When someone says that a vehicle they have for sale isn’t perfect and it needs a few things – how is that any different than any one of us? I’ve never been perfect, certainly not as good as this 1977 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu Classic Wagon looks. The seller has it posted here on craigslist in Chesapeake, Virginia and they’re asking $8,950. Here is the original listing. Thanks to Tony P. for the tip!
The first thing you probably noticed on this great-looking Malibu Classic wagon is the missing body side mouldings (how Chevy spells it in a brochure) on the passenger door and driver’s side fender. There also appears to be some rust under the rear side window trim, under the passenger side rear door trim, and in the spare tire compartment. Rally Wheels would have been an option for other body styles, and I’m assuming they were available on the Malibu Classic wagons. The seller says both the tires and rims are new.
That’s one crazy design, isn’t it? I want to continue that body side molding/moulding along the tailgate, and that bumper is nutso. If a vehicle ever needed a third brake light mounted high on the tailgate, this is it. I can’t help but think that Chevy was caught off-guard by the 5-mph bumper requirements and just did the quickest and easiest solution, there isn’t much design there at all.
The third-generation Chevelle Malibu was made from 1972 for the 1973 model year until the end of the 1977 model year. The interior looks nice in this car but you can see rust peeking out behind various areas in the photos. A steering wheel cover should be taken off for photos, but that’s just my thought. I don’t see any big issues inside. I sure want to see the underside of this car, though. The back seat looks great as does the rear cargo area. A big thanks to the seller for providing so many great photos, a rare thing for a craigslist ad!
The engine is Chevrolet’s 350-cu.in. OHV V8, which would have had 170 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque when new. It looks pretty clean under there and they say that it “runs and drives”, which isn’t always a glowing report, but I have to believe that most Barn Finds readers could have it running like a top in short order. Any thoughts on this Malibu Classic wagon?
Nothing wrong with a few battle scars. When pieces of the glued on trim fell off of my C10, I just took the rest of it off myself. At least it all matches now. This looks like a nice car. It’s potential is up to the buyer.
I like it. If it was a 76 or 7 El Camino, I would LOVE it. 👍
Funny thing this following a 73 454 wagon. I have always liked the square stacked headlights. Hence the reason for liking the 77 Monte Carlo. This would be almost as cool as the 73 but I would have to pull the motor and add hp. And of course make the rest of the drivetrain match. Add some music in the glove box and drive it
I remember getting a ride home from nursery school when I was 4 or 5 yrs old from a neighborhood mother. I ran inside so fast to watch the he man cartoon in the afternoon. 1980s was a good time to be alive.
That gold paint was popular in ’77. It’s a little tired today. Another well equipped two seater. 350 cubes, air, tilt, cruise, deluxe belts… and rear defog! The taillamp placement wasn’t an afterthought, it was CONTEMPORARY. Someone is doing that crap again today and if the CHMSL burns out the distracted are going have skid marks all over the place.
needs the right center caps on the wheels.
Yes, I see ‘modern’ cars with the taillights in the ‘bumper’ (basically plastic over a steel strip) and that bothers me as it is so easy to tear off that bumper cover! This is the one thing with this Chevrolet I would change. I would do a custom mount and put the taillights into that liftgate to get them up higher and easier to see. Other than that, this car is survivor!
Had one like this but with swivel bucket seats console with a floor shifter. Must have been rare wish I still had it.
That’s a bumper? Looks like a park bench (LOL!)
I didn’t like these 1973+ body designs from GM when they first arrived but they have grown on me somewhat since. I don’t think it’s because I actually appreciate them more, maybe it’s because manufacturers don’t add much “style” to their wind tunnel designs now.
I don’t know . . .
I purchased one of these in 74 or 75 new. Sticker was under $5300. Traded in a Vega. Generally a good driving and riding car. Seemed big as a boat. 55 mph speed limits so you floated down the road. Traded for a Firebird in 76.
I love this ! Love the 73-77 style and u never see a station wagon . Actually been watching the price on Facebook marketplace and it disappeared. Was 2000 grand less there . Wish it wasn’t so far
I like the styling of these from the rear, the “Park Bench” Federal bumper notwithstanding. The one-piece lift gate looks good and offers some aerodynamic advantages, but must be heavy to lift up, even with gas struts helping, and those of us who are “vertically challenged” will have a hell of a time reaching up to reach the handle to close it again. The good news is that when the gas struts start to die, you’ll have an easier time reaching the handle, as the rear hatch bangs you in the head, LOL!
The front end styling, on the other hand, leaves me cold. For some reason, the Big Three got Mercedes on the brain in the late 1970’s, and put an ersatz Mercedes grille on the front of at least one (1) of their models each at the time. GM tagged the mid-size Malibu/Chevelle with phony Benz beak, and it’s NOT a good look. The “battering ram” front Federal bumper doesn’t help matters any.
I’m a big fan of the Collonade GM cars, but the stacked headlights would have to go -Luckily the 73-77 round headlight header panels bolt right up , and since it kind of needs new paint anyway….
Air shocks L60 Mickey Thompsons side pipes and flip the air cleaner lid DONE!
Took my driver’s test in a (then new) ’75 MCW. Smoothe riding, but certainly wouldn’t win any street races.
I like the white 1975 wagon with the 454 much better; the round headlights on that car are a much better look and that car is much more heavily optioned, if I recall.