Dusty Malibu: 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle
Chevrolet introduced the Chevelle as a mid-size car in 1964, and it quickly became its second-best seller. The automobile would get a styling refresh in 1966 and be treated to a tunnel back roof design for the Sport Coupe (like the later Dodge Charger). The seller’s car looks like it might be a Super Sport with its bucket seats, but its VIN decodes as a regular Malibu V8. This non-running Chevy has 47,000 miles and could be an excellent prospect for restoration. Located in Los Angeles, California, the seller has put it up for auction here on eBay, where the current bid is $10,300.
The Malibu Sport Coupe was one of the top-selling Chevelles, and more than 130,500 of them left the assembly line with a V8. It’s likely a 283 cubic-inch engine with a 2-barrel carburetor and a 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission. The seller says the mileage is 47,000, and that could be legitimate. The wording of the listing has dealer-speak all over it, yet the ad says it’s being offered by a private seller (who has a way with words).
Though this car could have good detailing, it’s doubtful the black paint will look much better. Plus, there is a dent on the driver’s side, and some rust is brewing from the rear glass. We’re told it only had two previous owners, but there’s no indication of how long it’s been dormant. Or why it was parked, to begin with. Is its lack of operation a symptom or a result of sitting? The interior seems okay, given the circumstances. Notice the nifty 8-track tape player sandwiched in the glove box? And that tiny steering wheel would have to go.
When it comes to restoration, the question is, do you go back to 100% stock or use this as an opportunity to turn it into an SS 396? After all, 1966 was the first year that car had its own separate series, but the chassis number is different for the SS 396 than the Malibu, so that would give the car away as a clone. I’m a fan of originality, so I’d probably try to make a go of it with the 283 that’s already there.
Comments
Good Lordy, what happened to the t-stat housing?!
Makes you wonder what’s inside the engine, doesn’t it?
$10.3K is ridiculous money for this, if you ask me. I’ve seen the rust around the windows on GM cars before, and know it does NOT buff out.
I had a 66’ 396/375hp, 4 spd back in the early 80’s. Such a rusty crusty, that I hit a pot hole in Illinois and I watched the whole back window pop out , bounce down the road and shatter . Great motor and drivetrain, but the floors and trunk were gone. As a 22 year old kid, I just dumped it off to a friend. At these prices today I should have just threw it in a barn and waited. But who new these prices would be so ridiculous!
Doesn’t matter, someone’s going to toss this engine and upgrade the drivetrain to whatever they want.
It’s a Fremont built car, it’s likely a good foundation for a project. The bidding likely has a ways to go, assuming the seller makes it available for inspection and doesn’t take an offer prior to the auctions close.
Steve R
When l used to get put on hold at the parts store the recording used to say that antifreeze turns to a acidic fluid,now I’m a believer!!
So sick of sellers with ridiculous expectations that won’t even wash a pig like this, and just wait for someone to lay down the dough.
LOL..LOL….they dont have to wash the car, the value is the car! Where have you been?
Hasn’t been overseas yet – but a good guess is it will be….
3rd car I owned and one of very few I wish I still had. 66 and 69 are my two favorite Chevelles. Let my best friends girlfriend borrow it and she backed it into a cement pole that holds up a viaduct. I had the air cleaner off because I was working on it and it hit so hard it ripped the battery from the battery tray and it landed on the carburetor with the air cleaner stud putting a hole in the battery. The car stayed running until it died from drinking to much battery acid. It literally tore the keys out of the ignition and threw them into the back seat along with the passenger who wasn’t wearing her seatbelt. It shortened my car by the size of the trunk and being 19 I only had liability insurance so it wasn’t paid for and I went without transportation for a while. Was a bummer time of life. I know no one likes the steering wheel and they really look corny but they’re fun to drive with. I actually have one on my brothers 77 Pontiac Astre wagon that I’m using as my daily driver right now.
What happened to the spark plug wires and t stat housing
Well at least the seller knows how to read a 5 didgit odometer and just says what it reads instead of original mileage I’m guessing they took the plug wires off for a anti theft because it looks like its sitting in a storage unit. Looks like it would be a fun ride to get back on the road.
77 Pontiac Astre wagon ?
Is this a typo ?
Had to look that one up, I guess I burned it out of my mind>