From its introduction in 1964, the Chevelle – and especially the Malibu Sport Coupe – would become one of Chevrolet’s best-selling automobiles. Most of them would be fitted with V8 engines, including performance models like the SS 396 and 454. Rare was the six-cylinder Malibu like this ’72 survivor which looks to be in exceptional condition. From a comfortable garage in Franklin, Ohio, this beauty is available here on eBay where the reserve has yet to be met at $25,201.
The generation of Chevelles built between 1968 and 1972 was perhaps the automobile’s most successful, thriving nicely during the height of the muscle car craze. But plenty of non-hot Malibu’s would also be sold, including 212,388 Sport Coupes in 1972. But, of those, just two percent or 4,790 copies had the basic 250 cubic inch inline-6. That motor was more commonly found in the lesser 300 series of Plain Jane Chevelles.
You must wonder about the logic that was used in ordering this Malibu when new. Vinyl top, Rally wheels, power steering, power brakes, tinted glass – and a six-banger. It must have been an older buyer who was more concerned about fuel economy before it became important to do so. After all, 98% of Malibu Sport Coupe buyers ordered at least a 307 V8. And once the car was brought home 50 years ago, it was well-treated and has only seen 56,000 miles of pavement.
We’re told the paint is original and you’ll have to look hard and long to find the few little nicks it has. The same is true of the chrome and interior. The Chevy originated in Washington State and the climate there worked in favor of the preservation of the auto. All the weather seals are said to be soft and not cracked or brittle, as further evidence of their gentle life. We’re told it runs great, so the seller decided against an LS swap which is why he purchased it. After all, they’re only original once.
Wow. This is in amazing condition. I’m surprised to see it has a lot of options, including tilt wheel, yet it has a 250 straight six and a Powerglide. They didn’t even go for the Turbo hydramatic 350. I’d keep it exactly as it’s sitting and just maintain it.
I don’t think a THM was available with the six.
Do you want to be the guy driving the umpteenth V8 swap Chevelle, or the one with oddball grandma spec Chevelle with the original 6? I know which one I’d pick. Though the fancy wheels will have to go and I’ll need a set of whitewalls and “deluxe” wheel covers.
I would say them fancy wheels are O-E
They’re OE for sure … non-Corvette style bow-tie Rallys, had a factory optioned set on my ’72 Camaro that I bought new.
I have my great aunts 250. I’m happy with it. You can speed it up a bit if you want. Langdons Stovebolt Co has plenty of parts to help with that.
This is a museum piece. This Chevelle needs to stay this way. It’s to beautiful to hack up. I drove plenty of GM 250 engines never had a problem. Very dependable to get where you are going. This would be great at car shows. Good luck to the next owner please leave as is. 😄
Change the oil, coolant and fuel filter regularly and it will last 300,000 miles. The drive train will out last the sheet metal. Yes. Keep this original and don’t put a stupid LS engine in it.
Sadly,I don’t think the new owner will leave it as-is.
For me keep the drive train in the garage and swap in a 396 with a turbo 400.. That’s just me..
Everyone wants the baddest Chevy of them all & I don’t blame them you day dream about the LS6 not the 250 thriftmaster but that’s just my 2 cents
I had one when I was16 and dumb mine had a 350 and being a young kid I decided to see how fast it would go so from Marysville Washington to Everett Washington I floored it the speedometer needle disappeared well after 120 mph it felt like the front of the car was floating on air. After my Mom found out from the knock on the door from the state patrol and county sheriff trying to catch me the car got sold.
Troy,
I had real good friends in Marysville. Last name of Blair. Just curious if you might have known them. This was back in the 70s.
I was there once when you had one of those famous West Coast storms. Ate soup out of a can over a camp stove because power was out! Lol!
Troy, I did the same thing going over the Skagit river bridge in mt vernon wa. up north I buried the speedo at 120 and it still went but i hit the crest of the bridge and was floating-scary and then the thought of crashing made me let off and coast down. O that was a 71 Olds cutlass with a rocket 350. Back to the Chevelle I would never change it though those got you where you wanted to go and this Chevelle would excite a lot of car show people. Please leave it as-is.
I like this one because it’s the 6cyl you can put a nice exhaust system on it and it will still sound better than the fart can muffler imports
I think I would leave it as is. I’m old enough that I have no one to impress any more. And it would not get driven much. I bought a 1971 350 with 350 trans brand new and enjoyed it.
Ok this Chevelle causes my brain to hurt, what would I do. On one hand it’s cool to have Chevelle that’s original and I would try to keep it this way but, could I? No I couldn’t,I cant stand having a straight six, I don’t like the way they look, don’t like the lack of power and I don’t like the way they sound. I have always hotroding my cars or trucks and this car would be no different, a 427 with a 4 speed would make its way into this beautiful Chevelle and if you purest guys don’t like it well then you should buy this one and keep it stock. To me this hobby gives me a chance to relive my past as ,drive the car i always wanted as a teen it’s a second chance to make up for having to drive four doors with an automatic trans with a 6, hated it then and still do today.
I love it. To be honest I think it would be standing room only around this with the big block parked next to it feeling lonely. When will you see another optioned like this? And in this condition.
$28K now, but reserve still not met.
I love a good inline six. i have seen a few hopped up that were pretty awesome, that said , this is a chevelle and it deserves a 454 and the fake convertable removed
Straight 6 and 2 speed power glide is very cool and rare, but could it keep up with newer cars on the freeway and up steep grades?
Put the wheels and wheelcovers I bet had, back on.
Then be the star of a cars and coffee like Robj said.
Leave it alone!!!
I had one in the early 80s, first car. Dark green, black vinyl, buckets with a console. Good enough to get me hooked.
Hate me, perfect for an LS swap, upgrade the suspension and brakes and drive it. Modern engine= more HP better gas mileage and so much more fun per mile.
Awesome, honest, unmolested Malibu 2-door hardtop. I’d leave it as is, one of the very few non-SS versions remaining today! (which I guess makes it “rare”)
The description here and on ebay mentions tinted glass. Unless something is wrong with MY eyes, this car has CLEAR GLASS AROUND, not even a tinted windshield.
Really Mikey? Hanged?
How about just make him drive a Chevette for eternity?
Clean car, toss the silly 6 cylinder, sell it to someone with a 4 door, crying out for a testosterone driveline, 454 or bigger!
Very nice-looking car and I wonder why they didn’t order it with A/C. The A/C wouldn’t have made it that much slower. At least a person could go to the car shows in comfort in many parts of our country where is gets very hot in the summer.
Add me to the list of leave it stock. I’ve seen more than I want of SS Chevelle’s, Novas, Camaros. When I go to shows I look for cars like this.
Only things I might do is swap out the radio for a Delco AM-FM and find some factory floor mats.
I had a ’84 Cutlass Brougham that I tried to keep stock down to the GM stamped hoses & belts. And had the correct hose clamps. So…..
LEAVE IT ALONE!👍🙏
This car is definitely causing a controversy, and I understand that. What would I do? I honestly don’t know. I don’t think there is a right or wrong answer. It will come down, to who steps up buys it and then, they have the keys to the castle and they can do whatever they want. I have faith that whoever gets the prize will do a good job with the car, no matter what that is.