People who walked into a Chevrolet dealership to get a Chevelle could choose from a three-model lineup that included the 300, the 300 Deluxe, and the Malibu.
The Malibu was the icing on the Chevelle cake and one of the biggest changes it was the subject of concerned the Super Sport package. Chevrolet simplified the approach this year, turning the car into the SS 396 and selling it separately.
It didn’t take long for the GM brand to change its mind again, so three years later, the SS 396 was demoted to an options package for the Chevelle.
The 1966 release was fairly successful, with Chevrolet eventually selling 447K units. The rarest configuration was born with an L78 engine, as it’s estimated that approximately 100 examples rolled off the assembly lines with this monster unit under the hood.
The 1966 Chevelle Malibu in these photos looks like it’s been put to the corner for years, but despite the frightening look, the car is “mostly complete.” The owner explains on Craigslist that the body is “kind of rough,” and despite the limited photo gallery shared online, it’s clear they are right.
The car needs a complete restoration, and I wouldn’t expect almost every inch of metal to exhibit rust damage. The best choice for anyone interested in buying this car is to pull it from the garage and inspect its undercarriage. However, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the undersides already wrecked, so be ready to install new floors and likely a new trunk pan.
The good news is that the car still has an engine, and more importantly, it has the original unit that was installed by Chevrolet before it left the factory. This Chevelle was fitted with a 283 unit paired with an automatic transmission, and despite more specifics not being shared, I wouldn’t expect the powertrain to be in good shape. Most certainly, it no longer starts and runs, but this is something you can only decipher with an in-person or third-party inspection.
The Chevelle is worth a second chance at the right price, as it’s obvious this isn’t a project aimed at the faint of heart. It’ll require significant metalwork, and I doubt anyone without restoration experience would be able to get it back on the road.
The owner is willing to let the car go for $2,500, but they claim they will also look into other offers. You’ll need transportation to take it home, but you should first see it live to determine if it’s worth a restoration job. The car is parked in Kensington, NH, and is likely still sitting in the same garage, waiting for someone to pull it outside for the first time in years.