Last year of the Super Sport (SS) Chevelle
The Chevelle was one of the most popular Chevrolets of all time, and it remains a favorite among collectors and enthusiasts alike. Introduced in 1964, the car underwent three generations before its conclusion in 1977. It was not discontinued, so much as renamed, however, as the highest-end Malibu trim line was far and away the most popular throughout the entire production run of the Chevelle, so it simply absorbed the model when the Malibu was released under its own name in 1978. Discounting a 14-year gap in production between 1983 and 1997, the Malibu is still produced today and remains a popular, if more pedestrian, offering.
The 1973 Malibu SS is especially prized, as not only was this the last year the Chevelle came in an SS trim, but it is also the first year of the third generation, regarded as one of the best years of the car as a whole. The one on offer today has a couple of rough edges on the inside, but overall, it’s in good shape and a great find, with a lot of the repair and maintenance work already done.
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A perfectly preserved exterior
A lot of work has gone into making this car look pristine from the outside, starting with a fresh black paint job, which looks factory-new and shines in a glossy finish. The front and rear silver bumpers have stylish yet functional bolts connecting them to the body, which gives an industrial inflection to the vehicle’s styling. The black grille is fairly wide, with an SS badge proudly displayed in the center, and two square headlight mounts, though the headlights themselves are circular.
SS badging can also be found on the front fenders, as well as in the center of the rear fender, just under the trunk lock. The 350ci engine also receives badging, prominently displayed on the front fenders behind the headlights in red lettering, while a cursive “Chevelle” has been emblazoned on the passenger side of the trunk. In addition to the highly stylish aftermarket five-spoke wheels and Mastercraft Avenger GT tires, the original factory wheels are included in the sale as backups or for collectors to display greater authenticity.
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A bit less pristine on the inside, but with solid basics
The interior is also black and has undergone some restoration work, but there are also areas that could use a bit more TLC to truly make it a show car. The seats are in decent nick, with a bench in back as well as both the original front bench seat and a pair of aftermarket swivel seats that can be swapped back and forth up front.
The carpet is a bit worn and could stand to be restored or replaced, and the steering wheel is wrapped in braided leather with a two-point connector bar. Both of these would be relatively simple fixes, though if you like the original look, they are still equally as functional. The dash is pretty straightforward and seems to be in working order, with a central cluster and two auxiliary rectangular gauges to either side of it.
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A clean and well-cared-for powertrain
A powerful and seemingly well-cared-for 350ci (5.7L) V8 sits under the hood of this Chevelle, with all the guts and hoses seemingly in good order. All of that power is sent by a four-speed manual transmission back to the rear wheels, the best arrangement for driving responsiveness and control. There are just over 67,000 miles on the odometer, but as it is exempted, the true mileage is unknown.
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Final thoughts: A prized and rare Chevelle
As mentioned at the beginning, the 1973 Chevelle Malibu SS is an especially prized vintage for collectors. It was the first of the third-generation models, the last to have the SS performance upgrades, the highest trim line for luxury and comfort, and all around a great-looking, great-performing piece of Chevrolet history.
This particular example has a great deal of work already done, from a repaint to aftermarket wheels to replacement seats. There’s also more work on the interior if you so desire, which would up the glamour and make this already great deal into a true show-stopper. Whether you leave it as-is for the collectability or are looking for a side project that is mostly completed and just needs touching up, this Chevelle has a lot to offer.
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