15th Feb 2005, 15:20
I have got three Malibus. A 1967 4dr, a 1978 4dr and a 1979 wagon. I got the '67 in 1993 with 50,010 original miles on the 250 L-6/powerglide combo. The only options the car has are P/S, cloth seats and Posi-Trac. I had the car for 7 years before I knew it had Posi. I mean, why would you order Posi with a 6 Cyl.?
In three year's time I put 100,000 miles on the car, even though it drank oil like I drink Coke. When the #5 piston shattered, I put a 350/th350 combo in. Ran great with that Corvette engine until a friend borrowed the car and drove it 23 miles after a bearing came loose.
The car has been on blocks ever since. Hopefully, I can restore the car and make it a little faster in time for my three year old daughter to drive it.
The 1978 has been a nightmare project car. I bought it for $200 with a solid body, trashed interior and a seized 305. The 305 replaced the original 200 V-6. I replaced the 305 with another 305, which locked up 3 months ago. It was replaced with a.040" over '69 350. Nice and fast now.
I replaced the suspension, brakes, transmission, wheels, tires, and a laundry list of other stuff with all new parts, and I bought a nearly perfect black vinyl interior out of a '79 4dr in a junk yard. Only paid $100 for everything inside the 4 doors.
I drive that car every day. It's a bit of a gas hog, but my theory is if you are concerned about the gas mileage, you need not have the car.
My 1979 Wagon is the King of the 3. I bought it in 1997 from a guy in Lexington, KY who ran a lawn service out of it. When I got it, the first thing I did was vacuum half a bag of grass seed out of the floor. The guy wanted $700. I paid $550. The odometer read 35,000 (135,000). The car still has the original 267 V-8, the original TH350 and with the exception of a new cam and lifters and a carb, has never had any major work done to it. Suspension and brakes have been done a few times since I've had it, but the odometer now reads in excess of 276,000. I'm not exactly sure how many miles are on it because the Speedo Cable has broken a few times.
The wagon is showing its age with plenty of rust in unusual spots, but with a little work, I wouldn't hesitate at all in driving it from its Lansing, MI home to California. Did I mention that this car has been the backup car of my fleet since 1999 and that my brother, sister, father, mother, and wife have all driven it literally all over the country?
22nd Dec 2005, 16:55
Hey I bought a 1979 Malibu classic sedan 4 door for 300 dollars it was just a plain Jane thing. I bought this car for a donor car for my 1964 dodge pickup, but after I drove I changed my mind. it has the original 305 engine and turbo 350 tranny. it has a very few problems I had to change the radiator and the alternator and the spark plug wires it now runs like a dream. I am buying another one for 150 dollars. it has front end damage, but a good parts car. it is one of the best vehicles I have owned and the most comfortable ride ever. I just need rims and beef the engine a little and I'm set to go. it also gets 25 mpg. which is really good for that old of a car. later josh.
10th May 2006, 10:18
I own a 79 Malibu Classic. I love that car. I bought it for a hundred bucks. All I did is the basic up keep, and she runs great. I've had it a year with no serious problems. So it runs great and looks good doen it.
The only thing i don't like, are the stock steel rims,But thats an easy fix.
4th Nov 2006, 14:50
I bought my 1979 Malibu Classic for $400 dollars. When I got her she didn't have a nice stance, but I fixed that problem with a nice window tint, a couple of original camaro rims with wide tires in the back. I love this car. I'm fixing it bit by bit, but it will be worth it in the end. so if you have any suggestions that I can do to my car please write back to this page. thanks.
18th Jul 2007, 16:55
Hi there.
I'm from Denmark Europe and just bought a `79 Malibu classic and I love driving it. Unfortunately one of the backup light lenses are smashed and I need a new one, but I can't seem to find it anywhere.
So I was wondering if any of you guys know a good place to get it as a used part so my precious baby can regain its former glory...
Please contact me on Torbenpaw@gmail.com.
24th Jul 2004, 09:27
My first car was a 1979 Malibu that I bought for $500 and spent 2 years restoring. when I turned 17 I sold it thinking I wanted something different, but I don't think I could have been more wrong. But lucks on my side, 2 days ago I found a 79 Malibu sitting in an elderly mans garage that's got 50,000 original miles and has been stored for 13 years and looks like it came off the show room floor. With a little sweet talking and $3000 later, I now have my dream car again.