Why This Car Is Special

The 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu is widely considered the high point of the first-generation Chevelle design. Chevrolet introduced the Chevelle for 1964 as a mid-size answer to the wildly popular Ford Fairlane, and by 1966 the formula had been refined into one of the most balanced cars the division ever built. The body received a full redesign that year, moving away from the boxy 1964-65 look and adopting a longer, lower, more sculpted profile with a wider stance and a more aggressive front end featuring quad headlamps flanking a horizontal bar grille. It was a cleaner, more confident design, and collectors have recognized it as such for decades.

The Malibu was the premium trim level of the Chevelle line in 1966, sitting above the base 300 series and below the performance-focused SS 396. It offered a meaningful list of creature comforts and styling upgrades while remaining accessible enough to sell in large numbers. Convertibles, however, were a different story. Open-top Chevelles were built in far lower volumes than their hardtop and coupe counterparts, making them the more desirable body style by a wide margin today.

What you have here is a 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu convertible finished in Silver Blue over a black vinyl interior — a color combination that photographs well and holds up even better in person. The VIN decodes this car as a Malibu-series convertible built at the Kansas City assembly plant in 1966, which is consistent with everything presented. The car was restored in 2019 and presents well throughout, with a focused set of upgrades that improve drivability without stripping away the character of the original car.

Features List

• 350 V8 engine
• Edelbrock intake manifold
• 4-barrel carburetor
• Cold air intake upgrade
• Polished aluminum valve covers
• Dual exhaust with chrome tips
• 3-speed automatic transmission
• Power steering
• Power disc brakes with brake booster
• Black convertible top
• Black vinyl bench seat interior
• Wood-grain steering wheel
• Instrument clock
• Aftermarket stereo
• Door speakers
• Chrome Boyd Coddington wheels with BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires
• Chrome rocker molding
• Chrome bumpers front and rear
• Dual side mirrors
• Chevy Bowtie floor mats
• Correct jack and spare tire
• Clean undercarriage
• Restored 2019

Mechanical

The 350 cubic inch small-block V8 under the hood is a proven, well-supported engine that has powered millions of GM vehicles across several decades. It is paired here with an Edelbrock intake manifold, a 4-barrel carburetor, polished aluminum valve covers, and a cold air intake upgrade. The Edelbrock manifold is a particularly smart addition — their single-plane and dual-plane aluminum intakes have been a go-to performance upgrade for small-block Chevys since the 1970s, improving throttle response and airflow over the factory cast-iron piece. The engine bay is clean and well-organized, with the bright red block and polished valve covers giving the compartment a sharp, finished look without being overdone.

The transmission is a 3-speed automatic, which makes this car straightforward to drive in any setting — a cruise, a car show, or just daily use on weekends. Power steering and power disc brakes have been fitted, two upgrades that matter significantly on a car of this weight and vintage. Disc brakes in particular bring the stopping capability of this 1966 Chevelle Malibu convertible in line with modern driving expectations, which is a real-world improvement over the four-wheel drum setup that most of these cars left the factory with. The dual exhaust exits cleanly through chrome tips visible below the rear chrome bumper. The undercarriage photos show a solid, black-coated floor pan with no visible rust or damage — an important detail on any 59-year-old convertible, where water intrusion over the decades can compromise structure in ways that are expensive to correct.

Interior

The interior of this 1966 Chevelle Malibu is finished in black vinyl throughout, which is the correct and complementary choice for the Silver Blue exterior. The bench seat configuration is intact front and rear, and the vinyl shows well for a car that has seen real use. The Malibu trim level brought a nicer level of interior finish than the base Chevelle 300, including the horizontal ribbed door panels with chrome accents visible in the photos — those panels are correct for the body style and trim level.

The dash carries the Malibu's standard instrument cluster layout, which includes a fuel gauge, speedometer, and the instrument clock listed as a feature — a detail that was optional on many 1966 Chevelles and worth noting when present. The column-mounted shifter for the automatic transmission is correct for the period. The wood-grain steering wheel is a period-appropriate upgrade that suits the interior well, giving the driver's position a finished look. An aftermarket stereo head unit has been installed in the factory radio location, and door speakers are fitted in both front doors. Chevy Bowtie floor mats cover the carpet, which appears dark and intact in the photos. Seat belts are present front and rear, adding a basic level of safety that the original factory equipment would have included on a 1966 model.

Exterior

The Silver Blue paint on this 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu convertible is one of those colors that works particularly well on the second-generation Chevelle body. The 1966 sheetmetal features a relatively clean side profile broken up by a subtle character line, with the Malibu rocker molding running the length of the lower body — that chrome trim is present and straight on this car. The front and rear chrome bumpers are in good condition, consistent with a 2019 restoration. The black convertible top is fitted and appears to be in good shape, providing a sharp contrast against the Silver Blue body.

The wheels are Boyd Coddington-branded chrome pieces, a well-known name in the custom wheel industry. They are fitted with BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires, a tire with a long association with American muscle and classic trucks. The Radial T/A has been produced since 1971 and remains one of the more recognizable performance tire designs available today. Dual side mirrors are fitted, and the "Malibu" script badge — visible in the photos on what appears to be the valve cover — is a detail that identifies the trim level clearly. The correct Chevelle front license plate frame is present and correct to the era.

Conclusion

The 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu convertible occupies an interesting position in the collector market. It is not an SS 396 — it does not carry the badge, the big-block, or the premium that comes with those cars — but that also means it is not priced like one. What it does offer is the same body style, the same open-air experience, and a driving character that is arguably more relaxed and usable. The 350 small-block with the Edelbrock induction setup makes enough power to be fun without being a handful, and the power steering and disc brakes mean you can actually enjoy it. The 2019 restoration brought the car to a presentable, driver-quality condition, and the clean undercarriage confirms the work was done with some care. For a buyer who wants a genuine 1966 Chevelle convertible they can drive regularly without constant anxiety, this Silver Blue Malibu is a solid, honest car.

To learn more or to schedule a time to see this 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu convertible in person, call Skyway Classics in Sarasota, Florida at 941-254-6608.

Disclaimer

Information found on the website is presented as given to us by the owner of the car, whether on consignment or from the owner we bought it from. Some Photos, materials for videos, descriptions and other information are provided by the consignor/seller and is deemed reliable, but Skyway Classics does not warranty or guarantee this information. Skyway Classics is not responsible for information that may incorrect or a publishing error. The decision to purchase should be based solely on the buyers personal inspection of the vehicle or by a professional inspection service prior to offer or purchase being made.