From its introduction in 1964, the mid-size Chevelle was a big seller for Chevrolet, and 1971 was no exception. The upper-level Malibu outsold the rest of the series and the Sport Coupe alone accounted for more than a third of Chevelle production that year. We’re told this car ran when it was parked in 1986 but has been relieved of some parts and Mother Nature has not been kind. Fresh out of a corn crib in Wahoo, Nebraska, this Malibu is available on eBay where the bidding has reached $3,350.

The most noticeable change in the ’71 Malibu vs. the prior year was the shift to single headlights instead of duals which had been a Chevelle trademark since Day 1. Also, the taillight configuration was altered. Apparently. those changes proved popular as the ’72 modes would be virtually unchanged beyond the efforts that had begun to make the cars run leaner for the ecology. 515,625 cars under the Chevelle umbrella were built that year, but it includes the El Camino and Monte Carlo. The seller’s car is likely one that was ordered often with its 350 cubic inch V8 and automatic transmission.

As the story goes, this ’71 Malibu came to rest in a barn about 35 years ago. So, it’s conceivable the coupe only had some farm animals to keep it company over the years. It left the factory in “triple green,” i.e., green paint, vinyl top, and vinyl upholstery. It has Chevy’s Rally wheels which were changed in ’71 from oblong portals to square ones in the rims. Only three of the four beauty rings have stayed the course.

The Chevy’s vinyl roof has been peeled off with just surface rust remaining, as best as we can tell. Both quarter panels have holes in them leading to a see-through trunk floor, which was not standard equipment from the factory. We’re told the passenger floorboards are also rusty but should be patchable. The seller says there are also some broken windows.

Since the car was parked, the radiator and carburetor have been removed, likely for another project, and the engine is stuck now from sitting so long. 1971 was the first year of the industry-wide detuning process so cars could run on unleaded fuel. This Malibu should be no exception. Because the Chevrolet has been idle so long, the title is no more, probably lost, so a bill of sale will have to do. This looks like a rough (and expensive) car to restore for being an ordinary Malibu. If it was a Super Sport, the value of the car would be much higher.