The Prodigal Car: '64 Malibu SS

The Prodigal Car

Marla Woodward • Santa Ana, CA

Photos by Pete Sommers

I purchased my Chevelle Malibu SS new from Chase Chevrolet in Stockton, California, in 1964. This was my daily driver for seven years and I put about 60,000 miles on it before selling it. Unfortunately, I had to sell my favorite car once our family began to grow in favor of a station wagon. I would not see my Chevelle again for 26 years.



In 1990, my husband, Ted, heard about a Chevelle that sounded just like the one we had sold in 1964 that was in Newark, California, just a few miles from our home in Oakland. He contacted the owner and asked if he could see the car. Sure enough, it was my ’64. The owner was reluctant to part with it, but after reconsidering the cost of restoring it (there was lots of rust and it was generally in poor condition) he called Ted and they settled on a price. When I got home from work that night, it was sitting in our driveway after being AWOL for 25 years. My front license plate was still on it.



After the car sat for the next seven years, we finally decided to do a complete frame-off restoration. The original engine and drivetrain were intact; a 220hp “Power Pack” (4-barrel/dual exhaust) 283ci V8 hooked to a Powerglide. The 300 foot-pounds of torque it produces run through a 3.36, 10-bolt rearend. The restoration was done using all GM factory parts. No aftermarket pieces were used. NOS parts were purchased from our friends Dick and Linda Brandt of True Connections, Riverside, California. Dick supervised the whole restoration.

The body was stripped, sanded to bare metal, primed and repainted (the original paint color was Grey). The running gear was powder coated with black semi-gloss (including inner fender liners, front-end suspension and steering components) as were all appropriate brackets and underhood items such as the radiator support.

The engine was rebuilt to stock specifications by Magnolia Machine of Riverside, California. Mogi Transmission in Riverside, California, renewed the Powerglide and rear end. The alternator, starter and horn relay were rebuilt or replaced with new NOS. The Carter WCFB 4-barrel carburetor was rebuilt and replated.

B.F. Goodrich 7.50x14 bias-ply tires with the correct sidewalls were added from Kuma Tires in Riverside, California. Wheels were sandblasted and powder coated.


The steering wheel was refurbished. Four NOS wheel covers replaced the 130,000 mile originals, which were still on the car.

The interior came next, which included sanding and wire wheel work under the dash, inside the roof and the complete floor pan. This was followed by metal sealer, primer and paint. Henry Torres Upholstery of Riverside, CA, installed a complete interior, including original finish dash pad, kick panels, new seat foam, new carpet, emblems and decals along with new basket-weave headliner.

Optional equipment that was on the car when I bought it is still there:

• Air conditioning

• Power windows

• Tilt wheel

• Anti-sway bars - front and rear

• Driver’s side remote control rearview mirror

Restoration was completed in 1999 and it was a real joy to once again be behind the wheel of my ’64 Chevelle.

Although my car had once been lost... it is now found!