With this 1968 Chevelle, it really is a case of what you see is what you get… and what you get is a rock-solid project car with no real rust issues. Barn Finder local_sheriff referred the solid Chevelle to us, so thank you so much for that. It has some minor accident damage, but the emphasis really needs to be on the word “minor.” The Chevelle is located in California City, California, and is listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding on the Chevelle has reached a mere $3,100, and with the reserve having been met, it looks like someone is about to lay claim to a really great project car.
The accident damage on this Ash Gold Chevelle is limited to two separate spots. There is some minor damage to the lower quarter panel on the passenger side, along with the fact that the vehicle has taken a hit right at the front. This has resulted in some damage to the nose and hood of the car, and it has also sprung the radiator. However, the owner says that the Chevelle still drives straight and true, which would tend to indicate that the car has survived without any major frame damage. Of course, it would pay to have this assessed properly. Rust is confined to the spots in the bottoms of both front fenders, along with a healthy coating of surface corrosion in various spots around the vehicle. As for the floors and frame, they are absolutely solid, with no signs of any problems anywhere.
I hate to lull people into a false sense of security, so now we get to the low point of this Chevelle. Man, I don’t know what happened to the front seat, but it sure ain’t pretty! In fact, it looks like all of the Medium Gold upholstery will require replacement, although the rear seat might just be okay. Add a new headliner, new dash pad, and a new carpet set to the shopping list, because all of these items are either damaged or missing. Thankfully, the dash itself looks like it is not only complete but is in pretty respectable condition.
As far as the mechanical configuration of the Chevelle is concerned, what you get is a 307ci V8 engine, an automatic transmission, and power steering. The car had been sitting for a decade before the current owner took possession of it. He flushed the fuel system, gave the car a bit of a tweak, and it has now fired back into life. He was told by the previous owner that the engine and transmission were rebuilt back in the 1990s. However, he has no documentation to verify this. The engine and transmission, which are original to the car, are said to sound and feel strong, with the transmission shifting smoothly. This all sounds promising, but obviously, the car is going to require a thorough mechanical check given how long it has been sitting idle.
Over the years, we have become used to seeing the majority of Chevelle project cars of this vintage in need of varying levels of rust repairs. To find one as solid and complete as this one appears to be, makes for a refreshing change, and I really think that the next owner of this Chevelle is about to get themselves a really great project car.
Excellent buy & super solid too. Frankly, I would be a bidder if my bank account would cooperate.
Bob
Kudos to the seller for providing so many pictures that show such good detail. There is quite a bit of body work needed on this one, though. Floors and trunk look good, that’s a big plus. Rust repair needed on lower fenders and quarters as well as what might be hiding under the side trim. Probably some rust to be addressed around the rear window and maybe around the windshield. Quite a few dents and scrapes on the passenger side and the damage to the front end is significant. The interior needs everything, or almost everything. While it’s good that it runs, it’s only got a fairly mundane 307 auto.
I’d think you’d want to get this one for as little as possible as a lot of money will be needed to restore this Chevelle to a respectable level.
“He was told by the previous owner that the engine and transmission were rebuilt back in the 1990s.”
I’m not saying that is not the case but that engine looks like it has never been touched, looks more like 51 years of originality.
Of the “golden” years for the Chevelle/Malibu/SS396, the ’68 always seems to get overlooked, nice to find one that is salvageable.
If this one had a 3 on the tree, I’d suspect it might be my one brothers old car as it otherwise looks identical to it. His was a whole lot better condition, having bought it new when he got back from overseas prior to getting out of the Army.
Hard to believe that 307 was rebuilt even in the eighties,,seventies?? Give it the heave-ho, sky is the limit on this one, or finances.
My Dad bought one like this in ’68. Same color and drive train. P/S, no P/B. The only car he has ever purchased off the show room floor. The speedometer broke before leaving the dealership, and the dome light never worked.
I like the body style, though.
The automatic should be the 2 speed Powerglide. They were very durable transmissions, although many people aren’t too crazy about them.
My dad bought a 68 chevrolet much like this one in red brand new in the fall of 67 when he came home from Vietnam. For I think the tidy sum of $2800.00. His has long since gone to bone yard though.
Prefer a 1970.
Its hard to believe that mice get that hungry.
Nothing like saying it’s a rebuild without paperwork. Another comment from a seller whether a curber or original owner that means nothing. Rates right up with drives like it should.
This ride has good bones regardless, well worth the effort to bring it back to life. I still pine for the 68 2dr post 6cyl 3 on the tree factory 12 bolt 4.11’s car I bought as a kid. For $50. No right fender, drove it home from downtown Vancouver 1976, no license, no permit, no nothing. Just two 15 year old buddies that were car nuts.
Jeez those were the days…………
I just bid it up to 4650.00 was still outbid. 6 days left.
$5000 is way to much unless your in the rust belt.
Whoever designed the dash here may have worked on the ’69 camaro dash too.
I thought roads in fair weather California were nice & super smooth like in Florida. hmmh