This Chevelle epitomizes the street parked survivor that catches my eye. This car was bought as a standard car with the smallest v8, the 307, and has faithfully fulfilled daily driver duty for over forty years. That it has survived and continues to see regular use is remarkable.


The Chevelle was Chevrolet’s mid-size offering. It was available in a wide range of flavors, from an economy car with a spartan interior and a Turbo-thrift inline 6 to the fire breathing SS models with their 396 and 454 cubic inch engines.

Today’s subject is a Chevelle Malibu, the Malibu package adding some nice frills like bucket seats and nicer interior bits. The landau top could have been part of the Malibu package but may also have been a dealer installed item.

This car’s 307 cubic inch v8 is interesting for being the last iteration of the original 265 cubic inch small block v8 introduced in 1955. The 265 was bored to 283 cubic inches in 1957. That engine was stroked in 1968 to provide this engine’s 307 cubic inch displacement. While the 265 and 283 are known for their high power ratings, the 307 was never offered with a high power tune. The 307 in this car likely makes about 200 horsepower.

The owner of this car appeared as I was taking pictures – this happens from time to time. Usually owners are not surprised by my interest in their car. This car’s owner was curious and suspicious why I was taking pictures but quickly relaxed and opened up when I explained that I was merely an enthusiast interested in his cool old car. This car still has its original engine and runs fine, even if the owner wishes it got better fuel economy.

This is one of my favorite Street Parked cars that I’ve found so far. This car is a time capsule. It has not been bastardized into a teenager’s hot rod, nor has it been resto-modded into what may as well be a modern car. It’s an honest survivor still doing the job it was built to do. Let’s hope it continues to soldier on as long as its owner needs it to; I see no reason why it won’t.

For more Street Parked goodness click here