Chevrolet began producing the Chevelle in 1964, with the first generation lasting 4 model years through 1967. A whole lot of time has passed since then, with many of these cars no longer on the road and most of the survivors changing hands over the years, some numerous times. So the news of a first-generation example with a history that can be traced back to day one is a pretty amazing find in the car world! The seller’s parents purchased this Chevy brand new, and fast-forwarding to now it’s an interesting sequence of life events that led to the car finally being offered for sale all these decades later. If you find this intriguing and you’ve been in the market for a vintage A-Body, this 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu may be just the car for you. Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, it can be seen here on eBay with a current bid of $22,200.
The story goes that the Chevelle was bought new in Nevada, and was the daily driver of the seller’s parents up until 1997. After they passed away, the car was inherited by their son, Bill, who always had a passion to restore the Chevy but never got around to it. Instead, it has sat in his driveway for the last 25 years, but to Bill’s credit, he finally realized just last month that he has gotten too old to take on the restoration and has finally decided it’s time for the car to change hands. You can also view this short video to hear the seller speak about his Chevelle, and watch him take the car out for a drive.
Bill says that the car has never been out of the State of Nevada, and has accumulated a total of only 47,000 miles during its lifetime. He claims that the Malibu is all original and all numbers-matching, including the 283 cubic inch V8 engine and Powerglide automatic transmission. The car recently received all new fluids, a rebuilt carburetor, a new fuel tank, and now it fires right up and runs and drives excellent. The car is said to have no leaks, no smoking, no knocks, and the transmission shifts into all gears perfectly fine.
Like the outside, the seller says the interior is all original, and while far from perfect it doesn’t really look all that bad for its age. The car has never been in any accidents and the body panels are all original, with no filler, no rust, and in excellent condition with the original paint still intact. The undercarriage is also said to be in excellent shape with no rust and no repairs. What are your thoughts on this 1966 Chevrolet Mailbu? If it was yours, would you perform an extensive restoration, or leave it just like it is and preserve its originality?
Sure looks like over 100K on that engine of that 1966 Chevelle. That bench seat is not correct either but what does a flipper know. Good bones for a build though.
It’s a ’66,not a ’65.
Whoops, sorry! Thanks for the correction, now a ’66!
Definitely a 66 front end! My first car was a 65 Chevelle Malibu Convertible and never liked the 66 front ends or dash! It’s either a 66 or they put a 66 front clip on a 65? I would say it is a 66 because it has 66 tail lights as well.
Must be super rare 65 with 66 body? LOL
The eBay ad correctly says 66.
I’m thinking it’s been somewhat cared for, and if as rust free as it looks a decent project…
If that’s 22K, my Marina Blue 66 that I bought from original owner 25 years ago with a 4 speed, buckets, console, A/C, and fresh paint and interior is definitely underinsured.
Only in Nevada could a car sit outside for 25 years and look this good.
So it doesn,t leak oil. I guess someone poured oil on the motor. $22,500 for a car that needs alot taken care of. This is a flipper and he,s trying to make alot of money off of it. It doesn,t take much time to do a little cleaning ,but maybe he,s just too lazy. This car passed 47,000 miles along time ago. Buyer better check it out really good. Before you buy it. I like the 66 alot,but not that much. You can look around and find one in alot better shape for alot lees money.
Are ya sure Deak ?
That interior (seats) are about as original as a Kardashian’s face!
Doesn’t look like any original Chevelle interior I’ve ever seen. And, that’s more than double what I’d pay for it.
I’m fairly certain that the front seat was reupholstered at some time. I’ve owned two 66 Malibus with bench seats and neither one had velour. I can’t believe the price these are bringing now. I would love to have one again but not for close to 30k.
As others have noted, this car is not “100% original” as the seats have clearly been recovered. I messaged the seller on 2/19 indicating that trim code 746 is for Medium Red RENVILLE cloth. If you google it, you will see that the seats in this 66 Chevelle have been recovered at some point in a red velour, not renville cloth, which looks very different. Of course the ad has not been edited. I suppose that’s to be expected from a seller who claims, “The seller shall not be responsible for the correct description…”
I would redo the interior, going back to original. Other than that, I like how it looks. Sure, the body ain’t perfect, but compared to anything we have in Wisconsin, it is really nice…too nice to tamper with.