They might not have jumped in value the way they were expected to about ten years ago, but the 1973-77 GM A-bodies aren’t any worse off because of that. In fact, if anything, now is an even better time to start hunting for the slightly uglier, younger sibling to the musclecar of your dreams, because the aftermarket is (finally) starting to pay attention to them. And it’s not like they are bad cars to begin with…sure, power was down, and weight and size was up, but the interiors were pleasant places to be, they were surprisingly good handlers, they can fit a ton of rubber in the wheelwells before you have to consider rolling the wheelwells, and if you can’t get the power to a respectable level, you aren’t trying hard enough.
With that in mind, take a look at this 1976 Chevrolet Malibu. Most of it isn’t surprising: strange 1970s color that needs to just go away, tattered bench seat that still looks like it could be comfy, unknown small Chevy V8 with a two-barrel carb and an automatic on the column. At least the buy-in price is decent: $1,850 out the door, add $400 if you intend on taking those five-spoke wheels with you. As long as it runs and drives, that’s an excellent beater find. But what would you do with it? For us, the answer here is “big block”. This Chevelle needs a big thumper under that massive hood. The automatic on the column can stay to keep the sleepy vibe going, and we’d cover the banana pudding yellow color over ASAP…maybe the mahogany color of the same period would be better suited. But would the Malibu be better suited as a street machine, a drag-style car or a road racer, along the lines of Popular Hot Rodding’s “Project Talladega” 1975 Laguna? It’s a phantom build…low-buck, high-dollar, whatever, go nuts, but let us know what you would do with this beast!
(Please…paint over that color, though.)
Craigslist Link: 1976 Chevrolet Malibu Classic
I might have done this already 😉
If anyone is into building these join us at G3GM.Com The color really isn’t too bad all cleaned up.
simple build LS engine over drive trans Currie 9 inch in the rear HotchKiss suspension all the way around 18 in ch Torque Thrust wheels
recover the bench with leather …. drive the hell out of it
I definitely would change the front nose to the Laguna style, never likes the square headlights. Get rid of the auto and make it a three pedal setup!
I’d leave it like it is. It’s not worth the investment.
I’d throw a 502 in it and paint it dark green with matching deep-dish steelies and dog dish hubcaps. But then I think every car should look like that….
Cale Yarborough tribute car
Have to find a Laguna front end and build the Hawaiian Tropic car from Cannon Ball Run.
3rd gen A bodies are great. Radial tuned suspension, front disc brakes and better frontend geometry AND affordable. My 8.5 to 1 454…no need to tear down for more compression, just add a turbo and you will bitch slap a 70 ls6 for a fraction of the cost. The 73-75 are exempt so you do what you want. The only downside for me is little after market support for dash replacement. Ill take that trade off. Yes they are a little heavy but since non of us will be doing any heads up racing, who cares. It will ride and cruise better.
It would make a beautiful road racer.
The problem with those in Ohio: They rusted out. So you either have Grannies garage kept jewel, Someone’s prized Hot Rod or a Bondo Buggy. That said $2K with the Camaro wheels would not be a Bad Price. We all know that bench seat is trashed. It has black gaffers/duct tape on it. Yet the body and it’s running makes up for that. As well as it’s not a awful interior color.
My way:
Paint it Dayton Yellow. Black SS Stripes. Find a Bucket seat car, get them re-done. I thing ground up inc sells seat covers. Find a Console and floor shifter. Get a 83-up TH200R4 or TH700R4 floor shifter and cut/chop/weld to make the old style floor shifter a 4spped A/T unit. Either a 406 Small Block or a 427 or 454 would work. Even a 383. Full exhaust with flow-masters. Find a 3.73-4.11 rear end housing and a Posi carrier. 3.73 gears with A TH700R4 or a 4L80E would cruise down the road at a decent RPM. Having enough torque to down shift at 70 MPH and get rubber chirps would be just fine. Drive it till it’s a rust bucket and sell it.