It's so easy to forget how common these lower-trimmed Malibus were. Somehow, it's mostly the higher-trim versions that have survived. Frankly, I'm not sure I lament the loss of these plainer Malibus that much, but it is good to see this one.
I am oddly addicted to this website. I live in the rustbelt, so these old cars with faded paint but no rust (and some with moss growing on them!!), or rust everywhere but the rocker panels and wheel wells are very strange sights to me! Not many cars older than 20 years where I live. There are a few here and there but not like where this photographer lives! Great to see these blasts from the past. A few of them are cars I used to drive, like the Pinto. Love it!
We have a lot in common Linda. I live in Pennsylvania and I try to view this site as much as I can (unfortunately not as much as I'd like). I'd highly recommend viewing all of their posts from the very beginning up to now. You'll probably find cars that your parents used to drive. Motorhead porn.
I lived in PA a couple of years...vehicle inspection is a pain. Not noid crap like holes in the body - stupid. We don't have inspections here in my part of GA...
@Jim--you're right in that most of the survivors seem to be Classics, but even the base Malibus had bodyside molding and full wheel covers--either they were removed from this car, or perhaps it's a 9C1 police package? This one does have the optional bumper guards and "sport" mirrors.
My first car was a '79 Malibu (standard, not Classic) so I'm pretty familiar with the breed. In the family since new and I've owned it since '97, though it's been sitting for a few years.
I have been lurking on this site for some months already.
I don't think this is a bare bones car. The bullet mirrors (which I love) and the bumper moldings may indicate something a couple steps up in the ladder. Love how the S-10 hubcaps look there.
Re: the mirrors and moldings, I really do wonder if this is a 9C1 police package. I think those had the "sport" mirrors and probably often had bumper guards too, and I'm sure could be ordered without side trim or wheel arch moldings.
That, or this could actually be a Malibu Classic (which is the only step up in the ladder for a sedan, there were only base and Classic trims). No way to tell from these photos, as the external differences (wheel well moldings and badges) are gone. The mirrors were, I believe, an option on either trim level (standard was a chrome mirror on the driver's side only).
@Dave - yes I have been, still making my way back thru 2010...I have seen some of my first cars...Pintos, 74 Cougar, 78 Celica...haven't seen those cars in decades. How can all these old cars be in ONE city, Portland OR?? Wow. So good to see so many old cars still in operation! I had a 93 Seville until recently (accident), and I was looked at like I was some kind of alien driving that car every day. Miss it so much!
Best of OPC. 
10 comments:
It's so easy to forget how common these lower-trimmed Malibus were. Somehow, it's mostly the higher-trim versions that have survived. Frankly, I'm not sure I lament the loss of these plainer Malibus that much, but it is good to see this one.
That bumper sticker is the story of my life!
I am oddly addicted to this website. I live in the rustbelt, so these old cars with faded paint but no rust (and some with moss growing on them!!), or rust everywhere but the rocker panels and wheel wells are very strange sights to me! Not many cars older than 20 years where I live. There are a few here and there but not like where this photographer lives! Great to see these blasts from the past. A few of them are cars I used to drive, like the Pinto. Love it!
We have a lot in common Linda. I live in Pennsylvania and I try to view this site as much as I can (unfortunately not as much as I'd like). I'd highly recommend viewing all of their posts from the very beginning up to now. You'll probably find cars that your parents used to drive. Motorhead porn.
I lived in PA a couple of years...vehicle inspection is a pain. Not noid crap like holes in the body - stupid. We don't have inspections here in my part of GA...
@Jim--you're right in that most of the survivors seem to be Classics, but even the base Malibus had bodyside molding and full wheel covers--either they were removed from this car, or perhaps it's a 9C1 police package? This one does have the optional bumper guards and "sport" mirrors.
My first car was a '79 Malibu (standard, not Classic) so I'm pretty familiar with the breed. In the family since new and I've owned it since '97, though it's been sitting for a few years.
I have been lurking on this site for some months already.
I don't think this is a bare bones car. The bullet mirrors (which I love) and the bumper moldings may indicate something a couple steps up in the ladder. Love how the S-10 hubcaps look there.
Re: the mirrors and moldings, I really do wonder if this is a 9C1 police package. I think those had the "sport" mirrors and probably often had bumper guards too, and I'm sure could be ordered without side trim or wheel arch moldings.
That, or this could actually be a Malibu Classic (which is the only step up in the ladder for a sedan, there were only base and Classic trims). No way to tell from these photos, as the external differences (wheel well moldings and badges) are gone. The mirrors were, I believe, an option on either trim level (standard was a chrome mirror on the driver's side only).
@Dave - yes I have been, still making my way back thru 2010...I have seen some of my first cars...Pintos, 74 Cougar, 78 Celica...haven't seen those cars in decades. How can all these old cars be in ONE city, Portland OR?? Wow. So good to see so many old cars still in operation! I had a 93 Seville until recently (accident), and I was looked at like I was some kind of alien driving that car every day. Miss it so much!
i really don't want this car, but i'm so glad to see it alive and in such clean shape and in such an evocative setting.
and seeing nine comments on this car restores my faith in humanity.
so were you driving a kia soul?
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