Member: Terry Miller

Car: 1966 Malibu SS

Realizing that my ’66 Malibu SS turned forty this year, I thought it was an appropriate time to tell the story of my car. My “provincial white/red interior” sports coupe was purchased by my maternal grandmother in the spring of 1966. The car was purchased after Gram and Gramps were involved in a fatal accident near Lloydminster Alberta in the fall of ’65. Gramps succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash and Gram was hospitalized for several days. After a lengthy recovery period the decision was made by one or more of my five uncles that Gram should have a new and safe car. I am grateful for the choice of car they made for her!

Fast forward to 1979; by this time the six cylinder powerglide Malibu SS had traveled a mere 19,000 miles. It had spent considerable time parked on blocks in a garage and was still in like new condition. My Mom was now the owner of Gram’s Malibu. For the next eight years the vehicle traveled an additional 20,000 miles around Vancouver Island. In 1987, with 39,000 miles reading on the odometer, the car was given to me as a gift for my university graduation!

Following graduation I had to travel to the east coast for a year of internship, and not having alternate transporation, the Malibu SS was my ticket east. I unfortunately added quite a few miles to the odometer on this trip. I made it from Vancouver BC to Fredericton NB in five long days (four nights in cheap motels). The most memorable part of the cross country journey happened in Brandon Manitoba.

Arriving in Brandon late at night, I found a motel in the downtown area to rest. After a six hour sleep, it was time to get back on the road. Heading out to the parking lot I noticed some unusual things around my car. Some “less than desirable type” had painstakingly removed most of the trim (in pristine condition) from the font and rear windows, tail and headlight bezels, and the rocker trim mouldings. The thieves left a small pile of screws and trim clips; fortunately they appeared to know what they were doing as there wasn’t a scratch or scrape on the paint! To say “I was choked” would have been an understatement!

When filing my report at the RCMP office I do remember slamming my keys on the counter and saying “friendly Manitoba---my @#$!!!” The auto insurance company in New Brunswick took over from ICBC (BC Insurance), however, they were only able to replace some of the missing trim; none of which was as shiny and true as the originals. Somebody in the Brandon area had some of the most pristine ’66 Malibu SS trim! To date, I have not been able to replace some of the missing pieces with anything but after market “stuff”. In any event, the Malibu performed admirably; no mechanical issues during its cross country journey. In my one winter in New Brunswick, I found the car surprisingly efficient in the snow and ice!

Upon my return to the interior of BC in the summer of ’88 I made the decision to “invest” in alternate transportation in order to save the Malibu SS! Today the ’66 has 79,000 miles showing on the odometer. Over the years, I have usually kept it “covered” for nine months , insuring and driving it for three months. Last year, I obtained my BC Collector status, so I will be purchasing the insurance for the entire year (this will cost the same as the three months of regular insurance).I hope to visit Vancouver Island this summer (where my roots remain) to take in some of the many Island shows.

In closing; if any club member knows of original chrome pieces for my ’66 Malibu SS would they please let me know. In particular I am looking for original, not aftermarket, ribbed rocker mouldings.

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