1973-1977 Chevrolet Malibu
The mid-1970s Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu lived in a no-man's land for Malibus, coming as it did after the legendary muscle-car Chevelles and Malibus of the late 1960s, and just before the popular ground-breaking Malibus that debuted in 1978. In that context, it's difficult to argue that the mid-1970s Malibus were anything other than gutless, tawdry, disappointing (and, to me, stunningly desirable) dinosaurs so typical of the era. In fact, I made that very point a few months ago in excoriating the Malibu's fancypants sibling, the adorably atrocious Chevelle Laguna Type S-3 454.
It is true that the mid-1970s Malibus were vastly less powerful and purposeful in line than their predecessors, yet bulkier, more wasteful, and more bloated than their successors. Big on the outside, small on the inside, and slow and floaty regardless of trim choice, even a fresh-off-the-showroom-floor 1973 Malibu would be a hopeless anachronism today.
But, as I so often say, cars should be judged within the context of their time. The Malibu was boldly good-looking, with the muscular contours and rounded detailing typical of Chevrolets of the time. While the sedan and wagons were attractive, the look was very potent on the two-door, especially at the rear. The effect was a pleasing (though thoroughly unsubstantiated) 1970s muscle car look that was somewhat reminiscent of the AMC Matador Coupe. That, by the way, was meant as a compliment--I'm probably one of about four people on Earth who would use a Matador as a positive comparison.
It was also comfortable and doggedly reliable. As I pointed out when discussing the Malibu's cousin, the mechanically similar Oldsmobile Cutlass, in the mid-1970s America still knew how to make quality cars that ran forever--so long as they were simple, front-engine, rear-wheel-drive leviathans without any shred of electronic assistance. The Malibu was among the best of those, and for doggedly dependable transportation I'd take a Malibu long before one of the later and more advanced Citations.
And, of course, the Malibu shares the true genius of all large American cars of the time--a wonderful cruising experience. I know I've written about this before, but it bears repeating. There are very, very few things I find more compelling than the idea of cruising along the freeway in a Malibu at night, the V-8 burbling contentedly as it inhales the mileage, the suspension undulating softly, the steering hunting mildly at speed, the instruments glowing in a dim yellow light, and the radio crooning with tinny country songs. I'm probably alone in this, but for me that's a Car Lust moment equal to a rapid blast through the gears in a sports car.
The first image is from Jim's Classic Corner.com, and the second and third are from How Stuff Works.
--Chris H.
nate foster on July 30, 2008 at 10:31 AM
u know i have looked and looked for a picture of a 4 door 77 chevelle Malibu it is impossible to find one but i know they exist because my dad owns one of them
carl on August 31, 2008 at 08:03 PM
i have 1977 malibu that im rebulding it has been in my famly for along time i love the car
matt on September 13, 2008 at 10:49 PM
i owned a 74 Malibu...it was my first car, it held up great. i live in IL, so winters are kinda bad, but i only really got stuck once, i loved that car, stock might not of been to spunky but my father and i put a good 350 in her and she ran like a top, and was decently fast. the car was great to drive, and very easy....my grandpa had a 77 Malibu classic station wagon that i grew up in, it was just as reliable as mine. i love the looks of the 70s Malibu's and i like that you can feel really safe behind the wheel of the car because it weighs 2.5 tons and is made of real metal. id put that up against a new car with all of their safety features any day....
skeezix91 on October 04, 2008 at 06:53 AM
The G-3(3rd gen) chevelle is undoubtedly an unsung hero. I could never get away from the bad raps it was getting. Crappy performance? Ugly looking interiors? Bland paint and vinyl roofs? Well, hell! Just swap in a decent cam, redo the interior, rip off the vinyl and shoot it with a nice base/clear paint job for crying out loud! I had a 77 and fell in love with it. I wish I still had it, but the rust took it's toll. I am hunting for another one right now actually.
Cracky on December 04, 2008 at 11:30 AM
You will all HATE me, but for all you posters with your fond memories of your Malibu's my memories of the two Bu's I have owned are extremely unique. My first Bu was a '76 purchased for $100 from my brother. Body was rusted out (Minnesota car), but the frame was mint. I didn't care about the rust as I gutted it, welded in a roll cage, put in a fuel cell, a 3/4 ton Ford pickup spring in the right front and a bigger cam for the 350 small block. I was set to go Enduro racing!
Over the 4 years this car evolved from entry level racing Enduros to Pure Stock then Sportsman and finally Hobby Stock. I can't claim any feature wins with this particular car, but the ride was incredible-like a Cadillac on steriods surfing the finest Iowa dirt tracks.
My next Bu was a '78 purchased for $50. This one went straight to the Hobby Stock Car division of racing. Losing 1000 lbs. from the '76 gained me countless wins and an appreciation for the Malibu that you have to experience to truly appreciate!
So, while guilty of removing two from the roads, I can claim to have enhanced the legend of the Malibu, as well as giving numerous fans a reason to be proud of Chevrolet's dominance in the American Racing world.
FYI-I found this article because I'm currently putting one of my lightweight crankshaft/6.0" Eagle connecting rods Chevy 350V8 stock car engines into my 1982 Jaguar XJ6. The only way to make a Jag or Malibu better is to make them easy to work on and fix...more HP never hurt either!!
Brian on December 16, 2008 at 08:41 AM
My first car was a 1977 Malibu Classic that I bought from my grandmother in '91. I paid about $300 for it when she decided to purchase a '90 Cavalier to replace it. It had the 350 V8 with an aftermarket 4bbl carb, 3 speed auto tranny, ps, pb, and A/C. I have fond memories of riding in it to school, the local Walmart as a kid. Not to mention when I bought it finding the original sales receipt from 3/21/77 in the glove box. Although it had the usual rust problem with water leaking in the front and rear windsheilds, as well as rust in the rear wheel wells and bumper, it ran like a champ. Nice and smooth on the highway, getting about 15 miles per gallon. The car did have a tendency to lose traction if the wet or icy at all, but over all it was a great car. I only wish I had kept the car. Even though it would have well over 200k miles on it by now, I'm sure it would still be running strong.
dave on February 20, 2010 at 10:29 PM
now i have one question. Im shopping for a car and a 1979 malibu popped up in the rankings. do i get it or should i take a pass.
tomm on June 24, 2010 at 11:38 AM
"If memory serves, these cars were originally intended to be introduced as 1972 models. The reason for this eludes me, "
The long UAW strike in 1970 delayed these cars. And to many muscle-heads, 1973 colonnades represent 'end of era'. But at the time, they sold like crazy. Big car owners were trading into them since they wanted something "sportier" or "smaller". The Cutlass line up was #1 seller in 1976. Also, the luxo versions were stylish and were everywhere. If gas is only 58 cents a gallon, why not?
The quality of the 1968-72 mid size 'classics' was virtually the same. They rusted and fell apart, too. But many 70's teens had them as their first car, and there was a huge aftermarket. So, they are fondly looked upon.
Gale Farrester on April 17, 2011 at 04:07 PM
I'am looking for parts for my mom and me. She has 1974 Chevy
Malibu classic {larado }. I have a 1973 Chevy El Camino I'am
looking parts to
Thannk You