Too Many Doors? 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu
Among serious car enthusiasts, many sedans just don’t get the same amount of fanfare as their two-door counterparts, and it’s understandable since most are viewed as more family-oriented rather than having the cool factor that comes with only half the amount of entry points. However, I’m guessing if you pulled up on Saturdays at your local Cars And Coffee in this 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu, more heads would turn than not as you searched for a prime parking spot, even with the additional set of doors present.
The seller calls his Chevelle a barn find and says it had been sitting since 1991, although he doesn’t specify exactly how long ago the car was removed from storage. It’s been long enough though that some mechanical work has been performed, as the 283 is said to have a new 2-barrel carburetor on top plus all the brake lines were recently replaced. The owner states his Chevy is an absolute pleasure to drive, and that it goes down the road straight and smoothly. Shifting is handled by a two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission, though there’s no word on whether it’s received any attention lately.
Willow Green was a fairly popular bowtie color back in the mid-sixties, but it’s unknown if this one’s still wearing the original paint it left the factory with. However, if the Chevy ever has gotten a respray, it must have been decades ago as there’s quite a bit of surface rust present on the body. Looking at this from another perspective, it could also be stated that the panels have a fun patina finish, and I might have a hard time deciding if the better decision is giving this one a fresh coat of shiny paint immediately, or just enjoying driving it around with the charred look for the foreseeable future.
The green color continues inside, and I was pleasantly surprised to see what overall decent shape the interior seems to remain in. There’s nothing fancy in here, but the seats and door panels appear to be in reasonable condition for a driver, certainly not perfect though probably good enough for the time being. If your heart’s got a soft spot for mid-sixties GM sedans, this one may be worth considering, so head on over to Persia, Iowa, if you want to see the car up close. This 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu can be found for sale here on eBay, where the no-reserve auction has reached $2,800 so far. What’s a fair price to pay for a 4-door example in this condition?
Comments
I do declare, another in a long list of cars I came in contact with. I have a friend, who grew up in the town I lived in N.Wis., this is no lie, his mom had a car exactly like this. Fact is, I had to look twice, Iowa isn’t far from Wis., it could be hers. I remember, it sat in the garage, never saw it move, had like 22,000 miles on it, plastic on the seats, the whole magila. Years later, before I moved here, I met my friend, and asked what ever happened to his moms Chevelle? He said, they had someone look at it, and determined the frame was rusted, which I thought was BS, and gave her a paltry sum for it, saying it was junk. It’s a great find, in that, it can be used today with no regrets. It was designed as a basic people mover, and still can be. Nothing more. $2800 is peanuts for any usable car, you’ll see, word will get out how what a breath of fresh air a simple car can be, but, alas, too late, there just won’t be enough to go ’round.
The car is not for sale at $2,800. It is being sold on at auction. The final price will be much higher.
That’s how it works. I bid on something last week on an items first day. There was no other action on that item until the last 10 seconds when there was a series of bids that drove up the price from $40 to over $200.
Steve R
Sold with a high bid of $3,800.
Steve R
With a small V-8 and a power glide transmission, this would be a fun daily drier. Especially for short trips.
060.over that 283 presuming that’s what it is with out checking numbers,small cam ,Quadrajet,you would have a runner then.
Turbo 350 trans, big-valve 305 heads, better cam, 4V carb, dual exhaust and BAM! Totally different car that is a blast to drive!
Getting a little sick of the “too many doors” comments…look around today, almost ALL cars and trucks are “More” doors..lots of good looking 4 doors in the 40’s-70’s vehicles- they served a purpose..just like today
I am too, Al. I MUCH prefer 4 doors.
I agree. I have always preferred either 4 door sedan or 4 door station wagon.
The “too many doors” comes from modern auction wants, where the only 4 doors shown are Bentleys. 4 doors to anyone today denotes something from grandpas time, even though, most vehicles today ARE 4 doors. Just not cool for auction crowd, I suppose. As sad as it is, cars like this will never appeal to younger folks, ever.
I know what you mean. I don’t get the comment. Most of the cars I’ve driven and own had 4 doors, both sedan and wagon, and they’ve been awesome cars! I’ve nothing against 2 door cars, but with 4 doors you can get more stuff in the car. People if you need to.
Too many doors? I don’t think so. If you want a two door Chevelle Malibu, I’m sure there are some nice examples out there. But for those who need or like 4 door sedans, why not go for a 4 door sedan. Or better yet, how about a station wagon. I know I would. Given the condition, assuming everything on the car works and it runs and drives safely, I’d be willing to pay around $3,000 for the car.
this was my dad’s first new car. he’d driven used chevys and fords before that. we were all so proud of this car! different color (almond fawn) but 283 and pg trans. no a/c or power anything. radio and heater were the only options. we took lots of trips upstate ny in that car. never a problem. don’t know why he got rid of it.
Just don’t look in the trunk.
That was a ’64. :) (to those who are scratching their heads: the reference is to the 1984 Alex Cox film Repo Man, which features a ’64 Malibu as a MacGuffin.)
Yeah, I knew it was a ’64 in the movie, but could not resist making the reference.
I found my old VHS copy of the movie a couple of weeks ago and hooked up a VCR player just to see if it still would play. Ended up watching the whole movie.
First thing I thought of.
It happens sometimes. People just explode. Natural causes.
Less is MORE ,love to pay twice the price for half the doors
Had one just like this, wish I still had it. So easy to work on, make upgrades, fit in the garage. And the wife loved the 4 doors. Dang it.
Alas, I just can’t help myself.
Hate me, this could be a really good sleeper with some money and time. I will leave it at that.
Man…that was a pretty color in 1965 – it’s what my dad got new for his mother….my grandma which she traded her 1954 Belaire for. It was gone after she passed in 1974 – not sure but dad didn’t say much. Hers was a 6cyl auto with A/C her first. Good cars even as a 4 door – good luck to the new owner.
Perfect tag for this one REPOMAN
Dang! $3800 is a good price to pay. Well, you snooze, you lose . . .
Right? I could easily have bought the car and enjoyed driving it.