Minneapolis Street Sighting: Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu four door

As I've mentioned before, finding vehicles from the 1970s and 1980s is rather easy around here, even if said vehicles are in rather rough shape; however, finding vehicles from the 1960s is a bit more challenging. Not only is the survival rate fairly low, but most of the surviving vehicles from the era get chopped up and made into either donks, custom cars, or have been mutilated in a demolition derby.
Chevrolets are honestly some of the most common vehicles here, classic or not. I've seen way too many Impalas, and hoards and hoards of two-door Chevelles in various condition. Four door Chevelles from any era are quite uncommon here, and seeing a 1960s-era example? Pretty slim chance, I think. But that's exactly what I found early this summer on one of my first all-day riding sprees. I couldn't believe my eyes, and I probably spent more time staring at it in awe than actually shooting it.











Unlike the last Chevrolet four-door I posted, this Chevelle is pretty nice. No obvious paint mishaps, the chrome seems good, and the trim is intact, and in very good condition. There is some orange peel present, suggesting that this may be an older restoration turned to summer driver status, but that doesn't really bug me. A car is supposed to get driven, even if it is a classic.
The only thing I take issue with, and this is relatively minor given the rest of the car, is the wheel choice. Sure there are other wheel choices that probably would be better, but the owner chose these wires. While I don't out right hate them, I think they'd be better suited for something like an Impala or Biscayne rather than a four-door Chevelle-Malibu.
I like these thing for what it is; a no-frills basic four-door sedan that's had enough care to survive nearly four decades. With the right care, I'm sure it could survive four more. Cheers to the owner for helping save a not-sought-after version of one of Chevrolet's most sought-after nameplates.

Minneapolis Street Sighting: Chevrolet Chevelle 396 SS

I usually don't feature vehicles that have been extensively modified, but I'll break that rule here. As a car enthusiast, I usually am picky about change, but I've been noticing that the car customizing scene has been changing in general. Stock muscle cars are no longer considered cool, apparently, so quite a bevy of changes need to be made for these once-heralded vehicles to gain a seal of approval to their new owners. Sometimes, that means being jacked up ludicrously high, and being slathered with obnoxious paint colors to no end. Here, though, the "donk" theme was taken very lightly; no garishness to be seen.
Chevy's Chevelle was--and still is-- the muscle car king as far as the Chevy boys are concerned; it's a vehicle that, not unlike the Camaro, has a cult following for quite a few genres of the automotive spectrum. The big-wheel crowds likes em because 24s and 26s will fit in the stock wheelwells with ease, the dragster crowd likes them because you can cram big engines under the hood (and through the hood for that matter), and the pro-touring people like them for both reasons. Really, one has to wonder if GM designed these cars to be classics and sought after.
Finished in what appears to be a stock light blue hue, this classic muscle car clearly sets an example what Minnesotans can do in terms of car customizing in this era. When one thinks of donk, or "tyte whip" as I so tagged this post, one usually thinks of the absurd cars you find in failfests and online at websites such as www.youdrivewhat.com and Ricecop, but this clean Chevelle shares none of those traits. Gone are the trashy murals that look reminiscent of the custom vans of yore, off with the gigantic chrome blobs that pass for wheels these days, and most importantly, no ridiculous body modifications have been performed. What lay before your eyes is probably one of the nicest non-cliche custom Chevelles I've seen in person.
Inside, this classic muscle was pretty much untouched save for a very well hidden modern head unit and kickpanel speakers and subs. Perfect. From what I gathered, the interior is mostly original, but since it was a Minnesota car, it definitely needed touching up-- and it got that. Aside from the incorporated stereo system, which I absolutely love, the interior is just about as good as it gets on a muscle car. White leather on a blue vehicle is just about what I would've done too. If nothing else, the interior goes extremely well with the vinyl roof.
Sure, it could've been given a set of staggered Asantis or maybe a set of Forgiatos, but the wheels on this beast look alright. Aside from that little issue, an alignment check is definitely in order if the steering wheel is any indication. Once those two negatives get addressed, this clean Chevelle will definitely be ready to hit the streets. I'd proudly drive this thing around, and maybe lay down a few donuts too while I'm at it. Forget your typical loud paintjob and dumb murals, this is how you do a donk-style car.