With a tractable history back to its purchase and a glove box full of documents, this 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu in Los Angeles, California comes to market seeking its fourth owner here on eBay. The Chevy’s longest-tenured owner enjoyed the double-red two-door hardtop for 48 years. Despite its never-restored status, the prized possession looks nearly new today. At least 13 bidders have elevated the 283 V8-powered Malibu’s market value above $20,000. Bank on that number increasing in the final four days of this No Reserve auction. Thanks to reader Chris for submitting this red hot tip.
Wow! While this classic’s past seems largely void of time spent in a dusty barn, we’re suckers for a good story, and this one’s a winner. An older woman in California traded in her 1958 Chevy Del Ray to buy this Malibu new. Five years later it went to her son-in-law, and the current owner acquired it in 1973 after it had been sidelined by a busted water pump.
Factory air conditioning no longer works and the compressor is AWOL. The claimed original interior shows some wear but looks great, a testimony to nearly 50 years of garaged storage and lifetime mileage under 90,000.
The 283 cid (4.6L) V8 looks like a toy in that cavernous engine compartment. How often do you see a never-restored Malibu with its original air cleaner housing? The fact that this car survived a lifetime in California without being fitted with leaky headers or a cheesy chrome dress-up kit ranks right up there with the odds of a Toyota Echo getting prime parking at a bumping night club.
A Maaco single-stage paint job in brighter-than-original red looks shiny and hard to miss. The seller calls it a “five-footer,” but it will definitely turn heads in traffic. The sweet two-door runs “like a sewing machine” and the car retains its original black plates. A host of repair receipts and other paperwork comes with the sale, sweetening the pot for anyone who answers the question “How you doin’?” by saying “Well, back in 1966…” Though not perfect, this red rocker looks great inside and out. How much do you value a car’s documented history?
Know what? I enjoy seeing actual human beings in the pictures. Reminds me there are people behind these vehicles and we may tend to forget that whist complaining about high prices, not that I would do such a thing,( cough) but I read farther into this. I look at these folks faces, and I see despair and frustration. I bet a lot like me and others our age, this guy is upset, driving the Chevelle isn’t fun anymore, and those failing body parts don’t come cheap,,the Chevelle has to go. Just the way it is.
Not all bad, pass it on, turn, turn, turn, someone will get a sweetheart, I wish these folks the best of luck, and as tough as it is to say, we had our fun, and can’t forget that or the people behind the cars. Nice to see that here.
That’s good stuff, Howard. I’m with Mr. A – the car and it’s fun are bound to aging people like a physical memory. I missed almost nothing, and I regret absolutely nothing – especially when it comes to cars. Bless my fellow human beings in this photo, and their beautiful car to the next owner.
Yes! She’s in a bathrobe! It’s fabulous!
Maybe they got in the backseat one last time.
Nice that the wife dressed up for the photoshoot.
Pretty car. Love the interior. Hope it keeps its original engine just as it is today.
Seems like a cheerful cruiser from honest folks 👍
Looks honest, sorry to say the bid history is full of suspect scam bids. Great driver as is. Good luck and happy motoring. And best of luck to the super sellers.
Cheers
GPC
My first car was a 66 Malibu. It was blue and had the same power train. I’d love to have this one. Brings back memories.
First car I can remember is my parents’ ’66 Malibu 4-door, maroon with beige interior, a rust bucket by the time I came along.
I can empathise with these folks. Lost my sweet 🇨🇦 67 Beaumont (same car) to body snatchers back in the day. Well actually interior snatchers – it was found in a snow bank minus it’s complete interior – black buckets, rear seats, carpets, door panels, headliner and dash.
That is a cream puff. Looks like it had A/C from the factory or a dealer install, according to the original bill of sales. Anyone have a guess on what getting the A/C back into original service condition might cost?
Prime candidate for LS swap and 4L80e!
“My wife says either the Malibu goes or she goes. I just packed her bags.”
I might say it’s harder to find a good wife than a good Malibu – so maybe it’s just time to trade for one of those sporty foreign jobs. Plus, you’d still have the Malibu.
Why do I get heat when I say ex-wife jokes? I hear ya’, brother,,,
Beautiful Car !!
My first new car was a 67 Malibu 2 dr couple. Loved that car right up to the day my ex-BIL got in the middle of a 3 car with it. Couple of tidbits: the passenger side mirror was extra cost as was the rear antenna (loved mine, never knew why more people didn’t order it.
Other than the color and the automatic, that’s a 1 year off mine and I’d love to have it even though mine was a 3 speed and this is an automatic.
Thanks for bringing this to our attention.
Just too bad it wasn’t being handed over to a family member.
flash!
The E-bay video is very touching. Definitely worth a view. Makes you appreciate how much joy that car brought to this wonderful couple! I hope the new owner gets as much joy as they did!
pic made it worth a look.
Happy couple, happy car, Y get rid of it now?
My neighbor has the 65 convertible that hes owned since new too, this seems to be a trend with Malibu’s.
Beauty car.!!!
I wouldn’t call a repainted car unrestored.
The right had outside mirror I don’t believe is a factory installed item. Probably installed by the dealer. I hope the next owner replaced the missing AC compressor. It’s a great feature and works very well.
I am a 49 year owner of a ‘66 Chevelle SS 396 with AC. I love these cars and wish the current and future owner good luck with a great car.
Howard, Thanks for your thoughtful and understanding words. More important than any comments about a respray.
I had to re-read the Barn Finds ad for this Chevelle. There was no despair, frustration or sadness stated or implied at all in the ad. You could substitute the couple in the ad with a picture of my wife and me as we have both owned a ‘66 Chevelle for 49 years. We had the good fortune of buying out Chevelle for $800 back in the early 1970’s as we may not be able to buy it today. If I were that owner I would reject your insinuation that was depressed individual no matter how nicely stated.
The ad was totally about the car and nothing else.
In the video the wife explicitly stated it was a “sad day” referring to the putting the car up for sale.as well as being a happy day ( i’m assuming for finally deciding to do it).
Even though its a slushbox this is one car that I personally would have bought could I afford the final sales price. You cant beat a car taken care of for half a century by the same owner and taken well care of, to boot.
Not to mention it’s a beautiful design and resale red. A win all around. Lucky new owner. Lets hope its not getting flipped. Any bets?