Hullo Rick, Dennis and Dale, After the American Chevies (Impala, Chevelle Chevy II and Corvair, South Africa switched to the Holden vehicles "Australia" +- 1968 later named Chevrolet; Kommando, Constancia, de Ville and Caprice de Ville and then to the re-badged Opel Rekord "Ranger"with the 4cyl 192ci Chevy 2 engine. Brazil had the Opala as their re-badged Opel. The later Opel models became Chevrolet 2.5, 3.8 and 4.1 models (American engines) and later as Chev Rekord, Commodore and Senator with German engines. With Chevrolet back in South African they are now selling Australian Holden as Chevrolet (Chevy Spark and Lumina) and also have original Opel and Suzuki models on sale.
The mechanical parts are freely available but the trim parts must be imported from the USA. All the exterior and interior trim on this Malibu is still original 43 years old! The carpet, rooflining and seats have been re-covered. I am looking for full hubcaps to replace the original rims. I cannot import them as the cost $400, is equivilant to R3200 (SA) and does not include import duties and freight, more than triple the cost of a full set of tires or a set of mag rims. Those mags on the Malibu set me back $240 new. Visit Dayle Coombe's website http://www.moby302.co.za/ and you will get the history of Chevrolet in South Africa. Locally (SA) made Chevrolets are becoming very scarce and it appears that this 1965 Malibu may be the only surviving one. I know of three Chevelle 300's that are stil around, all 1964 models. More detail of the Malibu is to be seen at: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3134416 Many imported left hand drive vehicles (Malibu's included) are around and available, but right hand drive Chevy's and Fords are few. Johann I have a problem with GM SA as they have no inkling of the 60's and cannot assist me and the US site cannot recognise my details as it is not American. I would dearly like to get hold of the free Chevrolet restoration pack! ----- Original Message ----- From: Rick Schaefer To: The Chevelle Mailing List Sent: Saturday, August 16, 2008 3:48 PM Subject: Re: [Chevelle-list] Free Chevrolet Restoration Pack Johann That is a great story. It must have been difficult to restore a chevelle in SA - I doubt that there is a local parts supplier for it. And thank you for saving another chevelle. BTW - What is the American equivalent of a Ranger SS? Full size car? On 8/16/08, Johann Grobler <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Hullo Dale, This Malibu was assembled at the Kempston Road Plant in Port Elizabeth South Africa. I was working there at the time. The car came CKD from Canada with the Beaumonts and Acadians. Its VIN is A37240466P Code 65(Year) 13569(Malibu 4dr Sedan). There is also a hidden serial number on the right rear fender (13069X37) I can send you photos if required. It is called a Malibu but with SA Options that we decided on in Product Engineering GMSA. At that time we were working on operation Mayflower; the replacement for the Chevrolet (Ranger) I owned a 73 Ranger SS. Johann ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dale" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "'The Chevelle Mailing List'" <chevelle-list@chevelles.net> Sent: Friday, August 15, 2008 10:37 PM Subject: Re: [Chevelle-list] Free Chevrolet Restoration Pack Sorry, no web site I'm aware of. Dennis, Isn't the serial number and VIN one in the same? Never heard early years called a serial number. Anyway, I have 'restoration' kits for 65-72 Chevelles, specific 65 and 67 El Camino, as well as a 74 Vette I once had; also have factory assembly manuals for 66, 67, 69, & 70 Chevelles. The restoration kit and assembly manuals are two completely different animals - almost nothing in common that I've found. I don't know if GM will mail overseas or not and I don't know how their 800 number would be accessible overseas. Was your 65 built in the U.S. and exported as a RHD or was it built in one of GM's European plants? That might affect the VIN when ordering a kit. If it's a U.S.-built 65 built for export, it more than likely was built at Baltimore, Maryland. They're a major player in export Chevelles. If it has a Baltimore VIN, something like 133695B1xxxxx. Not really a lot of information as far as restoration needs in the 'restoration kit'. They consist of photocopies of general data and the 65 contains less than most years; data such information as model identification, regular equipment by series, regular production options, interior and exterior color choices, power team combinations and some engine specs. A factory assembly manual would be more helpful in getting correct parts and seeing how the final assembly was done. Note the assembly manuals DO NOT contain data on work done at Fisher Body, only those things added on the final assembly line. Dale McIntosh ChevelleCD.com ChevelleStuff.com -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:chevelle-list- [EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Johann Grobler Sent: Friday, August 15, 2008 1:57 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; The Chevelle Mailing List Subject: Re: [Chevelle-list] Free Chevrolet Restoration Pack Hullo Dennis, Is there an e-mail address available for us overseas guys? I have a 65 RHD Malibu Chevelle that I am restoring. You can view it at the showroom site. http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/39452 Johann ----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <chevelle-list@chevelles.net> Sent: Friday, August 15, 2008 8:22 PM Subject: [Chevelle-list] Free Chevrolet Restoration Pack > RESTORATION PACK > > Is everyone aware that our friends at > Chevrolet will mail you a free Restoration Pack containing much of what is > in the assembly manual, plus a lot more? Call 800-222-1020. For 1967 > and > earlier have your serial number ready, for 1968 and later they'll want the > VIN. > > > > Dennis McGillis > > 1965 Malibu SS-350 > > -- Rick Schaefer 72 TPI El Camino
