Vehicle Description
This 1980 Chevrolet Malibu Classic is one of those cars that just
gets cooler the more you look at it. We all grew up with these
buzzing around, but when was the last time you saw one? Check that,
when was the last time you saw one this clean? Probably not since
the Reagan administration, and even fresh off the factory floor
they didn't look this good, let alone have this kind of performance
hardware. With a BPE 350 V8 crate under the hood dyno-rated at
402HP and 430 lb-ft of torque, matched with a quick-shifting
4-speed gearbox that's a blast to cycle through, this is no 1980s
wheezer. Beautifully restored and tastefully modified, this Box 'Bu
is one of the cleanest G-Bodies we've ever featured, and as a staff
favorite, it likely won't last long...
These became so familiar back in the day that it's worthwhile to
stand back and take a second look today. Pretty great looking car,
isn't it? Clean lines, a chiseled roof profile, and great
proportions make it a car that stands out in a crowd. The handsome
white paint prevents it from being too in-your-face, which is a
good thing because the mechanicals do that part just fine. It's
remarkable to find a G-Body Malibu this straight and clean, and
someone has obviously invested lots of cash in this beauty. There
are no deviations from stock, no cowl hood, rear wing, or goofy
stripes that never belonged, just a super-clean 2-door hardtop that
was one of Chevrolet's last forays into classic, muscle car
styling. It was repainted approximately 8 years ago, although we'd
have never guessed it was that long ago because the white paint is
deep, lustrous, and still has that slick shine that's typically
seen on fresh jobs. That means this one was completed the right
way, with coat-after-coat of modern urethane materials laid down
with an expert's touch, and it's obviously been incredibly
well-kept since. That goes for the bodywork too, which is about as
straight as you'll ever see on an '80s GM, and the lack of dings,
dents, or signs of neglect tell us this car has always lived a life
of privilege. It's no showcar, I'm not sure there are many G-Bodies
that can be categorized as such, but it's an extremely clean,
top-end driver that can easily be shown at your local car show. And
other than a couple light swirl marks left over from car washes, we
really haven't found anything to complain about at all - this 'Bu
is just that dialed-in. A double-lined black pinstripe encircles
the top bodyline and focuses the eye on this Chevy's crisp details,
even gaps, and laser-straight panel alignment, and we love that
they left the original Bowtie hood ornament and cursive 'Malibu
Classic' quarter-panel emblems in place, cementing the 100% stock
appearance. The only noticeable difference in each of the 4th
generation Malibu offerings were the grille inserts, but the 1980
is arguably the cleanest looking of the bunch, and when coupled
with the brightly polished grille/headlight surrounds, the
oversized bumpers fore and aft, and the remaining brightwork, the
contrasting bling looks fantastic.
Unlike most of its brothers from '78-'81, this Malibu didn't get
the pillow-tufted velour interior and compulsory sagging headliner.
Instead, it was outfitted in slick Code 19V Black vinyl, all of
which has been expertly restored to stock and looks incredibly
fresh today. Sculpted bucket seats are firm yet supple enough for
all-day cruising, covered in gorgeous, period-perfect hides that
could almost pass for leather. Bucket seats and center consoles are
a pretty rare sight, as most G-Bodies in this generation were
outfitted with bench seats and column shifters, but the sporty look
of this cabin is the perfect complement to the upgraded hardware
under the hood. The rear bench was reupholstered to match, as were
the door panels, while plush black carpets on the floors and a taut
headliner above show that nothing was overlooked in this car's
refurbishment. The dash is in excellent shape too, free of any
stress cracks, sun-fading, and warping that plagued most '80s GM
cars, and as a Malibu Classic this one is accented with very
expensive-looking woodgrain applique. Substantial steering wheels
were Chevy trademarks from the era, and this stock piece is mounted
atop a tilt column that makes room for the tallest drivers, and the
cue-ball topped Hurst 4-speed shifter is the star of the show -
practically taunting the driver to hammer through the gears. The
factory center console adds extra storage, and the options list
rounds out with a highly desirable U14 gauge package that includes
a tachometer, color-keyed floor mats, an AM/FM/Cassette stereo, and
factory A/C that blows cold.
What makes this Malibu extra special is that unlike most of its V6
siblings, it was born with a 5.0L 4-barrel V8 and 4-speed
drivetrain. And although that's pretty impressive on it's own, it
wasn't quite enough power for this Bu's former owner, so he stuffed
a 350 BPE V8 crate engine under the hood. Recently installed (9/20)
and stated to only have 500 miles on the clock, the feisty small
block was augmented with a Holley 4-barrel carburetor, BPE intake,
HEI ignition, and Flowmaster headers that all help build 402HP and
430 lb-ft of torque at the crank. Performance is more than
energetic, and when mated to the quick shifting Saginaw 4-speed
gearbox (featuring a new clutch, flywheel, and pressure plate) it's
an absolute blast to drive. Sway bars fore and aft, power steering,
and power front disc brakes make it manageable on the street, and
the bark from the dual exhaust sounds fantastic. Flashy Rally
wheels wrapped in 245/60/15 front and 255/60/15 rear BFGoodrich
white-letters finish the look perfectly.
Documented with its original window sticker, dealer invoice,
owner's manual, and receipts, this just might be the cleanest Chevy
G-Body on the market. Call today!
