1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu

Description

When was the last time you saw a truly fire-breathing classic street rod that looked this good for under $40K? With a performance-built 454 cubic-inch big block peeking out of the hood, sinisterly slick black paint, custom roll cage, four-wheel disc brakes, and a beefy rear end, this 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu needed to make sure the taillights looked good because that's all most people will ever see.

The way this car looks is no joke, and the investment in time and money is obvious everywhere you look. If you're a fan of the early Chevelle style with its beautiful flying buttress C-pillars and simple, unadorned body, then this car should ring all the right bells. Even without the obvious performance image, this is an impressive machine. The panels line up correctly, and the doors on this pillarless hardtop shut with authority. And that paint has the kind of luster that will make you swear they make black mirrors. And while the paint is as dark as midnight, the bright grille and wraparound chrome bumpers have a shine that you can see even in the shadows. But really, we know the brightwork you love the best are the pieces that announces this coupe is the king of the street or dragstrip. Oh yeah, we're talking about the 15-inch Centerline wheels (the rear end is tubbed to fit the wide rear set.) And everyone instantly sees that tall double scoop with the butterfly valves ...but we'll get to all those details in just a moment.

Inside this coupe reminds you of the best of what came on a premium Malibu. The two-tone black and turquoise seating have a great looking pattern. It matches nicely to the door panels, fresh carpeting, and dash for a very nice uniform presentation. And speaking of the dash, there's plenty of chrome and wood paneling to give you the best of the '60s. But from the moment you grab the custom sports steering wheel, you know this is no time capsule. There's a B&M performance shifter, and just ahead of that are a trio of new auxiliary gauges and race-ready switches. Plus, the full roll cage is integrated quite nicely into the interior. All of this gives you the impression of some serious power, but the real confirmation comes when you turn the key and hear the roar as you awaken the beast under the hood.

Before we go though all the performance upgrades to this big block, take a moment to enjoy how well the whole package has been put together. Painted fender wells, steel-braided hoses, bright pulleys, tidy belts, and of course, all the polished components that range from the valve covers to the firewall cover. We bet you're going to win awards with this alone. But underneath all this flash is the substance of a 454 cubic-inch V8 enhanced with go-fast goodies such as an Edelbrock TR2X hi-rise intake, dual Holley four-barrel carburetors, Mallory fuel pressure regulator & PSI gauges, and an aluminum radiator w/electric fan. Also adding both performance and intimidation are the coated long tube headers that feed the rumbling dual exhaust. With this kind of power easily on tap, the suspension and drivetrain were upgraded to make this coupe performs at its best. It starts with a stout TH350 three-speed automatic transmission that feeds a Ford 9-inch rear running 4.11 gears for power take-offs. Up front is an independent suspension with a beefy sway bar, and in the rear is a four-link with coilovers. This helps support the extra wide Mickey Thompson tires. Plus, in the trunk there's a fuel cell and dual battery boxes for better safety and weight distribution. Staying in control of this street-eating package is easy thanks to power steering and Wilwood four-wheel disc brakes.

Not subtle, but a wonderful blend of hardcore performance and show car glamour, this Chevelle is going to attract a crowd. The only thing quicker than the coupe is how fast this deal will leave our showroom. Call today!!!