The Chevy Chevelle entered the fourth year of its second generation (1971) with a sizeable facelift that brought large, single headlights (like the Monte Carlo) to the party. Many 1969-72 Chevelles have become Super Sport clones because their VINs don’t identify them as such. The seller’s ’71 Malibu Sport Coupe appears to have started down that path, but it hasn’t run in at least a year. Located in a warehouse in Pahrump, Nevada, this Chevelle is available here on eBay, where the current bid is $9,278.
We’re told this Chevelle is original and runs and drives. Yet it hasn’t been started in more than a year, so we’re not sure how the latter claim is possible. The blue paint on the car doesn’t seem to correspond with the code on the cowl tag, and the upholstery on the bucket seats doesn’t match the back seat. It appears someone has painted the grille black and added an SS emblem, but didn’t center it as the factory would have. And given the Cragar wheels and humped hood, we’re guessing the goal was to create an SS tribute without mechanical changes.
The VIN decodes this as a Malibu Sport Coupe with a V,8 of which nearly 190,000 would have been assembled. A replacement VIN plate is on the car, but why would that have been necessary? The codes seem to jive, the car’s title is clean, and the seller says the Chevelle is matching numbers. The 350 cubic inch V8 is probably a 2-barrel and the automatic transmission a TH-350. The odometer is said to read 78,000 miles.
Assuming only some coaxing is needed to get this Chevy to drive out of the warehouse where it resides, the tires will need to be replaced. The seller says they are dry rotted, which sounds like a car that’s been stored for longer than a year. The Chevelle is described as a California car, but Nevada is a drier state as the one that borders the Pacific Ocean. Bidding on this car has been brisk, but it still hasn’t cracked five significant digits.
No red flags with this one!
Other than maybe the state issued VIN tag which means something untoward may have happened to it in it’s past, like being stolen or totaled.
The “WJ” code on the emission label identifies the engine as a 350 4bbl…but “WJ” is a 1973 code and label?? In 71 the 350 4bbl emission label was “AQ”.
Overall it looks like a fairly solid 71 Malibu. The current bid (as of Sunday morning) of $15K seems like all the moneyin the world for a 71 Malibu with a tired headliner, door panels and carpet, plus busted filler panel under the grill and replacement VIN tag. And what’s going on with the rear bumper?
Yep. 1973 emissions sticker. Must have a been an EGR prototype in 1971 ;)
Pahrump Nevada? Is that where the little drummer boy is from? Ba Boom.