Jack H.<\/a> is the second owner of this 1971 Chevelle Malibu. A friend of his bought it new in Pennsylvania in 1971, then promptly drove it clear across the country to Los Angeles, where it has lived ever since. Though this is the top-line Chevelle Malibu, it does not have the sought-after SS package, which was the big daddy of its day. But it still gets looks, even in LA. \u201cAlmost every time I\u2019m driving it, people are staring and waving,\u201d says Jack.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMuscle cars tend to appeal that way. This slab-sided hardtop coupe has a perfectly muscley stance, and a simple, near-fastback silhouette. It can fit three people across each row of seats, handles as lazily as you\u2019d expect, and absolutely commands the road (as long as no Super Sport Chevelles are around). And as you can see, this thing is green<\/em>. Besides the green paint, inside there\u2019s a green steering wheel, green dash, green floors, green headliner, green everything. If the sound of the carbureted V8 doesn\u2019t catch your attention, the color certainly will.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCan’t fake original<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
This is no garage queen. Today the car has done around 90,000 miles \u2014 it\u2019s what you would call a driver. But Jack keeps it covered when parked, so besides the expected sun damage on the roof, the car is in great condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The interior is similarly well-looked after. The upholstery shows just enough wear to give it the strong sense of character you want from a 40 year-old car. Except for the five-spoke wheels, which Jack put on himself, it\u2019s completely original. Though, comfortingly, it also has upgraded disc brakes on all four corners. \u201cI had to do the brakes because the car just wouldn\u2019t stop,\u201d says Jack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
This Chevelle has its original 350ci (5.7L) V8, which was rated at 175 horsepower from the factory for this year. Two versions of the 350 were available, with the SS package or without, and the Chevelle was offered with at least eight different V8 engines during the production of its second generation \u2014 Chevy\u2019s range of engine options and packages is all a bit confusing for the uninitiated. Jack had the engine rebuilt two years ago, and says the lazy growl of the small-block Chevy is his favorite part of the car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Chevelle\u2019s simple construction makes it easy to fix, and parts are near abundant for the old muscle car. As you might expect from an early-seventies American car with a three-speed automatic transmission, efficiency is not a standout feature with Jack\u2019s Chevelle. \u201cIt\u2019s really not too bad. I probably get between 12, maybe 15 miles per gallon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jack has always been a car guy, and likes to take the Chevelle to shows, where it always gets a good reception. \u201cTo be honest I\u2019m into European cars more, like Porsches and Alfas, but when I got this Chevy, I decided right away I would keep it.\u201d His 16-year-old daughter has long looked forward to driving it, but she doesn\u2019t yet have her license and Jack is in no rush to hand her the keys. \u201cOne day, for sure. I think I\u2019ll make her wait a bit longer though.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n