1972 Chevrolet Malibu

The Chevrolet Malibu began life as a top-of-the-line subseries of the mid-sized Chevrolet, introduced in 1964 and produced through 1972. From its introduction, Chevrolet's intermediate 'A-Body' Chevelle and upscale Malibu sub-series were wildly successful, thanks to their excellent proportions, attractive styling, many options, and value. They were the right car at the right time, and a nice rebound from the disappointing Chevy II, just as Ford was overshadowing Chevrolet sales figures. The conventional yet stylish designs made them instantly recognizable as a full-size Chevrolet's junior counterpart. Initially, they were powered by economical inline sixes and reasonably powerful small-block V8 engines, with a wide list of high-performance engines soon joining the lineup. Among the early examples was the 396 big-block 'Z16' of 1965, considered the first 'true' high-performance Chevrolet model. Many buyers gravitated to the reasonably priced RPO L-79 327 high-performance V8, rated at 325 horsepower. It offered a sizable weight advantage in relation to the much heavier big-block engines that were available and was known as a high-winding and reliable power unit.

In 1968, both Chevelles and Malibus received a restyling with the two-door hardtops resting on 112-inch wheelbases, the four-door sedans and station wagons on a 116-inch wheelbase, and styling with semi-fastback rooflines. The new 307 cubic-inch V8, rated at 200 horsepower, replaced the prior 283 CID as the base V8. The new instrument panel had round gauges in square pods, a Concours luxury option for Malibu sedans and coupes joined in 1968, and a revised grille, rear deck, and revised taillights were new for 1969. Another new grille was added in 1971, with single headlamps replacing the prior dual units, and four round taillights located in the bumper. The engines were detuned to use lower-octane unlead gasoline, a new GM corporate policy.

1972 Chevrolet Chevelle and Malibu
An all-new styling for the intermediate-size Chevelles was planned for 1972 but delayed until 1973. Instead, 1972 became the final year of the second generation of styling, highlighted by another new grille. The body styles were carried over from 1971, but this would be the final year for convertibles and hardtops. The Chevelle line consisted of a sedan, hardtop coupe, and Greenbrier station wagons. Prices ranged from $2,640 for the sedan to $3,250 for the nine-passenger wagon.

All station wagons, including the Greenbrier, Concours, and Concours Estate Wagon were offered with seating for six- or nine-passengers. The Nomad station was solely a six-passenger vehicle.

Chevrolet built approximately 49,400 examples of the Chevelle, 54,400 of the Chevelle station wagons, and 290,100 of the Malibu, including 4,853 convertibles. 24,946 examples were SS models

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2020