1968 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu

Description

You could probably call this 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu a sleeper, thanks to its low-profile paint, minimal flash, and big, honking stroker motor under the hood. It's also nicely finished, so once you catch up to it, you'll be delighted with the quality, especially the bucket seat interior that delivers modern comfort with all of the Chevelle's original style.

The Chevelle Malibu name thing aside, it's nice to see one that hasn't been covered in stripes and fake SS badges. After all, standing out means being different and this car nails the right look without being bright red. The paint and bodywork are beautifully done and it wears handsome medium blue paint that's pretty close to factory Grotto Blue. Experts will note a few pieces of trim and a few emblems have been shaved, but that'll likely go unnoticed by 99% of the population and we love the original grille up front. Panel gaps are very good, the quarters are fresh steel so they're arrow-straight, and the flat hood gives this Chevelle a clean look that still works very well. Combining the subtle color and distinct lack of flashy add-ons is exactly the right way to build a sleeper and we like this car's look very much. Chrome bumpers are NOS units that fit perfectly and all the lenses and glass are in excellent shape, suggesting a car that's had a good life.

The attractive black interior is likewise all new, from the seat covers to the carpets to the headliner, and it's all quite correct. The Chevelles always hit beyond their pay grade, so it looks very upscale inside and the bucket seats and console work well with the car's sporty demeanor. Factory gauges look good behind clear lenses and the three-spoke steering wheel is a familiar item that is always the right choice in a vintage muscle car like this. The Hurst cue ball shifter for the Muncie M22 4-speed pounds through the gears without effort and they've cleverly integrated A/C into the instrument panel, so this car is a great long-distance cruiser even on hot days. Auxiliary gauges under the dash monitor things like oil pressure and temperature and a newer AM/FM/iPod stereo provides the entertainment, making this a car you could drive every day. The trunk is also correctly finished with spatter paint, a correct mat, and a full-sized spare with jack assembly.

There's plenty of goodness under the hood, don't worry, because that's a 383 cubic inch stroker motor topped by a Holley double-pumper and an Edelbrock high-rise intake. It's not all dressed up and flashy, because that wouldn't be part of this car's personality, but it's a fantastic runner with a huge hit of bottom end torque and a great willingness to rev. A serpentine belt drive system from a late-model is a nice upgrade and it has power front disc brakes from a 1970 Monte Carlo, so it stops as well as it goes. Long-tube headers feed a full 2.5-inch dual exhaust system that's got a great V8 sound but doesn't get too overbearing on the road, and there are niceties such as recent shocks all around. The 12-bolt rear end is bulletproof and carries 3.73 gears on a Posi-Traction limited slip, so the strong-running small block gets into the fat part of its power curve pretty darned quickly. And just to keep the stock look, it's fitted with Rally wheels and staggered 215/65/15 front and 245/60/15 rear BFGoodrich T/A radials.

Clean cars with great performance are always popular, but this one has an honest look and for those of you who appreciate substance over style, this Chevelle is a home-run. Call today!