Some guys at work asked me when Chevy started using Chevelle 'Malibu'.I said I believe they used it right from the start in 1964."Oh no", the older know it all guys said they think the trim level Malibu came out in later years.Can you guys help me and straighten them out.I say 1964.How about you?Thanks,Al

About 14 years ago, I personally owned a 1964 Chevelle Malibu 2 door hardtop. It was production # 100048.
I surmised that it was built the very first day of the 1964 model year production.
How's that for rare. I challenge anyone on this site or anyone they know to come up with a lower production number for the first Chevelle !
Everybody knows that the Chevelle Malibu started in 1964.
I have a book that gives production figures for the 1964-72 Chevelle Malibu's. Email me if you need the figures.
Your friend is mistaken.

Nate

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Current collection:
1. 1969 Chevelle S/W SS396 TH400 12 bolt 3:31 Posi PS PDB AC Dual action PW gate Blue/Blk int
2. 1969 Chevelle Malibu 2 dr hdtp All #'s match L48 350/300 TH350 12 bolt 2:56 PS PDB AC Tilt Parchment/butternut (193,000 mi. never apart !) 98% orig car
3. 1969 Chevelle Malibu Convert Light green/Blk int 350 TH350 10 bolt PS PDB AC Buckets/console Pwr top 87,000 orig mi.
4. 1969 El Camino SS396 Cortez/Blk buckets PS PDB PW No-AC TH400 12 bolt 3:31
5. 1969 Nova SS 350/300 M20 3:31 Posi Red/Red Buckets No console PS PDB No-AC 88,000 orig mi.
6. 1970 Camaro RS Z/22 #'s match 350/TH350 PS PDB AC Shadow gray/blk int Orig AM/FM

[This message has been edited by SS3964N8 (edited 01-23-2002).]

Thanks Nate.That's just the answer I'm looking for.Nice collection of cars by the way!! AL

Yep, '64. Tell those guys to go suck eggs.

I'm continually amazed at the "experts" who know this and that and so and so. Usually, but not always, these are the guys who really never had much involvement in the auto world. Here is an example that really shocked me the other day. In the most recent CHEVY TIMES (the publication of the combined 55-7, Late Great, Chevelles, etc, organization) there were 4 trivia questions published. The answer to one of the questions was totally wrong, and the answer to another question was half right (or half wrong).
ONE OF THE QUESTIONS: What year and car had the first Tri-power setup? Ans-57 Olds. WRONG. It was the 53 6cyl Corvette.
NEXT QUES: What year and car had the first 2x4 setup? Ans-55 Chry 300. Yes, but also, the 55 Cadillac Eldorado!!!!!!!!!
(by the way, I emailed them the answers, but haven't had a reply,-----------------and, I may not!)

My whole point here, is that you don't want to depend on the "experts" for the correct answer. Because if you do, you may also make a fool of yourself in front of people who are more knowledgeable. It is always best to research an issue to be relatively sure that you have the right facts.

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Tom Parsons



[This message has been edited by DZAUTO (edited 01-24-2002).]

Thanks DZAUTO.It's nice being right 'once in awhile'! Al

To be clear, the MODEL Malibu was there from the beginning in 1964. The LINE Malibu began in 1977 or 1978. Originaly the line was called Chevelle, but in the late seventies the line was renamed Malibu. This could be what is causing the confusion. Bottom line, the Malibu in one form or another has been around since 1964.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Rich-L79:
To be clear, the MODEL Malibu was there from the beginning in 1964. The LINE Malibu began in 1977 or 1978. Originaly the line was called Chevelle, but in the late seventies the line was renamed Malibu.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Chevelles was the line untill 1977.
Malibu started at 1978.
But i think it wasn't even a Malibu.. It was called "Malibu Classic"

Buttom line. Malibu was a model in 1964. So you ARE right. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif


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Shai

1972 Chevelle Malibu custom 4dr (http://72-chevelle.cjb.net)
Restoration started: February 10th 2001
TC member #1278

The Malibu Classic nameplate was just a luxo option on the normal Malibu. Same thing as the Malibu was on the chevelle.

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Justin Kramer
kman1@ptd.net
1968 Chevelle 300 Deluxe Sport Coupe 350ci (http://www.geocities.com/murderhorn666/chevelle3.html)
1978 Malibu Classic 305ci (http://laijara.clanpages.com/malibu.html)
Everyone wants their car to look stock and haul ass, my car looks ass; hauls stock.

On the side of my 65 it says
MALIBU
chevelle
In the beginning there was MALIBU and Chevelle 300. The 300's were the lower trim group with plain seats and rubber mats on the floor. Less chrome and less standard equipment.

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65 Danube Blue 4 door wagon, 350/330hp crate with 700R4, Factory air, Factory am/fm stereo.