Sport Sedan Project: 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle

From its introduction in 1964, the Chevelle quickly became Chevrolet’s second-best-selling line of automobiles. And held on to that spot for many years to come. That included the Malibu Sport Sedan, which was Chevy-speak for a 4-door hardtop. This example from 1969 is said to run and drive, but it’s cosmetically challenged after 57 years. Offered by a dealer in Crete, Illinois, and here on eBay, the asking price is $7,800.

Hardtops dominated automobile production in the 1950s through the 1970s. In a lot of cases, they came with two doors, but four-door versions were popular with families. Malibu Sport Coupes were all the rage in the 1960s and outsold the Sport Sedans, which numbered about 19,000 in 1969. The second generation of the Chevelle ran from 1968 to 1972, with the ’69 editions getting a noticeable update in rooflines and front and rear clips.

This example wears old dark blue paint, which may or may not be original. Since one of the front fenders and the trunk lid are black, that suggests replacements due to accidents or corrosion. The seller doesn’t mention either of these possibilities. It also has a black vinyl roof and a fabric interior that may need work. This car runs and drives, but we’re not told how well, and the Malibu appears to be wearing Buick rally-style wheels.

Under the hood resides a 350 cubic inch V8, which may have been the first year offered outside of the Camaro. Its horsepower rating is 250, which implies a 2-barrel carburetor. A TH-350 automatic transmission is in play, and we’re guessing the drivetrain is original, but we don’t know the mileage on the car. Factory air conditioning is present, and we hope it works as the Summer fast approaches. Is this a project you’d undertake at the seller’s price point?