Home » Gallery » 1968 Malibu Barn Find

This is a classic Malibu that our client literally found in a barn and decided to have us restore.  It would be the first time (but not the last) that a customer would spend a pretty penny on a non-Super Sport car.

Pre-restoration features:

• Smoking engine, leaky headers, burnt distributor cap
• Whole car covered with dirt inside & out
• Transmission leaked like a sieve!
• Interior rotted out, cracked everywhere
• No paint
• Brake system featuring duct tape on hydraulic lines!
• Tires cracked and ready to explode

Considering its condition, it is nothing short of amazing that with a little preparation on our part, we were able to start it and let it run after sitting for so many years, let alone pass an emissions check! (see the burnt distributor cap in the photo on page 2 of  the gallery below).  For a car with duct tape patching a hole is the rear hydraulic lines, it's equally amazing that it stopped.  To say that this car needed everything is the understatement of any year.

The Process

We started by completely gutting the interior and stripping the exterior.  Because of dings, dents and overall damage, there was almost nothing that we could re-use in terms of interior or trim.  The sheet metal was not in bad shape as far as rust was concerned, but every piece of brake hardware and suspension was absolutely shot.

See the Starting Point:

Click on any photo below to enlarge it, and click the Play button on any enlarged photo to start a slide show.  For a treat, see the outcome of Chevelle Specialties' restoration of this classic barn find  here ».