As one of the top-selling cars in 1972, the Chevrolet Chevelle isn’t much of a rarity in the marketplace, but to locate one that hasn’t been cloned into an SS or made a Restomod is refreshing to find these days. That’s not to say that this Malibu isn’t a prime candidate to turn into something different, but with the amount of originality that seems to remain here, just preserving this one as it is now is also worth considering. Whatever you’ve got in mind, this 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu is in San Jose, California, and can be spotted here on Craigslist. The seller says he’s in no hurry to let this one go and has posted an asking price of $34,000, but he also mentions or best offer, so perhaps this cool Chevy can be purchased for a bit less. Our thanks go out to reader T.J. for the excellent tip here!
Some of the information provided by the owner is that this one’s a true garage find, which he describes as a time capsule that will appeal to the purists in the hobby. There’s no confirmation that the paint or vinyl top is still original, but if a respray has been done at some point, it seems to be holding up decently. No visible rust can be spotted in any of the outside sheet metal, and the panel fit seems to remain tight, so it’s easy to believe this Chevelle has been well-cared-for and is as solid as the seller claims. Although this one’s not an SS, the Rally wheels give the car a sporty look, and I’m seeing some beauty that the exterior hasn’t been tampered with, at least not yet.
We get to view a good selection of outside photos, but only a couple are provided featuring the interior. However, what is shown seems to be enough to tell that most of the components still look fairly good, with the driver’s seat ready for some fresh upholstery. It’s great to find buckets and a console here, but it would have been nice to have gotten a picture of the instrument cluster. I’m not seeing any cracks in the visible section of the dash, and hopefully, that’s just years’ worth of dirt on the steering wheel, and maybe it will clean up adequately.
Several engine options could be had here in ‘72, with the 307 being the smallest V8 available. The next jump was to a 350, which is what’s in the bay here, with the seller proclaiming that it’s running beautifully. Both the motor and the Turbo 350 automatic transmission are stated as original, with everything in the engine compartment appearing to be in good order, and it’s great to see the A/C compressor still intact. For me, preservation is the key here, although I can also understand the urge to transform this 1972 Chevelle Malibu into something more exciting. What are your thoughts?
Wow, amazing!
Late ’70 this was a $700.00 family grocery getter. Throw a set of Cragars and Radial T/A’s and flip the air cleaner lid and you were ready to cruise.
Nice to see it preserved, as usual I can’t understand the asking price, but that’s just me.
As soon as I saw the asking price I knew it was a dealer selling it. I’ve learned after looking at many classic car dealers over the years that they average about $10-$15k over what the car is actually worth. I guess they consider that their “wiggle room”. Beautiful car, though.
Needs TLC .
Engine bay items are crusty .
Seat torn.
Crack pipe dreams in price .
Find another
It’s a really nice looking car. The dealer will likely get close to his asking price of its as nice as it looks.
The best defense against a car being turned into a SS clone is a high price, high end restomods work under a somewhat different formula and aren’t as subject to vehicle purchase price. By the time you add up the cost of performing the work needed (labor) and components the cost is prohibitively expensive. No one will clone this 1971, they aren’t nearly as desirable as the 1970 and the asking price makes unaffordable for that purpose.
Steve R
The most unique thing about this car is the optional cushion grip steering wheel. Love the color combination and 14″ rallye wheels.
I was gonna say that the steering wheel looked like 73-76, I didn’t know that was an option for 72.
You are correct about the steering wheel since I have a 1971 Chevelle. It does look like a newer model mid 1970s! Still a clean Chevelle
IF the vinyl seats and the rest of the interior were cleaned, then MAYBE I’d offer $20-$25k, but no more.
I always liked the size and styling of the 1968-1972 GM intermediate coupes. This 1972 model presents well and is nicely equipped. It should be kept original! I definitely can’t afford the asking price!
It appears to be a pretty nice example and it is also over priced.
Nice looking car but the price is unrealistic. Needs a lot of cleaning inside and under the hood. I wouldn’t be interested without a personal inspection. I’ve been burned by used car dealers before.
34k and the front seat is torn with duct tape on it. thats takes a lot of nerve. nice car but as other commenters have said overpriced but i am sure somebody will pay it but not me.
Correct seat covers are available from several sources.
Wow! I hadn’t noticed the torn vinyl and duct tape. This dealer can not be serious. I originally thought it was somewhat overpriced, now I think it’s way overpriced.
For that crazy price, why wouldn’t they have the seat cleaned up by an upholsterer or even replace it with a re-pop cover if available. Spend a few bucks and make the car presentable. I almost bought a 1972 Elcamino in this color when I was about to leave Montana in 1977. Settled on a 1970 red & white pickup instead, which served me well. I didn’t really like that color too much.
Only even clicked on it because it wasn’t Requisite Red. I like it and would drive it but sure wouldn’t pay that for it.
Nice Chevelle, 350/350 auto with factory A/C and bucket seats is very desirable. Unfortunate color and needs some upholstery…and the price is unrealistic. But, I guess if some dreamer has the cash, it will sell. I think its low 20s at most.
When asking top or over top dollar, wouldn’t you at the very least clean the interior? Since that was neglected or too much trouble, what else was? Love the 72, but not this one.
Ya think
You don’t find ’em like this anymore !? Bla color combo , unknown mileage ,dirty , beat -up interior, 350/350, and it’s only ” I know what I got” $35k. !? Only good thing is wonderful caly sheet metal that needs a real drive line and in and out color change. Maybe some underside pix would help get some tire kickers to pay a visit.
“I know what I got”………………..
Yeah, the price is ridiculous, but where else will you find one all original with low mileage, and apparently unmolested?
It has been molested, they just didn’t fix any of it. BTW yourself would be molested if you paid 34K for this.
Spending the option money on the 350 upgrade was a great call. 👍
It’s good he’s not in a hurry at that price
Interior looks awful but not sure about the rest of the car. Not worth anything close to what they are asking.
I agree, that you don’t see these in this (exterior) condition, anyway. Are those Rallye wheels original?? Or would this have had regular steel wheels with hubcaps? I like the way it looks on the outside; however, that interior is a filthy pig-pen. And the price is ludicrous. $13,500 MAYBE. Too “sporty” for me: hard pass.
I agree, that you don’t see these in this (exterior) condition, anyway. Are those Rallye wheels original?? Or would this have had regular steel wheels with hubcaps? I like the way it looks on the outside; however, that interior is a filthy pig-pen. And the price is ludicrous. $13,500 MAYBE. Too “sporty” for me: hard pass.
My friend ordered one new & ordered these rally wheels.
I had a 1971 El Camino that came with them. These were really common on early-1970’s Camaros, Chevelles/El Caminos and Novas.
Steve R
Those are later Chevy Rally IIs. They had Rally Is in 72.
I always wondered why my grandpa ( Packard one) bought a ’72 Nova, when he was much more a Chevelle type of guy. Wasn’t the money, him and grandmum were dinks( dual incomes, no kids) and could have easily come up with another $250 bucks. I read, the Nova was about $2650, and the Chevelle about $2900. He wasn’t a flashy guy, and why the hottest car of the time was so out of character for him. A nod to some salesperson.
This car was for that single librarian, secretary or HS art teacher we all admired, and sadly, with not the best service, many bit the dust, and were traded for that new Celica she heard about. They were great cars.
Right you are. My very pretty 4th grade teacher had a brown ’72 Malibu and drove by our bus stop on the way to school everyday. Always liked her car and her girl-next-door looks.
Let me get this straight, he was your grandfather which means that he was either your fathers or your mothers father, yet your grand parents had no kids. How does that work?
Ha……………
Oh, so sharp, she was my STEP grandmother. I never knew my real grandmother, but was always “grandma” to us.
Nice to have you back commenting Howard 🍻
Thanks, pal.
In response to oldroddder: uh… their “kids” were GROWN, and thus they didn’t have any LIVING WITH THEM and figuring into their purchase of an automobile?
I see that a little sarcastic humor isn’t your strong point.
To oldrodder: no, it isn’t. You see, I am Autistic; and sarcasm, irony, and other non-literal expressions or meanings, tend to escape me. Many jokes draw a “blank” with me, also. I did not mean to offend you — I really thought you didn’t know how grandparents could have no kids.
Fret not my friend, l most certainly wasn’t offended.
Thank you, oldrodder. That is something else I am unable to discern — if I have offended someone — unless they directly tell me. Since I seem “perfectly intelligent”, and I look “perfectly normal”, people generally have no idea how handicapped I am, especially with communication and intuition.
You’re doing just fine Harrison.
He’s high at $34k, but what seller asks less than or equal to what they want from the car? Rust-free (per photos, anyway) California Chevelle coupes are getting rarer every day. Add the factory buckets, console, A/C parts, etc. and somewhere around that price doesn’t sound too bad (proper in-depth pre-sale inspection, notwithstanding). I’d probably replace the seat covers, add 1970 SS wheels and be done. I’m on the fence about adding all the SS badges, but if I did, I’d switch those wheels to the 71/72 SS (aka Z/28) steelies.