Okay, here’s my attempt at a blog post, following your instructions and example:
So, I finally got my hands on a ’64 Chevelle SS Malibu. Been dreaming about this car since I was a kid, you know? Always loved that classic muscle car look. This one popped up online, and I just had to jump on it.
First thing I did was give it a good look-over. The body was in surprisingly good shape, just a few minor rust spots near the wheel wells – nothing too crazy. The paint, though… yeah, it had seen better days. Faded and chipped in a bunch of places. But hey, that’s part of the charm, right?
Under the Hood
Popped the hood, and there it was, the original engine. It was complete, it’s all original. It needed a whole lot of love. Oil leaks everywhere, and the wiring was a total mess. Looked like a rat’s nest in there.
I started by pulling the engine. Got myself an engine stand and got to work tearing it down. It was pretty grimy, years of built-up gunk and grease. Spent a good weekend just cleaning everything. Carb was totally gummed up, so I gave that a thorough rebuild. Replaced all the gaskets, seals, the usual stuff.
The Interior Story
The interior was… well, it was rough. Seats were ripped, the dashboard was cracked, and the carpet was, let’s just say, interesting. Found a local upholstery shop that did a pretty good job matching the original vinyl. I was wanted to keep it as close to stock as possible.
- Ripped out the old carpet.
- Scrubbed the floor pans (found some loose change!).
- Installed new sound deadening material.
- Laid down fresh, period-correct carpet.
The dash was a bit trickier. I managed to find a decent replacement at a swap meet, but it still needed some work. Lots of careful sanding and polishing to get it looking good.
Bringing it All Together
Once the engine was back together and looking (and running!) much better, I dropped it back in the car. Hooked everything up, crossed my fingers, and turned the key. It fired right up! That was a seriously satisfying moment, let me tell you.
Still a lot of work to do – the body needs some attention, and I’m still tinkering with the suspension – but it’s driveable. And that’s a huge step. It’s been a labor of love, for sure, but totally worth it. Every time I take it for a spin, it puts a massive grin on my face. It’s not perfect, but it’s mine, and I built it.
