The second that I caught a glimpse of this Chevy, I did a double-take. It’s a 1966 Chevelle Malibu four-door, no big deal right? Then I figured out what caught my attention. It’s a four-door hardtop, what Chevrolet referred to as a “sports sedan”. But it is, as I mentioned, a ’66 and I was convinced that body style did not grace a sales brochure or showroom until ’67. Doesn’t matter whether you read Barn Finds or write for it, everyday something new turns up! This four-door find is located in Mesa, Arizona, and is available here on eBay for a current bid of $6,500, one bid tendered so far. Thanks to Russ D. for this tip!
There’s no denying it, the Chevelle SS series sucks all of the air out of the room when it comes to desirable old Chevies. I for one don’t really understand it having owned two different examples back in the early to mid-’70s. They were OK but I don’t have the desire to own another. Nevertheless, they trade today at uber values and a rising tide lifts all boats, Malibu, non-Malibu, two doors, four doors, they all make hay. And this four-door hardtop design brought some panache to the Chevy midsize model, a sort of follow-on to the four-door hardtop Impala and recently introduced Caprice. It seemed a way to legitimize the Malibu as a main-stream contender for not only downscale, mid-scale and performance versions but now an upscale model too.
This Malibu does not belie its surroundings, it has a dry and dusty southwest look about it. The what appears to be the original Artesian Turquoise finish has seen better days but the underlying condition of the body is quite strong – no dents, dips, dashes, creases or rust. The body panels all align as they should while the stainless trim and chrome bumpers are in pretty remarkable condition for a car of this age that has seen what probably amounts to a fair amount of outside time. I’m not sure what happened on the hood, looks like a paint patch to cover either very worn or possibly burned paint – but black?
Under the hood is one of Chevrolet’s best, a 283 CI V8. Two were offered in ’66 a 195 or a stronger 220 HP version. The owner doesn’t state which but I’d bet the former as it is much more common than the later and I can’t recall the last time I spied a 220 HP version. The seller claims that the engine was rebuilt 30K miles ago and it runs “excellent”. Of note is the Frigidaire “A6” A/C compressor – it seems most 283 equipped cars from that era are non-A/C equipped but being an Arizona car is all that needs to be said. As usual, there is a Powerglide, two-speed automatic transmission in place.
The interior of this Malibu is a pleasant surprise. While the exterior, as noted earlier, is pretty sunbaked, that’s not the case inside. The upholstery fabric and carpet would appear to have seen little usage though the steering wheel does show signs of a tight grip. This Malibu has a reported 147K miles so I’ll make a leap here and suggest the front seat material, at least, and the carpet have been replaced. There’s no mention of the interior or condition of the back seat, headliner, door cards, etc. so that would be good information to know. The dash and instrument panel both check out well, however. From an instrumentation perspective, there’s not much that can’t work other than a speedometer and a fuel gauge. Chevies of this vintage weren’t overly communicative.
What does this Malibu have going for it? I’d say it is the seldom-seen body style but it is also the body condition, interior, V8 engine and A/C – in other words, quite a bit for a non-performance oriented version. The seller adds, “Vehicle needs to be restored.” Well maybe, but it’s a driver as it is and a new paint job would work wonders. Other things to consider are suspension bushings, which are probably worn – same with the differential – that’s an unknown. And a Powerglide, if maintained and not abused will last virtually forever but even at some point, they throw in the towel. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves, all good things in time.
The seller has a nice collection of parts that he is offering up with the sale of this Chevelle, so there’s a little extra incentive. No, it’s not an SS396 and it has four-doors but it’s a nicely equipped, sharp-looking GM mid-size from an era when they could seem to do no wrong. It needs a new home, any interest out there?
Whoever buys this car I really hope those fender skirts don’t find their way on this car. I do like the possibilitys with this car. Suspension, brakes and modem drivetrain.
I think the car is great just the way it is. Writer is right, needs a paint job, maybe new tires, suspension work, but thats about it. When the 283 needs work, rebuild it and let her go. Nice to see some cars from yesteryear.
Fender skirts where do you see fender skirts?
Fender skert depot
It’s a 1967 not a 1966. This vehicle was towed away by my ex husband’s 3rd wife and she gave it to her relatives in Arizona. This car was never to be given away or sold. I’ve been looking for it for years. And I’m the only one with the exception of my ex husband who knows exactly what happened to the hood I messed it up. And boy my ex was mad. To this day I feel bad and I wish I had read this article sooner. I would have bought it back for him so that he could restore it with our son. I know what happened to the hood. I was there when it got the dent. I’m sad that I’m 4 years too late to buy this car back for my husband. The dent happened when I took the kids to the DelMar Fair in San Diego in 2005. Boy was my husband mad. It’s name is MIGUELITO. Named byhis grandfather. He took that car to college. It had a lot of rust in back window. The seats were shredded. His 3rd wife gave it to a relative ignoring the family history and what it truly meant to my ex husband. They are divorced now. She was a terrible person to him. I’m posting because I’m going to find this car and I want to reach out to the owner to see if he sold it for parts or restored it. It’s important to the family that they have closure on something that should have never been given away or sold in the first place. This car was meant to be given to our son and my ex wanted to restore it with our son. But she took it away from him. Ya…I still feel bad about that hood. I should have bought a new one. It kills me every time I think about it. I really hurt my husband’s feelings when I didn’t stop fast enough and hit a light pole in the fairgrounds parking lot.
Wow, that’s an incredible story. Good luck with tracking it down, and when you find it let us know, please.
I had a 66 just like it: Dark blue, 283 220 HP 4 barrel, dual exhaust. All original, and I paid $50 in the mid 80’s
Muscle cars were neat and all but they did handle poorly, didn’t stop well, and guzzled gas. That’s true. But it’s all about nostalgia, and that’s a powerful market force. So I understand the current values. Not sure they’re gonna hold up long term but I get the current market.
Not sure I agree on the spill over into the four-door sedan of this vintage though. This is going to sell for about a fifth of what a comparable ’66 Chevelle SS 396 would sell for, and I doubt there’ll be any cross shopping.
Yes but – – if you get this for a a good price – – less than $10K it is a nice find – – – get it drive it fix what needs to be fixed over a few years and decide if you really want to plunk $7000- $10000 into paint. She’s get lots of attention at car car show and shines as is with some of the included goodies – -not necessarily the fender skirts – – – classic car ownership of something different is the fun part.
Sweet! I had a butternut yellow example about 25 years ago that I never should have let go; only difference was it being a non-air-conditioned vehicle. It was a 4-door hard top with a 3-on-the-tree, p.s., 283 – 195 h.p., am radio, and a factory optional tissue dispenser mounted under the dash. It was a great running car that the eventual purchaser “just had to have.” Very nice find!
I think Butternut Yellow would really set this girl off – – – it has the lines and with those pricey wheel covers would be awesome. I;d also scower the swap meets eBay etc for any other goodies to option her up – – GM tissue dispenser etc.
My mom had a ’67 Sports Sedan in Deepwater Blue over a light blue interior. It also had the 283 and Powerglide. I was just shy of getting my license when my dad sold it. I begged him to keep it, and 36 years later I’m still [passively] looking for one. About a year ago I happened across a decent original on C.L. with a three-on-the-tree AND O/D[!] that I still regret not making a move on – YOLO.
In all my years of looking I’ve never seen a ’66 HT, but it’s just not my year. Nice Find and nice write-up.
Nice car and yes you hardly ever see them – there was one in our hood years ago but the fate was sealed by the latest owner.
Agree – just freshen up and enjoy !
This the car to make a fun driver by doing a complete suspension and brake upgrade, add fuel injection and overdrive trans.
Mesa has a couple car shows a week, even now, every other space spacing. This would draw attention big time the way it is.
I cannot hit them all. I am in Flagstaff now. Headin to Florida the I-40 route. Lots cooler.
It sounds like a shill bid at that price but if bought right, this would make for a wonderful restoration on a somewhat unique vehicle.
If you’re interested just plop a small bid on top of it and see the reaction = = =you could be right.
I really like this car, being the odd 4 door hardtop style.
I like the SS’s but I prefer cars that ya just don’t see at the shows a lot.
This car, with new paint & some tinkering, would make a great cruiser. I certainly wish I could buy it. The price, at current bid (still at $6,500) seems very reasonable to me. I wish I knew how the back seat looks.
Im thinking about how nice it would be to Retrofit a manual floor shift in this one; perhaps a 5 speed. Era correct SS hupcaps. Nice car
Cars like this generate a lot of memories. I have a friend whose grandmother had a 4 door ’66 Chevelle, only a “300”, just like this. Same color, I remember it still had the plastic on the seats and under 30K miles. It was truly the “little old lady’s car from up north”. Many years passed, I caught up with him and asked, what ever happened to his grandmas car? He said, someone told him the frame was rusted, and they junked it!!! 30K miles? Plastic on the seats? I doubt it went to the junkyard. Nice find.
Able to put a rollcage for short tracks in these easier than a 2door
I had one of these for several years in the early 80’s. It was a pleasure driving with all the windows down on a hot day! It had a 230 ci six with a powerglide, slow but dead reliable. I could take my foot of the brake at a stop light and it would just sit there, used to make me smile a lot. Miss that car.
Simply a nice driver, fix it and give it what it needs.
A member of the Ultimate Driver’s Group. Give it what it needs and keep it.
Considering the options this car has and the condition of the interior, it deserves the exterior to be redone to factory original.
This would be a stunning car to see driving down the street.
I think she’s beautiful! I’d love to have it and would bid on it in a skinny minute if I didn’t have so many projects already. I’d take it straight to my restoration shop and paint it, then drive the wheels off of it. Ahh, so many cars, so little time. Good luck to the winner!
Before someone hacks it up into a shorty 2 door, I’d shave the door handles, weld the doors shut and cut off the entire roof. Thus a roadster with room for 4 (or more) adults. Maybe make it a fake Monkey mobile.
This car reminds me of the movie repo man