While it’s hard to call a bright red 1968 Chevelle a sleeper, this one probably fits the term. The 327 fender tags are the first trick and although this isn’t a Malibu, it looks like a fairly “stock” Chevelle. Lurking under the hood is another story altogether. Here’s a clue…It isn’t a 327! Located for sale here on Craigslist with an asking price of $35,000, the car is located in Clearwater, Kansas. Thanks to Pat L. for the tip on this car and let’s take a look at what lies under the hood of this beast!
The engine is a 540 cubic inch Merlin III block topped with an 850 Brawler carb and Brodix intake. The heads are 315’s from AFR. Exhaust is collected from the headers into a full 3″ exhaust system with an x-pipe and dual mufflers, but I’m sure that 540 is still loud! The power is transferred to the ground through a Center Force clutch in the Tremec TKO 600 5-speed manual transmission. The tranny twists back to the 12-bolt posi rear end stuffed with 3.07 gears.
The interior is very clean, but there are a couple of clues to this being more than a 327 car. The column-mounted tach along with the 5-speed shifter are the main indicators that something unusual lurks underneath.
The seller says that the body panels, trim, and paint are all original! The paint has been buffed and ceramic coated. Overall, this is a really cool car. While it might not be a total sleeper (like a 4-door Malibu for example), this car is certain to turn heads at a tap of the gas.
Looks. Like. FUN.
Nice car at a fair price. I’d guess around $25k in parts and labor just to build that Big Block and buy the trans and exhaust. I think you’d wind up spending more than $35k trying to build this yourself.
A walk around video would sell it quick.
Sleeper? Really?
You honestly guessed that it’s packing a 540 cubic inch big block and a 5 speed stick?
Even if it wasn’t, this car still says “race me”.
Yeah, not really a sleeper. You’d know it was a monster from half a block away.
🙌 👏 beautiful job.
With that 5 speed and 3.07 posi, I’d love to drive that thing across Montana. Probably cruise at 135 or so, with those long legs.
I’m no mechanic, but how long would it take to swap out the gears to something like a 4:11 set in order to take it to the strip or stoplight?
Or are there other considerations?
Only of you wanted to abuse and drag race would you want 4:11 gears. I had a 67 Camaro with 3:08 posi and M20 4 spd. Best street cruiser I have owned with 397RWHP and 425TQ small block 406 it was a blast to drive anywhere. Never lost a street race with it against many other cars. BTW I have owned 54 vehicles so I have many to compare with.
Easy in 5th you would get 150 at aprox 4000 rpm. That beast would have the Torque to push it that fast or more.
That’s sick.
Nice 68! Appears well done with some nice goodies, and a fair price to boot
I like that they left it stock appearing with the 327 emblems. With the money put into this build it showed intent not to clone an SS. Very cool car.
Although ten times better than mine, it reminds me of my ’68 Malibu I had back in the mid eighties. 327 call outs, big block 396 under the hood and turbo400 with a reverse manual valve body still had the stock ten bolt, ha ha, as it was a project car in the works when I bought it. Noisy as all heck thanks to my backyard exhaust system and that tick-idy-tick lumpy idle fooled no one! Primer grey turned into midnight metalic blue, the interior was Shot and stayed that way smelt like a pack of burned Marlboros.
When I kept getting beat by 350 Chevelles I realized it was more bark than bight…..and I wasn’t all that handy off the line anyways.
Fun times for sure and seeing this boulevard blaster takes me back a few….decades! Flog that thing, PLEASE!
I live in the south and without AC it’s a dead issue. Love the car though.
Nah, I would rather buy a rusted out Mopar with no engine and a questionable Vin tag and let it sit in my backyard for years for the same money.
ROTFLMAO Me Too
Not an SS.
Awesome.
Now, THIS is an example of a great Craig’s List ad.
Great description and maximum pictures.
Seller will probably get some good interest in this one.
with 3.04 gears that car will have enough top speed to outrun its paint! I knew someone who put a Merlin motor (I believe it was a 500 cubic incher ) into a Henry J. Only he didn’t try to hide it, with ultra wide slicks stuffed inside the tubbed rear fenders and traction bars poking out underneath. And that thing was so loud you felt it as well as heard it.
I owned 1 Chevelle in my life it was fast it had a 468 BBC and a turbo 400 and it was a track/street car. I liked the car for what it was but never thought much about it’s looks, it was a Chevelle. For some reason I really like this car and yes I am sure the 540 has something to do with that and the price is not out of line. Darned nice vehicle!