Dealer special orders are nothing new, with those cars typically used as bait to entice potential customers through showroom doors. However, this 1975 Chevelle Malibu Classic Estate is slightly different because the dealer ordered it as the tow vehicle for their race car. That explains why its engine bay houses the iconic 454ci V8. It served in the role for one year before finding its way into private hands. The Malibu comes with a collection of documentation and is set to find a new home. The seller has listed the muscle wagon here on Craigslist in Grants Pass, Oregon. It could be yours for $15,500 OBO, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Tony P for spotting this fantastic classic.
Chevrolet launched its Third Generation Chevelle range for the 1973 model year, with the Malibu Classic becoming the range-topping version in 1974. Buyers could select from three body styles, and our feature Classic Estate rolled off the line as a special order in 1975. The dealer didn’t follow the typical practice of selecting a premium paint shade, focusing on luxury and power to create a comfortable and practical tow vehicle. They selected subtle Antique White paint to cloak its exterior, probably deciding it would allow for an easier resale once it had served its purpose. The Estate is generally tidy, with only a few minor panel and paint imperfections. I would love to say it is rust-free, but there are issues for potential buyers to consider. There is visible rust around the wheel arches, with further steel penetration in the lower doors and spare wheel well. However, replacement wells are available for under $200, and the remaining areas may be patchable. The trim is in good order, and the chrome roof rack is a practical feature. The glass is clear, and the Wagon rolls on 8″ Rally wheels.
Lifting the hood reveals what makes this Malibu worth more than a passing glance. The drivetrain package includes a 454ci V8, a three-speed Turbo 400 automatic transmission, and power assistance for the steering and brakes. The big-block produced 215hp and 350 ft/lbs of torque from the factory, and it was the low-end delivery that made this Malibu an ideal tow vehicle. It would have been a thirsty beast, but dragging whatever the owner hooked to the hitch would have been relatively effortless. The seller admits the tailpipes require replacement, but they include a shiny OEM set in the deal. Documentation includes the original Bill of Sale and a vast selection of service records. The Malibu runs and drives well and is a turnkey proposition for its new owner.
Although this Malibu’s exterior may be understated, the dealer loaded the interior with options. These include air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a power tailgate release, cruise control, a rear defogger, a tilt wheel, and an AM/FM radio/8-track player. The seller confirms the A/C requires a recharge but that the remaining features work as they should. The interior presentation is impressive for a family wagon, with tired carpet and minor scuffs on the cargo area plastic as the only legitimate faults. The Brown vinyl is in good order, and there are no pad cracks.
Classic Station Wagons are strong performers in the market, and the lack of new domestic alternatives is one of the main drivers. Those buyers who aren’t attracted to new SUVs must either consider imports or turn their attention to vehicles like this 1975 Chevelle Malibu Classic Estate. The seller’s price is pretty realistic for a vehicle of this caliber. However, their willingness to consider respectable offers could allow the new owner to save a few dollars on the deal. That must make it worth a close look if a Station Wagon has been on your radar.
It’s not a Malibu Classic Estate, it’s just a Malibu Classic. Estates had woodgrain surrounded by chrome moldings. It doesn’t appear as though this car ever had woodgrain.
Growing up a friend had the 350 version of this & we quickly proclaimed it the dragon wagon because of his fearless feats of reving it & dropping it in gear ( think 16 yr old shenanigans) this thing is the real deal!
Shaggin Wagon because of the fearless feats that happened in the back!
The Good: 454 V8, white color with no Di-Noc faux wood glued to the sides, loaded option list. The Bad: Rust, gas mileage, “Malaise Era” Emission Controls. The Ugly: Nothing, I like it! It’s even priced fairly! If you’re buying cars by the pound, this is hamburger pricing. Although the thought had occurred to me to ask the question: Why a mid-size wagon instead of a full-size wagon (Impala or Caprice) for a tow vehicle? The dealer can afford anything he wants, the full-size is much more comfortable and can tow as much, if not more than the Malibu, and at that time, wasn’t too much more money. Inquiring minds want to know!
If the dealer wanted maximum towing capacity and passenger space they would have got a Suburban. This was the size that fit their needs.
True. I was mostly just curious, I cast no aspersions on the original owner’s choices. If any one was offended, then I apologize. No offense was intended. Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa, Mea Maxima Culpa!
Seems odd that if it started life as a tow-car, it might be fitted with a trailer hitch.
No offence taken Robert. If the fellow owned the dealership for any length of time, he would have known what suited his needs better than any of us.
If I had a nickel for every used car ad that says “the A/C just needs a recharge”, I could afford to buy 10 of these.
What they really mean is “the A/C just needs a recharge (every other month)”
Also means “needs an evaporator core and compressor”.
Oh, and now that R12 refrigerant is going for over $100 a pound, I hope that lottery ticket pays off, so you can afford to recharge it every month, LOL! Either that, or a conversion to R134a is in your future!
Pretty neat to see an older Chevy wagon with a big block and loaded with options, and in good shape, too. I don’t think that steering wheel is original, though, it looks like a Camaro wheel. Hopefully it finds a good home.
Given that the wheel was included on the Laguna Type S-3 it may have been an RPO.
My Dad had one of these, bought used probably in 79 or so. It had wood grain and a 350.
I was a new driver and I distinctly remember the cruise control was actuated by a push button on the left side of the steering wheel (you can see it in one of the pictures). There was no indication of what it was set at, and it was fun to set it while on a road with sharp corners and trying not to touch the brakes while it accelerated at unexpected times. The stupid crap we used to do…
I have had quite a few of these ’73-’77 A-Body wagons, my favorite but most of mine were Olds. Rust buckets to the max.
The body shop manager at my favorite Olds dealer said the GM was trying lesser quality recycled steel for the A-Body wagons and 4-door sedans during this era, and it wasn’t going well. He said there were actually internal memos about the issues, but I have never really found any.
@ Zen….
The 4-spoke Sport steering wheel was an option available beginning in 1971.
Would make a nice stable-mate for my 1975 454 El Camino.
Had a 77 version of this that we bought used. Had a 350 with 150,000 miles. It was a tank. Wife hit another car pulling out of a driveway. The other car fell apart, but only a scratch on the front bumper. The only real problem I would recommend looking for is a rusted gas tank. It slid up in the left rear quarter panel and was subject to rust. Mine developed a leak at the bottom. I went through 3 junkyard tanks before I found one that didn’t leak at the bottom. It had a rust hole about halfway up. Could only fill the tank about half. The car ran forever though.
The only things missing are the swivel buckets, center console and third row seats. Well, that and the Estate package.
Great minds think alike!
Paint it red and it could be Marge Simpson’s car.
Before she got behind the wheel of a Canyonero.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Whghix7aqIo
I had a 2 door hardtop Malibu. It was only a 350 but a lot of fun to drive. The passenger quarter was crushed when I got it and one specific road sloped into dirt on the side and I could keep it sideways for a half mile down the side of the road bending the road markers with that quarter as I went along. My friend and I had a blast doing the off road thing a lot in that car. It sure took a beating and was still running strong and everything but that quarter was straight and rust free when I sold it. I’m a huge wagon guy and this is as close to perfect as you’re going to get if you want one. Shame my Dodge Magnum isn’t worth more.