Coming in just over a foot shorter in length than the previous generation, the fourth-generation Malibu was an elegant-looking car, despite the size difference. I like the crisp design over the previous generation cars. This 1978 Chevrolet Malibu Classic Coupe Landau is posted here on craigslist in Cresco, Iowa, and the seller is asking $15,000. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Tony P. for the tip!
The new, smaller, fourth-generation cars were now known as Malibus, unlike previous years when they were Chevelles, with Malibu being a trim level. This era of Malibu was made from 1978 through 1983, and they shared platforms with the other GM divisions. I always thought this car would look great as a convertible, but there wasn’t one available. At least until now… Ok, back to this car. This Malibu would have been $4,874 new in 1978, which equates to $23,906 today. Considering the car’s quality, the $15,000 asking price doesn’t seem too high to me now.
The seller says this is a Wyoming car, it’s said to have 47,100 miles, and is a survivor. It looks about as nice as can be, and the seller says, “NO RUST.” Although after seeing the trunk compartment photo with the undercoating on it, it’s nice that the seller has provided a couple of underside photos, so we can see that it appears to be a solid car. There’s no mention of the new gas tank; maybe a previous owner installed that?
Other than a few small stains, the interior looks nice from what we can see. Not all two-door cars are necessarily sporty, especially when wearing 1970s Landau trim, which may be more suited for leisure suits and white shoes than hitting the corners at full speed. This example appears to be a nice mix of pragmatic transportation and somewhat luxurious features, with standard “knit cloth” seat fabric. However, I’d want power windows in this one. The back seat looks like new, as expected.
The honest-appearing engine (not overly detailed, not overly shiny, and showing some typical surface rust) is the biggest V8 available in this body style, Chevy’s 305-cu.in. OHV V8 with 145 horsepower and 245 lb-ft of torque when new. It’s sent through a Turbo-Hydramatic to the rear wheels, and the seller says this car runs and drives well. A 350 was available in wagons, El Caminos, and police-spec cars. In my opinion, this is a great-looking Malibu Classic Landau. What do you think?
Nice rendition of a Malibu convertible Scotty. No telling how much further ahead General Motors would be today, if they had you as a stylist!
Ha, you’re way too nice, Pat, thanks! Speaking of GM, I could use a bailout this year…
I got to drive a ’79 Malibu Classic coupe (not Landau) in my high school Driver’s Ed class, circa late ’79. Same color (“camel”) inside and out as this one. It ran smoothly and quietly and I am guessing it had the 267 V8 but I didn’t look under the hood. Overall it seemed modern in design, was easy to drive and the seats were comfortable as I recall.
Nice looking car. Not sure I’d pay $15k but I can say they had pretty spacious interiors. Also they are incredibly easy to steal.
This has to be one of nicest Malibu 2 doors I’ve seen in ages. It looks like the original paint too. I’ve been in a number of these years ago, all from the V6 to the 267 and the 305. Even back then it seemed all you saw were the 4 doors and the station wagons, the 2 doors weren’t as common. Every person I knew that had one did great with it, they were reliable and reasonably good on gas too. All traits that were very much needed in the gas crunch prone 70’s.
Thank you for posting the prices then and now Scotty. Also, love the drop top version too. Its amazing how many cars would have looked good without their roofs. Thabks to Scotty and photoshop, we can get an idea.
You are way too kind, D, thanks much! Some of those Photoshop creations don’t quite work, I’m not sure if that was the best angle to show now that I look at it again.
I’m just glad that you and a few others actually click on those Photoshop links. I don’t get paid for those, it’s just something that I like to do to add a bit to the article, like always putting in a screenshot of the original ad for Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace listings so you can see them after the vehicles are sold.
Looks like somebody wished it to life right out of the brochure.
I would have said the same thing.
Tranny is the metric 200, a lightweight 3 speed to replace the turbo hydramatic 350
I had a 79, with a 267, and it was a great car. I had a 350 trans put in it, best move I ever made. Great gas mileage. wish I still had it.
Thanks for the info, John. This site is where we often get some of the spec info, and from brochures, but they rarely give transmission numbers.
https://www.automobile-catalog.com/car/1978/201455/chevrolet_malibu_classic_coupe_305_v-8_automatic.html#gsc.tab=0
Great looking cars.
Get ’em while you can! The street racers are gobbling them up, like Fox bodies.
Trace a profile of one, then overlay a profile of a first gen Camaro. I first saw this in Hot Rod or Car Craft way back in the early 1980s.
These were a nice size car. I had an 83 Grand Lemans base and i mean base model with the Buick 3.8 and Hydramatic 250c. Even was decent with gas although slow. The only thing i could say if ever someone buy’s one from the northern clime area.check the rear frame underneath the trunk. I have seen a many that had the consistency of swiss cheese.
A military friend of mine had a burgundy one just like this one. Nice dependable Chevy. Are you willing to pay 15k for one. If the seller is willing to negotiate some might be a good deal.
I have a few of the wagons outback. I built one for my wife by dropping in a 350 4 barrel out of a pickup truck. It bolted right up to the V-6 tranny and exhaust! It got 21 miles to the gallon on the highway. Sadly the shop that did the heads did a very poor job and I was moving and had no time to deal with redoing them so blew a head gasket after 6 months.
I remember these cars very well. All GM divisions offered a similar square styled vehicle of that size category. These vehicles were not attractive. The interiors were a study in plastic. Stylistically they were smaller versions of the downsized 1977 GM large cars, but looked much more awkward. I didn’t buy one then and I wouldn’t buy one now. This was not one of General Motors finer moments. And people wonder what happened to general motors? Well, here’s one of the problems!
The new for 1978 styled Monte Carlo ,Regal and Cutlass killed the rather pedestrian looking Malibu coupe . Since they were all the same underneath, sales would be because of looks to many people, and the boxy Malibu coupe and severely angled looking Gran Prix suffered in sales
But it did sell better than the Aeroback. Personal luxury was a very big deal.
Worked at Sears Automotive way back in the day as a young lad and nice old lady had one of these, silver with the burgundy landau top and interior. Hers was loaded with every power option they had including bucket seats with the auto on the floor with console. Hers was the 267 v8 but as a young kid, I had big dreams of big motors. Sadly she never wanted to sell. Don’t know what ever happened to her or that car
I had a ‘79 Malibu Classic wagon with the 267 back in the ‘80s. It was silver and gray two-tone, red pinstripes, roof rack, and lots of chrome with the burgundy red interior. I loved the car, but with no AC and back windows that didn’t roll down, my wife hated it. It went the way of so many other cars that I wish I’d kept, but I would love to find another.
Asking that much and can’t even replace the burned out headlight. Nice car but too much money for a simple car.
Great little cars. I loved the look vs the more common Monte’s, Cutlass’s and Grand Prix’s. $15k is steep for this, despite mileage but as they say: “there’s an a$$ for every seat”.
Personally, I’d swap in a 383, decent trans, some gears and leave her looking sleepy. I’m not one for numbers matching or “shelf queens”. Cars were built to be driven. Mid to late 70’s cars and 80’s cars, more often than not, need improvements.
Wishing the seller the best of luck. Cool car.
I lkke the color combo in & out and the fancier honeycomb wheel covers.
Add one of those color matching aftermarket center stowage armrests with cupholders and go for a ride.
But as someone else mentioned, the stationary rear windows are the drawback.
If you can buy it for $10k, nice car. Oh, nice ragtop rendition Mr. Gilbertson!
Thanks, Mr. Rukavina! I’m with you on $10,000 for what looks like a super well-preserved, somewhat fancy two-door with a V8. That’s hard to beat in 2025.
I had same car as this, same color and all,I put 8in. Real Corvette Rallies on back 7in.on frt. 25 to 30 mpg. For years..