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Chevelle vs. Malibu

103K views 39 replies 25 participants last post by  65ChMa 
#1 ·
I'm about to buy a chevelle, or what i think is a chevelle, and the listing says its a "chevelle malibu." Can anyone tell me the difference between a chevelle and a malibu and how to spot the differences?
 
#7 ·
For the most part a Malibu is a nicer trim package in the Chevelle line. In '64 and '65 the Chevelle Super Sport was actually called the "Malibu SS" after that it was a model all it's own. In later years the Chevelle and Super Sport were dropped :( and the Malibu became the base model with the Classic and Laguna becoming the more "upscale" versions.
 
#9 ·
BINGO what everyone said is correct. SS mostly came with the 396 round about this time. The malibu was a little under with bench seats instead of bucket also cloth most of the time. Each could be ordered with a number of diffrent options. If your getting one then you can join the club and you will have the same as me. lol. Really nice car what color are you looking at?

Chris
 
#10 ·
strikingthematch said:
BINGO what everyone said is correct. SS mostly came with the 396 round about this time. The malibu was a little under with bench seats instead of bucket also cloth most of the time. Each could be ordered with a number of diffrent options. If your getting one then you can join the club and you will have the same as me. lol. Really nice car what color are you looking at?

Chris
Its got a decent black paint job thats a year old, but i'm thinking of putting white rallye racing stripes on it. It's got a rebuilt 350 thats got 12k miles on it. I also want to replace the wheels on it, have any suggestions?
 
#12 ·
I wouldn't put the Rally stripes on a regular Malibu, in fact I even prefer the Super Sports without them. Just cherry out the black paint. I would black out the grille like an SS though if it isn't already.

My favorite wheels on the '71-'72's are 15 X 8 Vette Rally's but they look good with almost anything on them. The Malibus usually came with the Camaro style rally wheels in 14 X 6 which are now being reproduced in sizes up to 15 X 8. I'd love to see one with a set of those in 15 X 8 on it. Strictly personal preference though.

Super Sports came standard with bench seats beginning in '68, buckets became a separate option and were also available in the regular Malibu. Small blocks became the base Super Sport motor in '71.
 
#14 ·
/\ I dig the cragars, or a old set of slot-mags (did anyone see Starsky and Hutch?). Slot mags are sadly gone, I believe, but the S/S is made in a new, sleeker version (unless it's just the offset) that would look good on a late-model car (think LS1 camaro), adn the make the good old version in the old school sizes up to 17x7 I think.

don;t worry, there's a lot of old-school minded people your age. How many 19 year olds are that way? Yea, I'm in the second boat. Alone.
-matt
 
#15 ·
I place a 3rd on the Cragers. For the money they are really nice looking rims. The design goes well for the car. In my thinking you don't want everything too complex because the car really is a built muscle look not a crusier. Crager now makes two diffrent SS wheels one I believe is now all alu. that cost more but the older one (looks the same as new) is just as good and chaper.

Black paint can look really nice if it is done right thats the only thing about black it shows any bad body work. Black is a really nice color for it though. The stripes are up to you. Look around at pictures of Chevelles and get an idea of what looks really good. Some cars paint is almost yelling for strips others it would ruin.


What I do with my tires is have 15x10 inch in the back (fits well with 4 inch backspacing I believe then full size tires of your choice white lettering looks really good. Then in the front I put a 15x7 and use SLIGHTLY lower profile tires. This gives the car a very nice offfset look and cali. slope. Also try and get a large foot print tire. In other words the tread should not be so thin (like a normal car tire) I might just be me but I like the less aggresive tread patterns that are nice and wide and makes the tire looks like it belongs on the car. Really adds to the overall picture of the car and makes the msucle look complete.

A well built 350 pulls the car along very well. Just remember it is heavy lol.

Good luck,

Chris
 
#16 ·
ChevelleSS_LS6 said:
/\ I dig the cragars, or a old set of slot-mags (did anyone see Starsky and Hutch?). Slot mags are sadly gone, I believe, but the S/S is made in a new, sleeker version (unless it's just the offset) that would look good on a late-model car (think LS1 camaro), adn the make the good old version in the old school sizes up to 17x7 I think.

-matt
American Racing has brought back the Ansen Sprint aluminum slots in 14, 15, 16 and 17 inch diameters with 18 and 20's available on special order. I plan on running the 17's on my '76 GMC Sprint. Yes those would be an EXCELLENT choice on a black Malibu!!! :thumbup: :cool:
 
#19 ·
fav color combos:
red (looks like modern GM victory red) with black hood stripes.
dark blue (lemans blue? fathom blue? something?) white hood stripes.

hood stripes if only cowl induction hood, and a SS (or cloned SS)

rims:
the cragars or slot mags as I mentioned
corvette rally wheels (someone mentioned those a while back)
those wheels that were available from the factory on almost any musclecar, ford makes a newer version... see pic here
 
#20 ·
Hippie said:
I wouldn't put the Rally stripes on a regular Malibu, in fact I even prefer the Super Sports without them. Just cherry out the black paint. I would black out the grille like an SS though if it isn't already.

My favorite wheels on the '71-'72's are 15 X 8 Vette Rally's but they look good with almost anything on them. The Malibus usually came with the Camaro style rally wheels in 14 X 6 which are now being reproduced in sizes up to 15 X 8. I'd love to see one with a set of those in 15 X 8 on it. Strictly personal preference though.

Super Sports came standard with bench seats beginning in '68, buckets became a separate option and were also available in the regular Malibu. Small blocks became the base Super Sport motor in '71.
I agree, Corvette rallys/caps/rings are the best lookin' wheels.....on anything. :thumbup:
 
#23 ·
Hippie said:
American Racing has brought back the Ansen Sprint aluminum slots in 14, 15, 16 and 17 inch diameters with 18 and 20's available on special order. I plan on running the 17's on my '76 GMC Sprint. Yes those would be an EXCELLENT choice on a black Malibu!!! :thumbup: :cool:

WHAT ? the astro sprint is back ? i need 14's up front to go with my 15x10" in rear....damn ive been waiting for a while. i had mine decked out at the time with BFgoodrich white letter 225/50-14 in front and 265/50-15 in back. i bet they dont even make tgose sizes anymore.

hey, that look reminds me of highschool, bigs and smalls forever.

the chevelle base had the post in between the windows when you roll it down. the malibu was all open. my 71 malibu was my first car. there is a picture of the one i owned in my photo's. ran mid 14.xx's and drove on the highway.
 
#24 ·
69 chevelle

hi i just bought a 69 chevelle ss 396 big block, 375 hp. i was wondering; the interior need a whole new overhaul and the outside could use minimal work and a paint job (i was thinking all black/gloss) does anyone have any suggestions? on where to get this done i am in NC any good places? and for the inside i'm talking new floor panels, carpet, seat, foam, maybe a little dashboard work (i personally could stand that dash being a lil cracked up not too important) interior roof needs to get redone also (flaking away) also my brakes need to be changed, any ideas? about all in all how much do you think i should!! pay
 
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