Sep 10, 2024  •  For Sale  •  25 Comments

Six-Cylinder Redux: 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle

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Last week I covered this 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu sedan. I thought it was noteworthy due to its extra doors and six-cylinder engine. Today, courtesy of Tony P., I’m going to serve up half of what was presented last week. This ’71 Chevelle Malibu has the more customary two doors but it’s still six-banging along – not the way most saved ’71  Chevelles roll. This Newton, Connecticut example does get points for looks so let’s dig in.

Green is the theme here, as it often was in the ’70s, even the interior which is more of an avocado shade and akin to early ’70s kitchen appliances. It’s a typical vinyl bench seat environment and the upholstery looks pretty good, there are no obvious splits or tears, though it might be a bit faded.

As a non-Super Sport edition, this Chevelle has a 120 MPH horizontal speedometer, not the circular unit found in the sporter model. It’s a very generic setup with just two gauges (speedo and gas gauge) encased in a simple, black plastic instrument panel. The original owner of this Chevy decided to eschew a clock though a Delco AM radio was specified.

In native form, all ’70 – ’72 Chevelles are nice-looking cars with very unpretentious lines. Rust, the nemesis of many cars from this era, does not appear to have darkened this Malibu’s doorway. The listing images aren’t totally conclusive but from what can be seen, the quarter panels and fender legs look clean. As for the finish, it presents well for a 53-year-old lacquer finish – and that includes the chrome bits too. The Cragar S/S wheels, arguably, wake up this car’s rather mundane exterior, especially considering that the standard Chevelle full wheel covers look like cheap slotted pie plates. I would suggest that the Cragar chrome-plated rollers are a welcome addition.

Pop the hood, and you’ll be staring at a 145-gross HP, 250 CI in-line, six-cylinder mill attached to a two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission. Claimed to have only experienced 55K miles of usage, there’s no word as to how well this Chevy runs and drives but assuming the engine has been properly maintained, it should be barely broken in with its moderate mileage count. The performance should be adequate with this powertrain, but that’s about it.

Including the El Camino, Chevrolet knocked out about 387K Chevelles of all stripes in ’71. Of that total, only 6,200, according to chevellestuff.net, were six-cylinder powered Malibu two-door hardtops – not a common variety. Of course, rarity, or uncommonness, in this case, should not necessarily translate into value. Here on craigslist, for $20,000, is where you’ll find this Malibu hardtop. I have to say, I’m not feelin’ it, how about you?

Comments

  1. Barry
    Sep 10, 2024 at 5:35pm

    Way overpriced and why put those kind of wheels on a plain Jane?

    Like 7
    • bobhess bobhessMember
      Sep 11, 2024 at 8:10am

      To minimize the plain Jane look.

      Like 15
      • "Edsel" Al leonardMember
        Sep 11, 2024 at 8:43am

        Better looking with 4 doors!!!

        Like 1
    • Jack M.
      Sep 11, 2024 at 10:18am

      A fellow in high school had a sharp looking 1970 Nova 6 cylinder with big and little mag wheels. He could even get it to do burnouts! He had a long commute, so the six banger made sense.

      Like 6
  2. Bill W.
    Sep 10, 2024 at 5:35pm

    I think it’s a good building block, but I’ll bet it’s destined for an engine and transmission swap. Probably big block or LS. Body looks pretty darned good, but the 6 cyl kills it for me. Even a 307 would have been a better choice. Oh, well, somebody looking to build a nice Chevelle will snap it up, probably for a little less than 20K

    Like 9
    • Steve R
      Sep 10, 2024 at 7:41pm

      They’ve lowered the price to $17,500. If it checks out in person the price is fair, 2 door hardtop 64-72 Chevelle/Malibus in good condition, not needing paint and bodywork are not easy to find in this price range.

      Steve R

      Like 11
  3. Rumpledoorskin
    Sep 10, 2024 at 5:43pm

    Too bad it doesn’t have enough doors, but it is a sharp looking car. I’d like to knock the sporty wheels on this, but I put Keystones on my Pacer in high school, so I understand the desire.

    Like 7
  4. DW
    Sep 10, 2024 at 6:00pm

    I love unmolested classics

    Like 21
  5. Wade
    Sep 11, 2024 at 7:06am

    Isn’t that the first thing you do to a car no matter what engine is in it? Put some wheels on it! I think it looks cool.

    Like 12
  6. bobhess bobhessMember
    Sep 11, 2024 at 8:14am

    These were some of the best looking cars GM ever built. If I were buying this car I wouldn’t change that look but I’d be hard pressed not to upgrade the engine and transmission. I’d even leave the green paint on it.

    Like 8
    • Steve R
      Sep 11, 2024 at 12:06pm

      If the pictures are representative of the cars actual condition I wouldn’t change a thing with regards to its appearance. I think it’s more likely than not to have its power train swapped out. The “leave it stock” contingent is very vocal, but unless someone that agrees with their line of thinking is willing to pull out their wallet it’s empty rhetoric.

      Steve R

      Like 4
      • 370zpp 370zpp
        Sep 12, 2024 at 6:13pm

        empty rhetoric. Wasn’t that one of those mediocre 80s metal bands?

        Like 1
  7. Steve
    Sep 11, 2024 at 8:44am

    If I bought this car I would preserve it. The most interesting thing about it is the drivetrain. You put a V8 in it you’ve turned it into a bellybutton car. Save a piece of history, leave it as it is.

    Like 5
  8. justpaul
    Sep 11, 2024 at 8:49am

    With the right motor and transmission, and a basic set of wheels with hubcaps, this thing would make an awesome sleeper.

    Like 3
  9. Jason V.
    Sep 11, 2024 at 8:51am

    While I would prefer a 350 car myself, the world doesn’t need another clone SS Chevelle. 6 cylinder coupes are rare sites (they were even back then). The 6 also makes at least as good low end torque as a 307 and has good drivability. I would leave this one as-is.

    Like 7
  10. john
    Sep 11, 2024 at 8:59am

    Not for 17K.
    Had a teacher in high school that bought a new 64 Impala SS with a 6 cyl motor and 3 on the tree.
    Cannot understand that mindset.

    Like 3
    • Billy
      Sep 11, 2024 at 9:49am

      John, if I remember correctly..the car your teacher had is factory impossible.

      Like 2
      • Jason V.
        Sep 11, 2024 at 10:23am

        In ‘64 SS was a trim package, not a performance package. There were plenty of 6 cylinder Impalas and Novas that year.

        Like 5
  11. Dennis Stoeser
    Sep 11, 2024 at 9:50am

    I have owned several Chevy v8 powered cars and pickups. The most surprising was a 69 k10 with a 250 and 4 speed. Great fuel mileage. High teens, and it just felt spirited. I have owned 283 and 307s that were no more willing.

    Like 5
  12. Bluetec320 Bluetec320
    Sep 11, 2024 at 11:22am

    Yeah, way too pricey for an entry level granny Chevelle with a set a of Cragar’s.. imo

    Like 3
  13. Mark
    Sep 11, 2024 at 12:49pm

    Leave it alone even though some people want to v8 this car. The power glide is a good transmission. I did notice that it has power steering and a power brake booster. Seller says it has a disc brake conversion.

    Like 0
  14. ken
    Sep 11, 2024 at 4:51pm

    clean but too high $. would look better with vette rallies. the wheels on it kill the look

    Like 0
    • Mark
      Sep 12, 2024 at 12:09pm

      I agree looks better with chevy rallies

      Like 0
  15. Barry
    Sep 11, 2024 at 5:49pm

    Worth 8-10k as it sits.

    Like 1
  16. John D
    Sep 11, 2024 at 7:12pm

    I of course would prefer a V8 but just to drive and have fun I would keep the 6, I agree with Ken vette rallies would look much better than the cragers but they are still better than the stock hub caps. I agree $17500 is a lot but these days a clean not rotted chevelle that doesn’t need a complete restoration is worth a look, I bet you could get it for $15k. If I were in the market I would look at it at the very least.

    Like 1

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