One of many longest-running nameplates in American-car historical past is being laid to relaxation. The Malibu tag was first utilized to a high trim degree of the midsize Chevelle starting in 1964, and have become a mannequin in its personal proper in 1978. However the Malibu badge will quickly be filed away within the Chevrolet unused model-name cupboard, alongside such basic as Impala, Monza, and Camaro.
Extra Malibu information, evaluations, and basic adverts
Use of the Malibu title lapsed after 1983, when the rear-drive coupe, sedan, and wagon have been changed within the Chevy lineup by the extra trendy and fuel-efficient front-wheel-drive Movie star (1982-1990). It wasn’t till 1997 that the Bow Tie model resurrected the Malibu mannequin title, this time for an solely sedan lineup.
Through the years the Malibu gave start to plenty of attention-grabbing spin-off fashions, together with the awkward trying Malibu Maxx wagon factor, and the Malibu-based—although not named—El Camino pickup (1978-1987).
With the passing of the Malibu, Chevy goes for the primary time with no sedan in its lineup. Certainly, there are however two sedans remaining within the Basic Motors portfolio, the Cadillac CT4 and CT5, and only one different automobile, the Corvette.
This creator drove two automobiles in driver’s ed, one a 1981 Malibu, the opposite a same-year Chevy Quotation. What I keep in mind most in regards to the Malibu was its surprisingly well-appointed cabin, and it’s horribly gutless 229-cubic-inch V6. Flooring the pedal as a way to merge with freeway site visitors, the Malibu’s engine shrieked with hellish, malaise-era reluctance. That stated, the automobile rode and dealt with fairly nicely.
Through the years, out there Malibu engines ranged in dimension from a mighty and large 454-cubic-inch (7.4-liter) V8, to a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4. The unfold in engine dimension serves nicely as a metaphor for the vary of physique varieties as soon as supplied as Malibus, in addition to the automobile’s ever evolving purchaser profile.
The final of the Malibus was usually nicely regarded, however was primarily pushed into fleet service, so the automobile was hardly ever mentioned by the automotive press. You possibly can learn Client Information’s final Malibu evaluate right here. In honor of the Malibu, and my high-school relationship with one, I’ve written a modest farewell poem for the as soon as ubiquitous Chevy. Love reside the Malibu.
Chevrolet Malibu Normal-Tools Showdown: 1976 vs. 2016
Malibu: Final Automobile Standing (a poem)
Oh Malibu, oh Malibu, our hearts are heavy,
farewell to the final sedan branded as a Chevy.
You began out vibrant in sixty-four,
for Chevelle customers, you supplied extra.
Luxurious for the folks of modest means,
Malibu meant class for under a little bit inexperienced.
Oh Malibu, oh Malibu, our hearts are heavy,
farewell to the final sedan branded as a Chevy.
You changed the Chevelle in seventy-eight,
gross sales quantity was big, purchaser response was nice.
Your boxy design was trendy, environment friendly and lean,
however your rear home windows didn’t roll down, what did that imply?
Oh Malibu, oh Malibu, our hearts are heavy,
farewell to the final sedan branded as a Chevy.
You performed host to the El Camino and Caballero vans,
and the Malibu Maxx was one strange-looking yutz.
However customers needed SUVs, and also you went to the fleets,
and folk bought used to not seeing you out on the streets.
Oh Malibu, oh Malibu, our hearts are heavy,
farewell to the final sedan branded as a Chevy.
There’s little revenue in rental vehicles or fleet leasing,
so, you’re going away, your lineage ceasing.
The Fairfax manufacturing facility the place you have been final made,
will quickly produce EVs, black now to fade.
Oh Malibu, oh Malibu, our hearts are heavy,
farewell to the final sedan branded as a Chevy.
Basic Automobile Adverts: Dad Vehicles
Hearken to the Automobile Stuff Podcast
Comply with Tom on Twitter
Chevrolet Malibu Gallery
Click on under for enlarged photographs
Picture Function: 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu Hardtop Coupe
Client Information Automobile Stuff Podcast Episode 220: New Subaru Forester, So Lengthy Malibu, All About Nikola and Zero-Emissions Trucking
