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1964 Malibu SS
The 1964 Chevelle Malibu SS was a separate series from the Chevelle 300 & Malibu series and can be readily identified by both the Fisher Body Number plate (a.k.a. trim tag, cowl tag, etc.) and the Vehicle Identification Number plate (VIN).
The 1964 Malibu SS was available in both sport coupe (37) and convertible (67) body styles and with an L6 as well as V8 engines. The Fisher Body style numbers 5737, 5837, 5767, & 5867 and VINs beginning with 45737, 45767, 45837, & 45867 will note a Malibu SS. While the Fisher Body plate style numbers (such as 5837) will usually coincide with the series/model number of the VIN (such as 45837), that is not always the case since Fisher Body did not care what engine (L6 or V8) went into a particular body. There are instances of a Fisher Body style number with an even-numbered 2nd digit (8) and the VIN having an odd-numbered 3rd digit (7). The VIN is the REAL proof the car was a L6 or V8 originally. As with all years of Super Sports, the VIN only depicts the base engine and does not indicate any optional engine.
The only external indications of the Malibu SS are the emblems on the quarter panels and the rear cove, distinctive bright trim along the upper body line extending from the front to the rear along with wheel well moldings and bright rocker panel trim extending behind the rear wheel opening. The Malibu SS also included bucket seats, center console (when ordered with optional Powerglide or 4-speed), and gauges. The tachometer (RPO U16) was still optional.
Standard Malibu SS dash with gauges and clock.
Although this particular tachometer is NOT from a Malibu SS (note warning
lamp for GEN), it shows the mounting location of the optional tachometer
in the center pod in lieu of the clock. The tachometer was NOT part
of the standard gauges available in the Malibu SS and the tachometer
could be ordered on any V8 300 or Malibu series Chevelle.
When the optional tachometer was ordered it filled the old clock location
in the center pod of the dash and the clock moved to the top of the
dash.
All Malibu SS (L6 or V8) came standard with a column shifted manual
3-speed transmission. The Malibu SS still got its standard bucket seats
but no console with the manual 3-speed. Even the optional RPO M10 3-speed
manual with overdrive (shown here) was column shifted (note the overdrive
lever to the immediate left of the steering column). Only when the optional
manual 4-speed or Powerglide automatic were ordered did the car receive
the center console.
Since all 1964 Malibus came with a 10-bolt rear end and various gear ratios, neither the rear end nor the ratio can be used to identify a 1964 Malibu SS. Likewise, Positraction was an option and can not be used to identify a 1964 Malibu SS.
Note Malibu SS script on quarter panels, SS emblem on rear cove, upper
body trim, wheel well moldings and rocker trim that not only flowed
from the front wheel well to the rear but behind the rear wheel well
as well.
Goldwood Yellow (paint code 943 or K) was a Malibu SS-only color. Naturally
the Malibu SS was available in any other color offered in 1964 to include
any of the 11 two-tone combinations.
The 55xx/56xx series Malibu has Malibu script on the rear quarter panels,
bright trim along the center body line, bright rocker trim from front
to rear wheel wells only and no wheel well trim.
Easily changed of course but the steering wheel in a Malibu SS is two-toned
with the possible exception of the black steering wheel with a black
interior. This one happens to be red/white because of the white interior
but any Malibu SS with red, blue, aqua, or tan should have a two-tone
steering wheel. Naturally one should NOT look to the steering wheel
as a way to determine if the car is a Malibu or Malibu SS when the VIN
is easy to read and makes the definitive distinction. Steering wheels
are easy to change and often are due to age and cracking. When a white
interior was ordered the instrument panel and carpeting was red.
L6 vs. 283 vs. 327
Although not exclusive to the Malibu SS 283 V8 and 327 V8 fender emblems differed.
All 283 cid V8 1964 Chevelles received a "V" emblem just behind
the front wheel wells.
All 327 cid V8 1964 Chevelles received a "crossed flag" emblem
just behind the front wheel wells.
A base L6 Chevelle received no engine identifying emblems but the optional
230cid L6 did.
Check out my Coins, CDs, & Chevelle
books.
1964 Chevelle Links
- Only items in ALL CAPS and with an asterisk ( * ) are
active
- PRODUCTION NUMBERS *
- Vehicle Identification Number
- ENGINES *
- TRANSMISSIONS *
- Rear Axle
- Interior Trim
- Exterior Paint
- Interior/Exterior Combinations
- Regular Production Options
- Dealer Installed Accessories
- MALIBU SS *
- Facts/Trivia
- Trim Tag Data
- PLANT PRODUCTION NUMBERS
*
- TIRES & WHEELS *
