still a 1969 Chevelle, decent ones are becoming hard to find at reasonable prices, which is yet to be determined for this car. This has potential, but needs to be checked out in person.
Steve R
Pretty much like all of them should be. I remember, before the internet, a guy seeing a ad in a magazine for a dodge viper with minor damage. He paid for it, had it shipped to his buddy at a body shop. He got a call when it showed up, went down to see it. It had hit an overpass pillar on the highway at 100 mph. Looked like an accordion.
It’s definitely received at least a partial, amateur repaint. They missed the underside of the rocker panels and nearly painted over the windlace around the passenger door opening.
I agree, I want on the 70 same color. The reason this one sparked my curiosity and brought back memories.
X2 on see in person should I think be Argent silver under the lower molding and up front fenders.
And (0) feedback for person listing.
your right most Malibus had the two tone paint body colour and argent silver below lower mouldings and rear cove panel .
Mine had a Black vinyl top as well
I agree with Steve R. Decent car. I can see it has probably been repainted years ago. You can tell by the door jams, sill panel and under the rocker panels. The frame looks like to have been painted with black paint years ago before it was parked and why was it parked. Needs more pictures and more to the story. My 1971 chevelle has the antenna in the windshield. If the engine turns over by hand it might not need much to get running. The ralley wheels look nice on these older Chevelle’s. This car has a lot going for it if the price is right!
In regards to Windshield Antennas, they debuted on the 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix. It was 1970 before it was seen on any other GM cars. Same with the Electro-Rear Defog.
No reserve? Hmmm…
Took me a while to sell a 68 with an actual 54K miles with all docs proving it and the POP etc. I was the 2nd owner buying it from a 94 year old lady.
Built bought and lived in Fremont Ca its whole life and I could only get 11K for it.
Did it have its original paint? What color was it when you sold it? I’m having trouble moving a yellow VW and I suspect it’s the color that’s turning people away.
The antenna appears to me to be an older center-loaded CB antenna, missing the upper mast?
Help me understand its location. Im told it does not run and is currently in storage, but it looks like a parking garage.
Yes it does look that way. I’ve seen cars in apartment garages that look like they haven’t been touched in years, as long as the tenant pays their rent many landlords aren’t going to bother them.
I read a story in one of the first Tom Cotter barn find books that when Jay Leno would visit New York City with his wife, when she went shopping he’d walk through parking garages looking for cars. I think the book said he’d bought several cars doing this, including a mid-30’s Cadillac and Duesenberg.
Steve R
Nobody has mentioned that the front bumper is tweaked.
Noone else noticed a Maples Motors tag on it either
This will become a SS clone or restomod if it sells
Not a fan of either.
Noone else noticed. A
Maples Motors tag on it either
Anyone have pics of the engine? Seller is really slow to respond. If you can, please ask him for engine shots (and a photo of the title would be great too). I’m currently bidding on this Malibu, but if he’s too busy to reply, I may have to pass. Thanks!
Actually, the more I look at this…
zero-sales, zero-feedback, brand-new seller is risky. Something is not adding up. Silence + new account + no track record + suspect bidding = too many red flags stacked together.
Look at the bidding. Zero-feedback account 9**3 jumps in right after k**9, bumping the price in small increments. That’s a classic pattern of bid-driving. almost like a ping-pong match. If these two accounts are connected to the seller, this is textbook shill bidding.
eBay is sketchy.
Have you looked at the tag of front bumper zoom in on it
“This listing was ended by the seller on Tue, Aug 12 at 1:19 PM because the item is no longer available.”
The car must have not been pulling the “No Reserve” numbers the seller was hoping for, so pulled the auction.
A seller with a zero history would do that.