Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.Bidding on Bring a Trailer has reached $44,000 with six days left on this 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu convertible, offered on dealer consignment out of Elkhorn, Nebraska. The owner bought it in 2019 and completed a refurbishment in 2021 that touched the sheet metal, paint, interior, chassis, and drivetrain. Car show awards from 2021 through 2023 come with it, along with build records and a clean Nebraska title.1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu ConvertibleBring a TrailerWhat it's worth right nowComps tracked by Classic.com for a 1966 Chevelle Malibu Restomod span $40,437 to $110,479, and a broader 1966 Chevelle Restomod comparison set runs $54,754 to $149,201. Classics on Autotrader puts the average 1966 Chevelle at $69,185, with listings reaching $174,500. Convertibles command a premium over hardtops in this market, and quality of finish separates cars far more than engine choice does. Fair value here sits at $58,000 to $72,000, with $65,000 the most likely close.1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu ConvertibleBring a TrailerNine bids in the first day carried this car from $12,000 to $44,000, which tells its own story on how the market is reading the presentation. With 905 watchers and six days remaining, the current bid is well short of where comparable convertible builds finish. No prior sale price is documented, and the 2019 purchase figure is unknown, so the build cost is the only spending reference, and it is not disclosed either. The awards from 2021 through 2023 support the top half of the range, provided the underlying metal work holds up to scrutiny.Condition and detailsTwo items deserve attention. The data plate is affixed with replacement rivets, which the listing states plainly, and it decodes to Marina Blue with a white top and a black vinyl bench seat interior. The car today is metallic blue with a dark blue top and tan vinyl bucket seats. None of that is hidden, and repainting a Malibu in a different color is entirely legitimate, but replacement rivets on a data plate always invite verification, and the plate is the primary document tying the build to the car. A buyer should confirm the VIN on the cowl tag and frame against the title before bidding to a serious number.1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu ConvertibleBring a TrailerThe second item is what the metal work covered up. The selling dealer discloses that the body was sandblasted, the quarter panels were replaced, and the doors and fenders were repaired, then the floor pan and trunk received Dynamat and Lizard Skin coating before re-trimming, with 3M Body Schutz applied underneath. That is a normal sequence for a build of this type, and it is also a sequence that makes the repaired areas impossible to inspect afterward. One bidder asked directly for photographs of the floors, inner rockers, body mounts, and trunk taken after blasting and before the coatings went on. That request had not been answered as of publication, and the answer matters.1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu ConvertibleBring a TrailerAdvertisementAdvertisementA commenter also questioned whether the rear end is the 12-bolt the listing describes, suggesting it looks like a 10-bolt. Nobody has resolved that yet, and it is a straightforward thing for the consignor to confirm. The remaining questions are mechanical rather than structural, including the 327's internal specification, which four-speed is installed, and whether the Holley Sniper setup has produced any hot-start or tuning issues across the 8k miles since completion. A pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost, with specific attention to the underbody and the rear axle identification.1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu ConvertibleBring a TrailerThe offerSpecificationDetailMakeChevroletModelChevelle MalibuYear1966Mileage8k miles indicated on a digital odometer since the buildEngineReplacement 327ci V8 with Holley Sniper electronic fuel injectionPowerNot specified by the seller, and the modified engine alters factory outputTransmissionFour-speed manualDrive typeRear-wheel driveExterior colorMetallic blueInterior colorTan vinylCurrent bid$44,000Interested in this Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu? View the listing here.What makes the Chevelle Malibu uniqueFor 1966, Chevrolet restyled the Chevelle with a semi-fastback roofline on the hardtops, a squarer front end, and cleaner flanks, and the result is widely regarded as the best-looking year of the first generation. The Malibu sat above the base 300 series as the trim level that brought bucket seats, a console, and better interior appointments, and the convertible added a power-operated top. Underneath was a conventional full-frame chassis with a coil-sprung rear axle, which is exactly why the platform accepts modern suspension parts without drama.1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu ConvertibleBring a TrailerThat accessibility has made the 1966 Chevelle one of the most heavily built cars in the hobby, and it has also made an honest one harder to find. A large share of survivors have been converted into SS clones or fitted with LS engines, and commenters on this listing repeatedly noted their appreciation that neither happened here. A period-correct 327 with modern fuel injection, a four-speed, and a Malibu badge that has stayed a Malibu badge sits in a smaller subset of the market than the raw production numbers suggest.My takeFair value sits at $58,000 to $72,000, with $65,000 the most likely result, and the crux is verification rather than taste. The car presents extremely well, the color and wheel combination has drawn genuine praise, and the decision to keep a small-block Chevy and a four-speed instead of dropping in an LS is the choice that ages best in this segment. Awards across three show seasons and 8k miles of use since completion suggest a build that was finished properly and then actually driven.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe offsetting items are a data plate on replacement rivets, extensive metal repair now sealed under sound deadening and coatings, an unanswered request for progress photographs, and an open question over the rear axle. None of those is disqualifying, and all of them are answerable by the consignor in a single reply. Bidding to $65,000 makes sense once those answers arrive. Bidding past $72,000 without them means paying for a build history that has not been shown, and modifications on this scale narrow the buyer pool and rarely return what they cost.Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. We are not a dealership or broker. All vehicle specifications, pricing, and availability are subject to change without notice. We are not responsible for typographical errors, omissions, or the accuracy of the provided information. Please verify all details directly with the seller.Autoblog aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Sep 1, 2026, where it first appeared in the Car Buying section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.