This 1968 Chevelle is a routine Malibu, not a real Super Sport or an SS clone. Though it’s had multiple owners and moved across the country, it has only 41,500 miles and is largely original. Right down to the paint and the see-thru Grandma plastic seat covers. Sporting patina on a 56-year-old paint job, this solid survivor is in St. James City, Florida, and is available here on eBay at the current bid of $15,878 with the seller’s reserve still intact.
The mid-size Chevelle, introduced in 1964 as an immediate hit, got its first redesign in 1968. The new less-boxy appearance resonated with buyers as overall sales increased by 15% (and the V8 Malibu Sport Coupe shot up 27%). The seller’s car was light on options when new. Besides a 307 cubic inch V8, it looks like power steering and power brakes were on the window sticker. We’re told the dealer added under-the-dash air conditioning which is said to still work like a charm.
As the story goes, this Chevelle has been on both sides of the U.S. Purchased new in Florida, it ended up in New Jersey, then California, and finally back in Florida again. The seller had intended to do a full restoration but has rethought the time it will take and decided to move on. That may be a good idea as they’re only original once and other than some TLC, this car may simply be fine the way it is. The 307 V8 and 2-speed Powerglide are the hardware that came with the automobile when it was new.
The paint is worn but wears the sort of patina that some folks are attracted to. The seller mentions a wee bit of rust without elaborating on how much or where. The machine runs and drives as it should, but some maintenance is recommended (such as?) and a repaint if the condition of the original finish bugs you. The auto has new Cooper tires on Rally wheels, but the factory wheel covers are in the trunk (BTW, the Rally’s look great!). Do you agree the car should be left mostly as-is or are you in the camp that says a restomod is the way to go?
Deserves paint. Nice car!
I’m in the “they’re only original once” camp, so I would be inclined to leave the paint alone. Honestly, this Malibu is so clean that I’d probably just make sure it is mechanically sorted out and drive it as-is. Hopefully whoever buys it does not turn it into another SS wannabe. As the years go by, the more I am drawn to original cars. Back in the day though, that 307 and p’glide would have been yanked quick for a 396 and turbo 400. But now, maybe the more mellowed out me, the 307 and two speed trans sounds fine for a round-the-town cruiser. I am at a point where this car would put as many smiles per mile on my face as self shifting my 455 Olds. I suppose that’s what they call maturation…or getting boring.
Mike76,
As you age (I’m 70) the 4 speed isn’t as much fun as they used to be. I have four of them and I’m glad I didn’t get the chance to change the 62 Impala I had back in the 70’s from a PowerGlide to a 4 speed.
I traded that car to my Dad in 1978 and didn’t buy it back from a family friend until 2001. It’s a 327 PowerGlide. Every time I drive it I’m glad I didn’t have a change to change it.
I built a 63 Impala convertible in 1992 to replace the 62, changed the PowerGlide to a 4 speed. I built the 327 to 350 HP. I still like it but sometimes I think I should have kept the PowerGlide after I go through town a couple of times.
I find myself winding a 69 Z/28 up in putting it in third gear because I’m not up for shifting that much.
That’s funny, but I agree! As a former long haul trucker I never wanted anything but an automatic in any of my personal vehicles. The last thing I wanted to do after 60 days rowing an 18 speed was do the same on my time off! My 66 Chevy truck even had a factory A/T.
Hi, never had 4spd. 1st car was a 68′ 307 2brl PG malibu. ran like hell with race headers few $$ & 6-pak of pounders from a local racer. the malibu was from orig. owner…dad sold it on me. 68′ pontiac bird tb400…was orig. as well. the kid I bought it from was not worthy. had to rebuild trans. rgt. side susp. new t chain/gears/wp/etc. both these engines got no respect. originals now! forget-it! I look for both of these! I wasn’t able to keep my cars…I was 18-19 yrs. 400 I miss the most……
What?
Hi, What? I had nice orig. cars is my point. stories are part of originality! I had a great 68′ malibu…so, I can tell people WHAT is real or not. my knowledge could help someone!
Instead of leaving it “unmolested”as you BF guys tend to say,Id molest the heck out of it like that creepy uncle we all had and SS it up
Russ, I would leave the car as is with the outside patina. Besides engine detailing, it looks like it needs at least new upholstery and white stripe tires; it’s a non-SS with a 307 so save the white letter tires for an SS!
car needs for sure to be a SS. A Crate 502 and a 4L80E trans with a 12 bolt 3:73 screw should cover just about everything drivetrain wise
SS clone? Let’s see, EASY 20 thousand for big block engine, transmission, 12 bolt rear end, springs, different core support, exhaust. Car does NOT have patina, it has rust, period, on all top panels, plus some rust in other spots. It has non SS seats (cloth). To clone it, you will have at least 40 to 60 thousand in a fake car. You can buy a real SS for that and not have to listen to people say: it’s not a real SS. Buy it, paint the rust panels, and drive it. No mods.
You know……. Reading all these comments, on this Malibu as well as other cars about Patina.
Made me stop and think and wonder…
Just when did we go from….
“Needs Paint”….. To…..
“Has wonderful PATINA”???
Just seems like that P word just kind of snuck in there when I wasnt looking….
I’m in the keep it like you bought it camp. Fix what may be needed to make it safe and roadworthy. I’m well into my seventies and still enjoy rowing my own but only in my hobby vehicles. For a daily driver I could live with the PG/307 in this car.
My parent bought a brand new Malibu in 68 when I was 11. Theirs’s was butternut yellow with a black vinyl top and a black vinyl interior. In S.FL that was not the combination to have. Very few of the cars back in them days had factory A/C. They did add the A/C about a year later very similar to the unit in this car. Until that happened it was used bed sheets on the seats or you could forget about sitting on them on summer days. Really miserable when the daily summer rains came and you had to roll the windows up. But the memories created as a family in that car have lasted 55 years.
I don’t get into the whole 4 speed thing and never did. Granted a Powerglide would be nobody’s first choice but it’s nostalgic. I can still hear that distinctive whine when idling in park. The 307 engine was certainly panned in it’s day too, but you are not buying a car like this to be a daily driver.
I would give it a nice paint job as there is too much surface rust for me to just leave it, sort out the rest so it’s dependable and drive it. Always liked the 68.
19K and Reserve Not Met.
I’m just not seeing the appeal here of a plain jane Malibu with boat anchor engine.
You can’t exactly go down to your local Chevrolet dealer and order an SS396. I’d say that you would not be a buyer for this car. Heck, people buy 6 cylinder 4 door stripper Ramblers as collector vehicles. As Sly and the Family Stone sang, “Different Strokes For Different Folks”!
Leave it as a daily driver and add some dual exhaust and passenger mirror. It even has a under hood light.
NO passenger mirror !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please.
No surprise. My ’70 Corvette did not have one either. They were optional and many many were built without them.
Don’t know about Corvettes, but passenger side mirrors were not optional on 68 and 69 Chevelles. ALL were built without them. Either a dealer or yourself could put one on, but I have never, in 68 years seen proof of a dealer putting one on. If you know different, please post. Respectfully. PS, also 68 Malibus and SS Chevelles do NOT come with 69 wheel well chrome.
Hi, how long has this car been listed? It’s price hasn’t moved much… don’t expect it to. still like the car.