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.