Make: | Chevrolet |
Model: | Chevelle |
SubModel: | Malibu Restomod |
Type: | Convertible |
Trim: | Malibu Restomod |
Year: | 1968 |
Mileage: | 60513 |
VIN: | 136678K115022 |
Color: | Red |
Engine: | 350 V8 |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Transmission: | Automatic |
Interior color: | Red |
Vehicle Title: | Clear |
Item location: | Local pick-up only |
If there's one thing that can be done to improve this already desirable 1968 Chevelle Malibu ragtop, that's add more power and upgrade the options and suspension. As if the Matador Red paint wasn't enough to attract onlookers, it also carries a strong running 350 cubic inch small block that moves this droptop with ease, mated to a quick shifting 700R4 transmission that makes it an absolute pleasure to drive. Repainted to a high level in Matador... Red, this Chevy definitely looks the part of a '60s muscle car, albeit one with a hint of sophistication. The '68 models were extremely popular, both then and now, with tidy proportions and crisp detailing that will never go out of style. All the body panels appear to be OEM and quite straight, and as a car hailing from a warm climate, it looks sleek and clean with none of the issues you associate with rust belt cars. The paint job isn't perfect, but you can tell it was done to a high standard and today shows a soft gloss that fits the car quite well and shows only minor signs of use. All the original Malibu trim is intact, including the grille, bumpers, and the script 'Malibu' badges on the front fenders and the 'Chevelle' script on the trunk, none of which have been swapped out for reproduction SS gear. In fact, finding an actual Malibu is quite rare these days. Just look at the grille; when was the last time you saw one like that? Sometimes less is more and the Malibu convertible has a fantastic look. The factory bucket seat interior has been reupholstered using newer OEM-style red vinyl seat covers on the seating surfaces, and thanks to factory-looking stitching, it looks like it was built that way. Bucket seats mean there's a middle console that splits them, and it houses a horseshoe shifter that manages the 700R4 automatic transmission below. There are also correct red door panels and plush red carpets, so it has a factory look throughout, although that three-spoke steering wheel isn't original but sure looks good! The factory gauges are inside dual pods and behind clear lenses, augmented by a set of auxiliary units mounted under the dash that help monitor the engine's vitals. Entertainment is provided by a retro-style AM/FM/AUX stereo system in the original location, and it looks like that white convertible top is recent because it fits great with few wrinkles. There's also a spacious trunk out back that's been outfitted with a reproduction mat, and it houses what could easily be the car's original bias-ply spare tire and jack set. The original engine is gone, replaced by a later model 350 cubic inch V8 motor that's dialed-in and running great. An Edelbrock aluminum intake manifold, Quadrajet carburetor, and Edelbrock E-street heads make this small block feel like a big block, and with great compression, it's happy to run all day on pump gas. It's neatly dressed with finned valve covers, a chrome air cleaner, and modern accessories for reliability, all slotted neatly into the original engine bay with satin inner fenders and firewall. Power steering and power front disc brakes with crossed drilled rotors are probably mandatory for something this fast, and the rumbling H-pipe Thrush dual exhaust system is a bit of a tipoff that there's something big going on under the hood. The aforementioned 4-speed automatic transmission is a 700R4 and it's linked to a 10-bolt rear end full of 3.36 posi-traction gears, so you know it's built right. Clean floors are a nice bonus and it sits on 15-inch Torque Thrust wheels with 245/60/15 BFGoodrich T/A white-letter radials to complete the look. If you're looking to turn some heads in a dialed-in droptop Chevy, here's a legitimate V8 A-body ragtop with a great look for not a lot of cash. Call today!