Valuable Chevelles and COPOs
Valuable Chevelles
As with any collectible item, rarity doesn’t always mean desirability or potential value. There was quite a number of low production volume Chevelles built between the 1964 and 1972 model years such as the 1968 Malibu 4-door station wagon with a 6-cylnder engine; only 5 were built and maybe only a very few number of people would consider them collectible and spend the money necessary to bring one back to showroom condition.
The 1965 RPO Z16-optioned Malibu SS 396 is certainly considered one
of the rarest and, arguably, the most desirable Chevelle today. Of the
201 built, only about 70 are known to exist so finding a real unknown
RPO Z16 Malibu SS 396 today is not very likely.
A specially built 396 engine was used in the 1965 Malibu SS pumping
out 375 horsepower.
Aside from the two race cars mentioned, the Ray Allen convertible and "Red Alert", the LS6 Chevelle is still, today, arguably the most sought after 1970 Chevelle with typically 6-figure selling prices. Correctly restored LS5 Malibus and even the L34 and L78 Malibus can bring a hefty price in the upper 5-figure range at private sales as well as auctions when more than one person wants the car and 1971/1972 Malibus are growing in popularity.
Well done restorations of 1970 Malibus with the other three engines, RPO L34 396/350hp, RPO L78 396/375hp, and RPO LS5 454/360hp, can still command mid to high 5-figure prices along with the 1971 and 1972 LS5-powered Malibus. Remember, aside from the unique pieces of the 1970 LS6 driveline, it costs just as much in body work, chassis work, paint, interior, etc. to properly restore a 1970 Chevelle with the other three engines; something to keep in mind whether you are looking at a “roller” to restore or buy one that has been recently restored. The same holds true for the 1971 and 1972 model years; aside from engine/transmission options the body work, chassis work, etc. costs can run the same. Generally, other years of Chevelles are not as costly to restore due to the relatively lower cost of those hard to find items.
Some engine/model combinations, like the 1970 L78 convertible or El Camino, are relatively rare due to the short production time of the L78 engine being an option for 1970.
| © Chevelle Restoration |
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1970 Chevelle SS396/SS454 Build Sheet Decode Program 1964-1972 Ship Manuals & Parts Catalog 1953-1972 Chevrolet Production Numbers |
