Classic Feature - 1964 Chevelle Rick Merrill & Sharon Flemming
by Gary Porter
Up until 1960, the car buyer didn’t have too many choices. If you wanted a Chevrolet, it came in plain (150), fancy (Bel Air) or in between (210). Then in 1960, the “Big Three” brought out compact cars such as the Corvair, Falcon and Valiant. Corvair’s air cooled rear engine didn’t catch on as well as the more traditional Falcon, so Chevrolet countered in 1962 with the Chevy II. For those that found the Biscaynes, Bel Airs and Impalas too big and the Corvairs and Chevy IIs too small, General Motors introduced a series of mid-sized cars in 1964 to address this market. Chevrolet’s offering was the Chevelle and it had similar proportions to the Chevrolets of 1955-57.
Rick Merrill and Sharon Flemming’s 1964 Chevelle is the top of the line Malibu Super Sport model. The car was sold new in British Columbia and spent most of its life there. A previous owner did a body off restoration while upgrading the drive train. Rick and Sharon purchased the car about four years ago from Chris Hubley, son of one time club member, Milton Hubley.

At first glance you might think Rick and Sharon haven’t done much to the car since they got it. It still sports the tunnel ram with two 390 CFM Holleys poking through the hood and it still has the eye catching Deep Burnt Orange paint and black vinyl top. However, as is the case with all true hot rodders, their car is always in a state of improvement. Just this past winter the 357 cubic inch small block was treated to a Comp Cams roller cam and Edelbrock aluminum heads. This combo dynoed out at 476 horsepower and 480 foot pounds of torque.

In order to take advantage of all this power, everything between the engine and the pavement under the back wheels must be up to the task. A manual shift 700R4 is the transmission of choice while a 12 bolt suspended with pieces from Edelbrock and filled with a 4.10 posi complete the drive train. Out back, the body has been mini tubbed to make room for the 305-50R15 Euro T/A’s on Weld wheels.

All of this high performance “go” equipment is complemented by such important safety and handling items as Wilwood disc brakes at each wheel, a fuel cell, a roll bar and a front anti-sway bar.

Creature comforts haven’t been forgotten. As nice as a stock Super Sport interior is, the original bucket seats have been replaced with a set of racing stye seats which provide more support and comfort during the street duty logged by Rick and Sharon each summer. Also inside you’ll find all the necessary gauges to keep tabs on that potent small block, a serious Alpine stereo system and power windows.

If your definition of “finished” is drivable, reliable and presentable, then Rick and Sharon’s Malibu is finished. Rick, like many other car guys, isn’t content with just drivable, reliable and presentable. If you look hard enough, a true hot rodder can always come up with a wish list of improvements. With the recent upgrades, Rick has no immediate plans for upgrades, but his “someday” list includes a nine inch Ford rear and a beefed up 400 with a gear vendors overdrive.

So if you haven’t taken a close look at Rick and Sharon’s Malibu for some time, check it out at the next show and shine, cruise, etc.

Update - August 2008

Before we get into the changes to Rick and Sharon’s 1964 Chevelle, since it was featured featured in the Summer 2006 issue of our newsletter, congratulations are in order. Rick and Sharon were married on August 18, 2008. One of the things on Rick’s wish list back in 2006 was swapping out the 700R4 for a TH400 with a Gear Vendor’s overdrive unit. A transmission swap did occur during the winter of 2007-08, but instead of keeping an automatic, Rick chose a Tremec TKO 600 five speed. Of
course this also meant the addition of the third pedal, a clutch and pressure plate from Zoom and a G.M. bell housing. Under the hood, a new set of Edelbrock R.P.M.
aluminum heads have been installed. The tunnel ram and two 390 Holleys have been replaced with a Barry Grant six shooter intake and triple carbs. Rick fabricated a plenum between the carbs and scoop which also houses
the air filter. It and the sheet metal valve covers were powder coated to match the Deep Burnt Orange colour of the car.
The interior wasn’t forgotten either. The high
back bucket seats were shaved down on the
sides and reupholstered by Rob Downing of
Global Auto Glass who also added SS logos for
a nice custom touch. The rear seat was done to
match including the SS logo. Completing the
interior refurbishing is a new black carpet.

Under the hood, a new set of Edelbrock R.P.M. aluminum heads have been installed. The tunnel ram and two 390 Holleys have been replaced with a Barry Grant six shooter intake and triple carbs. Rick fabricated a plenum
between the carbs and scoop which also houses the air filter. It and the sheet metal valve covers were powder coated to match the Deep Burnt Orange colour of the car.

Rick has noticed an improvement in gas milage. Some of this can be attributed to the transmission. However, the improved carbueration has also had a positive effect..