Multiple classic cars have aged like fine wine, and the first-generation Chevrolet Chevelle is one of them. After all, just look at the pictured model and tell us it’s not pretty.
You’re looking at a 1964 example, so it’s one of the early cars that left the assembly line at one of the multiple factories in the United States that were tasked with assembling this model. Production occurred between 1963 and 1967, and multiple body styles were offered.
The first-gen Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu was built on the same underpinnings as the El Camino. The Oldsmobile F-85, Buick Special, Pontiac Tempest, and Acadian Beaumont also shared this construction, and besides a couple of straight-six motors, it came with an assortment of V8s, too. Manual and automatic transmissions were part of the offering.
It may not look that large, but the original Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu was about as big as a modern-day BMW 5 Series executive sedan. It had 115 inches (2,921 mm) between the axles and measured 197 inches (5,004 mm) from bumper to bumper. As for the curb weight, it was rated at 3,256 pounds or almost one and a half tons. Therefore, it was also quite heavy for a vehicle born sixty years ago.
This copy is presented in dark blue with multiple chrome appointments. It sits on shiny wheels, has a black interior, and uses a 327 ci engine. The 5.4-liter V8 is a small block and comes mated to a four-speed manual transmission that delivers the undisclosed thrust and output to the wheels. This engine was offered with either 250 or 300 horsepower, and both featured a four-barrel carburetor. From 1965, Chevy added a 350-horsepower version.
The vendor describes this 1964 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu SS as being “a true icon of American muscle and style,” which would be “a prized possession for any collector and enthusiast.” It’s hard to argue with that logic, as it looks great all around, and for what it’s worth, we think dark blue is a color that suits it best, so it certainly checks this box, alongside many others.
Advertised by Garage Kept Motors, this great-looking old-timer has a little over 90,000 miles (~145,000 km) on the odometer and is for sale. The online listing, which you can check out here, reveals other stuff about it and also shares a plethora of images. More importantly, it reveals the asking price, which was $44,900 at the time of writing, so this vehicle is quite pricey.
For instance, you could land a brand-new Chevrolet Traverse for a similar amount or a new Silverado if you’re into pickup trucks. So, assuming you’d be shopping for a classic Chevelle, would you buy the pictured example for $45k?