Throughout its run from 1964 to 1977, the Malibu Sport Coupe was the most popular of the Chevelle offerings. From 1978 forward, the Chevelle name was dropped, and Malibu carried the torch going forward. This nice 1972 edition looks to be in great shape and the seller believes the paint (though not perfect) is original. With just 48,000 documented miles, this Malibu is in Abbottstown, Pennsylvania, and is available here on eBay. There is no reserve and $22,500 is the current bid.
The Chevelle SS 396 lost its series status after 1968, making it more difficult to prove as a “real deal” auto and thus there are a lot of clones or tributes floating around today. This Chevelle is not an SS and – given its originality – let’s hope the buyer doesn’t decide to go down that path (they’re only original once). This car should be considered a survivor since it’s not been repainted or had its engine rebuilt (though it has new seals, does that count?). Chevy built 207,000 copies of the Malibu Sport Coupe with a V8 engine in ’72, a slight uptick from the year before. And they’re hard to tell apart except for the turn signal lenses.
Indications are this is a two-owner car including the seller. It looks nice although you’ll find some imperfections in the finish on close inspection. There doesn’t appear to be any rust on the Chevy, past or present. The vinyl top contrasts with the dark green paint and matches the all-vinyl interior which also presents well. The seller has a spare vinyl top covering should you ever need it.
The 350 V8 (2-barrel) is paired with a TH-400 automatic transmission (as opposed to a TH-350). We’re told the car drives and performs quite well. New shocks are present to help make for a smoother ride. This Malibu sports aftermarket wheels, but the seller has retained its Rally wheels to go with the deal. All-in-all, this Chevrolet looks like a vehicle you could show with pride, and not be afraid to drive more than just to Cars & Coffee.
Nice to see someone hasn’t bastardized it by throwing on an aluminum intake & an Edelbrock carb. If I had 22 large & the room, maybe… Great looking car.
IMO, bastardizing is throwing on “modern” bigger wheels, or worse, ghetto wheels, a “modern” steering wheel cover, badly fitting “colorless modern” seat covers & floor mats with grade school designed logos, & a new stereo that needs a hacked up dash to fit.
Back in the day, changing the intake & carb(tho more likely to a Holley) was something many did. & even fitting very wide wheels & tires in back.
Usually the day after you bought one of these. Most would say you made it better
Very nice but obviously when they removed the motor they painted it and under the hood but I guess if you’re going to go through the trouble to pull it to re-gasket and seal everything then you may as well paint and make it look presentable. The front seat reminds me of my 70 Monte Carlo. Steering wheel, dash, seat and all. Pretty cool. Nice ride.
very nice car i love the color it is nice to see that it has not been wrecked the only thing i would do to this car is put the chevy ralleys on i would love to enjoy and drive it not show it
very nice car i love the color it is nice to see that it has not been wrecked the only thing i would do to this car is put the chevy ralleys on i would love to enjoy and drive it not show it
Nice one. Love the green on green on green. I’d probably put the Rally wheels back on as well, although some torque thrusts wouldn’t look too shabby.
I might just bastardize the intake, carb, and exhaust too, although I’d keep the stock components!
That 2 barrel intake would be next to go !
I wonder why they went with a 350 2 barrel and yet got a Turbohydramatic 400 instead of a Turbo 350? It goes to show that back in the day you could pretty much order something just about any way you want. No quick order packages.
The original owner may have bought what was in stock at the dealership. Ordering a custom build was not uncommon but production and delivery was a matter of weeks.
its a power glide
Whew, that’s a lot of green.
The color, the money, or both?
The color
With the correct wheels installed, we’d enjoy it just the way it is.
Had one when I was young and dumb speedometer numbers ended at 120 mph but I was going so fast from Marysville to Everett Washington that the needle disappeared from view was almost like the car was floating on air and only need a small turn of the wheel to change lanes.Its a wonder I survived
I did that to my 68 Firebird 400 with a 150 speedo. Needle gone and the front end started to float, just took my feet off the pedals and let it slow down it’s self. Had to be 160 plus.
Great looking car with a rarely seen green roof. These used to be as common as golden tiger cats by us. You would have believed that a “Malibu 350” was a model unto itself. Like the Cutlass Supreme would be in a few years.
M40 trans code is TH400, looks good for a Pa. salt car,. Might hit $25k +.
My 2nd car was one of these in a lighter green. Lets face it, in 1972 Chevy offered about 122 different shades of green. Mine had the same puke worthy interior. I will never get the love for these incredibly ordinary run of the mill average POS GM’s. Everyday styling, poor handling, poor fuel economy, poor space utilization, just crap cars! I always did like the quasi fender blisters, though. Oh, and the jet pod taillights were cool. The right taillight would warp and go out from the exhaust heat, though.
This car’s styling is a masterpiece, compared to the ugly appliances on the
road today. You really can’t tell who has a new car & who has one 10 yrs old! & as for color choices inside & out of the new ones, don’t make me laugh. If i see another white Tesla, i’m gonna scream. When are they going to change the styling of that thing & build a cheaper 2 door for singles?! It’s like pulling teeth today – back in the day, u had 2 & 4 door hardtops & sedans, wagons, & even El Camino to choose from. & on some, styling would change a lot from year to year! & a lot more OTHER models from all manufacturers as well. With $3500 in my pocket, i would not know even where to BEGIN to look for a new car in the ’60s thru ’73.
You didn’t HAVE to get a GREEN Chevelle back then, even tho there were 3 shades of green avail for the exterior!! …
http://www.firstgenmc.com/tech/72colors.jpg
& white, black, red, blue, & tan colors could be substituted inside for green.
As far as handling goes, radial tires alone would make a big difference, compared to the bias ply tires on your car back in the day. & further, you could spring for the F-41 suspension package with rear sway bar.
& you could spring for the much better looking bucket seats, console & horseshoe auto shifter inside.
As far as space utilization, you could fit 4 people in 1 of these & even a Nova or ’67-81 f-body. Try that in a new Camaro or Mustang. Or any of the few 2 doors left. Challenger(& 4 door only Charger) are going bye bye in a matter of months. You can BET the replacement for BITH will be a SINGLE model 4 door ONLY electric car.
Look at the rear overhang on this Chevelle & big trunk – then look & have a good laugh at the rear overhang on the new sedans – the few that are left,
As far as fuel economy goes, this one would get better mpg with a small primary quadrajet 4 bbl with a not too crazy driver’s right foot, espeically if it had the 307 v8. & why there is a heavy power sapping turbo 400 behind this 2 bbl 350 surprises me. A 350 trans or even powerglide or manual trans would be better on gas.
Even the steering could be very quick if you checked off the quick ratio 3 turns lock to lock option. If you can make a right or left turn onto an intersecting street by turning the steering wheel just 3/4 of a turn, you got the quick steering box! – avail even on some late ’60s GM cars.
SOLD for $23,600.