Car: 1964 Malibu SS
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Already having a "long term" project (a '50 Chevy torpedo back), I wasn't actively looking for another car. In the Spring of '99, however, I heard that a friend of the family had obtained a North Carolina numbers matching '64 Chevelle Malibu SS in return for some farm work.
On a visit to my Father's place that summer, I stopped at the friend's home to say Hi, and naturally to take a quick look at the Malibu. What I saw was a not too bad, basically all there car. It was definitely in need of some bodywork; the usual dings and dents, trunk floor and some quarter panel work.
Having been to many shows and cruise nights over the years without a vehicle, I casually mentioned the Chevelle "find" to my wife. She said that if it was close to being a driver I should "go for it if this is what I want!" After I picked my jaw off the floor, I began to think about the Malibu more seriously. (Are some wives great or what?) I decided that I had better go back and have a closer inspection. I discovered that the right front floor pan was also in need of attention, the engine was an oil burner and the interior was worn and torn, but would do while I was repairing the car. Our friend said that he would pay half the cost to repair the quarter panels and floor and trunk pans. He had a buddy who did this type of bodywork on the side. We haggled a bit and finally agreed on a price. The deal was sealed; I was now the owner of a '64 Malibu SS.
By the time December rolled around the car was finally ready to come home. We loaded up the family on a cold clear Saturday morning and headed out to pick up the Chevelle. It was an uneventful trip home, other than my oldest daughter wondering why she wasn't able to get her favourite radio station (FM) and why the transmission only shifted once! I couldn't wait for summer to arrive so I could start to enjoy the car shows. The CANATS are in Sarnia ON which is an hour away and where my Dad lives. What a drive!! Two quarts of oil to go sixty miles! This wasn't good!! A rebuild was definitely on the agenda.
When I "tore down" the engine I found that the only things worth saving were the heads and the block. What wasn't worn was pitted from at least 15 years of sitting with old oil and fluids. I half expected (but really didn't want to hear) the news I received; a .40 overbore was required to clean up the cylinders, new valves, pistons, rings etc… A carb rebuild completed the project. The motor now runs like new!
This winter I am planning on redoing the interior and replating the bumpers. Future plans include upgrading the suspension and brakes, ram horn exhaust manifolds and stainless exhaust system, redo the wiring and install a 200r4 that I have sitting in the garage.
The Malibu SS was built in Atlanta Georgia during the 5th week of December 1963. I always heard the stories of not wanting a Monday or Friday built car; how about one built between Christmas and New Years? The car was originally sold by Cutting Cross Chevrolet in Morgantown North Carolina. The dealership does not exist any longer, at least not under that name. The Chevelle entered Canada in 1980 and changed owners five times over the next four years. It then sat near Forest ON for 15 years when my friend got the car in '99.
This car came from the factory equipped with the following
- · Tinted Windshield A02
- · Front Seat Belts A37
- · Front Bucket Seats A51
- · Padded Dash B70
- · Two Speed wipers C14
- · Console D15
- · 283 V8 4BBL L77
- · Powerglide M35
- · Radio Pushbutton U63
- · Original Paint code was 916 Daytona Blue
- · Original Trim code was 741 Medium Metallic Blue Bucket Seats
For safety updates I have added a right side outside mirror, halogen head and tail lights and a 3rd brake light. The Malibu has original gauges, a rear mount antenna and a dash mounted clock.