This handsome 1976 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu wagon is a clean survivor capable of hauling seven passengers in air conditioned comfort. The seller says he has the utmost confidence it could make a cross-country drive without breaking a sweat, and the cosmetic condition certainly seems to point towards an long roof that’s been loved. Find the wagon here on eBay where bidding is over $4K and the reserve remains unmet. Thanks to Barn Finds reader local_sheriff for the find.
It’s hard to believe we once lived in a country where station wagons were king of the road. As someone who dailies a wagon, this Chevy makes me nostalgic for the days of chrome roof racks and rear-facing third rows. This example has both of those qualities and more details that make it ooze period family hauler cool, like the awesome factory option rally wheels and tow package.
The interior isn’t what I’d call showroom condition, but it still looks quite nice. Mileage is low with just 74,000 on the odometer, and the tidy dash and lack of fading on the plastics may indicate indoor storage. The seller notes one small crack in the dash pad and seat, both of which aren’t very noticeable. All factory manuals and build sheets are still with the wagon and included.
The Chevelle Malibu is powered by a 350 4BBL V8, equipped with headers and true dual exhausts all the way back. The seller notes this gives the wagon a subtle growl (or “purr”, in his words) but is by no means loud. The cleanliness of the engine bay is encouraging, and overall, the clean condition and confidence of the seller makes this Chevelle Malibu wagon worth a look.
So much better than a SUV any day. Happens HRM is doing a Chevelle wagon so even that’s covered if you want to duplicate what they’re doing.
The only things I like about this wagon is it’s size and it’s hubcaps. Good job that we are all different.
That brings back so many memories. Friends parents had one like it but was in Phila PA, and the Dash plastic turned black and rust took it, I am sure, as everything rusted away in theNortheast especially 50’s through the 80’s cars with the 70’s being total junk.
We had this exact year and model in white when I was a little kid but oddly I have no real memories associated with it. However the ’69 Newport it replaced has been stuck in my head for over 40 years.
Wagons still rule the roads today more than ever! The majority of vehicles sold in the U.S. are now wagons! They are, however, according to slick auto manufacturer’s marketing parlance, known to the unwitting public as “SUV’s”. Yes every SUV on the road today is a wagon! Some are AWD, or 2WD or even FWD, and they mostly have a bit higher ground clearance and upright elevated seating. But they are all wagons in the truest sense. Compare the dimensions of a 56′ Chevy Nomad to the new 2020 Chevy Blazer, you’ll see what I mean.
Genemak1 you hit the nail on the head. Most SUV or Crossovers in industry parlance are not truck-based. Most reviewers bemoan the lack of actual truck manners when trying to take their SUVs off road. I, on the other hand, have an AWD Buick Regal TourX which just so happens to be a passenger car with a huge cargo hold. When asked about it at a recent Cars and Coffee I explained that to my knowledge the only wagons still being made is a pretty short list. Cadillac C series? Chrysler doesn’t do one any more. The Ford Flex might have been a wagon-like creature. Volvo and Subaru come to mind. My Buick creates all the tactile nuances of the wagons we loved as kids. Only complaint would be too low of headroom. Now, if someone revived the Studebaker Wagonaire we’d be in great shape!
Had the identical car in my family from about ’84 to ’02, but it was red, ’77, and had an earlier two-eye nose swapped on after a wreck early in its life. In 1994 when I was 15, I easily ran it up to 115mph (factory stock on cheap tires) before the extreme vibration spooked me. I wish I had it back, but it was probably shredded and turned into 4 Priuses.
These were kind of bland but a good car for the most part. It probably is completely capable of a cross country road trip after checking and servicing the normal things you would on any used car before hitting the road. An exciting type of car? No but it appears to be in basically excellent condition and that unto itself makes it somewhat appealing.
Sweet car.
Went to 5100.00.
Do not know if it sold or not
Battle Wagon
Had a 76 that was red with tan interior. Chrome bumper roof rack .V8 automatic. with the Small Vent windows love and miss that car.