Vehicle Description
There's something to be said for unmodified, original cars of any
kind, and if you're looking past this ultra-clean 1978 Chevrolet
Malibu Classic, well, you're missing out on one of the great joys
in this hobby: the feeling of a classic car that hasn't been
altered. With just 64,231 original miles, it's affordable V8 fun
with the kind of originality that attracts attention everywhere it
goes.
These Malibus were very popular cars when they were new but they
all seem to have been used up and thrown away; when was the last
time you saw one? Repainted in original code 22 Light Blue, it
looks the part of a late '70s cruiser, but the proportions are good
enough to be considered sporty. This daily-driver car is clean,
straight, and beautifully preserved with a great shine on the paint
and sheetmetal that's never been twisted or rusty. For those of you
looking to re-create the period, this car gets everything right,
including the fresh razor-blade grille, the wheel arch moldings, as
well as the new chrome bumpers that are in excellent shape. All the
trim is in great shape, much like the finish, accentuating the
graceful curve of the body that stretches from front to rear.
Finished with new headlight bezels, chrome exhaust tips, and
sparkling Rally sport wheels, this blue beauty really pops in
person.
The light blue vinyl-and-cloth interior is surprisingly
upscale-looking for the Malibu, sporting a great combination of
original and refurbished components. The freshly recovered bench
seats features comfortable crushed velour upholstery on the bottom
and backing, adding a touch of sophistication to the Malibu's
cabin. The door panels were nicely refurbished, the replaced
carpets are plusher than most, which was typical of the era and if
there's any place that shows wear, it's here, although a deep
detail would restore its former glory. The dash has a fresh cap and
is very handsome, wrapping around the driver and showing big,
original gauges, with secondary controls underneath. It's equipped
with factory A/C, which is always a welcomed option, along with the
modern Pioneer AM/FM/CD stereo that was neatly installed into the
factory slot. The back seat is like new and the trunk is outfitted
with its original fabric mat and a full-sized spare with jack
assembly, as new.
Powering this slick blue 'Bu is the original, 305 V8 that still
lives under the hood. It wasn't about huge horsepower in 1989, of
course, but this nimble V8 makes nice torque and does it without
completely killing fuel economy. It's smooth, competent, and if the
past 41 years are any indicator, pretty darned reliable, too. It's
completely stock under the hood, and aside from the usual
maintenance items like belts, hoses, and tune-up parts through the
years, it's 100% original. The A/C has a modern compressor, which
is going to make it easy to service, and there's a dual master
cylinder for the power brakes, but otherwise it is simply well
maintained, not restored or upgraded. A standard TH200 3-speed
automatic transmission lives behind it, and as long as you're
looking around, note that it still carries its original catalytic
converter, just ahead of a newer exhaust system. The shocks are
newer and it may have had a brake job at some point from the looks
of things, but otherwise it's very, very original, which is nice to
see. Bright Rally sport wheels are factory-issued, which suit the
low-key Malibu just fine and carry 225/70/15 BFGoodrich
white-letter radials.
For those of you who remember these cars fondly, this is a nice
find. Survivors are a lot of fun, and this one has been refurbished
where it counts and is also very affordable. Call today!
