The 1969-72 era of the Chevrolet Chevelle is the most popular for Super Sport cloning. That excludes the ’68 from the same generation because the SS 396 was still a separate series with its own VIN. Routine Malibu Sport Coupes are often the target. Could that be the future of this one from 1969? The seller only provides six words of explanation, so we don’t know if it runs or what needs work besides cosmetics. Located in Taylor, Michigan, this “builder” is available here on eBay, where the current bid is $7,088 with the reserve still in play.
Of all the Chevelles built in 1969, the Malibu Sport Coupe was the biggest seller. More than 286,000 of them left the assembly line with a V8. As many as 86,000 of them were SS 396 editions. A 307 cubic inch V8 was the starting point for eight-cylinder engines. But a 350 was available on the way up to the 396 big block. The seller doesn’t tell us what engine this Chevelle has or the quality of its running order, but it’s not a 396.
When you look at the body, the word “project” comes to mind. The sheet metal has its issues, as does what’s left of the burgundy paint. Yet, when you open the doors, everything in there looks brand new. Photos show the car with and without seats installed, indicating some floorboard work having been done. By having bucket seats, the car is already on its way to SS stardom.
All kidding aside, I hope the buyer restores this car to its original specs or something close. A lot of the Malibu population has already been cloned, so a restored Malibu with a 307 or 350 (preferably) would be a welcome find. But whichever way the buyer goes, he/she may already have a good foundation to work with.
“Back in the day” if you hopped up the small block or engine swapped your Chevelle (or 318 Charger or…pretty much anything), you weren’t “cloning” or “tributing,” you were just making a car your car.
I wish that attitude still existed. If that car has a 307, I’d have switched to a 350 as I probably couldn’t afford the big bock back then and it’d be a hot-rodded Chevelle and I would’ve loved it. That’s all it would need to be.
As for this car, at this point in my life I avoid rust like it’s the plague. Beyond my ability to fix and the relatively few shops that can fix it nowadays get very real money for doing it.
I wouldn’t want the big block..Keep it small block with a 383 stroker motor..less weight and almost as much power.
You can actually get some decent HP out of a 307. I’m one that thinks if the engine pulls it around, why mess with it. But to each is own.
You are right, unless someone attaches SS emblems it’s not a clone. Well thought out and executed modifications make cars like this better. I can see an argument for not modifying a pristine low mileage base model car, if the car isn’t that, so why keep it stock. We grew up in an era of modified cars, that’s what filled the cruise sites of our youth.
This cars value rests with the condition of its body, the ad is horrible and I wouldn’t bid unless I saw it in person first. The bucket seat interior is a nice addition, it would cost about $2,000 to round up all of the components to perform the swap, not including reupholstering the seats.
Steve R
“Reserve not met” still , with over 7k bid? The guy doesn’t want to be the “seller” it seems. And something with that big ask needs a lot more than six words in the description. Lazy.
in a world that has $20,000 Hyundais in it . spending that same money for a real car is a no brainer .
Seems the attempted “build” of the existing small block didn’t take crankcase ventilation into consideration. I remember kids not knowing better back in the ‘80s, but that is just sloppy today.
The amount of effort that’s gone into that description is truly astonishing
Astonishing enough to satisfy the current bid. Over 7k and not done yet!
looks solid from the pics but does need a redo which will set you back at least 15-30k depending on how deep and the quality of the job. i would not slap SS crap all over it. there are more SS Chevelles than gm made out there. leave it a malibu. very rare option of a red bucket seat console a/c car. it sits at 8k RNM yet. what kind of a reserve did he put on it? the high bid is fair for what is presented. over 10k and the cost begins to hurt for what it is.
It shows a 307 badge on the left front fender in the first pic. SBC motor showing in pic with hood up, but it could be a transplanted 350 as it looks to sport a 4bbl. Not a bad carif it runs / drives now. Be interesting to see what it sells for. Dont SS clone this, but a nuce 350 or 383 stroker with the AC hooked up and painted its original burgandy would be a righteous ride. Also dont GTO fake a LeMans.
If you actually do not have paper work verifying any chevelle SS better walk away! However, the one exception to that point is the 68 Chevelle! You do not need a build sheet or documentation regarding SS status….it is right there in front of your face, with the 138 vin…more people are turning to the 68 for that very reason!
The 1964-1967 Chevelle’s also have specific VIN numbers, the 1969 and later models don’t, with one exception, the 1972 454 equipped Chevelle SS’s, the 454 was exclusive to SS’s and is represented by a W in the VIN for its engine displacement. As for 1973 and later Chevelle’s, I don’t care enough to find out.
Steve R
Factory A/C, but the compressor is gone. If the fender emblems are still correct it’s an underpowered 307. Could be a 327 or 350, but seller couldn’t be bothered to say. Really like the red bucket interior… but with the lazy ad there are too many unknowns overall.
I had a 69 Chevelle with a 307..not much too talk about kids back then called them gutless wonders and sure did not provide the hp necessary for a young adolescent. If they would have only placed the 307 in ALL 4 door models as grocery getters, may have worked better. Drivers who had the 2 doors 307 were making engine swaps as quick as flipping pancakes. Regarding the sale, regardless of what is bid or what the reserve maybe, the market place, again, will make the final determination, that is the true reality.
this seems to be a special ordered car . due to the unusual interior . Malibus came with ….nothing . and here we have AC and buckets with floor shift ……..in red , no less .
Malibu was top trim short of SS. Plenty with AC, buckets, etc.