The Chevelle was introduced in 1964 as a mid-size model sandwiched between the compact Chevy II and the full-size models (Impala, etc.). Over the years, the second generation of the automobile has become one of the most often cloned muscle cars, like the 1970 Chevelle SS 396. Lesser seen is the family-oriented versions, like this 1972 Malibu 4-door “sport sedan”. From a dealer’s lot in Oceanside, New York, this Chevy is available here on eBay where the bidding has reached $5,200, the reserve is unmet, but you can pass-go to Buy It Now for $11,000. Thanks for reminding us that even 4-door cars can sometimes be cool, Barn Finder Larry D!
A product of the late 1950s, the 4-door hardtop was like a sedan but without a “B” pillar. The doors had frameless glass and – when the windows were rolled down – there was no obstruction from the “A” to the “C” pillars. If you needed to carry bulky items like surfboards, these came in handy. However, over the years, their safety characteristics would come into question in the event of a rollover and by the mid-1970s, they were all but gone as a body style.
Chevrolet referred to these hardtops as “sport sedans” and in 1972 they built more than 24,000 Malibu’s in that shape. When GM’s intermediates were redesigned in 1973, the body style was gone from the intermediates, so the seller’s car is one of the last of a dying breed. This Chevelle may be a survivor-quality car, although far from perfect as some parts of the car may have been repainted when prior rust repair was performed.
The blue paint on this Chevy may be fading, but it’s hard to tell with the photographs provided. Rather than a vinyl top, this Malibu has two-tone paint with white on the roof. Overall, there are some bumps, bruises, chips, scratches, and so forth to be found, but those things can add to the charm of a functional 50-year-old-car.
At 92,000 miles, we’re told the car runs wells with its 350 cubic inch V8 (2-barrel carb) and TH-350 automatic transmission. Everything seems to work just fine except that the factory A/C needs to be recharged. The interior is presentable and could stand detailing, but at least there are no tears in the upholstery. The back of the front bench seat may have been redone as the material isn’t an exact match, at least according to these old eyes. If you want to cruise around on Saturday night, you can listen to talk shows on the AM radio. You could restore this car to 1972 standards, but why not just enjoy it the way it is?
Gone
Recharged means that crazy expensive Freon is going to leak out again. It doesn’t need a recharge unless it is leaking.
Yup! Just had my 94 Lincoln’s A/C rebuilt: $970!
When I was an kid I had an aunt who had one of these. It was a real beater but I thought it was so cool. Most of these would have been pulled apart as parts cars the restoration of two door models. It’s so rare to see a four door Malibu now.
The buy it now seems high at 11k but it sold so I maybe 11k is the new 5k.
These are pretty unusual in four-door hardtop (‘Sport Sedan’) bodystyle. I’d like this car a lot better had someone not added the pinstripe and especially the body side molding, not placed at all where the factory did, sigh.
It seems that the 4 door hardtop being a prestige model, it’s more common as a Cutlass than anything else.
Same seller has a 4 door Skylark for sale too
I had the same car, but it was in dark green. I was in the Navy back then. I drove it from N.Y.C. to Norfolk, VA. to San Diego. Then I sold it to another sailor who shipped it over to Pearl Harbor. It was a great running car. Wish I still had it now!!
Bought a new 73 off the lot on a close out for $2.300, best car I’ve ever owned!
Have the sister to it, 71 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme hardtop with 80 some K miles.. very reliable and not bad looking for a 4 door.
Under the hood on this one looks very familiar. As it was the same power plant I had in my ’73 Chevelle Malibu. Which had swivel high bucket seats, which were a first for Chevy I believe. And with the swivel buckets, naturally a console auto shift….as before just about everything including this ’72 was
a bench seat. Which didn’t work out as well as the bench at the Drive-In. lol
Pretty sure we have this exact same car in our garage! It was my husband’s grandfather’s, and his dad asked him to keep it, since he no longer had room for it.
People often write that it was roll over standards, but was it really?
Look at the c pillar design. Cars of the late 1950s and early 1960s had thin c pillars. By about 1962-23, the designs changed to a thick c pillar. I doubt that a hefty c pillar hardtop had weak roofs. Was not the matter more about side impact standards? Notably the 1970-72 gm intermediate (unsure about 1968-69) 4 door hardtops had hefty added floor bracing, that was curiously absent in the 4 door sedans, as well as the 2 door post and hardtop models.