Here’s How Much A 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu Is Worth Today

Summary

• The 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu offers luxury and elegance, despite not being the most powerful option among muscle cars of its time.
• Prices for a ’68 Chevelle Malibu can vary depending on the engine option, ranging from $22,100 for the base engine to up to $65,300 for the top-of-the-line L79 engine in Concours condition.
• The ’68 Chevelle Malibu is the first model in the second generation of Chevelles, which is considered the best generation and holds a special place among muscle cars.

Throughout the Chevrolet Chevelle’s history, the Detroit-based manufacturer has released countless iterations of the iconic muscle car, all of which have added to the legendary status the Chevelle nameplate has gained. In the late 1960s to early ’70s, the muscle car scene reached all-new heights, with many considering this time as the golden age of the class. Out of all the cars that competed for the muscle car crown, the Chevelle always found itself near the top.

In 1968, an all-new generation of the Chevelle was released, and with it came plenty of updates for the model. Along with the performance-focused versions of the ’68 Chevelle, the top-end Luxury ‘Malibu’ trim was one of the most desirable options for the car. Despite not being quite as powerful as the likes of the SS 396, the Malibu made up for it with unmatched elegance and class.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from the manufacturer’s website and other authoritative sources, including YourMechanic, and Hagerty.

The Cost Of A 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu

The price range for the ’68 Chevelle Malibu can differ quite significantly depending on the engine option you decide to settle on. With a total of four different options, the base engine was a 307 cubic-inch V-8, producing 200 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. For a ’68 Chevelle Malibu in fair condition, Hagerty rates the average price at $22,100, while a Concours edition can reach $49,000. Moving to the 327 cubic-inch L73 engine, prices rise slightly to $23,900 for a Chevelle Malibu in fair condition, going up to $54,000 for a Concours condition example.

The two most powerful engines expectedly fetch the highest prices throughout the ’68 Chevelle Malibu range. For the 327 cubic-inch L30 engine, prices start at an average of $26,000, reaching $58,600 for the option in Concours condition. At the top of the ’68 Malibu line is the 327 cubic-inch L79 engine option, with a fair-condition model fetching $32,600 on average, and a concours condition model fetching up to $65,300.

How Does It Compare To Other Model Years?

With the Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu being produced from 1964 to 1977,average prices across Chevelle model years fluctuated heavily in comparison with the ’68 model. The original base ’64 Chevelle Malibu comes in at $20,400 on average, with the 1967 base model increasing to $24,600.

The following few years for the Malibu remained similar in terms of power output compared to the ’68 model, despite the more powerful SS trims receiving some of the biggest engines the model had seen. Despite this, the base-level ’69 Chevelle Malibu comes in at an average of just $17,450, with the 1970 base model bringing the average price to a familiar range of $35,450 on average. In terms of value for money, the ’68 Chevelle Malibu offers the same base power as the later years, despite having a slightly lower average price.

The Expected Running Costs

With the ’68 Chevelle Malibu being a pretty old classic car, it’s more than likely that you’ll come across some faults throughout your time as an owner. Of course, the better the upkeep will reduce the risk of more serious faults. YourMechanic reports that the average repair cost for a ’68 Chevelle falls between $95 and $4,496, with the most common faults being fuel pump replacements, brake caliper replacements, and strut assembly replacements. The ’68 Chevelle only has a combined 10.6 MPG, meaning you can expect to pay a fair amount per year on fuel.

The ’68 Chevelle Malibu Came With Multiple Engine Options

Keeping on topic with the array of engine options available for the ’68 Chevelle Malibu, these choices are what truly set the different trims of the Malibu apart from each other. While the exterior and interior styling remain predominantly the same for each option you choose, this choice led to a different experience behind the wheel.

Each Engine Compared

As mentioned previously, the base engine for the ’68 Chevelle Malibu is the 307 cubic-inch mill, which produces 200 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. This option is perfect if you don’t mind missing out on the performance benefits and have your sight set on the visuals of the car, with this model also costing the lowest on average on the used market today.

Moving up to the 327 cubic-inch L73 engine, the power output was bumped up to 250 horsepower. The L30 engine also has a displacement of 327 cubic inches but manages to churn out an extra 25 horsepower, bringing the total output to 275 horsepower and 355 pound-feet of torque. At only around $3,000 more on average today compared to the L73 engine, there’s a noticeable increase in power for a slight price increase.

The top-of-the-line L79 once again has a 327 cubic-inch displacement, but sees the biggest jump in power, producing 325 horsepower and 360 pound-feet of torque. If a combination of luxury and SS-esque performance is what you’re looking for, the L79 engine option should tick every box the Chevelle Malibu has to its name.

The ’68 Malibu Is Renowned for Its Luxury Editions As Standard

As well as the engines under the hood of the ’68 Chevelle Malibu, the luxury trim focused much more on overall comfort compared to the other versions of the Chevelle. The ride quality of the Chevelle Malibu saw improvements thanks to its stronger suspension, but the real defining characteristics could be found inside. The Malibu trim came standard with an automatic transmission to take one less task away from the driver, as well as additions such as factory air conditioning as standard.

Why Choose A 1968 Chevelle Malibu?

Considering that throughout the late ’60s, there were multiple Chevelle Malibus produced, deciding which one you should purchase could be a tricky task. Firstly, the 1969 Model was the first to usher in the second generation of the Chevelle, which kickstarted what many consider to be the best generation, lasting until 1972. Being the first model in one of the greatest muscle car generations of all time comes with a level of esteem and iconography that can only be found in a handful of muscle cars.

The Most Luxurious Trim Available

While many muscle cars focused on providing the most amount of power possible (which the Chevelle also focused on with the SS 396 trim), the Malibu stands head above shoulders in a smaller category of luxury-focused muscle cars. Despite being the most luxurious ’68 Chevelle Malibu available, the trim still retained the aggressive yet stunning visuals that still make the Chevelle so distinct.

Compared to the Chevy Camaro, which was the other Chevrolet muscle car leading the charge, the Chevelle adheres much closer to the boxy, brash design philosophy that muscle cars of this period follow. Despite this, the Malibu trim still manages to exude class, especially with its comfort-focused interior allowing you to focus solely on the car’s feel on the road. While opting for the more powerful engines available for the ’68 model year, no option falls short of another in upholding Chevelle Malibu’s opulent reputation.

Most Notable Takeaways:

• The cheapest 1968 Chevelle Malibu engine option starts at an average price of $22,100 on today’s market, in used condition. This is for the base-level 307 cubic-inch trim.
• Out of all the ’68 Chevelles, the Malibu trim is the pinnacle of luxury, coming standard with interior features such as factory air conditioning.
• Prices for a ’68 Chevelle Malibu can reach up to $65,300 for the largest L79 V-8, albeit in concours condition.
• The ’68 Chevelle was the first of the second generation of the nameplate, which is widely regarded as the best out of them all.

What To Look For When Buying A ’68 Chevelle Malibu

If the 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu sounds like a muscle car for you, there are a few things that you’ll need to take into account when searching for the perfect example. Most importantly, make sure that the price doesn’t either exceed the average price depending on the vehicle’s condition or fall short of the average price, which could indicate further potential faults.

Also, checking that the model has received proper maintenance is key to ensuring that you’re getting your money’s worth. The most common problems that occur with Chevelles in general is the need to replace various components, such as the brake calipers and fuel pump.

Due to the potential need to replace these components, making sure that the model still has authentic parts throughout is another element to note if you want a fully original (or closest to) ’68 Chevelle Malibu. Engine swaps for later 454 V-8s are common for older Chevelle models, which can push up the price sometimes significantly.

As well most older cars, rust can be a major problem if left untreated. Muscle cars from this era are also known to be more prone to rust issues. Areas such as the rocker panels, truck floor, frame rails, and wheel arches are the key places to check for rust, but be sure to give the rest of the car a check for signs of rust development. However, the problems that the ’68 Chevelle Malibu is most prone to aren’t any reason to avoid the model, especially with its affordability compared to its competitors.