Story
1964 Chevrolet Chevelle
Chevrolet introduced the Chevelle for 1964 on a 115-inch-wheelbase A-body. The family included Chevelle 300, Malibu, Malibu SS, wagon, convertible, and Chevelle-based El Camino bodies. Chevrolet reported 370,834 vehicles: 149,506 with six-cylinder engines and 221,328 with V8s.
Engines and transmissions
The 194 and 230 inline-sixes produced 120 and 155 gross horsepower. The 283 V8 offered 195- and 220-hp paths. Midyear 327 options produced 250 or 300 gross horsepower where eligible. Three-speed, overdrive, Powerglide, and four-speed combinations require matching controls, cooling, axle ratios, body eligibility, dates, and records.
Chassis and bodies
Unequal-length front control arms and a four-link live rear axle used coil springs at all four corners. Four-wheel drums were standard hardware, with power assist and metallic linings by application. Convertible, wagon, and El Camino structures used body-specific frame reinforcement.
Series, trim, and identity
Malibu SS was a series and trim treatment, not a big-block engine package. No factory 396 or 427 belonged in a regular 1964 Chevelle. Start with the VIN, Fisher body tag, title, shell, and ownership history, then reconcile engine suffix and dates, transmission, axle, brakes, suspension, protected finish, upholstery, instruments, moldings, and options. Badges, bucket seats, a floor shifter, or a later V8 are supporting observations, not proof.