1970 Chevrolet Chevelle Convertible Project
The Chevelle Malibu was a popular car for Chevrolet in 1970. More than 300,000 of them alone were sold as Sport Coupes and a large percentage of them were ordered as Super Sports. But a lesser number were convertibles, with just over 7,000 built with a V8 engine. This one’s been off the road since 1984 and is rather crusty, so it will need a ton of work (and money) to get headed in the right direction. The seller suspects the engine (350 cubic inches?) is a transplant from a Corvette.
According to the cowl tag, this Malibu was once finished in Forest Green Metallic paint, but now it looks like a really faded and ancient shade of blue. The car has been parked for the past 40 years, perhaps since the accident it engaged in that took out part of the driver’s side quarter panel and rear bumper. We’re told the floors and trunk are solid except where the damage is. But rust has crept in here and there, especially on the undercarriage which the seller provides ample photos of.
Though the engine spins, the seller has not attempted to start the Chevy. The motor is not original and the odometer reading of 20,000 miles suggests that 120,000 must have been reached in its 14 years on the road before retirement. A column-shifted Turbo-Hydramatic transmission is likely there along with a 10-bolt rear end.
The interior is in better shape than the age and convertible top would suggest and maybe some of it can be cleaned up. Located in Morganville, New Jersey, bidding has been brisk here on eBay and currently stands at $27,700. Perhaps some of these would-be buyers are thinking this drop-top can be restored as a Super Sport clone. The viability of the current engine may be a huge factor in the direction the buyer will decide to go with this project.
Comments
Back in 1970, my friend’s parents bought a new gold with black interior and vinyl top. It had GM’s popular 350 cubic inch engine, I think with a 2 barrel carburetor. Man, that car was fast. It was also very good looking, both interior and exterior. I’m not a GM fan at all. I’m a Ford man, with Chrysler in my second place position. So, that said I really did like that Malibu. I also like the previous years 67 through 69. In my opinion the Chevelle was a great car for GM, and I really like the name. Most car names are named after a person, place or thing. That said, I have always wondered what is a Camero?
I Have no idea what a Camero is. But a Camaro is a made up word that Chevy says is a small vicious animal that eats Mustangs. It’s also said to mean friend or comrad in French.
That was a rapid repartee response Louie. Although I might be considered a traitor but I’m not a fan of American named vehicles since the origin of the parts emanate across the pond anyway. I think the lay term is outsourced.
Finned valve covers = engine “looks to be out of a Corvette”.
This car is rough, flaking bondo in the quarters says the rust has been previously repaired. For the asking price, I’d keep looking.
Steve R
I made a mistake, I said “for the asking price I’d keep looking”, what I should have said is, for the current high bid, I’d keep looking.
Steve R
It,s a little rough but I think it can still be saved at the right price. I noticed that it has drum brakes in the front.
Funny thing is….this car sold last Friday on Facebook Marketplace for $7,500 as a barn find within 55 minutes. Now it is listed for $30,000 and all this person did is clean it…..Buyer Beware.
Bid to $27,700!!! How? Why? Needs 30-40k work before you even start making it a bench seat, column shift fake SS.
Still trying to figure out why my almost perfect 57k original, 350/310 hp, buckets, console, working factory air 69 Cutlass is only worth $25k in this market.
Because it’s a Cutlass. A 1970 Chevelle convertible is one of the most desired American cars from that era. It will likely either be cloned into an SS or turned into a Donk with 26” wheels and a candy colored paint job. When you get multiple streams of people chasing one object, regardless of what that object is, the price goes up dramatically. That’s what’s going on with this car, not with the Cutlass you site in your example.
Steve R
I bought a 70 Malibu vert from a field in NE Indiana for $150 around 1984, got it running, put a top on it, 2 fenders, patched the floor with a pop rivet piece from a 4 door. Also 4 barrel intake and headers, needed a gas saving car for new job 40 miles away and sold it for $650. Top of I should have kept it list.
In about 1984 I bought this 70 Malibu convertible for $135. (Had to study the photo to make sure it wasn’t the same car) I replaced 3 bent pushrods – sourced out of an old coffee can under the workbench and replaced the almost falling off relay rod and tie rod ends with more used parts. It was actually a decent driver and we spent a couple summers enjoying drop top driving. I had occasion to look under the rear to check the muffler and found the frame to be badly rusted at the rear control arm attachment. I sold it to a fellow who claimed to have a real LS6 70 convertible, mainly for the decent stainless trim. I got $750 for it and thought I had really scored!. Oh well, if I had stored it for another 40 years, maybe I could find a sucker to pay $20,000+. Probably couldn’t sleep though.
Uh oh, another SS 454 clone coming out once again keeping the back street bodymen busy to slapjack another for a quick buck to a drooler out there. No thanks. Already had the described above one for real, back in ’79 (not clone, we wouldn’t DARE do a clone back then,LOL!). Nice then being orig, but not worth the $$$$ they get these days at all.
All I do is think back as to why I sold them after the long desire to get one (I mean ALL the muscle cars had from ’76-’83). Like a chick, show your friends, bang all gears, when the novelty wears off, time to rid, grab another, rinse, repeat, which always happened within 6 mos to a year. The reality. Now just bought as investments & not pounded daily like we did back in the day.
Old grey beard, the very simple answer to your question is, your car is NOT A CHEVELLE! Chevelles are Americana, and the poster car for the muscle car era! Chevelles have been promoted more than any other car via the movie industry, commercials, and car industry as a whole, and will always continue to exceed monetary values in the market place! Regarding this Malibu listed, the rarity of the car as a chevelle and convertible puts its on a platform by itself, and will be purchased and restored and held for future values, regardless. Take care.
Congratulations to the seller! Someone in the know, cash and trailer ready!
I saw many Craigslist specials make people money.
Triple black cuda convert, sold cl 3500, sold on eBay a week later for over 15k.
1968 Gto Ram air 1 or 2 i forget, sells on Cl with no fenders or motor for 1500, goes on eBay gets bid up to 20 k , then something I’ve never seen, “Bid Retraction”numerous reverse bids down to 6100!
I’m kinda surprised at the 27 k on this car, can’t I get a plain Jane 350 in better shape for similar money?
The 70 ss convertible green was out there at 50k needing work
Back in 1970 my best friends parents had a younger friend who bought a new Malibu SS454 2 door hardtop in black. It had the 450 horsepower 454 engine with cowl induction and a 4 speed. Just the car for transporting the wife and kids. I rode in it once. Unfortunately he couldn’t keep up with the payments and traded it for a beater 55 Chevy Bel Air 2 door hardtop. Oh to have both of those cars today!
Too much work needed and that’s for what you can see. Yes it’s a conv. Chevelle but unless it’s got a L88 or something to that effect no way I’d be in for 27k on this one unless you can do the complete rebuild yourself.l just can’t see on base Chevelle with a standard drivetrain needing a complete restoration for that kinda money. Good luck but sorry.