Chevrolet didn’t invent the mid-size automobile but likely executed it better than anyone else. We’re talking about the Chevelle and its better-equipped model, the Malibu. In 1970, the GM division produced more than 300,000 Malibu Sport Coupes like the seller’s stalwart example. With just 55,000 miles, it may be one of a shrinking number that hasn’t been converted into a Super Sport clone. Found in Galion Ohio, this rust-free Chevy is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $38,000. Another fine tip brought our way by Barn Finder T.J.!
This Malibu reminds me of the ones we got to drive during high school Driver’s Education over the Summer of 1970. It’s well-equipped but not overdone, with a 350 cubic inch V8 (we assume a 2-barrel carburetor), TH-350 automatic transmission, power steering and brakes, and factory air conditioning. In its 55 years, this Chevelle has only had two owners, and the car runs and drives as it should. 96% of all Chevelle Sport Coupes built in 1970 came with a V8, including a flood of SS 396x and 454s.
The seller goes out on a limb by suggesting this Chevelle is one of the cleanest you might find. And he/she may be right to give the presentation. The body panels have never been touched (aka no former corrosion or dents). The green paint was reapplied some years ago and the vinyl top and bench seat interior are quite good. Except there are some loose stitches in the front that the seller will want to address.
Under the hood resides a numbers-matching set of hardware that we hope gets left alone (i.e., no SS tributes). The Chevy sports Rally wheels, but they look like the wider versions found on Corvettes of the same era. Maybe this Chevelle isn’t the masterpiece the seller suggests, yet it comes close. But the asking price is getting close to SS territory.
A nice, clean everyday type of car. Personally, I never cared for the chrome spears running along the top of the doors/fenders; (IMO) it cluttered up the clean look. The under hood presents well, and I’d NOT turn it into an SS! GLWTS!! :-)
The asking price may be closer to Chevelle SS territory than most other of the few unaltered Malibu 2 doors out there but if it’s truly original and hasn’t rolled the odo it could be worth the price for the fact that it’s NOT been turned into something it’s not.
Yes-like MoParMan said, don’t make it an SS. Fix the seat, drive it and enjoy it’s own charm.
I’ve always wanted to find an unmolested 1970 Chevelle. But not for $38K in the salt belt.
There are a lot of options for the price, this has to be someone’s dream car, as it sits, to be worth consideration.
Steve R
I think I’ve said this before, looks just like the ’70 Malibu (seems like there’s quite a few green over green over green ’70 Malibus out there) I tried to negotiate on when I was 17. The older lady wanted $2800 for the car. It was very clean, like the one featured here, the only differences were wheel covers and whitewall tires. 38k is a lot of money when you can find a lot of other more noteworthy cars at and around that price range.Though, this Malibu is quite clean and mostly unmolested. Having the single exhaust still is pretty amazing. Good luck to the seller and hopefully the next caretaker leaves it as a base Malibu. The world does not need another Chevelle SS clone.
38k?……Nope!
I agree with everyone here regarding leaving it stock. Reupholster the front seat in its original material. From first glance that appears to be the only thing lacking. No need to draw a mustache on this Mona Lisa. Speed limits still 55.
Agreed with Frog’s comments.Leave it alone and just fix the front seat and that’s it. Price is high. No making of a clone or modifications need to be made here. Just a nice Chevelle stock and drive it to enjoy it!!
$38K or a plain jane Chevelle Malibu??? maybe a “SS” Chevelle
More like $15K for me thinks..GLWTS
Nice Survivor! All the 1970 350/4V’s came with 12 bolt rear ends. Probably a nice stock unmolested unit
Yes to the car, a hard stop on the price. 18-22 k would be plenty for this.
This may represent a blank canvas for a builder, but they are asking a Van Gogh price.
very nice car in great shape. it is sad though that a basic malibu is now approaching 50k which leave most buyers out. as said in a few other comments this near ss territory. i thinks this may suffer the ss clone fate. hopefully it will stay as is. there are more ss Chevelles now than were built in the day.
It highly unlikely someone will pay $38,000 then turn it into a clone. The math doesn’t work.
Cars that have had a strong following for decades become expensive, there is no way around that. In the early-80’s me and most of my friends could not afford the cars we really wanted, luckily that taught most of us to broaden our horizons and look at other cars, cars that we could afford. People that approach that reality in the same manner will likely never have a hard to finding a fun car at a reasonable price. This Chevelle is 55 years old, there have been so many makes and models of cars built since then that are reasonably priced finding something isn’t a problem for anyone willing to stop fixating on a particular car.
Steve R
The sale is pending. Selling price is unknown at this point.
I bought a couple of these many years ago. I was looking for a basic transportation car for my Mother and grabbed the Nickle want adds immediately after work, called on an add and picked one just like this up for $800. Then bought one with a blown motor a few year later for $500. It was butter nut yellow and in great shape. A friend talked me out of that one for triple the money, before I got a chance to work on it. He put a big block in it.
Nice looking car. Has the basics V8, AT
PS, PB and AC. Now Malibus are fleet car 4 doors with 4 cylinder engines that are being discontinued forever. Guess that’s why I still look at BarnFinds because today’s white, black and shades of gray turtles have no aesthetic appeal.
I’m a huge fan of 70 Chevelle’s, but this is simply too much money for what it is.
In 1971 I worked for guy that had a Malibu that looked like this, at the same time my sister bought the ” Heavy Chevy ” both had 350s but the Heavy had a HO 4 barrel engine. From 69 through 72 the Chevelle had one of the most recognized designs of the Era ( Who didn’t love the Sound of a Big Block 396 roaring through the strip ! )
well i guess i should consider selling my beat up original 4dr crew cab 70 chevelle with a s/b 400 with these crazy #s. can’t afford a 2dr to put the motor in anymore!