I bought a new 1979 Malibu that I ordered from the dealer. It was a coupe with a power sunroof, bucket seats, F 41 suspension, rally wheels, V8, and factory four-speed. I’ve never seen one just like it. By the way, I still own it today and drive it at least once a week in nice weather. It has given me very little trouble over the years and still runs and looks great.
Nice job.. I believe I am the second own of 1993 A-body Buick I bought in 2012 when I was 40. At the time of purchase it onlly had 48,000 miles. It has a 3.3 V6 and a 3 speed overdrive console mounted transmission.
That dashboard was used until 1980 year model. The dashboard was slightly resigned for the 1981-1987 year models of Malibu/Monte Carlo/El Camino. El Camino production ended as 1985 being the last year model.
I can't stress enough how much I LOVE the clean, crisp lines of this & the other A/G-body sedans & wagons. 3:18....................Shame about those fixed rear windows. GM SAID that it was to save rear shoulder room, but I don't buy that excuse for a minute, ESPECIALLY since the sedans & wagons had those recesses in both rear doors. Surely, they COULD have put a manual window crank or optional power window switch in there.
I like the "...recessed armrests to provide four inches greater elbow room and hip room. This recess is made possible by a new stationary window configuration." As if it was a step in the right direction to stop offering rear windows that could be opened (though the the sedans did have the swing out vent windows behind the rear seat passenger's heads. But, at least they had two ashtrays (3:01) for the rear seat passengers (so the kids could smoke), lol!
My 1982 Buick Regal Limited Sedan had power operated rear window vents that were different than on the Malibu Sedan. A safety concern is that rear passengers could be trapped by a stationary rear window if the car was submerged in water.
@@SpockvsMcCoy Yes, I didn't think of that, the stationary rear window takes away an emergency exit. I'm sure that would not fly today, though many two door cars continued to have stationary rear windows for years. But, two door cars are virtually non-existent now.
@@reallyrandomrides1296 The 1981 (first model year) Plymouth Reliant and Dodge Aries 4-Door Sedans used the same concept ...but not the 1982 and later sedans.
@@SpockvsMcCoy I remember hearing that. I guess the Aries/Reliant gave up some hip and shoulder room to make roll-down rear windows, which is probably what most people preferred if they had to choose between a bit more hip/shoulder room, or rear windows that could roll down, even if only half way down.
This was marketed, and priced, as a mid-size car while the Fairmont was a compact. You got what you paid for (plus, in the Fairmont 4-door and wagon, roll-down rear windows).
First year with the A/C clutch clicking in & out? I learned something today. Also, the 'videos' get more sales-oriented I have noticed compared to the early 70s ones that I've watched. A little more aggressive.
@@autocad3227 my dad had an 82 Buick regal 4 door with the wing windows on the back doors like the earlier wagons had. One day in ~ 1985 we were coming home from the pool and it was hot out so I opened the window. All of a sudden I'm freaking out telling my mom to stop the car. She asks what's wrong and I just repeat "stop the car!" As she pulls over I explain that I am holding the wing window by the little chrome handle as it's dangling outside the car because it fell out of the window frame as soon as I opened it. I was about 6 at the time. Great quality control GM.
Did this platform shared with the Oldsmobile Cutlass of the same year? One of my coworkers has a 1978 Cutlass that looks like this. Has a little 260 cid V8.
Yes. Cutlasses came with an (unpopular) fastback sedan or coupe body (which looked like a hatchback but wasn't), a VERY popular formal notchback coupe (the Cutlass Supreme) and wagon bodies were identical across all divisions.
I'd drive one of them every day for the rest of my life! I'd have one of every body style! Rare beautiful car! I even once tried to, but jealous people(family) took them all away from me! Had a '81 2 door packing a 450 horse 350! Never could open her up because nearing 120, she would lift her nose too high to see over the hood.
Me gusta el carro un Chevrolet Malibú Classic 1978; es un excelente automóvil; el Chevrolet Malibú Classic Landau y coupé; solamente llegaron hasta México; es un excelente automóvil; me gusta con el motor 305; transmisión automática; vidrios eléctricos; frenos de disco en las cuatro ruedas; también la versión pickup es la Chevrolet El Camino; saludos y buenas noches.
Bunch of BS about the lack of back windows, my friend ended up in the hospital with heatstroke on a summer vacation with his parents. That being said they were much better looking cars than the dumpy looking 73-77. Nothing compares to the 68-72 generation, great cars by almost any measure.
We had a 1980 wagon. Was the best riding car ever. It was sold to a local person in 1996. It is still running around our area today. The dealership parts manuals used to list the parts in the Chevelle section but they dropped that name as part of the Malibu. What I believe killed the Chevelle name was the Chevette. The two names looked similar when people read the t's wrong in the Chevette names and took them as l's. We owned both models, and a lot of people were calling our Chevette a Chevelle. They were confused. Both were great cars that were reliable, and never gave us any trouble. Our Malibu had the Buick 231 carburated V-6. The 231 V-6 was one of GM's best engines ever. Maybe that is why it is still around today.
No roll-down windows in the rear, what was GM thinking? They did this with the comparable Olds and Buicks. Their justification for that design was pathetic.
My mom bought one new in 1979 $5757 the V6 engine was garbage I would have been 11 years old I also remember the corvette was $10,000 dollars I thought that was a lot of money.
The 229 V6 was garbage. The 231 V-6 was also offered in the Malibu. The 231 was in ours, and I still see it running today. The 231 V-6 was the first generation Buick 231 V6 which is one of GM's best engines ever known to last hundreds of thousands of miles if cared for properly.
It was one of those Chevys that looked more elegant than the equivalent Buick, and imo the Malibu coupe especially without a vinyl top looks more understatedly classy than the overdone Monte Carlo.
@@theemulsionalchemist5688 The V-6 in General Motors A-body platform was underpowered so many buyers chose the less economical 5.0 Liter V-8. The separate body and frame made for a quieter and softer ride but is inefficient for a 4-Door sedan on the short 108 inch wheelbase compared to a unitized body . The A-body coupes of those years (Monte Carlo, Grand Prix, Cutlass Supreme/Salon, Regal) are really nice. The Fairmont/Zephyr had crisper European handling and were lighter in weight (due to unitized body) than the A-body platform so Ford's 200 Inline Six had good fuel economy and performance.
Yes, and I noticed in this video, he was comparing the new Malibu to the older, outgoing Falcon based Granada and Monarch instead of all-new Fairmont and Zephyr.
@@reallyrandomrides1296 GM's downsized A-body coupes and sedans and the Fairmont/Zephyr were both introduced for 1978 model year. This film was likely produced in the summer of 1977 so GM did not have a Fairmont/Zephyr in their possession to compare.
@@theemulsionalchemist5688 IMHO, the only good "colonnade" design was the '73 Buick two-door. The sedans and wagons were lumpy and misshapen. The downsized '78s looked like they had been sucking lemons. GM managed a few nice looking cars in the '70s, but most were full sized.
I bought a new 1979 Malibu that I ordered from the dealer. It was a coupe with a power sunroof, bucket seats, F 41 suspension, rally wheels, V8, and factory four-speed. I’ve never seen one just like it. By the way, I still own it today and drive it at least once a week in nice weather. It has given me very little trouble over the years and still runs and looks great.
Nice work on the film. Preserving history is important. Thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it. I have improved the process and will be reworking this one.
I loved these cars they look as good today as they did then!
I bought my 78 Malibu when I was 19 years old. That was way back in 1986. I still own the same car today...with a V6. 😋
Nice job.. I believe I am the second own of 1993 A-body Buick I bought in 2012 when I was 40. At the time of purchase it onlly had 48,000 miles. It has a 3.3 V6 and a 3 speed overdrive console mounted transmission.
That same dashboard was used until the mid to late 80s Monte Carlo! The two doors where nice!
That dashboard was used until 1980 year model. The dashboard was slightly resigned for the 1981-1987 year models of Malibu/Monte Carlo/El Camino. El Camino production ended as 1985 being the last year model.
I like the station wagon. We had a 1957 Nomad when I was a kid.
I can't stress enough how much I LOVE the clean, crisp lines of this & the other A/G-body sedans & wagons. 3:18....................Shame about those fixed rear windows. GM SAID that it was to save rear shoulder room, but I don't buy that excuse for a minute, ESPECIALLY since the sedans & wagons had those recesses in both rear doors. Surely, they COULD have put a manual window crank or optional power window switch in there.
I like the "...recessed armrests to provide four inches greater elbow room and hip room. This recess is made possible by a new stationary window configuration." As if it was a step in the right direction to stop offering rear windows that could be opened (though the the sedans did have the swing out vent windows behind the rear seat passenger's heads. But, at least they had two ashtrays (3:01) for the rear seat passengers (so the kids could smoke), lol!
My 1982 Buick Regal Limited Sedan had power operated rear window vents that were different than on the Malibu Sedan. A safety concern is that rear passengers could be trapped by a stationary rear window if the car was submerged in water.
@@SpockvsMcCoy Yes, I didn't think of that, the stationary rear window takes away an emergency exit. I'm sure that would not fly today, though many two door cars continued to have stationary rear windows for years. But, two door cars are virtually non-existent now.
@@reallyrandomrides1296 The 1981 (first model year) Plymouth Reliant and Dodge Aries 4-Door Sedans used the same concept ...but not the 1982 and later sedans.
@@SpockvsMcCoy I remember hearing that. I guess the Aries/Reliant gave up some hip and shoulder room to make roll-down rear windows, which is probably what most people preferred if they had to choose between a bit more hip/shoulder room, or rear windows that could roll down, even if only half way down.
That damned rear window was the second biggest mistake they made. The first was the slantback Buick and Olds.
Jessica Savich died in a Cutlass wagon.
These cars felt like small big cars. The Ford Fairmont felt like a big small car to me. I still would like a '78 Malibu Classic coupe.
This was marketed, and priced, as a mid-size car while the Fairmont was a compact. You got what you paid for (plus, in the Fairmont 4-door and wagon, roll-down rear windows).
First year with the A/C clutch clicking in & out? I learned something today. Also, the 'videos' get more sales-oriented I have noticed compared to the early 70s ones that I've watched. A little more aggressive.
yes, there were different films intended for sales personnel and customers. more to come
@@theemulsionalchemist5688 They're good stuff.
My favorite feature of the 78 malibu is the roll down rear windows....oh wait.
😂
My dad rented one and we all thought that fixed window was a really dumb idea. He noticed it never did that again
@@autocad3227 my dad had an 82 Buick regal 4 door with the wing windows on the back doors like the earlier wagons had. One day in ~ 1985 we were coming home from the pool and it was hot out so I opened the window. All of a sudden I'm freaking out telling my mom to stop the car. She asks what's wrong and I just repeat "stop the car!" As she pulls over I explain that I am holding the wing window by the little chrome handle as it's dangling outside the car because it fell out of the window frame as soon as I opened it. I was about 6 at the time.
Great quality control GM.
Did this platform shared with the Oldsmobile Cutlass of the same year? One of my coworkers has a 1978 Cutlass that looks like this. Has a little 260 cid V8.
Yes. Cutlasses came with an (unpopular) fastback sedan or coupe body (which looked like a hatchback but wasn't), a VERY popular formal notchback coupe (the Cutlass Supreme) and wagon bodies were identical across all divisions.
I'd drive one of them every day for the rest of my life! I'd have one of every body style! Rare beautiful car! I even once tried to, but jealous people(family) took them all away from me! Had a '81 2 door packing a 450 horse 350! Never could open her up because nearing 120, she would lift her nose too high to see over the hood.
1977-1981 EVERYTHING was brown or tan!!
Compared to Japanese cars of the day it took ita rust resistance seriously
Me gusta el carro un Chevrolet Malibú Classic 1978; es un excelente automóvil; el Chevrolet Malibú Classic Landau y coupé; solamente llegaron hasta México; es un excelente automóvil; me gusta con el motor 305; transmisión automática; vidrios eléctricos; frenos de disco en las cuatro ruedas; también la versión pickup es la Chevrolet El Camino; saludos y buenas noches.
You don't need to convince me to buy a Malibu in 78.
Given the reduction in size of the new exterior design, 16 Cubic feet of trunk space is quite an acccomplishment.
is that Doug llewellyn from TV show
I was thinking it was him also.
Bunch of BS about the lack of back windows, my friend ended up in the hospital with heatstroke on a summer vacation with his parents.
That being said they were much better looking cars than the dumpy looking 73-77. Nothing compares to the 68-72 generation, great cars by almost any measure.
chevy had some great style back then
'...all you need is a supermarket parking lot.' (Or a Chev Dealer parking lot.) Hmm. 😊
Pretty much!
Yep that was when Chevrolet finally ran the Chevelle into the dirt.
We had a 1980 wagon. Was the best riding car ever. It was sold to a local person in 1996. It is still running around our area today. The dealership parts manuals used to list the parts in the Chevelle section but they dropped that name as part of the Malibu. What I believe killed the Chevelle name was the Chevette. The two names looked similar when people read the t's wrong in the Chevette names and took them as l's. We owned both models, and a lot of people were calling our Chevette a Chevelle. They were confused. Both were great cars that were reliable, and never gave us any trouble. Our Malibu had the Buick 231 carburated V-6. The 231 V-6 was one of GM's best engines ever. Maybe that is why it is still around today.
This guy didn't show the 2 door coupe rear seating compartment and entrance...oh my wow!!!!
the idea is to make you want to buy one
Had an 80' coupe with the 229 V6.Dealer drove it more than I did.Last Chevy I owned.
Eighty feet long, eh? I'll bet that car was a trick to drive!
im sold ill take a wagon w/air conditioning
No roll-down windows in the rear, what was GM thinking? They did this with the comparable Olds and Buicks. Their justification for that design was pathetic.
that was not the only car they did it on
My mom bought one new in 1979 $5757 the V6 engine was garbage I would have been 11 years old I also remember the corvette was $10,000 dollars I thought that was a lot of money.
not chevys best
The 229 V6 was garbage. The 231 V-6 was also offered in the Malibu. The 231 was in ours, and I still see it running today. The 231 V-6 was the first generation Buick 231 V6 which is one of GM's best engines ever known to last hundreds of thousands of miles if cared for properly.
Most comparisons are how this car is better than the previous years Malibu. Looks like people who bought the 77 Malibu really got ripped off!!! LOL
got to upgrade and trade last year's model in
なつかしい。昔、乗ってました。よく壊れました。
“let’s start off by accepting the fact they look great” ha ha
style and individuality were important then. now it's hard to tell cars apart
It was one of those Chevys that looked more elegant than the equivalent Buick, and imo the Malibu coupe especially without a vinyl top looks more understatedly classy than the overdone Monte Carlo.
Blows rather than flows
I'd rather have the 1978 Fairmont/Zephyr Ghia.
The Zypher Wasn't a bad car for its time , Fords AC was always ice cold
@@theemulsionalchemist5688 The V-6 in General Motors A-body platform was underpowered so many buyers chose the less economical 5.0 Liter V-8. The separate body and frame made for a quieter and softer ride but is inefficient for a 4-Door sedan on the short 108 inch wheelbase compared to a unitized body . The A-body coupes of those years (Monte Carlo, Grand Prix, Cutlass Supreme/Salon, Regal) are really nice. The Fairmont/Zephyr had crisper European handling and were lighter in weight (due to unitized body) than the A-body platform so Ford's 200 Inline Six had good fuel economy and performance.
Yes, and I noticed in this video, he was comparing the new Malibu to the older, outgoing Falcon based Granada and Monarch instead of all-new Fairmont and Zephyr.
@@SpockvsMcCoy Good point, the Fairmont and Zephyr had the more modern unibody construction. The Malibu has nicer styling though.
@@reallyrandomrides1296 GM's downsized A-body coupes and sedans and the Fairmont/Zephyr were both introduced for 1978 model year. This film was likely produced in the summer of 1977 so GM did not have a Fairmont/Zephyr in their possession to compare.
Back in the day when Trump used to sell GM’s
😁
Always thought these were ugly. GM came up with some awful looking cars in the '70s.
ugly is a point of view. my favorite chevy era was late 60's to early 70's . not a runt in the litter
@@theemulsionalchemist5688 IMHO, the only good "colonnade" design was the '73 Buick two-door. The sedans and wagons were lumpy and misshapen. The downsized '78s looked like they had been sucking lemons. GM managed a few nice looking cars in the '70s, but most were full sized.
Ugh,😧