70 LSxChevelle Build

[gmachala404]

I ran into the same thing when searching for my car. I just did not want to deal with a lot of body work and all the cars with decent bodywork (even Malibus) were over
10K. I just been searching off and on for about 10 years found one SS clone about 5 years ago for 13K that had a nice body but a lot of body work of unknown quality and I could see rust bubbling up under the paint behind the rear wheels and across the lower rocker panels. So I passed. Decided to just focus on finding any rust free two door Malibu didn't care about color or engine or interior just rust free straight body and I was budgeting 18K for it. Still took a while but I found a very nice Malibu. Was a green 6 cyl Malibu that was converted to an SS in the early 90s. Paint was amazing compared to what I have seen before. Behind the doors was all clear no rust behind any of the panels. I checked everywhere. Removed the vents in the door sill and looked into the rear quarters and just light surface rust. I was amazed. I wanted it bad. It had **** for motor and trans and an OK interior but a hacked up dash and console. Asking price was 21K. The body work did it for me I paid the guy 21 for it. The exterior is just flawlessly beautiful floor pans same way nice painted. The paint job is pushing 20 years old and still looks incredible so I know the paint will hold up as it will always be kept in a garage. I fixed up the interior last year (SS dash, Z06 seats, Morris seat belts, carpet, panels etc) interior looks nice now. Now I can focus on the drive train, suspension, brakes and wheels, all the fun stuff. Sorry for rambling but if I were you I'd part that out and start with something a little farther along.