I have an original 1964 Chevelle Malibu SS with a 3-speed overdrive, two door hardtop. How rare is this car?

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It is very unusual to find a 3-speed column shift in a Malibu SS, but I saw one about a year ago at the Northen Chevelle Gathering in western NY. O.D. makes it even more obscure in your case. I don't think there is any way to precisely break down how many were installed on the various models though.

Is your car powered by a 194, a chromed 230 or a 283 2 or 4 barrel? (assuming it is stock).

I took a few pictures last weekend of a '68 Coronet 500 coupe with factory buckets, no console and the original 3-in-the-tree 318. I thought it was very unusual. One owner for the last 30 years.

In my too many years I have not come across an SS with OD. I would bet it is really a rare beast if it really did come that way.

What you have to remember is that back then you could order what YOU wanted.

It is very unusual to find a 3-speed column shift in a Malibu SS,

How do you know his is 3-on-the tree?

Didn't the Malibu SS come "standard" with a floor shift and console, but I think the standard "manual trans" was the 3 speed... I know some were ordered with column shifters...


I saw a local '65 Malibu SS (original owner) that was a factory column-shift 3-speed... the owner later converted to a floor shifter... The only one I have seen in person...


I have an original 1964 Chevelle Malibu SS with a 3-speed overdrive, two door hardtop. How rare is this car?
Probably pretty rare, but not as desirable (especially is this is a column-shifted version) as a 4-speed...

Not sure if that was your intent (it often is when people ask about 'rarity"), but "rarity" doesn't equate to " higher value"... "desirability" is what drives the value... No a rare AND desirable option, that will add to the value...

Chevrolet kept quantities of the various "options", but no breakdown through different models or as a combo with other options... So no way to know how many MalibuSS cars came equipped with the 3-speed OD trans...

How do you know his is 3-on-the tree?

Didn't the Malibu SS come "standard" with a floor shift and console, but I think the standard "manual trans" was the 3 speed...

Yes and no. The standard tranmission was a 3 speed, the choice of column was the default though it could be had with a floor shift but no console came with the three-speed regardless.

Optional transmission choices were a 4-speed or a Powerglide automatic. Only the 4-speed or PG came with a console. The Powerglide could receive a console delete and get a column shift but I've never seen one built this way.

How do you know his is 3-on-the tree?

Didn't the Malibu SS come "standard" with a floor shift and console, but I think the standard "manual trans" was the 3 speed... I know some were ordered with column shifters...


The poster mention that the car was original. In '64 they weren't using h.d. 3-speeds with floor shifts. That trans didn't come out until '65 as the fully-syncronized h.d. 3-speed (RPO M13). Also, the overdrive was only offered with the standard Saginaw (Chevrolet) 3-speeds. During that time frame the Saginaw 3-speeds were all column shifts. Later (1971 & 1972) you could optionally specify a floor shift for your Saginaw 3-speed, but the overdrive was last offered on 1968 models anyway.

Also in 1964 & 1965 the Malibu SS was more about the trim than about any exclusive drivetrain. The Z-16 was an exception. By 1966 the SS was now an SS396 and yes, a h.d. 3-speed with floor shift was standard.

My 64 Malibu has the chrome 230, three-on-the-tree, and overdrive.

Your '64 Malibu SS sounds really neat and different. Those old overdrive units took some forethought to really get the maximum benefit from it. When out of overdrive they go like any normal 3-speed with 3.70 gears out back. Engage overdrive and it is like you have 2.59 gears out back, plus engine braking on hills doesn't happen (it just freewheels). Add into the mix the T-handle under the dash, the momentary lifting of the throttle for an upshift into o.d., the electric contact switch to force a downshift out of overdrive; given the involvement the average American driver wants to have with his/her machinery (where automatics are most popular) many people just weren't committed enough to really make overdrive more popular. 1964 was the year that GM & Chrysler brought their 'in house' 4-speeds to market, and that seemed to be a simpler answer for many buyers. A 283 4-speed couldn't have been all that thirsty, yet the Mobilgas Economy Run was still a big thing. A six cylinder Chevelle with an o.d. manual trans makes sense to me.

The chrome on the 230 is a bit of an anomaly. Picture the invasion of these shores by imports. For 1960 the import fighters were Ford's Falcon, Chevrolet's Corvair, Plymouths Valliant, Studebaker's Lark & American Motors' Rambler. Before long Chrysler was offering 'hyper-pack' kits for the slant six, the Corvair is now turbocharged, as is Oldmobile's little 215 V8. Chevy simply followed the trend towards glamour & a little more power with a slightly hotter cammed 230, all dressed up pretty in chrome. They were only done 1 year and are probably mostly unknown today.
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/medium/64_230-155horse.jpg

Yes and no. The standard tranmission was a 3 speed, the choice of column was the default though it could be had with a floor shift but no console came with the three-speed regardless.

Optional transmission choices were a 4-speed or a Powerglide automatic. Only the 4-speed or PG came with a console. The Powerglide could receive a console delete and get a column shift but I've never seen one built this way.
Hey RICH-L79 are you saying you have never seen a powerglide shift on the column for a 64 and 65 chevelle or just a 64 because I have two 65 chevelles and both came with powerglide and column shift. Just curios