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You know we get a lot of A-body convertibles here at Streetside Classics, but this cool 1966 Chevrolet Malibu ragtop stands apart. Not over-done, it's just clean, sleek, and packs a great-running small block to get some attention. This is how to do it if you're going to build a car that does everything well. With a snarky 355 cubic inch small block under the hood and those big wheels, the pretext of this being a candidate for points judging is long gone, but if you're looking for the slickest and freshest A-body ragtop on the market, we're pretty sure this is it. The sizzling metallic burgundy paint is a little bit subtle, and on this big, bad convertible it delivers big-time eyeball appeal. Of course, that's only possible with great bodywork, so every square inch of the sheetmetal was stripped, straightened, and smoothed before any of that gorgeous red paint was applied and the results were definitely worth the effort. The doors close easily and show good shut lines, the cowl-induction hood fits flush, and you can see how crisp and clear the reflections are in the car's surfaces; you know that doesn't happen by accident. Most of the emblems were shaved, so it looks very clean, and they wisely avoided stripes or graphics and just let the bodywork speak for itself. Good choice! Malibu fans will also be delighted to see a fairly stock black bucket seat interior, complete with a factory center console. The seat covers, door panels, and carpets look recent, and there's a handsome Grant steering wheel that looks especially cool here. The original gauges were nothing exciting, so a full set of Auto Meter dials were tucked into the factory dash. Upgrades include a polished tilt steering column and a great-sounding Pioneer AM/FM/CD stereo head unit that slots into the dash like it was born there. Up top there's a recent black power convertible top that fits so snugly you can bounce quarters off its surface and the trunk is neatly detailed with matching black carpets and a full-sized spare. Any variety of engines slip right between the Malibu's front fenders, so this one got a balanced and blueprinted 355 cubic inch V8 that's dressed a bit like the original might have been. An open-element air cleaner hides an Edelbrock carburetor a polished intake manifold, but the Chevy Orange paint on the block sure looks like GM-issue. There's also an HEI distributor, big aluminum radiator with electric fans, and a set of long-tube headers feeding a stainless exhaust system with an X-pipe to give it a wonderfully threatening rumble. There's also a TH350 3-speed automatic transmission and a 10-bolt rear end with 3.42 gears inside, so it is equally happy on the streets or the highways. The floors are solid, the rockers are straight, and all the work has a very professional look to it, so there's no denying this car's quality. Handsome American Racing wheels look like vintage Torque Thrusts and carry big 245/45/17 performance radials. This is one of those cars that's probably even nicer in person than it looks in photos. Straight, beautifully built, and impressively fast, you couldn't build one this nice for less money. Call today!
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