Got a new toy

[LIVE4RDO]

Hey crowd!

Well, this is a freaking addiction! Probably as expensive as crack.


I had my first Chevelle in 2002, it was a 1968, hardtop, true SS, 396, automatic car with some questionable body work. I enjoyed it very much, but had to let it go when it was time to start the family.

Throughout last 10 years, I had some nice toys: 05 GTO (LS2, 6 speed), 08 TrailBlazer SS, 1978 Malibu (BBC, factory 4 speed) and of course my 87 Buick Turbo T (WE4).

The 78 Malibu fell victim to Hurricane Sandy, but I did save the 454 BBC that was in there. Now that the engine is being re-built, it needed a new home.

And this is what I came across:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/181204347085?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

Since sooner or later eBay will remove the listing, here comes cut and paste of the description:


RARE 1968 CHEVELLE 300 SPORT COUPE. (google it)


1968 Chevelle 300 Deluxe sport coupe. This is not a Malibu. The 300 series was a lower priced, stripped down model (factory sleeper). Most of them were 2 and 4 door sedans (with a post). This a RARE 300 series DELUXE hardtop coupe. The body style is identical to a Malibu and SS coupe, but there is very little trim. This car is a survivor. Most of the paint is 100% Factory Grecian Green (except the "SS" hood and some possible touch up?). Mileage shows about 38,000... seems accurate, but likely 138k?

All of the 300 series specific pieces are there and restorable. There are MANY 300 series specific pieces on the car and many differences from a Malibu, for example: "Starting at the front, the eyebrow moulding next to the headlights is shorter, no trim down the body line at the bottom of the fenders and doors, CHEVELLE emblems on the fenders, no drip rail mouldings, no wheel well trim, the tailights have the back-up lights in them (Malibu is in the bumper), the tailight housings are different, the rear panel under the trunk lid has no trim except an emblem, the rear bumper is unique with no holes for back up lights. Inside, the steering wheel is different than Malibu with a chrome center, door panels are completely different, no shoulder harnesses or hardware....".

The car was sold new in Vancouver, Washington (I have the protecto-plate). The original owner drove it until the 80's. It was in a carport until the daughter sold it about 10 years ago. The guy I got it from started a Father and Son project with the car. They started taking the car apart, painted the engine and replaced some mechanical items, then ran out of steam. The car sat in the garage for nearly 10 years partially disassembled.

 

[LIVE4RDO]

The body: is VERY SOLID and ORIGINAL with some typical Chevelle/Malibu "A" body rust. ("A" body chevelle/malibu, skylark, lemans, etc trapped water and rust in similar places) The foot wells, and trunk floor have some minor rust issues (see high resolution photos on Flickr account). The back window has minor bubbles but looks solid (I'm sure it will need attention once the glass is removed, like all "A" bodies). There are also some bubbles on the drivers side 1/4 panel near the wheelwell. ALL of the rust damage seems to be from trapped moisture and is mostly orange discolored, scale and pinholes except noted spots of rust through.

The seats and carpet were out when I first got it and the floor pans are very solid, but the foot wells have had some work done. Mostly pinholes (they were patched) and the drivers rear footwell was rusted out (also patched). The patchwork was done before me. It's not the best job, but they used a metal patch, fiberglass and some type of rust inhibitor. I'll leave any future repairs up to the next guy. I don't have pics of the inside floors, but you can see in the pics the bottom of the floors are pretty clean and covered in a coating of 45 years of oil and grease. The battery tray is new, but I saw the hole underneath while it was up on a lift. KEEP IN MIND, for the most part this car has spent well over last 25 years in and out of indoor storage...FACTORY PAINT! What you see is what you get: NO BONDO, NO REPAIRS on the outside of the body. Both doors open and close beautifully! All locks work and hood and trunk open and close easily.

As far as safety: The car is registered and legal. All Headlights, high beams, turn signals, side markers, taillights, brake lights and back up lights all work GREAT! Even the hazard lights work!

The tires are original BF Goodrich T/A's that I have been saving for a while. The mags are Torque-Thrust type from the 60's and were in storage for a long time. They are all original and have never been "cleaned up".



INTERIOR: looks GREAT for a 45 year old car! The seats were reupholstered years ago and package tray looks newer (?), I personally replaced the carpet with reproduction, otherwise the interior is 100% ORIGINAL! 300 Deluxe door panels are VERY rare and hard to find, these are in great shape for 45 years old (The chrome foil is peeling, but could be restored)! The dash pad is all original and has NO CRACKS! Headliner is an 8 out of 10 with no splits or rips. EVERYTHING WORKS! Dash lights are bright. The radio light comes on when you turn it on, the sound is VERY low, but it works! Heater works great, turn signals, hazard switch on the column works, horn sounds great, even the BUZZER works when you stick the key in! The speedometer works smoothly and seems to be pretty accurate. The gas guage works, idiot lights light up. The dome light comes on when you open EITHER door!

Seat belts are all there and in good shape. Amazingly, very little of the interior is faded. The dash is in really good shape and the instruments don't look faded at all! Even the blue GM emblems on the seat belts are bright and look good. Most of the fake chrome plastic parts are decent as is and usable. ALL of the glass looks good with no bubbles or damage. Windows all roll up and down okay, even the vent windows! The rubber weatherstrips are old, but all there and look good.



Under the hood: the 307 runs good! It's a 2bbl and ALL STOCK except the pertronix electronic ignition module in the original distributor, plug wires, and coil. Otherwise the engine compartment is stock. New hoses, belts, alternator, carb looks like it was rebuilt at some point and master cylinder was replaced. I have not noticed any smoke and she doesn't seem to use oil. The 2 speed powerglide shifts fine and downshifts. The power steering works 100% with no noises or chatter.
The front suspension looks well maintained and inspected OK. DRIVING THE CAR... the front end feels fine. It's a stock 1968, so it feels like you are driving a STOCK 1968. But she goes down the road straight. Cruises nice at 70 (you can let go of the wheel) and turns just fine. There is a noise when you wrench the wheel all the way to lock and step on the gas (like to U-turn). Likely the sway bar bushings? She drives REALLY nicely, so I haven't dug into the noise yet. Brakes are decent. They are 4 wheel drum, so you have to plan ahead. They stop straight and don't make any noises.

 

[LIVE4RDO]

What the car needs:


Mechanically, not much. I have driven the car quite a bit. Around town, at night, on the freeway, etc. I did have a dead battery once, but I cleaned all the connections, charged the battery and have put lots of miles on with no problems. You could replace the sway bar bushings. New shocks wouldn't hurt. Upgrading to disc brakes would be a good idea. Runs and drives good as is.
The wipers work, but either the switch is going bad or there is a bad ground (I have to wiggle the switch once in a while).
The radio is really quiet. It's an AM, so you could swap it for an AM/FM or repro unit with modern guts. I read that the amp dries out from age and it's a pretty easy fix (If you want to keep the original).
There are a few odds and ends on the interior to make it perfect.
Obviously, she could use a paint job (or not).

Really, that's about it.

I have a small box of parts included (leftovers, the wiper washer reservoir, nice grille extension, new firewall pad, etc), and the factory jack, base and lugwrench . I also have a decent 1969 driver's fender and a primed stock hood available. (The driver's fender is damaged around the headlight).


I have been driving the wheels off this Chevelle all Summer and I will continue to do so until sold. This is the nicest running driving "Garage Find" survivor I have had in YEARS! Pump the gas pedal twice and she fires instantly! She runs and drives like a 12 year old used car '68 Chevelle back in 1980 (when they were a dime a dozen). Those days are GONE, but this Chevelle is right here......for sale!
This Chevelle is a very scarce find! It's an original survivor and could be restored, preserved or Hot Rodded. It will ALWAYS be a 300 series in an OCEAN of Malibu's! The fact it's a HARDTOP 300 (no post) makes it a real conversation starter! Everyone talks about the 138 VIN code for SS396 cars. Did you know there were over 55,000 SS396 hardtops built? Well, Only about 6,000 300 Series V8 Sport coupes were ever made! How many survived?


Clear title, Protecto plate, original keys, licensed and tagged until next Summer. Ready to go!



FLY IN AND DRIVE HOME!

OR USE "BUY IT NOW" and I will arrange and pay for shipping ANYWHERE IN THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES (via my carrier)!!!!!!



150+ PHOTOS HERE:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/87686401@N04/sets/72157635250089938/


and I pulled the trigger:










The seller was great, the car came exactly as described.









Future plans:

1) straighten out the drivetrain: Lee steering box, new front end, powered disc brakes in front, springs and shocks.

2) while working on front end and collecting parts for BBC swap, maybe upgrade to a CHEAP 4bbl intake and 4bbl carb. ANYONE WANTS TO MAKE SOME ROOM ON THEIR SHELF?

3) 700R4 built by Fred Brown (being donated by a good friend)

4) 12 bolt with either 3:42s or 3:73s

5) Vintage Air (I'm a fat bastard)

6) Clear coat the original paint, for that awesome patina look

7) 15" steelies with dog dish caps




And drive it!