By his own admission, Kihei, Hawaii-resident, Neal Van Slyke has owned and built a bunch of cars over the years. However, when it comes to his latest, this blue big-block-powered '64 Chevelle Malibu was purchased entirely as is. "I just got tired of building cars," he explained. "I just wanted to own something that I could get in and drive."
Originally built in Hanford, California, Van Slyke's E-Bay Bomber is exactly that, a driver. It's powered by a .030-inch overbored 396 Chevrolet large-block, which now displaces 402 ci. The mini-Rat features internal components that include a set of 10.25:1 compression Federal Mogul performance pistons, Competition Cams valvetrain, Edelbrock Performer intake, 750-cfm Edelbrock Performer fuel meter, MSD ignition, Hooker headers and Flowmaster three-chamber mufflers. Sitting behind the stout powerplant is a TH350 trans.
When it came to the suspension, the previous owner replaced the stock Chevelle rearend with a late-model 12-bolt Posi, which helps supply some stout stump-pulling acceleration by spinning a set of 4.10:1 Strange Engineering gears. Additional suspension upgrades include a set of KYB gas-charged shock absorbers coupled with a complete set of Energy Suspension polyurethane bushings. Neal's classic '64 rolls on 15x8-inch chrome reverse GM wheels with bullet hubcaps with a combination of 235/60x15, and 245/60x15-inch BFG rubber.
The super clean Chevelle was painted in PPG GM Teal Blue with clearcoat, and uses both New Old Stock and reproduction body trim. On the inside, you'll find grey tweed uphosltery, as well as in the trunk area. Thrown in for good measure is a Grant GT steering wheel and JVC audio system. With the cool cruising areas Neal has at his fingertips on the island, we're sure has no problem enjoying a car he purchased complete rather than built.