1964 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu Series

When Chevrolet introduced its Chevelle in 1964, it was the right car at the right time, a perfect rebound from the disappointing Chevy II, and just as Ford was overshadowing Chevrolet sales figures. The stylish and conventional design was instantly recognizable as a junior counterpart to the full-size Chevrolet and was marketed as the GM division's 'senior compact.' It offered Chevy buyers a wide and complete model range to suit nearly any buyer requirement. Positioned to fill the gap between the compact Chevy II and Corvair lines and the full-size Chevrolets, the Chevelle was an immediate sales success.

Organized along with the entry-level Chevelle 300 and upscale Chevelle Malibu series, the new Chevy was built at GM Assembly plants in Baltimore, Kansas City, and a new factory set up in Fremont, California.

The Chevrolet Chevelle was based upon a perimeter frame with a 115-inch wheelbase length and full coil-spring underpinnings shared with its stable-mates from Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and Buick. Nearly every Chevrolet engine, ranging from thrifty inline sixes to powerful small-block V-8s, were available to the Chevelle. In all, no fewer than 14 specific powertrain combinations were available for the Chevelle's introductory year. The base Chevelle engine was the 194 cubic-inch inline 'six' shared with the Chevy II Nova, and a larger 230 cubic-inch 'six' was optional, shared with Chevrolet's full-size model lines. The Chevelle's V-8 power choices included a 283 V-8 with up to 220 horsepower for 1964, with the 300-horsepower 327 not initially listed in Chevy sales literature but nonetheless becoming available later during the 1964 model year.

The Chevelle had similar squared lines to the Chevy II but with unique curved side window glass. Body styles in both the base Series 300 and the Malibu included a two- and four-door sedan, and a two- and four-door station wagon. The Malibu added a convertible priced at $2,590. The base two-door sedan listed at $2,230 and the four-door was priced at $2,270.

The base 300 lacked body side moldings while the Malibu models had a full-length strip of metal along the lower beltline, Malibu rear fender script, and an insert at the rear. The Super Sport (SS) option was devoid of the lower belt trim and instead, had a molding that traversed the full length of the upper body ridge and continued along the rear fender edge. Additionally, they had SS rear fender and rear panel badges and unique wheel covers.

The 'SS' Super Sport trim and performance option were immediately available for the Chevelle, as was a new GM-sourced four-speed manual transmission with floor shift and the venerable Powerglide automatic.

The Chevy Chevelle would become one of the most popular muscle cars of the classic era, and its initial appeal was that it could be highly personalized to the budget-minded buyer.

In its introductory year, a total of 142,034 Chevelle's were equipped with six-cylinder engines and 196,262 had V8 engines.

by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2020