The 1970 Chevelle Malibu is one of the more often cloned muscle cars as the Super Sport was no longer a series, and it’s hard to verify one without the proper paperwork. This Chevelle has a partial build sheet that indicates an L34 engine was installed, but the one in the car is not the original motor. It also wears an older repaint that wasn’t done particularly well, according to the seller. Located in Franklin, Kentucky this non-running Chevy is available here on eBay where the current bidding hovers at $20,600, with a yet-to-be-met reserve.
From 1966 to 1968, the Chevelle SS 396 was a series of its own. From 1969 going forward, it reverted back to option status. In 1970, RPO Z25 got you the 396 motor (actually 402 cubic inches) and RPO Z15 was for the new 454 V8. Nearly 53,600 copies of the Malibu were built with the former choice and the crumpled build sheet for the seller’s car says it had an L34 powerplant, which should equate to this being a real SS 396. Despite its rather nice appearance inside the seller’s poorly lit garage, we’re told this machine is a project and you can tell the engine is not quite hooked up.
The seller says he/she bought this project intending to do a full-on restoration. But then the “paint guy” said to plan to be without the car for 1-2 years and decided that’s too long for it to be tied up. Maybe you can get it restored in less time and find ways to take shortcuts with comprising the finished product. Under the hood is the 350 hp version of the 396 V8 (which was now a 402 but marketed as the 396 to thwart the insurance people). However, it’s not numbers matching and we don’t know if the TH-400 automatic transmission is factory or a swap, too. The seller says the Chevy does not run without indicating how close that is to that status changing.
Besides it not being mechanically original, someone decided to swap the green interior for a black one without finishing some of the small details. Such as the seat belts, which are still green. The Green Mist exterior paint color matches the trim tag and partial build sheet, but it was a poor re-do – that you have to look closely to see the imperfections. Thus, you’ll have to tend to the body as well as deal with the lack of originality under the hood. Does this put its value more on course with a real SS or a clone (are they that much different anymore?)
Bid is currently at $30k for a non running, poorly painted, non numbers matching car that needs a lot of work. I have had four Chevelles over the years and clearly see that I’ll probably never have another at these prices.
I will follow this one on eBay
I was pretty b CB lose to buying one of these back 1971 when they were relatively new. Similar green if not the same but was a true factory SS396 but did have a 4 speed if I remember correctly. My mechanic friend said to pass on it. He felt it had been flogged pretty hard. Ended up with a 1968 ElCamino that I wish I would of never sold. 20/20 rule. I guess it wasn’t in the cards but great memories.
This looks like a nice project, but the ad is somewhat confusing stating the car will not “start or run” Interesting choice of words. The question is will the engine turn over? Has he put a breaker bar on the crank to see if it will move? Assume the engine is locked up, unless you get lucky and it’s a bad starter or solenoid. It will be interesting to see what it sells for.
A real rust bucket hiding under all the bondo, and there is a ton of it. Needs stripped to bare metal and then the patch panels need to start flying.
Just a few observances and points to ponder lol…..those optional D88 stripes on the trunk are not correct specs..so guessing they were added by someone who ‘guessed” when it was repainted. That hood isn’t correct either…it’s a non-Cowl Induction car with hood pins…they didn’t have hood pins on non cowl induction cars. I’ve owned more than one so I know from my assorted build sheets. The gauges clear cover is no longer clear….which is a telling story of this car was sitting out in the weather with sunlight hitting them for many years before it was rescued. That’s prolly why it no longer has green interior and pc’s were changed to black. Those ss emblems on the drivers fender are not in the correct location…which tells me that the fender…or both front fenders are no longer originals most likely. I’m sure I could find some more details if I saw this car up close…but will stop here. Hey…it’s a “Chevelle” after all so it will always find a new home regardless of its issues. It does have a popular original paint color going for it.
$30,100.00
Reserve not met
It is a 1970 Chevelle.
Three days left to bid!
Are y’all buying this to flip?
OR to DRIVE :-)