October 6, 2021 Update – The seller of this 1964 Chevelle SS Hardtop just confirmed he sold his car locally.

May 20, 2021 Update – This 1964 Chevelle Malibu SS Hardtop did not meet its reserve price during its two-week auction, so we are now accepting offers on behalf of the seller.

Available through a reserve auction starting at 9:00 am Eastern time on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, is this 1964 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu SS396 Hardtop currently located in Muskego, Wisconsin.  The auction will run for fourteen continuous days, ending at 7:00 pm Eastern time on May 19, 2021.

If you are thinking, “Hey, Chevrolet never offered a ’64 Chevelle SS396 in 1964!”, you are correct. As the VIN tag confirms, this Chevelle started life as a California-built SS283 connected to a two-speed Powerglide automatic.  This Chevelle spent most of its life in California and as a result, still retains one hundred percent of its original sheet metal.

The current caretaker, Dean bought this Chevelle approximately ten years ago.  While the car at that point had newer paint, Dean set about making a nice big block-powered street machine.  Dean first sourced a 1969 vintage 396 cubic inch V8. Feeding the motor is an Edelbrock manifold topped with a 650CFM thunder carburetor. Scavenging the engine’s hot gasses are a pair of ceramic Doug’s Headers (held in place with Stage 8 bolts) feeding a stainless steel dual exhaust system featuring Flowmaster mufflers. Handling the rat motor’s power is a specially modified 700R4 automatic transmission. A subtle touch is the factory shift console gate has the correct controlling of all four gears.  Additionally, an underhood switch allows the owner to vary the shift points of the transmission to suit their taste. Keeping things cool is a re-cored radiator.

Applying the engine’s torque to the street is an Auburn limited-slip differential equipped with 3:73 gears. The assembly features new axles, bearings, and springs as well as QAI shocks. Keeping the rear axle in check during acceleration is a Hotchkiss control kit.

Dean made sure his Chevelle has plenty of stopping power by adding a pair of power front disc brakes. He also notes that all of the brake lines were replaced as part of the upgrade. Dean also added a power steering kit to ensure his Chevelle was easier to control. Improving the handling even further is a set of modern tubular “A” frames supporting the front suspension.

Topping off the look of this Chevelle are classic Crager chrome five-spoke SS wheels shod with period-correct 225/70R14 Cooper “Red Line” radials supplied by Diamond Back Classic Radials out of South Carolina.

Under his careful watch, Dean has never driven this Chevelle in the rain and that care continues to prevent any hint of surface rust anywhere on the chassis.  Dean also notes the original windshield, though now chipped in several places, retains a legible registration sticker from many years ago. Consequently, Dean elected to keep the original windshield in place.

The LemonSquad Pre-Purchase Inspection (“PPI”) confirmed this Chevelle in very good condition.  To read the full report, please click on the picture below.

 Important Note: The inspector in the report noted the steering wheel being slightly off-center during his inspection.  While the car has been properly aligned and tracks true while driving, the seller is in the process of having his mechanic resolve the steering wheel alignment. As soon as it’s resolved, we will post a receipt as proof the work has been completed.

To give you a sense of the current market value of the 1964 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu SS Hardtop, here is a summary of the current Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool and Collector Car Marketplace estimates based on vehicle condition and using the base L32 283 equipped SS:

If you have any questions about this Chevelle Malibu SS, please review the comment thread below, and if your question has not been addressed, write it in below so that other bidders with similar questions can see the answers.  Thank you for looking and happy bidding!