[augy]

Hi - just registered here a few minutes ago. First post. Bought a new project, a 68 malibu, a couple months ago off eBay. Gonna clone it to a 68 L79 Malibu I ordered new back in 67 as a 19 year old kid. That car had a 327/325 hp/4-speed/posi, Fathom Blue with black bench seat interior. Owned it for a year, sold it when Uncle Sam called, it got totalled about a month later by the clown I sold it to. Always wanted another one, got into Tri-5s and street rods over the years, now am going to have one again. Don't know how you guys feel about clones, but I figure as long as you are not trying to hide anything when selling it, why not? Besides, this one will never be sold, rather inherited by family when I turn 100 years old. The icon tells it all about my new toy. Later - Augy

[Lilracr]

Welcome,
I look at it as it's your car and you can do with it as yu chose, just as long as your not trying to rip someone off being untruthful.

Sounds like a fun ride when done!

[grandsport]

Hi Steve,welcome.

[1badss396]

Welcome to Team Chevelle

[Dean]

Welcome to the site Steve
You can't clone a 68 without changing the VIN anyway so have fun with your Chevelle.

[john5469]

I like your story Augy, do you have pictures yet? We will help to git-er-done! I used to have a 68 malibu with a 327. It got burned up. Green one.

[augy]

Hey guys, thanks for your replies and encouragement. I've been around "old cars" since I was 15 years old, that's 45 years ago, but only owned a couple of Chevelles, and never anything but Chevys. That first 68 L79 was simply awesome! It was my first new car ordered right from the factory. My buddies at the time thought I was crazy for ordering a non-SS with a 327, but blew a couple of them off the street in their big-block SS's. Nothing wrong with big-blocks, I just prefer the high-winding little 327's. There is a VERY interesting history that goes with my 1st 68 Chevelle and I'll post that later. Hopefully you will find it as interesting as I do, especially after all these years. Later-Augy

[sg5492]

Welcome!!

[gbswick]

Welcome Steve.

[JAYARTER]

Greetings from Arizona
Gotta love those 68's
Jay and Bj

67 Elcamino
68 Malibu 2 dr

[augy]

Here's the true story of my 1st 68 Chevelle: I actually ordered a 67 L79 Malibu 2-door hardtop back in June '67. The salesman accidentally changed 1 digit on the hand-written order form and when the car was delivered it was a 4-door hardtop! It had everything else that was ordered; the 327/325 hp/4-speed/posi, red-line tires, F41 suspension, even the rear antenna. I refused delivery and they re-ordered another car. But then the factory told them it was too late in the year, they were gearing up for the new 68's. I did not want a 68 because they were going to be a new body style and no one knew what they would look like. Top secret until first showing in Sept '67. So they refunded my down payment and I spent it on the 57 Chevy 150 2-door sedan I was driving at the time. I forgot about having a new Chevelle. Then in early Sept the dealership called and said they had something to show me. I figured they had found the 67 I wanted from another dealer, this was before the Internet and everything was done with phone calls back then. Drove over to the dealer and they took me into the back room where there several new cars locked up. A couple each of Impalas, Novas, and Chevelles. One of the Chevelles was an L79 Malibu, same colors and equipment as the 67 I originally ordered! They had gone ahead and ordered one anyway and told me it was mine if I wanted it, same price as the 67, but couldn't have it until after the 1st showing of the new 68's in a couple of weeks. Initially I did not like the body style, but after thinking about it for a couple days, the new car fever returned and I decided to buy it. The 1st showing of the new 68's was Sept 25, 1967 and I took the day off from my job to be on the showroom floor to "guard" my new car. Drove it home that evening and it was a hit on the street! No, it didn't GET hit, it was an instantly popular car. It must have been one of the 1st 68 L79 Malibu's ever produced.
The other 67 4-door sat on the dealer's lot for about 2 years 'cause nobody wanted it. Finally a young guy with a family bought it for about 1/2 the sticker price. I've since tried to track that car down with no luck because it had to be one-of-a-kind. How rare would it be today? An L79/4-speed/posi factory 4-door? Anyway, that's the stories of 2 L79 Chevelles.
Sorry to be so long-winded but I figured you Chevelle guys would enjoy this history.

[Dean]

Cool story

Reminds me of when my friend ordered his 71 convertible.
He said he wanted a 350 like he had before and the salesman said they are 360 this year.
Needless to say he meant cubic inches and the salesman was talking horse power.

He was really surprised when it came with a big block LS5 motor.

[DaleM]

Cool story! A factory 67 L79 4-speed Sport Sedan would be a hit today.

Welcome...

[floyd66]

Great story, thanks for telling

Welcome to Team Chevelle

[1969 El Camino Dan]

That's a million dollar story, Augy!
It was always tons of fun around new car intro day.
Just love those 1960s. It's great to be and old guy, eh?!
Where was the dealer that you ordered that Chevelle from. Pretty cool that they would order a '68 for you on pure speculation!
Welcome to the team, you fit right in!

Dan