1968 Chevrolet Malibu

1968 Chevrolet Malibu Chevelle Looking like it is fresh out of the restoration shop, this 1968 Chevelle has had an engine swap for the better, now upgraded to a 454ci V8. This upgrade runs very well and is backed up by a rebuilt 4-speed manual transmission. 4 wheel disc brakes, all new suspension, new glass, all new and laser straight sheet metal, snappy American Racing wheels, a near perfect interior, and the SS moniker add to the allure. Definitely one of the highlight cars to take in and consider for the serious Chevelle fanatic, right here in the Hallowed former mall Halls of Classic Auto Mall showing 176,386 actual miles. Exterior This sweet SS clone wears laser straight and uber clean new sheet metal which is color change to a miles deep Sunset Orange Metallic paint retaining its luster and then some. Also now sporting its SS396 badging gracing the front grille and new bumpers which are very well kept and shiny with no rust or dimpling. Overall simplicity and certainly very conservatively adorned with a mere wheel well moldings in stainless and some snappy chromed surrounds for the all new glass, this car otherwise looks like the true conservative with the exception of the low rise cowl induction hood. Speaking of which, a pair of black painted stripes race rearward on the hood, pause for the roof and pick up again on the gently sloping deck lid. Not overdone, gaps are nearly perfect for the steel and the rear wrap around horizontal tail lights with the big shiny bumper below and badged with a black tail panel insert is just the icing on the proverbial Sunset Orange cake. Some 15-inch lightly polished American Racing wheels are on and wrapped in like new staggered width raised white letter BF Goodrich T/A radials. The line of the B pillar is beautiful, as is the gently sloping rear glass as it cozies up to the trunk lid as the perfect crescendo for the exterior. Interior With a swing of the doors and you are getting a coming attraction preview of what wonders never cease to amaze you inside. The door panels are black vinyl, and have horizontal stitched tucked roll panels, some chrome trimmings and are near perfection. Inside, a low back split bench with more tuck and roll inserts and smooth bolsters are stars in this interior Malibu interplay. Throw in a matching and appearing never used rear bench and we are in black vinyl nirvana. All this floats in beautiful black carpeting with a white ball topped Hurst shifter on the hump. The dash front sports square inset gauges which are just slightly canted to the outside with the speedometer on the left and tachometer to the right with supporting gauges peppered around the outside. The dash also holds plenty of wide turn knobs, temp sliders and a black radio delete plate. The drivers wheel is SS badged as it sits perched atop an Ididit tilt column and shows nearly no wear what-so-ever. Up top is a tight black headliner. A shout out to the trunk which has been completely relined with a fresh coat of speckled trunk spray and a charcoal all weather carpeted mat, on top of which is a donut spare tire. Drivetrain Within the completely restored engine bay presenting in shiny black with all non corroded bolt ons and supple hoses and wiring, a 454ci V8 with a nice orange/red block is inserted. It also has some bling with a polished chrome air cleaner, and valve coverings. A 4-barrel carburetor is now atop this healthy mill, and a fully rebuilt circa 1968 Muncie M20 4-speed manual transmission is strapped to the back. Taking the big block power is a 12 bolt 3.36 gear ratio rear axle with Positraction. Undercarriage Nearly showroom, with no rust, or even road dirt. All straight structural stamped steel, floor pans and rockers, it is simply beautiful work underneath. Dual Pypes muffler equipped stainless steel exhaust snakes its way rearward from the shiny coated headers eventually ending below the rear bumper. Everything underneath looks just fab including the independent coil spring front suspension and the all new Hotchkis control arm equipped 4 link with coil springs rear suspension. Power disc brakes are all around to bring all this muscle to a halt. Drive-Ability A hop inside the pristine interior, and its off I went to the test track. Here it handled and accelerated and took over the test track like it was a piece of cake. Smooth bias free panic stopping, and all functions were working, save for the heater blower which did not blow, a horn that is unplugged as it stays on constantly and the reverse lights not illuminating when prompted, but who cares and how often are you going to be going backwards. A good time was had by me with this car which is also an awesome cruiser, and head turner. Looking all the part of its factory built SS brethren down to its somewhat mild mannered grocery getter lines, this car is anything but. Those descending from the mid headlights trim spears that turn into the lower body line, snappy boomerang B pillar design along with front and rear angles that appear to be in motion, this car is awesome! With its restoration and upgrade to the mill this example now can stand up to any current car in our halls and then some. Running circles around the competition, get in and get set to lose your muscle car virginity just like the 1984 cinematic sleeper.