Car: 1967 Malibu
Our Chevelle story begins in 1967! It is two years after graduating from high school; the muscle car scene is growing and cars are number one in my life. Working in a service station, cruising the strip in my '56 Chev 2dr post and heading to Mission Raceways on Sundays were the important "things" in life. My friends and I were definitely portrayed in the early '70's movie "American Graffiti."
A service station customer had purchased a big block '67 Malibu SS and dropped by to show us his "new wheels". Naturally I accepted the offer to go for a quick tour "around the block". My Chevelle muscle car dreams were born that day. Already a "Chevy guy", there was only one muscle car for me--a 1967 Chevelle. A few months after my spring time Chevelle cruise, the decision was made to order my own '67! Being a " small block lover" I decided on a '67 Malibu with a 327-4speed. My Butternut yellow Malibu was scheduled to arrive in mid June. The "street quick" '56 was sold to help pay for the Chevelle.
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Options / Description
A02 Front Tinted Windshield
A49 Custom Deluxe Front Seat Belts
A51 Front Bucket Seats
B90 Door Frame Mouldings
C08 Vinyl Top
C60 Air Conditioning
D55 Floor console
K76 61 Amp Alternator
L30 275 HP 327 V8 engine
M35 Powerglide 2 Speed Automatic Transmission
N40 Power steering
U63 AM Push Button Radio
V01 Heavy Duty Radiator
During the six weeks waiting for the Malibu another important event took place. A young lady entered my life and as fate would have it our first date clashed with the arrival day of the car. A tough decision had to made--cruising the strip with the guys in my shiny new Chevelle or going on a date. What was a young Malibu man to do?.
The '67 was sold in 1971 to help pay for marriage and university. The "young lady" was with me when I purchased our second '67 Malibu last year! The years between then and now saw children, family station wagons, 4x4's, and later model Malibus, however, we never forgot our first car, the '67 Malibu. My wife (aka-the young lady) encouraged me to bring back yesterday's dreams and purchase our "new" Malibu.
Today we own a Nantucket Blue 2drhdtp Chevelle Malibu. Our car, originally a small block powerglide, is a small block (with minor modifications) now matched with a TH 350 transmission. Decoding the cowl tag tells us this American built Malibu (13617) was assembled in Fremont California (Z) the fourth week of October 1966. It has maintained its original exterior Nanatucket blue (DD), vinyl roof (CO8) and light blue vinyl colored interior(TR 738). The small block now has a 325HP-327 cam, 11:1 compression and a small block Edelbrock Performer intake with matching Holley carb. (specs are close to the 325HP 327 of '67)
The Malibu is now a stock appearing air-conditioned (original) summer cruiser. Minor exterior and interior restoration is still to be completed (hopefully this winter). The "young lady" and I are again enjoying the summer cruises we first experienced in the late '60's. We look forward to another summer of show n' shines on Vancouver Island, sharing our Chevelle stories with the new friends we have made in our Canadian Classic Chevelles and Beaumonts club.