18,559 Orig Miles/Nice Respray/350ci L65 V8/Rust Free/Flowmaster Exhaust

1971 Chevrolet Malibu Chevelle

Like the Tri-Five Chevys that came before it, the Chevelle is one of those cars GM aced right out of the gate and continued to perfect. Eventually, the marque became one of the strongest brands in automotive history; and at one point, with a full list of body styles, options, trim grades, color combinations, and engines which ranged from mild to outrageous, literally embodied the 'custom built' nature that defines the muscle car era.

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 350ci V8, a 3-speed automatic transmission and showing a paltry 18,559 original miles and shockingly, no performance upgrades. A nice black vinyl interior, snazzy rally wheels wrapped in blackwall rubber all looking great!

Exterior
Bathed in a respray of the factory Lime Green this paint is very nice but does show a few runs and crazing of the coating underneath, but no rust. All 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 clean black vinyl top is on 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 205/70R15 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. Black vinyl in true spit shine condition covers the long split bench seat up front, and a large bench in the rear. An AM/FM radio is present, also, the standard instrument cluster in the extremely clean and beautiful dash and gauges. The original steering wheel fronts the dash and is also excellent and tops a replacement tilt steering column, but the original column is included. Carpets are clean and non faded black, and black carpeted floor mats protect them. The black 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 L65 350ci V8. This mill also presents a black air cleaner holder which tops a 2-barrel carburetor. A 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, structurally sound steel frame, and a dual stainless exhaust with Flowmaster mufflers. 4 wheel non power drum brakes 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 thought the interior was “cherry”. He noted that everything was working well during his drive and overall, it was a great driver that left a smile on his face.

Low mileage 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 has low original miles. 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.

VIN DECODE
136371B203715
1-Chevrolet
36-Malibu V8
37-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
1-1971
B-Baltimore, MD Assy Plant
203715-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG
ST 71 13637-1971 Malibu 2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
BDY B852828-Baltimore Body #
TR 704-Black Rondel Cloth Bench
PNT 43B-Lime Green, Black Top
05B-2nd Week May Build