Vehicle Description
1968 Chevrolet Chevelle
A few fun facts to start:
The Chevelle was built in 10 different plants in two countries
during its 10 year run.
There was a version of the Chevelle only available in Canada that
had a slightly different grille and trim. It was called the Pontiac
Beaumont.
1964 was the only year U.S. built Chevelles had the model year
listed as the first digit in the VIN.
No Chevelles originally had a woodgrain console. If you see one
with a woodgrain console now, it's likely from a Monte Carlo.
The Chevelle is quite the movie star, appearing in over 1,600 shows
and movies. It's had starring roles as recently as the Fast &
Furious franchise.
With a big presence in the Classic Auto Mall-way, this completely
preserved, and lightly restored car sits awaiting its opportunity
to make the next enthusiast weak in the knees and paint a
perma-smile on their face. As advertising states, "You're in for a
big surprise with the '68 Chevrolets". You will fall in love with
that rich Butternut paint, black lower body, dark vinyl top, all
that super reflective chrome, and the 350ci crate engine. It does
not get any better than this.
Exterior
If we compare the trim tag to the actual car, we see that it is a
respray of Butternut Yellow replacing the factory Ermine White. The
panels are very straight, and gaps are minded well. Upon very close
inspection on our lift we cannot find any evidence of prior rust of
repairs. The paint is overall very nice, with good shine and very
few inclusions. Starting at the wrap around front bumper we see
gloss black covering the lower body which is delineated by a clean
stainless trim spear and at the belt line runs a straight and true
double black pinstripe. An aggressively angled front grille has
dual headlights that flank a mostly black egg crate grille with a
pristine bowtie and flor de lis badge in the middle. The black
vinyl top is in nice condition and does not have any rust bubbles
typically seen on vinyl topped Chevrolets, but we do note some
repairs done to the top at the base of the B-pillars. The bumpers
are all clean and shiny, and 15-inch polished Torque Thrust wheels
are all around wrapped in staggered width BF Goodrich radials.
Interior
A gander at the trim tag again shows that a black vinyl interior
with bucket seats were specified when new. It is difficult to
determine as to whether this is the original upholstery or not but
either way it is very nicely preserved with clean and straight
padded door panels in black and buckets also that retain their good
padding and nice shine. A good looking center console races between
the buckets, has a storage compartment, and houses the aircraft
throttle style (horse shoe) twin vertical post shifter. Looking to
the dash we see all the original equipment nice and clean and in
very good condition. A later model steering wheel is mounted atop
the column along with an aftermarket Sun Super Tach II. Hanging
below the dash are a duo of aftermarket white faced gauges for oil
pressure and water temp. The factory AM/FM radio is still residing
in its original location and just above are the chrome handled
slides for the heater and defroster. Above is a tight headliner,
and below is a flood of slightly faded good condition black carpet
that may be original.
Drivetrain
Automotive jewelry would best describe the engine bay with a GMPP
350ci V8 crate engine making 330hp. An aluminum intake manifold,
4bbl carburetor and some chrome valve covers, and air cleaner add
to the bling factor. This diamond of a powerplant turns a numbers
matching 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission, and a 10-bolt
3.08 geared rear. All hoses and wires appear supple and shiny and
we note a factory A/C system.
Undercarriage
Underneath is looking all good with only surface rust, a coating of
factory undercoating, some black paint on surfaces, some slight
road dirt and patina but all structurally sound. The floor pans and
rockers look excellent and remain rust free. Power front disc
brakes work in conjunction with the independent coil spring front
suspension and power drum brakes are on the rear with a 4 link and
coil spring set up. A Flowmaster dual exhaust snakes its way
rearward from the engine ending with chrome tips just under the
rear bumper
Drive-Ability
A turn of the key and we are all fired up. We shift to D and we are
off like a prom dress! This car runs great, handles well, and has
awesome acceleration. It is ergonomically near perfect for my
stature which some may call mildly portly, and under 6 feet tall. A
nice ride all in all.
Probably the best year design wise for the Chevelle, they got it
right with the angled front and rear, nicely placed chrome trim,
and snazzy lower body paint. The engine bay is just beautiful on
this car, and despite being a color change on the exterior, it is a
great combo. A tight black vinyl top thrown in for some more
contrast and the Torque Thrusts with BFG's doesn't take anything
away either. A classic right here at Classic Auto Mall.
VIN DECODE
136378B118956
1-Chevrolet
36-Malibu V8
37-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
8-1968
B-Baltimore, MD Assy Plant
118956-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
10B-2nd Week October Build
ST 68 13637-1968 Malibu 2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
BDY BAL06923-Baltimore Body #
TR 766-Black Imitation Leather Buckets
PNT C2-Ermine White, Black Vinyl Top
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
