65 Malibu SS Barn find [Archive] - Chevelle Tech

: 65 Malibu SS Barn find


Beefus1130
Mar 9th, 07, 2:02 PM
Hey. Question. Sorry for no pics, but I am looking at a 65 Malibu/SS (its real. 138 vin) before making a move on it, I need an opinion from the best. The car itself is a 2 owner car, never taken apart or cracked up, just semi neglected. When I asked about a build sheet, the guy didnt know what i was talking about, not under seats or under headliner, which was gone after he took it off from hanging and said no paperwork was under.

Drivetrain; an inline 6 mated to a saginaw 4spd and posi rear (strange combo, none rebuilt and everything is how it was when he bought it, but an inline 6 w/ posi :confused: Thats what did it for me) runs, drives, no smoking and no leaks. Even drove it up to 30mph in a field w/ skreetchy brakes that did work ok. All components were drained while sitting, refilled and tuned up recently and starts right up and runs great. No overheating or noises either. Trans ****fs great in all gears.

Brakes/suspension; all had squeeks and skreetches, but after driving for 15 mins all went away except for brake skretch. Brake pedal solid and ebrake worked good. as for the suspension, was fine considering it drove on a 65 acre farm lot. Steering was responsive and no sounds, smooth as silk.

Body; no rust, chrome a little discolored & 2 shallow dings on driver door, repainted (possibly late 70's or early 80's) w/ the trick clearcoat "flake off body"(had an IROC-Z w/ this same option, although not on the option sheet about the trick peeling :D) frame in nice shape and all floors solid as a rock. Needs new tires (dry rotted, but sat on blocks until a week ago when put up for sale)

Interior - buckets w/ console, almost all options, but A/C (DARN! No Z16 either, but does have the highly optioned ROLL DOWN kind) and no disc brakes. Could use a full resto on upholstry and needing a headliner.(ripped, stinky, but no signs of water leaking in) Everything works great and dash could be cleaned up. Speedo worked great, odometer was in fine working order, and the other gauges worked as well, but unsure about fuel gauge.

The car is probably i'd say a solid 6-6.5 (daily driver, which is exactly what i'm looking for) but it is unrestored except for the paint (which needs it, again). has 84,000 mi and has a registration sticker from '82 on the plate, but no window sticker. He's asking $5500.00 firm. I was going to give him $5000 cash, but not so sure. After dumping a few g's in the chevelle I already own ( real 67 ss, going to make it an SS L78 clone, which only needs a motor and other work done. $2500 deep in parts w/ no motor, but maybe you'll see it someday as a feature car), I know this aint cheap, but a firend of mine who came w/ me said if I were to get new tires and brakes, the car would pass inspection w/ no problems at all (owns a cert. shop) He thinks $5500 is too much and $5000 is overpaying and that he would pay no more than around $3000 for it (but then again hes a camaro guy and i'm into chevelles)

So what do you guys think? I know its worth $5k easily (maybe more or I could be wrong) but I just want an opinion. Thanks

BlackBetty
Mar 9th, 07, 3:00 PM
buy IT!! ....junk sells on ebay for 5thou....heck I wouldn't sell mine for less than 12 like it sits.

Beefus1130
Mar 9th, 07, 3:08 PM
thats what I figured. I thought it was a heck of a deal, but i'm not buying to sell i'm buying to fix and drive, which is $ i'll never get out of it again and thats what my friend is saying. If you put all that $ in on it u will never get it back out, which I know i've been dealing w/ classice since I was a kid (now 24 out of college and I dunno if i'm grown up yet, hehe) I mean an entire frame off would cost probably.... like.. $40,000, depending on how I want it done. I just want a decent dailey driver w/ good gas mileage. I love chevelles and I cant believe they did not revive it. I mean a few years back, there was an Aussie designed one that looked like a '70 and it looked GREAT! I WOULD BUY ONE IF THEY MADE IT, but I guess it was not marketable considering GM brought back the GTO instead, which was a complete flop and was the same thing as a Holden Monaro w/ dif badges and a few options after the first year (hood, exhaust)

BlackBetty
Mar 9th, 07, 3:15 PM
If you take your time that car can be finished WAY under 40g's .....oh that is if you are willing to do it yourself. Mine has less than 8 in it right now, and I don't know NEAR what these other guys do....and it is very close to finished.
so....to remove the doubt, give me pic's and his number and I will help you with the problem.....:D

Beefus1130
Mar 9th, 07, 3:36 PM
Yeah, give u the # and a pic possibly a sold vehicle leaving me w/ no problem and out a rare car w/ an open garage space, leaving my 67 lonely. hehe j/k. Nah its a good deal. my friend and I have been doing cars since we were 16 buying and selling, I just went to the classic route. He's the one that always got burned on the deals (bought a 69 camaro for 7 grand and man was it a bondo boat, but I told him so and is still holding a grudge over his hurt pride of my I TOLD YOU SO!!) but forgiven after a few beers.

Dean
Mar 9th, 07, 7:08 PM
................. a 65 Malibu/SS (its real. 138 vin).......................
....................


It wouldn't be a 138 VIN if it's a 6 cylinder.

Mr69
Mar 9th, 07, 11:13 PM
VIN would start 137...... wouldn't it?

LKN BCK
Mar 9th, 07, 11:38 PM
138 is a SS... sound like shes had an engine change.
Does it have a console and gauges? If yes,
Go get it and dont mind what your buddy says... he is a camaro guy and dont understand!

Sounds like an easy way to help fund your 67 if you dont fall in love with it. when do you think you will get this lucky again? besides never! That car will make money for you and you wont even have to hardly do anything but bring her home. It will sell itself! JMO

Just make sure that when your buddys friends come wanting to buy it...you make same easy money off 1 of those converted Camaro guys!... That would be the best ending no doubt.

Roofuss
Mar 10th, 07, 7:27 AM
:thumbsup: Do some in "depth research" on the car first, to be sure exactly what it is then seriously consider it, they are NOT getting any cheaper ;)

BlackBetty
Mar 10th, 07, 8:03 AM
if it is as nice as described, I'd buy it. any price under 4000 would be "a steal", and your still in the "I got it at good price" range imo, and I'm not one to lose on deals very often.

what's his number again?

Dean
Mar 10th, 07, 8:54 AM
138 is a SS...

137 is a 6 cylinder SS in 1965

138 is a V8 SS in 1965

Didn't he say it has the original engine?

BlackBetty
Mar 10th, 07, 9:21 AM
13737
13767
both are SS 6cyl cars "67" is a convertible

BlackBetty
Mar 10th, 07, 9:25 AM
I read again the comment "138 vin its a real one".....they did make VERY few 6cyl ss cars, but if it has 138 on the vin....I'd check further, either way that car is worth buying at "the right price":D

chevguy65
Mar 10th, 07, 9:53 AM
thats what I figured. I thought it was a heck of a deal, but i'm not buying to sell i'm buying to fix and drive, which is $ i'll never get out of it again and thats what my friend is saying. If you put all that $ in on it u will never get it back out, which I know i've been dealing w/ classice since I was a kid (now 24 out of college and I dunno if i'm grown up yet, hehe) I mean an entire frame off would cost probably.... like.. $40,000, depending on how I want it done. I just want a decent dailey driver w/ good gas mileage. I love chevelles and I cant believe they did not revive it. I mean a few years back, there was an Aussie designed one that looked like a '70 and it looked GREAT! I WOULD BUY ONE IF THEY MADE IT, but I guess it was not marketable considering GM brought back the GTO instead, which was a complete flop and was the same thing as a Holden Monaro w/ dif badges and a few options after the first year (hood, exhaust)


If you like it and want a 65 and you intend to keep it, not re-sell it, why worry about what you have into it. I don't have near 40K into mine, but I will say that even if I did, I get to enjoy the car, the looks and compliments of strangers and friends. I can show it or cruise it and drag race with it. After all that I get to take it home to MY garage and admire how truly beautiful my car is. You cannot put a value on that my friend.
So, that being said, buy it, restore it, drive and enjoy it for 10-20 years and then IF you decide to sell it, you have gotten 40K in memories and selling it for less than what you have in it monetarily will not seem so important. Just my 2¢

LKN BCK
Mar 10th, 07, 10:02 AM
137 is a 6 cylinder SS in 1965

138 is a V8 SS in 1965

Didn't he say it has the original engine?


The owner did not say the 6 was original...the owner said it had a 6 when he bought it...not saying he bought it new? Hmmm.

The buyer needs to make sure this car was not retagged and get more info for the us to really help him! Could be a buyer beware car thats for sure. Iam surprised Beef US has not checked back in with us!

Dan

Dean
Mar 10th, 07, 10:05 AM
Good point Dan :thumbsup:
Maybe someone did replace the V8 with a 6 cylinder before he bought it.

LKN BCK
Mar 10th, 07, 10:13 AM
Good point Dan :thumbsup:
Maybe someone did replace the V8 with a 6 cylinder before he bought it.

Among other things?...Beefus did not get back to us with the few simple ?s that were asked.
Maybe his buddy the Camaro guy smells a rat...we just might have to give his buddy some credit where credit is due.

BlackBetty
Mar 10th, 07, 10:14 AM
The owner did not say the 6 was original...the owner said it had a 6 when he bought it...not saying he bought it new? Hmmm.

The buyer needs to make sure this car was not retagged and get more info for the us to really help him! Could be a buyer beware car thats for sure. Iam surprised Beef US has not checked back in with us!

Dan

"OH noooooo....... Holy Test Their Knowledge it's a trick Batman"

LKN BCK
Mar 10th, 07, 10:26 AM
"OH noooooo....... Holy Test Their Knowledge it's a trick Batman"

The Mystery man himself has corrupted us all!
And we all know who that is.:hurray:
Where would we be without him?