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Serious Muscle: 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu

While it might not be a genuine SS, this 1966 Chevelle Malibu is a very tidy tribute car that has been sitting in a barn for the past 5-years. Those years haven’t seen the car just sitting unused because the engine has been fired-up on a regular basis to keep it in good health. The Malibu is located in McAllen, Texas, and is listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has now reached $19,710 in a No Reserve auction. It sure looks like some lucky person is getting ready to park a very tasty piece of machinery in their driveway.

The  Malibu has an interesting background. Believe it or not, it is the property of a 75-year-old gentleman, and it appears that the person advertising the car is selling it on his behalf. All that I can say is that this is a 75-year-old gentleman who knows exactly what he wants from a car. He had the car built to its current specifications but was then forced to park it. Now ill health means that the time has come for the Malibu to move on. It is being sold as it currently stands, complete with all the dust. Under that dust is said to be a paint job of show quality, and if the last photo in this article is any indication, that seems to be quite accurate. Rust is virtually non-existent. There is a spot inside the driver’s side door frame which is about the size of a quarter, along with a small spot in the passenger side floor. Everything else is said to be rock solid, and the photos tend to confirm this claim. The external chrome and trim look faultless, while those beautiful Weld wheels were brand new when the car went into storage.

This is a current photo of the inside of the Malibu, and as you can see, it does look very nice in there. The only fault that I can find is the fact that the original radio is missing out of the dash. Otherwise, it looks like it would be a case of giving the carpets a once-over with a vacuum cleaner and wiping any dust off the interior trim, and the inside of the car would see it close to perfect. There are some aftermarket gauges hanging under the dash, but I think that these are pretty sensible insurance to protect what is lurking under the hood.

As I said before, this 75-year-old obviously knows what he likes, and that appears to be power. What the next owner will be getting for their money is a 454ci V8. This engine was rebuilt just prior to the Malibu being placed in storage, and as a result, it has less than 1,000 miles on it. Bolted to the back of the big-block is an automatic transmission, but it isn’t clear what type it is. The Malibu is also fitted with power steering, but 4-wheel drum brakes. The engine presents nicely and is said to be in very good health. The seller also states that there are some performance pieces hiding inside the big-block, but he doesn’t elaborate on what these are. I can see a neat set of headers, an MSD ignition, and an Edelbrock intake as a starting point. From there I just can’t be sure. There are a couple of issues that will need to be addressed before the car is ready to hit the road again. The seller recommends a full service and a fluid change, which sounds quite sensible. I also noticed that the positive battery cable is a bit on the long side, and does hang down low near the front cross-member. I would be inclined to do something about this because you wouldn’t want anything to snag on that. Personally, I’d probably also look at upgrading the braking system at some point. After all, changing the brakes is not going to have any impact on the car’s originality, is it?

I can categorically say that when my father was 75-years-old, he didn’t have a car like this. In fact, I’m sure that the same is probably true of the majority of our readers. As you can see from this last photo, what lies beneath that layer of dust is one pretty amazing looking car. I have total respect for the owner, because what he has created is pretty special, and I can’t help but feel sad that he hasn’t had the opportunity to reap the benefits of all of the time and money that has been poured into the Malibu. I can only hope that the next owner loves and respects this car as much as the current owner obviously does. Maybe that someone could be one of our readers.

Comments

  1. Avatar RayT

    Add disc brakes, at least in front, wash, service, and DRIVE! Though my tastes lean more toward SBCs than Big (and heavy) Blocks, this does look like something one could and should use and enjoy.

    Oh, I’d deep-six the “Super Sport” badges, too. First off, for the “Q-ship” look, which I prefer, and also because I don’t like giving people the impression that car is something it isn’t. That’s especially true when the time comes to sell it again….

    Like 13
  2. Avatar slickb

    These 66 chevelle’s are in my opinion some of the greatest cars made in the 60’s!!! great cars to drive and have, they never get ignored

    Like 13
  3. Avatar Gaspumpchas

    I’m with you, slickB. One of my first muscle car experiences was a 66 super sport 396 with a PG. It was hit real hard in the rear- we pulled it out and I got to run parts and coffee with it. American muscle at its finest!!
    Cheers
    GPC

    Like 5
  4. Avatar 86_Vette_Convertible

    SS script on the rear quarters and 283 emblems on the front fenders! When I was still in school one of the guys in town had a 66 Nicky SS427 and it was a beast, broke a lot of parts over the years. Myself I had a 67 Malibu but nowhere near as fast as that one. Personally if I was going to modify one of these it would either get a 327 or 350 and enjoy driving it vs spending all your time and money at the gas pump.
    This one looks good for a modified car but a bbc would not be my first choice any more.

    Like 3
    • Avatar David LaSpisa

      Sir, where was the 66 Nickey 427? Always thought those cars were cool and cool stories! Sounds like you had a fun one as well! Love the 66s, especially the angled front fender, but love the 67 rear end wrap around lights… blend them together? Ha!!

      Like 0
  5. Avatar Keith

    A 136 vin Malibu chevelle is not a super sport in any form in 1966. Has to be a 138 vin to designate a real super sport . Buyer beware when over paying for a car deamed a super sport. I just watched 2 1969 camaros sold at auction with Z28 badging with x11 and x44 trim tags sell for $27000. Each. Both cars needing restored and buyers were excited about their z28 purchases. If people have to miss represent cars to get a buyer ,then I say this day and age Buyer be very aware what you purchase. It’s hard to recoup losses when over paying upwards of $10-$15k over actual value .

    Like 4
    • Avatar LARRY

      Some folks know how to do it right and get it right..this fellow knows!! Beautiful car!!

      Like 4
      • Avatar Keith

        A 454 with 283 and SS badging is right ! Ok .

        Like 5
    • Avatar Lynn Dockey Member

      X33 and X77 only Z/28’s in 69. One had the chrome gill trim the other didn’t. Also need the rear bumper guards or not an original

      Like 0
      • Avatar Keith

        That’s why I made the statement above about Z28 . information is available and buyers should do the research before getting taken to the cleaners ! Neither car was a Z28.

        Like 0
    • Avatar David Ulrey

      It said tribute which is another term for clone. Didn’t try to pass it off as a true SS. I’m not trying to be a cocky smarta$$. Just clarifying that part.

      Like 4
      • Avatar Keith

        Ebay head line of item listed ….1966 Chevrolet chevelle super sport 454 big block south texas barn find . Is this your post ? That’s where highlighted ebay tag takes us . Maybe you should clarify the ebay listing !

        Like 0
    • Avatar Keefer F Zeller

      The article clearly states it is not a SS, rather a tribute.

      Like 0
      • Avatar Keith

        The ebay add does not clearly state that at all !

        Like 0
    • Avatar GP Member

      Was that the VanDerBrink auction? 100 muscle cars( coyote Johnson). If so ,I thought the same thing. Nothing to prove Z-28 at all. All the cars went way to high.

      Like 0
  6. Avatar Steve R

    The seller is likely flipping the car and not selling it for a 75 year old in bad health. Look at his completed listings on eBay, he’s spins some sort of tale on all his other ads. One was a lifted Chevy Blazer that had belong to a school teacher, but had never been off road.

    I’d want to talk to the owner personally, there are too many unknowns about the car, mainly concerning previous rust repair. The story, of and elderly owner in poor health is common among flippers It allows them to skip registering the car in their name, it goes along way towards establishing trust with potential buyers (the author of this write up seems to believe everything in the description) and finally, it gets the seller out of answering even the most basic questions they likely to be asked. I watch a few flippers on eBay, they all run similar scams, usually about the car belonging to a family member that no longer drive or they are selling for a friend sometimes they even say they are thinning their collection.

    Steve R

    Like 18
  7. Avatar Steve

    I am with Steve R; I don’t see someone that age putting weld wheels on the car to start with . And the 75 year old builder would be quite proud of what was done to the engine and know what went in it.

    Like 6
  8. Avatar Ian C

    As far as age, my dad (who just turned 70 this year) just bought a 1998 TransAm WS-6. LS1, 6spd manual, aftermarket 3″ exhaust, Kooks headers, etc. Age doesn’t matter for a true car guy.

    Like 20
    • Avatar Steve R

      I’d say about 50% of the regulars at the local tracks Wednesday night bracket races are 60+. Their kids are gone and they have retired, they now have time to do what they had to give up while raising a family. There are more than a few guys racing that are well into their 80’s, by then most have sold their dedicated race cars for a street car such as Mustang GT’s, Challengers (including a couple of Hellcats), CTS-V Cadillac one guy even runs an F150 Eco Boost every week, which by the way runs mid-12’s with just a change to the computers program.

      Steve R

      Like 10
      • Avatar Camaro guy

        Right you are Steve I’m 73 have a 2011 CamaroSS with an LSA supercharger which puts out in the neighborhood of 525 HP to the flywheel will run high 11’s and I’m looking for more. Some of us old guys just never grow up 👴👴

        Like 3
    • Avatar schooner

      My Dad wasn’t a car guy but at 75 he checked another off the bucket list by flying his little Cessna 172 over the Rockies. That was round trip from the east coast.

      Like 4
      • Avatar Gaspumpchas

        I’m with you guys, keep doing what you like as long as you can. I saw a cop had one of those new high HP challengers pulled over a while back- had 2 grey haired guys in it!!! Righteous.
        Cheers
        GPC

        Like 2
  9. Avatar healeydays

    I know everyone loves the 69-72 Chevelles, but I’ve always loved the 65-67 as they are a bit smaller and have great bodies.

    Like 5
  10. Avatar Poptheclutch

    That is one nice Malibu!
    Even though it’s not an ss it still looks
    Just as nice! just the way looks
    Smooth very smooth! 😎👍🏼

    Me personally my family would have to wait
    Till I died cause there’s no way,no way
    I would sell it alive unless I desperately
    Needed the money!

    Like 4
  11. Avatar steve gray Member

    My favorite year of Chevelle. Always wanted one. My brothers friend had 66′ 396 4 speed, black on black. Wanted that car so bad!.

    Like 0
  12. Avatar Del

    nice car

    Like 2
  13. Avatar Tom Mc

    To me the 1966 and 1970 Chevelle were the 2 best looking years.

    Like 3
  14. Avatar John B.

    I had a black “plane Jane” ‘67 Malibu with a 283 and power glide transmission; it was a great car gave decent fuel mileage, dependable, and needed little maintenance. Traded for a low mileage Chevy pickup-big mistake! Never be ashamed because you car isn’t an SS or top of the line model just enjoy it!

    Like 2
  15. Avatar moosie

    Nice Malibu, seller said something about being a Canadian built 136 car and in Canada would be considered an SS, what was he talking about, true or fiction ? If it were mine I’d take the Super Sport emblems off the 1/4 panel, put a 5 or 6 speed stick in it , upgrade the brakes front and rear and drive it, what I thought was neat was the last 3 digits of the vin # . I’m 71 and still think like a kid as far as cars and things are concerned.

    Like 2
    • Avatar Steve R

      There were some, but are very rare, GM of Canada can document it. Without the corresponding paperwork, the claim is BS.

      Steve R

      Like 1
      • Avatar Keith

        Yes Steve you are correct ,a Canadian car will have a Canadian trim tag and an American car will have American trim tag . Easy to confirm just open the hood and look at trim tag .

        Like 0
  16. Avatar TimM

    SS or not it’s a sweet ride with no rust that’s most of the battle today!! Since it’s not a matching numbers car I would have to source a 4 speed to put behind that big block to make it just a little more fun than the automatic!!!

    Like 2
  17. Avatar Comet

    “A the chrome bumpers and trimming are in perfect condition.” The seller must have overlooked that bent rear bumper. Nice car, but I think the seller is looking for “SS money.” Rust is virtually non-existent? That quarter sized hole in the drivers door jam will more than likely turn into a three inch mess with a few pokes of a screwdriver. I really don’t mean to sound like a whiner, it is a nice car, but we can all see it’s shortcomings. Don’t piss on my leg and tell me it’s raining outside.

    Like 3
  18. Avatar jimmy the orphan

    In 9 years when I’m 75yrs. I sure hope to be driving my cars! me and Jay Leno too ! At the start of the text it says: while it might not be a genuine SS. I think most read that as Its not. I sure do but in some parts of the world could be seen as a ? mark. As I’ve said before I’m not a BB fan or a auto.lover. That being said the eng. looks like a pro, job. Understated slick and powerful. One of if not the nicest looking eng. bays I’ve seen on here. In my humble opinion. 20k is all in on this car because it is what it is. I’m an old school gear head at heart. I look at cars a different way. I look at cars for the sake of the car not if I can get $ back out of it. Just say’n Later……………………………..JIMMY

    Like 1
  19. Avatar Ric Parrish

    I’m 74, just pulled the 327 out of my 62 Vette Old Gas Class car, I like the new I Beam steel rods, adding higher compression forged pistons, re balancing, oh and forged roller rockers, we have a solid roller and 300+ valve springs. This is a small journal, steel crank 10K+ engine. These 327s are about the only US engine you can rev like this. Some guys take them to 12K

    Like 4
    • Avatar Camaro guy

      Good for you Ric always good to see the older gearheads still at it. Good luck with the new motor, 327’s are my favorite SBC

      Like 0
      • Avatar Ric Parrish

        Thanks Camaro guy, although I also prefer 327s, I am building a four bolt 383 stroker for my 82 Camaro, I have stored since 1985.

        Like 1
  20. Avatar Troy s

    Great looking ride with loads of power, don’t care for the super sport emblems and it doesn’t need them anyway. Just a hopped up Chevelle thrill ride like many were awhile back.

    Like 0
  21. Avatar moosie

    If I couldnt have a “BIG” Big Block chevy I’d like to have the other end of the spectrum, a small journal 302, the sounds they made at the end of the 1/4 mile were unforgettable

    Like 2
    • Avatar schooner

      I’ll go with a 283 crank in a 327 block from a different angle. Old School Trans Am. That was a sound.

      Like 0
  22. Avatar Lynn Dockey Member

    302

    Like 0
  23. Avatar Doctor Diesel

    I’m with Camaro Guy! I’m a bit short of 75, and only a young pup at 67, but I can assure you that my 2011 SS2 Ragtop will be in the garage until I can’t find the garage anymore! Some kids just never grow up! Had more vehicles in 50 years than I can count, but probably in excess of 70. My taste runs from classic muscle (had a 67 Firebird 400 at age 17) to GM diesels of every variety in a multitude of vehicles to my namesake, a 1958 Hillman Minx convertible. Long live old Motorheads!

    Like 1
    • Avatar Lynn Dockey Member

      Doesn’t sound like ur gonna buying a plug in any time too soon. Me either

      Like 0
  24. Avatar Keefer F Zeller

    Keith, read what I said. I never said anything about EBAY. I said THE ARTICLE.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Keith

      Don’t really care what you said . Dude is misrepresenting a car on ebay to line his pockets by means of fraud . We can build cars to our liking , modify them to suit our taste, enjoy them and drive the wheels off if we chose to. But when you falsely advertise a car for personal gain and fraudulently take another person’s money ,then not only is it wrong but its actually illegal. Ask jerry Seinfeld why he is getting sued for millions for falsely representing a Porsche he sold to a family . 2 years ago Michigan man sells a 1969 copo camaro to a buyer for 1.2 million at barrett jackson, buyer goes to register car after inspection and finds out car is not a rare copo as it was presented by a fraudster for personal gain. Car impounded , seller in legal suit , buyer out car and money until suit decision by judge …….honesty is the best policy !

      Like 2

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