Rusty Gold? 1964 Chevelle Malibu SS
Back in the early ‘60s, it seemed like Chevrolet was introducing a new car every two years. In 1960, it was the Corvair; in 1962, it was the Chevy II; and in 1964, it was the Chevelle. The Bowtie Brigade had seen the success that Ford had rolling out their new intermediate in 1962, the resized Fairlane, and the Chevelle became their answer to a smaller big car. From the first year of production comes this physically-challenged 1964 Malibu SS, a desirable car in its day. It can be found in Palmetto, Georgia (southwest of Atlanta) and is available here on eBay where 26 bids are up to $4,951. But the reserve price has not yet been met.
The Chevelle was built across three generations from 1964-77. Super Sport (or SS) versions were on the roster through 1973, becoming Laguna’s for the succeeding three years. The Malibu, which was the top-line Chevelle, replaced that brand to represent the mid-size range after that. The styling of the first generation of the Chevelle (1964-67) looked remarkably like the full-size cars they emulated, only in a smaller package that had about the same dimensions as the 1955-57 models. For a whopping $162, new Chevelle owners could add the SS package to their Malibu’s, which included SS exterior brightwork and emblems, 14-inch wheel covers from the Impala SS, vinyl bucket-seat with console, and a four-gauge cluster instead of engine warning lights. Most any engine Chevrolet built for the Chevelle could be had in an SS model.
This Malibu SS is being sold as part of an estate sale. It belonged to the seller’s father-in-law, who deemed it “his favorite car.” It’s a mostly original vehicle, including rust in the quarter panels, around the rear window and in the trunk, as well as on most of the painted surfaces and some of the chrome. Did this car sit out in the Georgia swamp for a while or what? While the glass looks good, the seller says the floors and front fenders are okay. Given the exterior issues, the interior looks surprisingly good with no rips in the bucket seats. However, the carpeting and the panel behind the rear seat will need attention.
Where the car departs from originality is with the motor and transmission. The original 327 V-8 and Powerglide automatic have been replaced by a “strong” 350 and a “stout” THM-350 tranny. However, in restoring this car, you could go back with the original drivetrain once you rebuild it as they come with the deal, too. The odometer reflects 27,000 miles (plus another 100,000), which likely explains the transplants. We wish the seller had included photos under the hood, chassis or in the trunk, but he did not.
Chevrolet assembled 370,000 Chevelle’s in the car’s rookie season, with 57,000 being 2-door V-8 SS coupes like the seller’s car. For production this high, you’d think you’d see more of them at shows or online. Online price guides seem to top out in the mid-$20,000s unless the SS has something more robust than a 327. Assuming the mechanicals are as good as the seller says, what’s it going to cost to whip the body back into shape? Some new sheet metal may be needed, but have we found rusty gold?
Source: ChevelleStuff
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Comments
Its still salvageable but NOM erases the original car. they should take the reserve off as its at its worth in my book….
It makes me wonder what my 64 Chevelle convertible 230 six cylinder and three on tree is worth being original and no rust and new pro installed top .
This one needs 10-15 grand put in minimal unless your a shade tree mechanic that can paint and weld etc. and probably rebuild brakes, brake and gas lines, new g tank and rebuild engine …
We’re taking get an original restored….cheaper…
Good luck on sale..,
Maybe put some GTO sister badges to help sell… kidding of course…
Find it really hard to decide which Chevelle I like the most; this year or the ’67…? It’s a rough example for sure but I decoded its VIN and we’re looking at a legit V8 SS here so it would probably be worth the hassle, particularly as its original 327 comes along
Local,
A buddy of mine had a 67 Chevelle SS that he bought brand new. It was a 396 / 350 4 speed, plum color. Before it was a year old he put a 427/435 in it (he kept all the parts to make it stock). Unfortunately he passed away about a year and a half ago. His brother still has the car.
Sorry to hear of the passing of your buddy, but must say, he had good taste. The Chevelle was, and still iss a awesome car.
The “refinements” made to the odd year models always appealed to me..therefore I prefer the 65/67/69 versions. If this were a 65, I would really be interested, but as Classic Steel stated, restoration costs are going to be high! GLWTA! :-)
These (not just SS models ) were popular platforms for stock cars so I’m not surprised that you don’t see many around. Its going to take a lot of work, but this would look sharp once its restored !
A 327 is the biggest engine you could get in a 64 Malibu, and they only made around 200 Z16 Malibu SS396s in 1965
And by the fender badges, this was a 283, not a 327. 327 64 Chevelles were quite rare as that engine option was not offered until late in the model year.
Back in 64, when I was 11, Pops traded in his beloved 1957 Mk VII Jaguar Saloon for a wagon. It was late in the production run, so he had to settle for 3 on the tree to go along with the 327 power plant. The growing family made that move necessary, but it always bothered him that he bought late in the production run and therefore, off the dealers floor. Knowing him, he would have optioned for a 4 speed (if he could have gotten one in a wagon). It was a great car and my brother and I loved the rear facing back seat that popped up from the floorboard when needed. As we got older, my brother and I hoped to get it from him and turn it into a surf wagon, but he sold it from under our noses to Joe the barber, who cut his hair and always loved that car. We had our own cars then, so he didn’t need a wagon. He bought a Lotus Cortina.
I had a 64 Chevelle drop top with 4 speed manual. I ordered it just the way I wanted it. Picked it up in January, got married in June and new bride looked at the checkbook and said the car has got to go. At the time I was a service rep for a large corp, and covered seven counties in W. Va. Enter VW. LOL
About a hundred years ago when I was in High School a friend had a 64 SS Coupe that was with a 6 Automatic.
Yes, Mr. Dickinson the 327 was not available to later in
the model year. When I ordered my Maroon SS, I only could
get a 283/ 220 hp. $2700. + Del.Great car. Raced at Ct Dragway. Later traded for new 1967 Malibu, w/ O.D.
My first new car was a 64 Malibu SS, 327/250, 4 speed, 3.55 posi, silver w/black buckets AND a factory tach mounted on the steering column so it also had a clock in the dash. Put 175,000 on it. Broke about three M-20s so I put in a HydroMotive 4speed hydramatic. My wife LOVED it. I had a guy come into the High Performance Center one day and he was complaining that some good looking chick in a 64 Malibu SS had kicked his butt at the lights. And he had a 69 COPO Chevelle, 427/425!! We all laughed and laughed and laughed!!
Dave- What month did buy your SS. Bought my SS in 1963, 220hp, 283. Regards
March 1964, just before they released the 300 HP 327. D’oh!
Sept 26, 1963. Chev dealer Hartford, Ct. Delivery Oct 31, 1963.
The rust on this one is a little scary to me!! Can’t imagine what happened in a place like Georgia to get rust like this!!!
Nice project. I had a 64′ Beaumont very similar but from the Pontiac line, 283, 3 on the tree.
When I was maybe 12, a high school kid up the street from me had a relatively new ’64 Chevelle SS. It was a 283 four speed car; he put duals with cut outs and a 4 barrel on it. Black paint with a black gut, it looked sweet with black spoke Torq Thrust wheels. Then as now I was a MoPar guy, but I don’t think a much nicer car ever graced the BHS parking lot.
found a nice condition 64 ss high school car that was taken apart and never put back together. I now have a new 10 car garage . can’t wait till spring to start rebuild. frame was already done so was the original 283.inner quarters are very nice. paint seats and glass new wiring and bumpers should make for a nice driver.
i am not sure about the 327, when i ordered my 64 ss, i only could get a 283 / 220 hp. d. g.