1971 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu
Offered for consignment is a 1971 Chevelle, bathed in a respray of its original green with a black top looking more daily transport than muscle car. Keeping with that theme is a numbers matching 350ci V8, a 3-speed automatic transmission and showing as a former southern car and shockingly, no performance upgrades. A nice original green vinyl interior, snazzy rally wheels wrapped in blackwall rubber all looking great!
Exterior
Bathed in a respray of the factory Cottonwood Green, this paint is very nice but does show a few runs, scratches, and very slight bubbling of the finish behind the passenger's rear wheel. All of the chrome is good with no dimpling or fading and this year got it right with the bumper inset round taillights. The grille is a nice chrome trimmed egg crate design and sports the correct bowtie badge in the center. Flanking the grille are single squared bezeled headlights and cathedral style wrap around turn signal lenses. Directly above is a long flat hood which runs back to soft-ray tinted glass with nice chromed surrounding trim. A new clean black vinyl top is covering the roof and breaks up the sea of green nicely. The slightly sloping trunk lid opens to reveal an original speckle painted trunk area with its correct mat, spare tire and jack assembly all fresh from 1971. 15-inch deep dish rally wheels are wrapped by 225/70R15 blackwall radial rubber.
Interior
Swinging open the driver's door and we are met with a panel with center classy stainless trim and requisite "Malibu" emblems plus bright handles and supple comfortable armrests. Green vinyl, in true original condition covers the long split bench seat up front, and a large bench in the rear. A few repairs, color differences and seam separation is noted in the seats, but is reserved for the front split bench only. The factory AM radio is present, also the standard instrument cluster in the extremely clean and beautiful dash and gauges greets the driver and his front seat passenger with a factory stock hello. The original steering wheel fronts the dash and is also excellent and tops the original column. Down low, the carpets are clean and lightly faded green/gold and black carpeted floor mats protect them. The green perforated vinyl headliner is near perfect and that wraps up this showroom interior.
Drivetrain
Flipping the long flat hood, we are bowled over with the orange/red painted block and valve coverings of the correct numbers matching L65 350ci V8. This mill also presents a black air cleaner holder which tops a 2-barrel carburetor. A numbers matching 3-speed TH350 automatic transmission is on this pushes power back to a 10-bolt 2.56 geared rear axle. A clean engine bay, shiny supple hoses, black backdrop, all being factory correct are all here. And we're off!
Undercarriage
All clean and green, actually black, underneath with a mix of black painted surfaces, surface rust, a structurally sound steel frame, and a single exhaust system with a stock replacement muffler. Power brakes, disc in front and drum in the rear are on as well as power steering. The suspension includes independent coil springs upfront and 4 link with coil springs in the rear. This is a smooth operator.
Drive-Ability
Our cracking decoder slash muscle car aficionado was the test driver and seemed like he loved every minute of it. This car ran flawlessly, he got it going pretty good without being unsafe or reckless, and he described the overall demeanor of the car as "cherry". He noted that everything was working well save for the radio during his drive and overall, it was a great driver that left a smile on his face.
Unmolested cars are a hot commodity here at Classic Auto Mall and I say that because they rarely last very long gracing our former mall halls. A beautiful example of a shiny 350ci V8, runs like a deer, handles well, and is very very original. Not everything in the early 70's was a muscle car and this Malibu shows the same looks but without the ultra high price tag associated with the SS name.
136371R188577
1-Chevrolet
36-Malibu V8
37-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
1-1971
R-Arlington, TX Assy Plant
188577-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
ST 71 13637-1971 Malibu 2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
BDY R54848-Arlington Body #
TR 731-Antique Dark Jade Elk Coated Fabric
PNT 42 6-Cottonwood Green, Dark Green Vinyl Top
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
