[ImTheRaddest]

I just purchased my first Chevelle! My father's neighbor had this baby sitting in his garage (this is my first post, not sure if the photos will attach correctly). It's a 100% stock numbers matching 1970 Malibu with a 307 with 109,000 original miles. The guy's father bought it new and it's been garaged it's whole life. It still has the original paint and there's no rust at all, it has a ding in the rear bumper and a dent in the front right fender, but otherwise the body is straight. The guy would start it once a week, drive it around the block, then park it back in his garage. It runs and drives incredibly well. The interior is in fair condition, no cracks in the dash, but the seats are pretty chewed up. I got the "neighbor discount" on it, so I'm wondering how much it would sell for on the open market (not that I'm selling, just curious).

I also need to decide whether or not to keep it stock or to build it up. Is there significant value in the fact that it's 100% stock? If I were to swap to a 350 and do general performance upgrades, would that degrade or improve the value?

Thanks in advance for any feedback. I'm sure I'll be all over these forums from now on!

-Daniel

[/ATTACH][/ATTACH]

 

[Enclosed Muscle Transport]

Daniel,

You Lucky Dog ...


Nice !



Jim

 

[stevieray]

You are gonna get a lot of opinions on this forum. Its your car now, do what you want with it.
My 2 cents.... keep it original. That car is SWEET!

 

[toofastforyou]

Nice car Daniel! :thumbsup:...I have one question though...Could it be that it originally had a vinyl top? I'm asking because it has the mouldings for one...

Have fun with your "new" Chevelle!

Claude.

 

[ToocoolZ28]

I know of another 70 Malibu the same color that had a painted roof with the moldings like that.
Nice car, fix the seats and make it a dependable driver, then just have fun.

 

[ImTheRaddest]

Thanks everyone! I'm really enjoying driving it just stock. I'll take my time deciding on any mods.

I'm not sure about the vinyl top, I'll ask the previous owner. I don't think there's a way to tell from the VIN, right? Any other way? The roof is the same color as the rest of the car, would that be the case if it was originally the vinyl? Toocool, I'm glad that the hard top exists with the molding, I'm going to guess it's that. Strange though, was it offered as an option?

Any ideas on value?

 

[sam72]

$6,000-8,000 is what I'm thinking. Nice car, it's fun to see those original cars turning up.

 

[SteveB69]

Nice find. I would keep it original and enjoy it. Keep the original engine if you upgrade but the value should go up not down on putting in a larger motor

 

[crazy canuck]

Congrats you lucky dog.....very nice original car.I think its cool the way it is and I hope you get lots of fun out of it.The only thing I would do eventually is put on some nice wheels and tires(like 15's) if you get tired of the hub caps.

 

[Steve R]

If it as clean as you say and the picturs suggest I would say $10,000-$12,000. I wouldn't take a penny less than $10,000, you could probably get more than $12,000 but the length of time it would take to sell and the corresponding BS you would have to deal with might no be worth the hassle.

There are people who will say it's worth less, however, you live in greater Los Angeles. The competition for good quality cars is intense, when you factor in the money chasing nice cars you have a sellers market.

If you decide to keep and fix up your car do as you wish, a matching number 307 may be a nice feature it doesn't really ad value.

Nice car. Good luck with your new find.

Steve R

 

[69SS3964Spd]

I'm not sure about the vinyl top, I'll ask the previous owner. I don't think there's a way to tell from the VIN, right? Any other way? The roof is the same color as the rest of the car, would that be the case if it was originally the vinyl? Toocool, I'm glad that the hard top exists with the molding, I'm going to guess it's that. Strange though, was it offered as an option?

Any ideas on value?

Look at your cowl tag, top of cowl, drivers side under hood right next to were it says PNT. There will be same numbers repeated if the top was painted body color. If the top was originally painted it will have 2 different numbers. If it had a vinyl, it will have a number and a letter. Check this area and post back what it says.

I would agree on the 10-12K est. value. Also, if and when you do any mods, keep all original parts so it could always be put back to stock if you or another owner wants it that way.

 

[John in NC]

OUCH that is sweet!!! That's a dream find for many Chevelle hunters.... it would be for me.

I think if you come across a good 350 I'd say go for it, but I'd just drive it as is, maybe keep an eye on C-list for a set of cool vintage/ period wheels, or rock the hubcaps and cruise!

I say if you paid $10,000 you'd be good, $8,000 or less is a steal of a deal.

If you're able keep it 'living' in a garage out of the elements, and I'd polish up all the chrome and stainless and wax the heck out of the car after a couple thorough washes.

Edit- after looking at the pics again the paint is pretty oxidized, might buff/ polish out nice- then wax, and I wonder if that dent in the front fender could be popped out?
I would flip out if I ran across a deal like that (assuming you got it pretty cheap), and my wife would kill me, cause I'd buy it and would have to build a garage out back!

Neat car!

 

[Alan]

I purchased an all original 1971 Malibu w/307 back in 1995. Drove it until the 307 timing chain broke. Swapped in a 350. Held onto that 307 engine for 13 some years and finally took it to the scrap yard. No one cares about a 307, frankly. I tried to give it away, with no success. The rest of the drivetrain is low-grade junk as well. Even at used prices and your own labor, swapping it all out for performance stuff will set you back some money. The real upside here is you have a solid body, unmolested car, that a lot of buyers wish they had . I would drive it until it breaks then replace the drivetrain all in one shot. Junk the original stuff.

Nice score!

 

[70RAIII]

I'd pay $5500....and sell for $10,000 after I fixed the seats and some other stuff....maybe add a vinyl top because it has the trim.....the car would look a lot better ....that's what I did with my '69 as it had a painted roof with the vinyl top trim.

 

[Alan F]

Nice find. I faced your dilemma and restored an original Malibu and there was not any appreciable market for it.

... I'm wondering how much it would sell for on the open market.
I also need to decide whether or not to keep it stock or to build it up.
Is there significant value in the fact that it's 100% stock?
If I were to swap to a 350 and do general performance upgrades, would that degrade or improve the value?

Worth on open market probably $7-8 thousand.
No significant value as 100% stock.
Anything you do that improves the drivability, handling, performance or appearance will add value. The question is what will it cost to add that value? The market reality is its a better candidate for a resto-mod or to make an SS clone.

 

[dell72]

Wow! what a great score! I would clean it up, swap on a set of rally wheels or a period correct wheel and drive the wheels off that thing. Show off it's aged and weathered paint with pride. That thing has stood the test of time

 

[cparsons]

When I do finish my car it will go back as a Malibu, but I don't plan on ever selling it either. Either way you got a killer deal on the car!

 

[John in NC]

Well do we know what it was bought for? I don't think it was ever disclosed.

A Malibu or garden variety base Chevelle of any year (no big block/ ss etc) represents an incredible value to someone who doesn't want lots of money tied up in a classic car. This is the type of car that gets me riled up. Sure I love SS cars just like the next guy, but this is a car I'd cruise, knowing I don't have tons of money tied up in it- if something breaks... no biggie!

Heck I'd take it to shows AS-IS and watch all the guys stand around telling stories about the olden golden days. They'd eat it up patina and all.

 

[66 chevelle 496BBC]

nice, i say you payed $5500 and is worth $6500-$8500. sometimes when someone posts a rusted wreck a comment stating it will buff out as a joke is said but in this case it will probably buff out really nice. if your handy find a nice small block to replace when needed. a 12 bolt rear would help. a 307 does not add much value being matching #s. good luck and nice find.

jim

 

[Pioneer4x4]

Or best of both worlds, swap in a 350, keep the 307, and anything else original you remove.