One Family Car: 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu

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The Chevelle was a mid-size car built by Chevrolet between 1964-78. It lived on afterward as the Malibu and was still in production as recently as 2020. The second generation was its most popular (1968-72), and this Malibu Sport Coupe has been in the same family for 49 years. It runs well but has some rust and worn paint, so a cosmetic makeover will be in order. Located in Syracuse, Missouri, this Chevy has been bid up to $10,000 so far here on eBay. Thanks for the tip, Tommy T-Tops!

Eight years after being introduced as an intermediate to the full-size Impala/Bel Air/Biscayne and the compact Chevy II/Nova, the Chevelle was still a big seller. For 1972, more than 630,000 cars were sold (including El Camino and Monte Carlo, part of the same family), with 184,500 of them being a Malibu Sport Coupe with a V8 like the seller’s car. The 1971-72 models were easily distinguishable from their predecessors by their single headlights (instead of duals) and big, round rear taillights.

As the story goes, the seller’s grandfather bought this upscale Malibu when it was new in 1972. At some point, he passed it on to his daughter who later, in turn, passed it to the seller. So, it’s been in the family for five decades. Though always garaged, the Chevy hasn’t been able to escape the rust bug, which has managed to chew a bit on the rear quarter panels. But the vinyl top may have avoided that as there are no signs of any bubbling under the material.

At 92,000 miles, the Malibu is said to be a well-running machine with a 350 cubic inch V8 and Turbo-Hydramatic transmission. Power steering and brakes along with factory air conditioning are present and we assume they work properly. The interior is a bit tired, and the bench front seat bottom will need to be recovered and the door panels dyed back to the original color. As single-owner families often do, documentation for this Chevelle has survived, including the window sticker when new and the owner’s manual. It’s nice to see one of these old Chevies still around that’s not a Super Sport or hasn’t been cloned as one.

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Comments

  1. Ken Carney

    I’d be happy with it. Just redo the interior,
    fix the body issues, and enjoy as is. Not
    every Malibu needs to be an SS clone.
    Needs 2 more doors for my tribe though.but I can live with it. Great find!

    Like 8
    • Galen Niederwerder

      Hey, Ken Cardy, I have a 1970 Malibu four door with 37,000 miles on it. 350 2-barrel, green. Very good condition, very good. The only variation from stock is American Racing Wheels and dual exhaust. (Nice rumble.) If you are interested, let me know.

      Like 2
  2. Lance Platt

    One of the nicest styled cars of all time. Intermediate sized in its day for easy driving and parking but big enough for family trips. I agree with the reviewer than there is faded paint and rust issue with more cancer trouble potentially lurking under the vinyl top. The CFC air conditioning in 1972 might need to be completed retrofitted. The Malibu was state of the art in 1972 but disc brakes all around and new all weather steel belted radial tires would be safety modifications that wouldn’t change the vintage appearance of the car. Even though the stated mileage is low for its age, a lot can wear and tear out in 50 years so a complete pre-purchase inspection is prudent. Another great Barn Find!

    Like 7
  3. TJ

    Although the 1966 and 1970 were my favorite Malibu, I fell in love with the 1972 model when I went away to college in the fall of 1972 and my roommate who was from New Jersey had one. His parents bought it for him when he graduated high school. It was a bronze color with black interior with the 350 V-8. I got to drive it a few times and loved the handling and performance of the car! I was really disappointed when I saw the 1973 model cars come out with the big bumpers! That’s when styling went out the window.

    Like 5
    • ADM

      I also went to college the fall of ’72, and a friend in my dorm had a ’72 Malibu SS 350. Maroon with the black stripes, positraction, and the famous “horseshoe” shifter. I drove that a few times and even got a drive by from a local cop, who must’ve followed me after a little “get up and go.”

      Like 1

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