After being in the Jeep world for almost 10 years, I was bit by the Hot Rod bug again.  Actually, I was looking for something a little more family friendly for long cruises with my car club.  My requirements were fairly simple:  It had to be enclosed (no convertibles), have a back seat with actual seat belts for a car seat (wife's demand), A/C (again...wife's demand), reliable (again....wife's demand, and capable of running 65 mph without screaming at 5,000 rpms.  It also had to be mostly road ready as I simply don't have time for another frame off rebuild at this point in my life.

Most importantly, my requirements were it had to be cool, something not common, and parts had to be plentiful and easy to obtain in my area.  After a LOOOONG search, I found the perfect candidate.....



Introducing my 1980 Chevy Malibu.  It has a 400 small block under the hood joined to a TH350 transmission and stock rear end.  A mild cam, Vortec heads and Edlebrock carb are attached to the 400.  Most everything else is stock at this point.

Up until now, I have been finishing the car and fixing/hooking up a variety of small things like HVAC and electrical stuff to make it safe/enjoyable for the family.  Future plans include headers with cutouts, aftermarket gauges to keep an eye on things, complete stereo and speakers (girls have to hook up their iPhones..) and maybe bigger wheels/tires with a lower stance.  Oh yeah........and I still have to hook up the A/C.........

It was a southern car prior to coming to MO so it wasn't bad.  The previous owner had one spot in the passenger rear quarter repaired and the car was repainted.  It was about 70% complete when I bought it from him and I've been finishing the car since then.  It has been quite a challenge to keep from really striping it down and souping it up too much since this will be a family car.  I would like to remove the power steering, A/C and HVAC box.........but the boss says to keep it tame...

No....the 3A is not jealous at all.  This Malibu is no where near as nice at it is.  The Malibu is like the girls you chase around in your 20's.......really fun to play with but not long-term material.  The 3A is the girl you take home to Momma and marry!

athawk11 wrote on 01/24/17 at 11:23:11:

There is no doubt the jeep is slower, but I like to think it just gives people more time to stop and stare!