One of the challenges facing some enthusiasts is locating a project candidate where most of the work is within their skill set. Not everyone possesses finely honed welding ability, meaning that major rust repairs are not an option. Therefore, classics like this 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu look very attractive. It is a rock-solid car that would respond to some cosmetic TLC, and with its engine freshly rebuilt, the buyer could tackle the work as time and circumstances allow. The seller has listed the Malibu here on eBay in Vacaville, California. They set their auction to open at $25,000 but have received no bids.
Chevrolet introduced the Chevelle range for the 1964 model year as the mid-sized offering within its product lineup. The First Generation remained on sale until 1967, with our feature Malibu leaving the factory in 1966. The first owner ordered it in Sandalwood Tan, with the seller confirming that the exterior wears an older repaint in the original shade. The car’s appearance suggests it would benefit from a repeat performance, with the paint now sporting a matte appearance. However, with this classic confirmed as rust-free, the work could proceed at the buyer’s leisure. The rear window panel was replaced, but it appears that is the only section of steel that isn’t original. The panels are pretty straight, with evidence of cracking Bondo in the driver’s side rear quarter panel the most significant issue requiring attention. The seller notes a small dent in the rear bumper and a matching imperfection in the filler panel between it and the trunk lid. However, the remaining trim is acceptable for a driver-grade restoration, and the glass is clear.
This Malibu has a couple of genuine highlights, and its interior is one of them. It received a retrim in Black vinyl, and the results justified the effort and expense. There is no visible wear on the upholstered surfaces, and the back seat appears to have never been used. The carpet is spotless, and there are no issues with the dash, pad, or headliner. It isn’t heavily optioned, and the factory radio has made way for a retro-style stereo. However, with bucket seats and a console, it should feel fairly luxurious by the standards of the day.
Enthusiasts craving originality will welcome the news that this Malibu is numbers-matching. The first owner selected a 283ci V8 that sends 195hp to a 10-bolt rear end via a two-speed Powerglide transmission. They didn’t tick the box on the Order Form beside power brakes, but they did choose power steering for a more effortless driving experience. The news just keeps getting better, because the V8’s spotless presentation is courtesy of a recent rebuild. The seller includes an embedded video in the listing that features the engine running. It sounds crisp and clean, producing no noises that cause concern. They say that it runs and drives well, making it a turnkey proposition for the winning bidder.
At $25,000, this 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu isn’t a cheap project candidate. However, that hasn’t cooled interest in this classic. The listing has received over 550 views in the past day, and twenty-five people have added it to their Watch List. Whether those figures translate into bids is speculation, but there is a chance that someone won’t be able to resist the temptation. Do you think it will happen, or will the seller need to lower their sights to send this Malibu to a new home?
Never seen anyone run their spark plug wire under the accelerator cable.
That’s how you advance the spark on the timing🤣
Terrible job routing those spark plug wires..and I sense a rattle-can rebuild too.
I agree with Terrry about the rattle can rebuild. In the engine pictures you can see over spray at the base of the carb, choke pull off and I think on the spark plugs. The interior is very nice.
More horse power that way
I wanna say I’m a Ford guy, because 69 Mach 1 is my dream car. Just seems like everytime I get the money for one they bump up ín price and go just out of reach. Chasing the dream. But, in second place is a 67 Chevelle. I think the body is just the right size. A GTO body style, of the same year, gets lost in it’s size, IMO.
I have admired these Malibus since high school in the ’70s. I would have to do the body and paint, I couldnt leave it like this. Also and overdrive, 5 speed manual preferred, or 4 speed auto. The price is beyond my comfort zone, so there’s no need to get upset by my modification suggestions, lol!
I’ve had my 66 Malibu since 1997, when I bought it from the original owner. It came with 283, 2 barrel, single exhaust, manual steering and manual drum brakes……but had buckets, console and a 4 speed. I won’t part with it, my son-in-law and Grandson have laid claim to it when I don’t need it any more.
Doesn’t surprise me that they haven’t received any bids at $25,000. It looks fairly solid, and I will admit that the interior is pretty nice, but I’m afraid that those two pluses don’t equate to 25K.
There’s lots of exterior work to do here, but if the price doesn’t get too outrageous, roll up your sleeves and get to it!
Perfect for a Lucky Costa clone.
We put in a rebuilt 283 for a customer one time. What a waste of money. Although I used to outrun a lot of “people” in a 1964 Elcamino with a 283 and 3 on the floor when I was young, I do not think they are worth the trouble since the 350 came along or many other engines for that matter.
The 283 is kind of an anomaly. Unless you’re building a period correct hot rod or restoring an early Chevy that came with one, there’s no good reason to run one. Now back in the day they could either beat or at least scare just about anything on the road. I had a friend that had one with the only modifications being a “Duntov 270” cam, a “C” series AFB, and a set of Doug Thorley headers in a ’64 Impala with an.M-21 gearbox and 4:11s and that big boat was FAST.
Ok $25,000 No bids yet. Gee wonder why? Oh could this be bondo ride? The paint on the car is done. After stripping this paint off and most likely find all type of issues. Yes it’s straight but at what cost? The engine why rebuild a 283? A Corvette 327 with 370 hp would be real cool in this ride. Dual exhaust put in front disc brake kit with the brake booster. Then $25,000 would sound better. As it stands $15,000 is a better number. Good luck to the next owner. 🐻 🇺🇸
I agree with putting dual exhaust and power disc brakes on it and it would sound and stop better Price high.
BTW, I told you about my 66. It still has the buckets(recovered) console, and 4 speed (rebuilt), but I couldn’t understand rebuilding a 283 either. It currently has a crate 350 with a cam. Much more fun that way.
Good choice Bill. Have fun with it and never let it go.😄
I don’t trust anything inside today’s new all overseas HEI distributors – espec the modules.
Nothing at all wrong with the 283. There would have been NO reason to replace it with a 350, non original engine. If any rust issues, they would surely have surfaced after all this time, paint job was years ago it seems. The only flaw seems to be quarter panel damage which seems to be from a previous encounter with a foreign object. It does hurt the value a bit, because you cannot see total damage. Probably a minor fix. Kudos to the seller for showing it. I am not a buyer, but if I were, I would fix quarter and drive as is, with a repaint in the near future. It looks like as solid an old car as you are going to find.
Price way out of line. $ 17,000.00 Tops. Too much bondo, rust water leaks etc. But a great ride with some work. I have owned 3 and still looking for the fourth dream.
Sold on 3/21/2025 for a high bid of $24,750.
Steve R