This 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu has the baked appearance of a classic that has spent its life in a dry location. It seems that its looks aren’t deceptive, with the buyer facing a fairly long list of cosmetic tasks to recapture its former good looks. However, with virtually no penetrating rust and a freshly rebuilt V8 under the hood, it is a promising project candidate. The seller has listed the Malibu here on eBay in Beaumont, California. They’ve received no bids on an auction that opened at $5,000, but there is a BIN option of $6,000 for buyers who find this classic irresistible.
Chevrolet introduced its Second Generation Chevelle range in 1968. The company’s latest offering featured a significant exterior restyle, giving every example a more aggressive look. Chevrolet tweaked the appearance slightly in 1969, which is when this Malibu rolled off the line. Between its baked Frost Green paint and the significant surface corrosion, it doesn’t make a positive first impression. However, a closer look shows the only penetrating rust is confined to this spot in the rear parcel tray. Addressing it would be relatively easy and inexpensive, ensuring the car is rock-solid before the buyer takes on any cosmetic work. The trim is a mixed bag of good and bad pieces, but most would be acceptable for a driver-grade refresh if polished. The glass is clear, and initial impressions suggest this Malibu could be ideal for novices considering a first project.
The paint isn’t the only area of this Malibu that has suffered under California’s sun. The dash and most of the plastic is okay, but anything upholstered is toast. The dashpad has cracked, as has the wheel. It’s a good thing that trim kits are readily available and relatively affordable, because the buyer needs one to whip this interior into shape. It doesn’t feature many factory options, but it appears to retain its pushbutton radio.
Lifting the hood reveals where this Chevelle’s story becomes significantly more positive. The first owner ordered the car with a 350ci V8, a three-speed Hydramatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. As the two-barrel version, this small-block left the factory producing 255hp and 365 ft/lbs of torque. It might match or even exceed those figures today, since it has clocked only around 100 miles after a complete rebuild. The seller also replaced the water pump, power steering pump, fuel pump, fuel pickup, starter, alternator, and almost the entire braking system. It rolls on new tires, while an electric fan and aluminum radiator keep temperatures under control. The seller identifies a small transmission fluid leak as the only mechanical issue. Otherwise, the Chevelle is a turnkey proposition that runs and drives well.
I’ll address the elephant in the room, because I acknowledge that some enthusiasts ignore classics with more than two doors. However, cars like this 1969 Chevelle Malibu are practical, an important consideration for anyone with young children. Maneuvering a toddler into the back seat of a two-door can be a major undertaking, but this Malibu eliminates that problem. It is also affordable, and the rebuilt small-block is the icing on the cake. I believe it will find a new home, and it will be fascinating to discover if any Barn Finds readers are tempted by its potential.
The paint will be a substantial investment of time, not money, for a “restorer”. But I don’t mind the time as long as I love the car. Lots of people dislike the quad cabs, but trust me, the guy in the next lane over in traffic won’t be able to take his eyes off it no matter how many doors it has.
I don’t mind four doors. Most fun car I ever owned was my four door 65 Caprice hardtop with a zippy little 327 under the hood. But cutting bait right after sinking money into an engine rebuild on this supposedly solid, albeit cosmetically challenged, classic makes me wonder. Did they just lose interest, or run up against an unexpected life expense? It happens. I am naturally suspicious though.
When I was a young guy a 4dr car like this really held no appeal to me. That has completely changed though. I really appreciate them now. I see the practicality in them now plus the fact that they are more rare. Most people used and threw away 4dr ones but saved the 2dr versions. Personally I’d like to see the price cheaper but it runs and drives so I can’t really complain. Plus the rebuilt engine.
I had to look twice. BIN only 6k?? This appears to be an excellent deal for someone who wants a classic to restore but has little to no experience in doing it. Will be a fantastic looker once done.
THey must’ve been affected by the smoke of recents fires. Maybe it’s worth fairmarket price of the engine,
don’t think i would have put that money into the motor.
Why do people put in their ad, “Transmission is a th400 new seals has a small leak I’m sure an easy fix”. If it’s such an “easy fix”, why not fix it and make the car more marketable? Forget about the body, getting the interior squared away, will be more than the value of the car.
Hardtop body and no PG make this one more desirable than most offerings. Still gotta dump $$ in it beyond market value if hired out – buying for a flip would be a dubious proposition. Do it yourself and you might beat break even. Would make a fine driver for many years to come.
I think it’s worth 5K…. But not 6
I’m sorry, but I see rust through on both front fenders. (Low in front of rocker panels) Also strange to have a TH400 instead of a TH350. (HD trailer tow package?) And rusted out package tray? Leaking rear window? Lots of questions on a reasonably priced Chevelle.
When I worked in automotive when a customer came in looking for a transmission parts for a car like this and said it had a TH400 we broke out an illustration guide that showed transmission pans so they could confirm which one they had. More often than not it turned out they had a TH350.
Steve R