1970 Chevrolet Malibu Chevelle Hardtop
Grocery Getter: A compact, sub-compact or midsize coupe, sedan, hatchback or station wagon with a generous amount of trunk/hatch space and a back seat that usually folds down, powered by an unimpressive yet reliable and reasonably economical 4 or 6 cylinder engine. The idea is that such a vehicle is uninspiring to drive, but the trunk space at least makes it good for getting groceries. Generally speaking, a bigger, (ie; V6), engine or an engine that is turbo or supercharged, along with bigger sway bars and stiffer suspension are necessary to turn a grocery getter into either a sports sedan or a sports coupe. Without these upgrades, a sporty-looking compact or subcompact coupe is considered just a grocery getter.
For consignment, certainly not a muscle car inspiring but actually refreshing. A 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu hardtop is in our midst and I used the above paragraph not to berate or belittle this vehicle. In fact I did it because in the expanses of our halls we have seen copious amounts of Chevelles and they all have souped up power plants wide tires, racing stripes and come with badges that sound impressive, (SS396, SS454, SS whatever), but honestly they become ubiquitous. Here we have a survivor that is nothing of the others and it is truly refreshing. Read On!
Exterior
For 1970, the face lifted Chevelle moved an impressive 634,000 units. Not only did that high-profile success earn GM big money, it also solidified the nameplate as part of Chevy's oft romanticized 'golden era'. At the front of this hardtop, a split grille hangs a bowtie badge between dual stainless-trimmed headlights and a chromed bumper. Opposite that bumper, a slightly creased in the center and mostly flat hood, all bathed in Shadow Gray leads the eye to fresh glass that's seated in original stainless frames. A note about this paint, as it is showing some areas of cracking and crazing, rust formations mostly on the bottoms of this car, and where inserts into the body reside, edge rust. At the base of those frames, chrome door handles, a chrome driver's mirror and an edge trimming that starts on the top of the 307 and Malibu badged front quarter, and runs to the back of the rear glass on the sills. Nice back edges of the B pillars gently roll downward to the trunk deck housing the rear glass on the way, and the lid rolls into the rear bumper. The bumper has a single horizontal rectangular tail light inset within it and a Chevelle badge on the lid passengers edge. 14-inch factory aluminum spun caps are centering Hankook black wall rubber front the 46th week of 2015. Now that's an original car!
Interior
The door panels are greeting me with black vinyl and a central panel where the bowtie shape with tuck and roll, and then smooth uppers and lowers. A split back bench seats offer up the sitting area and these have some light tuck and roll broadcloth inserts in charcoal gray and black vinyl busters. The driver's side is showing some cracking on the bolsters. Low headrests are also on top. A rear bench matches the front. In front of those seats is a straight pure utilitarian GM dash in behind the factory wheel. No tachometer, no oil pressure gauge, just a speedo, a few pulls and an AM radio. Power steering and AC are also installed in this original. Below that dash, is simple black carpeting. Above is a black headliner looking showroom. Behind the passengers, is an original speckle painted trunk with a vinyl mat covering showing some water damage and holes. The spare tire and jack setup is all there too. Throw the groceries in and put the kids in back and ride home in factory style.
Drivetrain
As we lift the hood we see some surface rust on the underside and in the engine bay. It's the original 307ci L14 V8. It too has surface rust and some grease and remains original and unrestored save for what appears to be a new air cleaner covering and alternator. A single 2-barrel carburetor is on top and on back is a numbers matching 2-speed Powerglide tranny. Further back is a 10 bolt 3.08 rear axle. Thrush mufflers are on the new dual exhaust.
Undercarriage
Surface rust in various stages from mild to heavy abounds on this undercarriage. It does retain its structural integrity though. Independent coil springs and a 4 link with coil springs are on for the suspension, and drum braking is on front and back.
Drive-Ability
I actually got my mom to test drive this car and I sat as her passenger, just like it was when I was a kid. She loved the throwback and we experienced many memories. Good acceleration, easy steering and nice handling on our short trip. The AC was not working but that's ok as our version years back did not have it!
A non striped, or modded, non souped up SS, just a solid everyday runabout and take the kids to school for practice kinda car. What a breath of fresh air, and a step away from all that testosterone that is oozing from all of our other examples. Gotta love it.
136370A150479
1-Chevrolet
36-Malibu V8
37-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
0-1970
A-Atlanta, GA Assy Plant
150479-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
ST 70 13637-1970 Malibu 2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
BDY A40731-Atlanta Body #
TR 753-Black River Cloth, Black Coated Fabric
B80-Roof Drip Molding
B90-Door Window Frame Molding
PNT 17 17-Shadow Gray
04C-3rd Week April
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
