Numbers Matching/350ci V8 4 BBL/TH350 Auto/Nice Example

1972 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu

The storied Chevelle is one of those timeless designs that looks good no matter how it's built. Stock, modified, race, pro-touring, whatever; the clean lines and balanced stance on these tough classics create a confident swagger that's universally admired. That means, if you're looking to ride in style, you really can't go wrong with a Chevrolet A-Body. And when you factor in this ride's big block drivetrain, tastefully restored interior and first rate, all-American sheetmetal, you get the picturesque profile of an incredible muscle car!

Looking at this interesting restoration I have shades of the Pacific Coast Highway, driving across the Bixbee Bridge, heading to Point Lobos to do some Ansel Adams-esque image capturing. Tickling the accelerator, headed north from Big Sur, does life get any better? I give you the inspiration for this memory the Chevy Malibu, right here on the east coast at Classic Auto Mall.

Exterior
This “Heavy Chevy” in economy version of the SS, has beautiful lines. A simplified grille all in chrome is upfront, with a single round headlight flanking it. On each front quarter corner are the turn signals rounding the corner. At the front on the wheel wells are chrome trim pieces surrounding the wells and then intersecting with the rocker trimmings which run their way rearward to the rear well surrounds. Orange paint covers mostly straight panels, some showing just a slight wave, and some orange peel texture. Overall though it retains its respray shine which is from 1995. A nicely sloping rear window melts into the trunk lid and taillights inserted into the rear bumper below. Badging looks good and is correct all around. Dark gray Torque thrust-esque factory 5-spoke wheels with a center bowtie in blue field, and a surrounding flat trim ring are wrapped in Firestone black walls on all 4 corners.

Interior
A swing of the doors and we see the tuck and roll insert in bowtie format (did you know this?) all in white and mostly clean. Inside a nicely preserved white bench with a split back is upfront, and a long bench stretching from B pillar to B pillar is in back. Seats are in very good condition with no tears or wears. A clean black padded dash top and dash front has nice original gauges and levers, along with an aftermarket SONY AM/FM/Cassette player neatly mounted into the dash. This car is equipped with A/C. Black carpet and black headliner are top and bottom for this interior and are both in good condition adding nice contrast to the white seats. The trunk is looking original with spare and jack, a slightly soiled liner and mostly texture factory spray.

Drivetran
Upfront under the hood is a numbers matching 350ci V8 with a 4 barrel carburetor to feed it up top. On back is a TH350 3-speed automatic transmission.

Undercarriage
Underneath we see some black rattle can spraying for the fuel tank, and floorpans. Rockers are rust free, and some suspension parts show surface rust, but the frame and unibody is structurally sound. Drum brakes with pneumatic shock absorbers and a small ladder bar setup are on back, and upfront IFS with coil overs, and disc brakes are mounted.

Drive-Ability
A quick starter, and good overall driver, nice acceleration, and good handling. Interior is comfortable, and this car can cruise at highway speeds with the best of them.

With its orange 1995 respray remaining mostly good, nice white and black interior, and numbers matching engine and transmission, it is mostly original in its presentation and looks. A few dents and dings, but overall a very nice example of the non SS “Heavy Chevy”.