This 1978 Malibu is said by the seller to be one of only 94 built in 1978 with a V8 and a 4-speed manual transmission at GM’s Oshawa plant. Other cars with the same combination were likely built elsewhere that year, so 94 isn’t necessarily the total production for that combination in 1978, but I’d guess it’s still a rare car. Regardless of how rare it may or may not be, I’m a sucker for anything with a V8 and three pedals, so I think this is a pretty neat car. The car is currently offered here on eBay in North Reading, MA, with bidding at $8000 and reserve not yet met.
According to the seller, this car was driven 88,000 miles between 1978 and 1986, when it was then put into storage until it was removed early this year and mechanically refreshed. Based on the seller’s photos, I don’t see any reason to doubt these claims, as the interior and exterior are in good condition for a 40-year-old car.
1978 was the first year for the new, downsized, fourth-generation intermediate cars from GM. Although the 1978 Malibu was hundreds of pounds lighter than it’s 1977 predecessor and considerably smaller on the outside, the new model had more passenger space and trunk room than the outgoing model.
Unfortunately, while the body and chassis may have been improvements over previous years’ cars, the drivetrain still wasn’t anything special. The 305 this car came with would have been rated at only 140HP. The seller asks that the new owner leave the car original, but given the performance potential of these cars with today’s aftermarket parts, I think that may be a tough ask. What would you do with this car if you owned it? There can’t be too many left like this one, but it’s hard to ignore the possibilities.
With Ford out of the picture with the Mustang ll, this car was in direct competition with the ’78 Road Runner earlier, except, this was 10 times the car. To show how the “V8, 4 speed” muscle cars interest had waned in the late ’70’s, you’d have thought, this, and the Road Runner, would have been bigger hits. All eyes were on the gas pump, and very few wanted one. And insurance too, big premiums for V8, 4 speed cars.( insurance companies had no idea they were slugs, didn’t matter) I’d take this any day over the Road Runner.
By 1978 the Road Runner was pretty much just an appearance package on a Volaré. Yeah, you could get a 360 in one but it was strangled down to about 175hp with a four barrel carb.
I do like this Malibu, especially as it reminds me of a classmate in the late ’80s that had one that looked just like this, but given the choice I would have an F-body Road Runner in orange.
Just saw the ad for the Road Runner. Yeah… coin flip.
1978 I believe was the first year for the Fox-bodied Mustang. Regardless I wouldn’t consider any Malibu a direct competitor of any Mustang.
The Fox-bodied Mustang made its debut in 1979. 1978 was the last year for the horrible Mustang II.
Orig, from CA, no one I knew cared one whit what the CA grubmint wanted for engines, or, for that matter, what gas cost. Yeah, it was always too much after 1960 (!), but everything was. All we cared about was making it go-period. ( Stopping came later ! ) Insurance was based on where ya lived & what the car spec’d as stock. So, a car that had a V8 ‘could’ have a bigger V8 snuck in-until , that is, the smog mob took things over! We can see where that went also, the car makers got with the program & ( literally) programmed performance tech into the engines to where we are today, and—it’s getting better every day! We win.
Better today in one respect, make that two, mileage and all around performance.
Till they break down that is.
My last laptop, pc and monitors plus Divisions quickie checkers cost more than all the previous Sun Tuners and programs
upgrades including tools.
The cost of newer “brains” is in realm of buying a rusted out hulk.
Friend built and early years Lol Jimmy, v8, 4 spd w/aftermarket O D, Beaut of paint with real tastefully done gold pin striping and plated wires, nice interoor, and then had 6K stereo for completion shows. Won bunch shows and events Oregon, WA Canada, but at big event in Cali would not let enter, not smog and Cali “CARB” SMOG LEGAL.
Guys, let’s not knock the Mustang II. It’s not my preference either, but a former co-worker of mine had a pretty fancy ’78 Mustang II Ghia notchback coupe with a 302, and it was a beast with amazing acceleration, even though it was completely stock with an automatic transmission.
I really love these 4th-gen. Malibu coupes, and I would LOVE to have this one!
Wow! I can’t believe I called this car a 4th-gen. Malibu! It’s a FIRST-gen. Malibu. Up to the previous year, 1977, Malibu was not a model line, but an appearance option package on the Chevelle line, which had just been discontinued.
I have always loved these g body cars. I have owned several. One of these came up for sale a couple years ago on ebay, so I start bidding and end up winning it. The v8 four speed in 78 Malibu is fairly rare. Any information I can find says 1654 total built that year. Mine had 66k miles, low option car, repainted at some point, but mostly original except wheels. It is by far the most fun car I have ever owned. Sure, it is no power house, who cares? best to just leave it stock and original. It gets more compliments and interest than any car I have ever owned. I flew up to portland oregon to meet the seller, paid for the car and drove it home over a thousand miles to Colorado and it ran perfectly. Love this car!
Had one, the pumpkin cluster in rear end broke, took off the cover and tuns out had BW full time posi, fixed that then broke the Saginaw trans twice, so got the BG pre 68 super T-10, slipped a mild cam in, found a Alum. Fac intake for the 305, headers, w custom crossmember, exhaust, sooo much fun!
These wre A-body cars. G-body was Monte Carlo, Pontiac Grand Prix, and 2-door Buick Regals a d Olds Cutlasses.
I’d take them BOTH! The only changes I’d make to the both of them would be to source the optional bumper guards/rub strips, to break up that expanse of metal, front and rear! :-)
I owned a 1979 with a v-8 and four speed, only seen 2 my whole life….tiny v-8, I think was a 262 cube…
It was the most pointless engine ever. 267 cubic inches. I have a 79 Malibu that had one. Ive owned it since 1997. Originally powder blue with a TH200 (?) and a 2.29:1 (!) 7.5″ rear axle. The 267 got swapped for a 355, and the 2.29 gears for 3.42, then before i grenanded the trans, a 200 4r was swapped in. Then i lucked into an 8.5″ 3.73:1 (non posi!) rear out of a 442 that i swapped a posi into. About that time early 2000’s), the cam went south, thanks to the oil manufacturers deleting the zinc from the oil without telling us, so i built a 383 for the car. All steel with ac, the car ran a best of 13.45 in the 1/4. No blinding fast, but i was happy (ok, i wish it would have run 12’s!). That engine ate itself too, as against my better judgement, but on the “advice” of my older brother, i built the 383 with a used set of hypereutectic pistons instead of new forged. The top of the ring lands broke off on several pistons, knocking a hole in the #1 cylinder. The car NOW has been awaitng a 468 BBC swap, but im in the process of building a house. (I was contemplating an ls swap, but came across the bbc with paperwork locally for cheaper than incould buy the swap parts or an LS.)
That will be mean with a BBC. Don’t lose sight of your dream lol
140hp box of a car with a manual transmission… sometimes old cars are just… old.
Maybe try a bit o’hope here, Say this 3 times; ” There’s ways to get to what you want”. At the spec price this’ll get out with, this’d a blast to have fun plugging in some components and having some fun. Who sez anyone ‘has’ to keep anything bone stock-or, even accept a stock package? Heck, be American & modify, it’s your heritage & what we do!
Wow what a fun car to drive. I don’t see an a.c. compressor in there, which wouldn’t work for me, because i live in the desert, but… I’m sure that could be sourced. I’d drive it until the 305 expires, then make it a 350. I agree it’s rare, I’m thinking 10 grand worth of rare. Curious what the reserve is. I’ll patiently watch.
Non-A/C car. If you look at the dash photo, you’ll see blanks where the outboard A/C vents would be, and cowl vent controls where the driver’s side lap-level A/C vent would’ve been.
I wouldnt bother. Junkyard LS swap.
Well if you had to time travel back to a decade that in the main delivered some of the worst American cars ever………….you might has well do it with a 4 speed
I know the guy wants it kept original, but once it’s sold, it’s the owner’s car. A serious power upgrade and a gear vendors unit would be in order.
Getting the money together to put a Gear Vendors unit in ” Mistress Sadie “
Very nice and clean Malibu! But, that red interior would have to go. Maybe change over to dark blue. Then I’d drive and enjoy it.
Appears to be very close to the color and fabric in the ’78 Grand LeMans I bought new. This one doesn’t bother me, to each his own, I guess?
Mistake, imo. 1. It would not be cost effective. 2. You would be taking away the uniqeness, as almost all cars today have boring frey or black interiors. 3. Blue seems to be much more common. I have a 79 that originally had a light blue interior. Most if It got swapped for a dark blue monte carlo bucket seat intorrior, nit because i didnt like the original, but because it had gotten baked by the Texas heat. I came across a guy in the early 2000’s making a dirt track car out of a pristine “gramma car” 1985 monte carlo. I even tried to swap him my malibu, which was in decent shape, but not as nice as the MC, but it was a no go. Scored a perfect dash, tilt floor shift column, , carpet, door lanels bucket seats and console as well as a 7.5″ rear for $200 (!). (I used the rear axle to swap 3.42 gears into so my car wouldn’t be down too long as it was my daimy driver at the time.) i still have a light blue headliner. I had it replaced when i first biught the car, before findind the mc interior. It gives it a cool late 70’s/ early 80’s vibe, imo.
WOW! What is it with Barn Finds today, I want almost every car you have featured, including tis one. I had one that was kinda of a POS, but I still liked it, I would love this one.
Very cool car – and local to me! Would love to see this up close an personal…
I just don’t see the value here.
Perhaps someone ordered this up without A/C or many other options in an effort to extract maximum performance out of it…a family-friendly alternative to a Camaro, if you will.
In the year 2018, I can’t see myself wanting to drive this more than a few miles, especially on a hot summer day.
I live in Massachusetts, as does this car. It’s New England. Up through the 1980s a lot of New Englanders considered A/C, whether in their home or in their car, to be an expensive and unnecessary luxury. A lot of people still dislike it and will turn it on only when they’re absolutely roasting.
I resemble that remark
This car has the same design elements, roughly, of the late ’70s Caprice, in a smaller and very tidy package. 2 door, 4 speed, V-8, checks all the boxes. I would be proud to own this one, rather than a bit embarrassed to own the Road Runner. This is the kind of car, sort of like the early Chevelle 2 door wagons, that would generate a lot of comments at the gas station, but only a few people would actually “get it”, that this is an unusual, desirable, and rare car.
Looks to be a fun, low-drama, driver. And it has Rally wheels! Nice.
Car and Driver road tested a car with this powertrain. Not really impressive, but good for the times. My Dad had two wagon versions of the Malibu. Very roomy but the interior plastics were quick to degrade. These cars feel very lightweight compared to 60’s and 70’s intermediates. The engine and chassis of this car could improved dramatically while preserving the original look, a perfect sleeper.
I’m not much of a GM guy but I do like these (but like them more as a trucklett El Camino). An engine transplant would be first on the list here and it wouldn’t harm the value if you pickled the original. Shine ‘er up and maybe replace the rear bumper and windshield for sure. Then drive it. A steering wheel upgrade from some other GM against a darker dash. To bit much red in there . . .
The ultimate “Boxcalade” !! Pull the 305 and preserve it on a stand. Find a LQ9 from a Escalade…get the G Body LS Kit and drop her in ahead of that 4 speed…add Vintage air and you have a serious DD sleeper….12 second potential with 3:73 Posi !!
If you ever got traction, you’d shred that light duty four speed in about two shifts.
My thoughts as well. Its not an m22 were dealing with here, or even an m21. A t56 would be the way to go. In addition to the 79 coupe i mentioned above, i recenly scored a 56k mile 82 wagon for $500. Unfortunately it sat out in an asphalt parking lot since 1987 and is BAKED. No rust or dents though. Its currently equipped with a 3.8 chevy v6 and auto. I have collected all the parts to swap a t5 out of an s10. (I have more in the swap parts than i do the trans, but that’s the way it goes!) I plan to see how the 3.8 does, but Im not confident i can leave it alone. I have a 96 vortec 350 that i built years ago as a backup for a 200k mile 97 silverado that i sold instead. A $100 carb swap intake would be a cheap power upgrade to double the power. Then i would really have to be careful with the T5, though. Not even a “world class” trans…😬
A statement of General Motors (GM) boldness. With roughly 48% of the national automobile market, GM still dominated our roads.
This vehicle pays tribute to a 60’s era of 4-speeds and V-8 s. 2 years later, GM would stop offering any rear drive intermediates with a manual.
If I had this vehicle in my possession, I’d leave it alone and let it stand as a testament to the 70’s engine emissions’ era.
Amen, brother!
What would I do? I would probably pull the 305, stick it in a box, and put in a 350 H.O. crate motor. I would also remove the original exhaust system, save that, and put on a true dual exhaust system. Also some 3.55 gears, to replace the original 2.41s or whatever this would hav come w/ to save gas at 55 mph.
You wouldn’t be competing in the NHRA drag racing championship but you’d have a fun to drive car that would run mid/low 14s, and sound like a real muscle car.
I’d save the original parts more out of respect than anything else, because I don’t see the value of this car in its original format. A buff cop on a bike would out-accelerate this thing in stock form.
I try to explain to my daughter that my memories of the late 70’s early mid eighties it’s always a grey rainy fall season…this is just another example of the era and people that brought us the Cadillac Cimeron….
A coworker of my wife’s (Female ) runs a 78 Malibu drag car with a built 454. It has won it’s class many times over. What’s amazing is she looks like she weighs as much as the motor.
What’s amazing is instead of focusing on her racing success, you choose to take a shot at her appearance. I’m sure you’re Don Juan and have won lots of races. Smh.
This car may have been cool in its day but as others have said, it’s a malaise era box with 140 hp and malaise era looks, brakes, and suspension. The owner expecting it to remain as such seems nuts.
This rare desirable 40-year old V8/4-speed Chevy appears to be in great shape and is located less than ten (10) miles from me. Wish I could afford it but unfortunately my personal and financial situation does not allow it.
Predecessor to the 1981 “Iraqi Taxi” 3.8 litre V6 and 3 speed manual on the floor Malibus built by GM Canada for the Iraq government’
http://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog/automotive-history-snapshot-1981-chevrolet-malibu-iraqi-taxi/
Holy c@$p! How could i not buy this car?!? I just read the ad. It’s a talking car, for god’s sake! Internet savy as well.
I’d definitely drive this car and leave it as stock as possible. Clean up the engine bay to make it a little more easy on the eyes but that’s it. Cool car, no doubt!
Instagram: Nfl25_pro_rides
Wow,this car is very, very, very clean, mileage, is probably fairly common, and or correct, for this car,although if this is not factory air conditioning car, value is 20-40 percent less.Great color combination, Chevy made some of these, so they are kinda rare, but not ultra rare. My Dad had Super Sport El camino factory black,on red Saginaw 4speed, same interior seat,and colors,although his was a 305/V8.So whoever buys this should clean the engine, and engine bay very good, paint it,high gloss black, maybe add a crome dress up kit,possibly a carb,and intake, and maybe a hei,dist.,and maybe a good custom dual exhaust.Although 8-10k know way, $1500.00- $5000.00 maybe if this car can be bought for that.
As a kid I can remember when you were in a car with the ac on it seemed to always want to stall at lights. If you had a car full of people and even attempted to climb an ant hill you struggled and were greeted with the engine pinging. When my father actuallly used the ac it was flat surfaces on the highway only. Everyone smoked back then so windows were always opened anyhow. Now I don’t drive unless the ac is on, some memories are not good ones lol.
I’m 20 minutes from this and could put a set of eyes, video and some specific photos for anyone interested tomorrow Memorial day for pretty short money and some piece of mind.
I am not a bidder, have too many cars right now.
My first car in HS was 68 Chevelle 327/325. A little quicker than this.
Reach out if your interested.
Ghamilton at geemail dot com
I’m a preservationist. Let it be. Want to mess with something, do it with something other than a relatively rare survivor like this.
305=boat anchor
The 305 is only as good as the induction, ignition, and exhaust systems connected to it…
…just as with any motor.
Car looks pretty good with those rims and tires, only way I’d have it too. Clean looking, well taken care of everyday ho hum driver of a car from a different era. This ain’t no 4 speed muscle car at all, probably looking to save a little gas with this manual transmission or maybe the original owner hated automatics like so many BF commenters here do.
Even the Z28’s, trans am’s, vettes from that era were underpowered shells of their former selves so I won’t pass judgement on this cars performance capabilities,or lack of, too harshly.
You would have to have driven one of these to know how balanced and nice to drive they were…could be the new NOVA, perfect for resto-mod fun. I’m close, but not quite there yet…
I have a 79 Malibu 2 dr. (Mentioned elsewhere) and I previously had a 383 sbc with aluminum heads, intake and water pump, fiberglass hood. I also added the F41 frame braces and sway bars from an MC SS. It handles very nicely. Not so much now with a pig 468 BBC
This car is not worth $8,000.00. More like $2500.00. I had a 305 and it didn’t even make it to 90,000 miles and this one has 88 K no way worth the asking price
Why is it with every car that appears here people think it needs to be modified to go fast?
Going fast is what, 10% of the driving you will do with a car like this?
I would make what is there dependable and drive it as is. After spending 3 times what the car is worth for the purchase of it, there won’t be much left for radical modifications.
These bodies are all over the place and easy to come by.
The good thing is that those guys who are talking about modifying the car aren’t going to buy it.
What not leave the Original Lower half block in , pull the heads and I take and replace with Edlebrock aluminum heads ,intake and carb or Fi?
Okay-Do it! No BFD, lotsa stuff for GM’s fut in there.
LS1 and a set of 3:56 gears….
In an era of complete POS American cars, Car and Driver deemed this as possibly the best of the bunch.
Had the wagon, classic trim IIRC, red vinyl, white w/pinstripes, loaded. Last GM’s on full frame!
Changed the timing chain and gears(plastic!) and put an Eldebrock manifold under the 4v. Ran great, decent mileage, made many trips.
Engine is still going strong in a dirt tracker, and the body is riding on a K-5 chassis,
Now, I wish that I’d kept it. I’d take a good look at another!
If you guys want some of these cars let me know. I would be glad to send some north.
Most were sold here with the 6 cylinder engine but they did have the stick shift on the floor and you can get them for much less than this one. I mean everybody here is saying they would gut the drive train anyway.
Here is a big long list of them available in Mexico. Divide the price by 18.50.
https://www.segundamano.mx/anuncios/mexico/autos-y-camionetas?q=malibu&modelo=1978-1985
nice auto but not worthy of trying to flip or as a make believe collectible, yet it has possabilities.
Not talking 12/13 sec. 1/4 but as an inexpensive lightweight performance daily driver.
Tons of 350s, Manual 5 sps, stronger stouter gearing, Disc brakes and with but a few tweaks to stiffen chasis, all by using used good condition parts, that are available’, all the suspension parts are out here as well.
Well proportioned auto, with decent lines, good bumpy exhaust with cheap cam, paint only with accent and set of wheels,tires.
Be darn good first auto for teensger
This was my first car (not THIS particular one but same thing, same year, same color combo same engine). This was back in 1991. My friends (disparagingly called it The Greyhound). Only car I’ve ever had that I could start without the keys in the ignition (so do you think my friends borrowed it during lunch in high school?). After a few months of having it I started to do “stuff” to it: swapped out the steering wheel (Grant GT baby! All the rage in 1992), put fog lights on the top of the bumper (not sure what I was thinking there), installed an old tach on the dash (“what? you think that car is fast or something?”), and so on. Finally met it’s match when my friend borrowed it to install a couple of Kicker 12″‘s in the trunk and somehow managed to wreck into a parked Winnebago. It wasn’t totalled, but at that point wasn’t looking so hot anymore (not that it had been cherry to begin with). Sold it for something like $900 to some people who lived in one of the many trailer parks in Billings. Would still see it from time to time after that, crooked “Kenwood” sticker on the rear window and all.
I’ve had a ton of cars since then, but this Malibu still is one of my favorite rides.
Great story of friends & woes! Har! I just always liked the car’s simple & straight forward lines; like a pretty girl in a plain dress, ( or a wolf in sheepish disguise) its had an appeal. in some regards, the huge engine bay is accomodating to just about anything one wants to play with. Also, GM parts fit, & there’s a huge selection. Like that this one came with the basics of-at least- good handling ( the say bars ) , & some hint of ‘performance ( 4 speed ). Upgrades are easy. Thanks for your tale ya GasHole dude!
We had one that looked just like this one, but was an automatic. I would say it was one of the better cars I have owned. We didn’t have it long though. At 3 years old a larger tow truck pulling a dump truck pulled out in front of my wife. The car lost. Wife was ok though.