Chevrolet’s second-most popular car in the back half of the 1960s was the mid-size Chevelle. The best-seller within that series was the Malibu Sport Coupe, which had 300,000 copies in 1969 alone (and just 5% were ordered with a six-cylinder engine). The seller’s Chevy was one of those unicorns and has a “3-on-the-tree” manual transmission to add to its austerity. With only 58,000 miles, this car hasn’t run in more than 30 years and has its share of patina. Located in Clearwater, Florida, this throwback to the days of Driver’s Ed is available here on craigslist for $15,000 OBO.
This car has a “special order” feel to it. 95% of the Malibu Sport Coupes built in 1969 had a V8 engine, beginning with the 307 cubic-inch V8. From there, the sky was the limit, and you could even opt for a Super Sport with a 396. The minority had the 155 hp, 250 CI inline-6 like the one found here. And I’m betting that the lion’s share had a Powerglide automatic transmission. But not here, and no power steering or brakes either.
The only “major” extra this car may have had when new was its vinyl top, which looks surprisingly decent after 56 years. We don’t know the history of this vehicle or why it went into storage at least three decades ago. Did it quit running and was simply forgotten for many moons, or is its inoperative status the result of gasoline costing $1.50 a gallon?
Time and Mother Nature haven’t let this Chevelle off the hook, and there is some rust in “common areas” (but likely not fatal). The car’s title is not encumbered, and some of its original paperwork has survived since it’s a one-owner car. The seller suggests this coupe is a “good project for a hot rod enthusiast,” which implies that it might have a future as an SS clone. I hope that’s not the case, but how many collectors out there are going to restore it to its basic build sheet specs? Kudos go to Rocco B. for this interesting tip.
Interesting find. Almost no options, but the original owner did add the $26.40 250. Another $62.60 would have bought the 307.
The surface rust on the trunk lid suggests it spent some time outdoors under a tarp. The seller says the vinyl roof is good, but if I were interested, I’d request some photos of the rear window area.
If the 250 c.i. Six wasn’t the base engine, then what was?
It was the 140 horsepower 230. The 250 had 155.
And a vinal top along with the ralley wheels….
This car is way overpriced. There is significant rust behind every wheel, sign of water intrusion below the rear window, issues with the interior and the seller has brought it half way across the country to sell without putting the car in their name leaving the new owner to deal with any potential issues with the DMV on their own. Those are a lot of problems in plain sight for a non-running car that might turn out to be a roller, if the engine and transmission aren’t usable, with a $15,000 asking price someone can do better.
Steve R
Shoot, and I had my heart set on buying this puppy.
I like the door speaker.
If gas goes down to a $1.50 again, I’ll start drinking it.
If you check out the plate it says Ohio so even though it’s in Florida now it may have spent a significant amount of time in the rust belt.
This might be a $3000 car at best.
When I was a kid mowing lawns one of my customers had the virtual twin to this car. Of course, fifty years ago and senior citizen ownership meant it looked perfect. Even in Michigan. Always thought it was cool that six cylinder cars had displacement on the fenders.
As soon as I saw the first photo of this thing, I knew that I absolutely had to take a peek at the write up as I was sure that it would be stupid overpriced. It did not disappoint.
Think person slipped on the ice in Ohio.
Banging his head. Then drove to his winter place and thought know one would notice Ohio plate. He’s attempting to capitalize on current Florida location.
My thought is $ 3,500 at best. No special example here.
I’d say $5000 TOPS!! Needs EVERYTHING!
Sold!!!
The ad is still active on Craigslist and I see no indication that it’s sold.
Hmmm all the pictures taken under a shade tree
You will be chasing the insatiable rust worm on this one. And if it doesn’t run? Nah.
Some brain dead dude with motivation to make money will.buy this, make it a Cranberry Red LS6 with fake documents and take it to Barrett Jackson.
Wrong year for an LS6, if you want to sell a car with fake documentation you can’t change either the paint color or configuration and color of the interior since that’s shown on the cars trim tag, V8’s and 6 cylinder cars also started with different VIN’s.
Steve R
I know I’m not the only one shaking my head when I see a classic Chevelle “barn find” that needs a complete restoration and the seller wants an astronomical price for his rust bucket. It’s becoming very common. The only reason I see this keeps happening is because the internet has such a big audience and eventually some dreamer with more money than common sense will fork over way too much cash for a bone like this. Good luck Mr. Buyer, whoever you may be…