This 1981 Chevrolet Malibu is a former police vehicle with the desirable 9C1 package, purchased by an individual with a knack for scoring at auctions in which scores of former cop cars were disposed of. The seller acquired the vehicle from his friend, among several other former cop cars, following his passing. The Malibu retains all of the cool features that make police vehicles slightly more bad-ass than their non-police siblings, like heavy duty steering and suspension and Recaro-style front bucket seats. It even retains its official paint job from its days in service for the Marion County Sheriff’s Office in Oregon. Find this 9C1 survivor here on eBay where bidding is at $1,525 with the reserve unmet.
While we see police-spec Caprices, Impalas, and even Mustangs pop up with some frequency, the Malibu is one we don’t spot all that often. The seller notes that it has survived incredibly well despite being off the road for years, and you can still see the remnants of the unit number on the roof and on the bumpers. While it’s certainly rough in patches, the originality is impressive. The seller notes that there was also a pushbar and a spotlight when it was in policy duty (now missing), and evidence of a lightbar on the roof when it was in service. Without a doubt, the next owner should track down the original police-spec accessories and re-install as soon as possible after taking delivery.
I was most intrigued by the interior, as those look all the world like Recaro bucket seats that have been recovered in durable blue vinyl. I can’t recall seeing a Malibu police car with bucket seats like this, but I do know Recaro provided their supportive buckets to many departments. The interior is in good condition overall, with the seller noting that the dash is cracked and the headliner will need to be redone. The Malibu still has its police-grade vinyl floor covering which remains in good shape, and the steering wheel doesn’t show much in the way of wear and tear. The seller notes the mileage as being 135,359, and that it is believed to be genuine. In my opinion, this car presents way better than that mileage would indicate.
The engine is a 350 with four-barrel carburetor. Despite not having run since 1991, the seller notes that it fired back up with ease and ran well, and that the braking system still works as intended. Like most classics from the Pacific Northwest, rust isn’t much of an issue, with the seller noting the only issue being a rotten trunk lid that developed pin holes leading to rust in the trunk. The floor of the trunk is not compromised to the point of needing replacement, but the trunk lid should be replaced. The rest of the Malibu is rot-free, and rock chips are the only other noted cosmetic defects of any significance. Overall, this is a very cool alternative to the typical police car that enters into civilian use, and I hope the next owner does its heritage justice with an authentic re-creation.
Nice. Very cool find.
Oh man! These are what we’re used as police cars when I was in high school. You ALWAYS see 2 doors, but not these. I wouldn’t do a cop car with it, I would make it a dark colored sleeper with Torque Thrust wheels. 5 speed too. Upgrade everything and drive.
What is the can under the hood (drivers side) that looks like a spin-on filter?
Intriguing if those are really Recaros – they’re the best part of the car!
And a 350 4 barrel. At first, I was expecting the lackluster 305. Huge plus.
My favorite squad car of my 16 year career. Very fast and wonderful handling characteristics. It was a bit challenging from a roominess standpoint as I am 6’4″ and at the time was 250 pounds but the benefits far outweighed the size issue.
Traces of original donut crumbs in the front.
I noted on here a couple of weeks ago, I bought a ’79 Malibu 9C1 in about 1982. For many years, up until I bought a 2012 Caprice PPV cruiser the ’79 was my favorite daily driver. I also have a couple of ’95 Caprice 9C1s, but the ’79 was just the right size and handled beautifully. Mine had been dark blue but had been repainted white, looked almost identical to this one except for the different C pillars. It had the driver’s side spotlight and I added a matching one on the right. Somewhere in the mid ’90s I realized the right rear frame rail had rusted almost through behind the rear axle. I had a nice clean California ’81 ElCamino that the previous owner had run hot and fried the 305, so I put the whole driveline from the ’79 into it, and also transfered the quicker steering, stabilizer bars and frame stiffening bars for the front suspension into the ElCamino. I put most of the interior from a ’83 Grand Prix (nicer 60/40 split seat, nicer door panels etc). A friend talked me out of it and still drives it for shows.
If you find one of these A/G bodies from ’78-87, check carefully for frame rot, especially behind the rear axle. They can be made into wonderful handlers/driver’s.
Maine State Police had these 1981 350 4V 9C1 Malibus. I remember reading that the 1981 350 4V 9C1 Malibu was the fastest police car for the 1981 Model year, with a top speed of just under 120 MPH.
Seats look like Recaros but they are actually similar to the regular buckets offered in 2 door G bodies. The factory Recaro police seats were not released until the 1995 Lumina. You could order one or two in either tan or blue. I have tan ones in my ’83 Malibu 9C1
The chrome canister under the hood is an aftermarket oil filter by Frantz. It used a standard roll of toliet paper as a filter
Strange seeing bucket seats that don’t fold forward! Yes it’s a 4-door but still strange.
Power tripping , power hungry ,
Lying manipulators,
Once they start hanging around with the fraternity brothers , they all start thinking that civilians are all inferior!
So , hell no I would not drive or own an ugly more door with the abuse aura around it Scrap for parts or better yet , send it to the crusher …
Let’s hear it for Claudio, representing the Dindu tribe here on Barn Finds.
Ahaha, we are both entitled to our opinion
And to drive you up more, i dont go to church cause i am not a blind follower …
These Malibu 9C1’s were my favourite with the Nova series as well! This Malibu is awesome and actually very solid, everything on it is correct from what I see including the bucket seats. I would have bid and bought this a month ago but with all that’s going on in the world right now I sadly can’t.
I have and purchased new a 1980 special order COPO 1AT27 2door malibu 9C1 with the lm1 350 v8 now with 53,000 kilometers. Have all original documents, order guide window sticker,build sheet, dealer GM invoice etc. Factory guages with 120 speedo,a/c police cloth bench seat etc. questions?
Nope, nada, none !
How much you want for it? I am a 9C1 fanatic, had a ’13 Caprice PPV and it was my favorite car. Always wanted one of those LM1 350 A body Malibus. Real shame GM was neutered over the fake fuel crisis. The would would be a much better place if people drove around in smaller rwd sedans with nice strong V8s than the ridiculous mastodon pickups and suvs they all drive. With modern efi, od trans, brakes, handling, traction aids…they would be much safer and more efficient.
You are only 4 years late for the party , the event is long gone …
is this car still available
Hi, common sense isn’t common any more !