How unusual! A 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu that is in untouched and original form. You’ll find that sometimes with a well-preserved Super Sport (SS) model but a Malibu? Not so much so, they are often cloned into an SS or are poorly hot-rodded. As the seller states, “Every once in a while you stumble upon a car that is very original“. This original find is located in Bend, Oregon and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $6,500 with five bids tendered so far.

Chevelle Stuff tells us that Chevrolet built 346K Chevelles, of all stripes, in ’71. The Malibu two-door hardtop, such as our subject car, was responsible for 196K of that total – that’s a lot of cars! This example looks oh-so ’70s with its Classic Copper (brown) finish. It was a popular hue in those years but I don’t think it does a thing for this very popular seller. Regardless, that Classic Copper lacquer paint application has held up pretty well – it’s still presentable. The seller adds, “Very solid car some typical rust in some places, floors will need some minor repair. Trunk is solid some surface rust. The area around the back window is solid with some surface rust“. Alright, well that’s expected with this version of GM’s A-body; Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and Buick all experienced the same problem. Not mentioned, however, is what looks like passenger side quarter panel damage – the image isn’t that clear, however. One big surprise is the existence of the original wheel covers, there doesn’t appear to have been an attempt to replace them, and the wheels, with something sportier as is often the case.

Lack of power (this one’s a non-runner) is thanks to a 200 gross HP, 307 CI V8 engine. We are told that it turns over but the two-barrel carburetor is missing. Fortunately, a Turbo-Hydramatic 350, three-speed automatic transmission is in place as opposed to that pesky two-speed Powerglide that still refused to be gone at this late a date. There is no mileage recording so it’s difficult to judge the engine’s likely condition.

By 1971, GM was on the beginning of a descent into money-saving cheesy interiors. Their premium cars still were well appointed but commodity models saw rubbery vinyl upholstery and dash pads in love with self-destruction. The interior image isn’t terribly revealing, the passenger side of the bench seat looks worse than the driver’s side but the driver’s side inset is mismatched, reupholstered maybe? The steering wheel shows the effects of using a standard black plastic center and then spraying it to match the interior’s color – the paint flakes off over time. This Chevy does have what looks like its original Delco radio.

OK, it’s what to do with it time. It could be restored to stock but the interest would probably not be overwhelming. Modified? Sure – that’s how most of these end up but that sleepy 307 engine would have to go and it would need a lot of mods. Just fix it up and make it useable as is? There’s a thought. If you were the new owner, what would you do with this 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu?