1980 Malibu Wagon Build Starts

[nawlins-tim]

Hey malibuwagon looks like you are off to a good start even with the interior hiccup. Which leads me to my question. I was looking at the photo where you point out the "Really Nice Floor". I could help but notice you have all the seat mounts for bucket seats. Not sure if you installed them, because it looked like you HAD a bench seat before the interior was out. It would be nice to not have to weld in the extra mounts if you were going to bucket seats like I am. So please let me know if they were there origionaly or not . Thanks

 

[81msw79]

Hey malibuwagon looks like you are off to a good start even with the interior hiccup. Which leads me to my question. I was looking at the photo where you point out the "Really Nice Floor". I could help but notice you have all the seat mounts for bucket seats. Not sure if you installed them, because it looked like you HAD a bench seat before the interior was out. It would be nice to not have to weld in the extra mounts if you were going to bucket seats like I am. So please let me know if they were there origionaly or not . Thanks

his mounts look original. if you notice in the one pic he still has half of the split bench in the car. split benches used the same mounts as bucket seats.

 

[1983mailbuwagon]

Hey malibuwagon looks like you are off to a good start even with the interior hiccup. Which leads me to my question. I was looking at the photo where you point out the "Really Nice Floor". I could help but notice you have all the seat mounts for bucket seats. Not sure if you installed them, because it looked like you HAD a bench seat before the interior was out. It would be nice to not have to weld in the extra mounts if you were going to bucket seats like I am. So please let me know if they were there origionaly or not . Thanks

his mounts look original. if you notice in the one pic he still has half of the split bench in the car. split benches used the same mounts as bucket seats.

Correct. car had a factory split bench seat with were the same as the buckets

 

[nawlins-tim]

Didn't know that the split bench was an option for the wagon. Good luck

 

[1983mailbuwagon]

late post, was able to get the rest of the interior pulled and motor and transmission is out!

 

[1983mailbuwagon]

got the new dash in and cleaned up the passenger floor board a little and put some fresh paint done







I have a good set of window channels, can anyone tell me if I have to pull the glass right out of the door to replace them? also in order to pull the glass do I have to drill out the rivets for the window regulator?

Also have the rear window channels the same from the 4 door sedans and the wagons, I've read that the little 1/4 windows are different ?????

Thanks

 

[Longroof79]

Kevin,
Regarding the installation of the front door run channels, it would be easier if the glass was removed. However, it could probably be done by loosening the channel and moving the glass to the side.

Does this car have power windows? You don't have to remove any rivets. Lower the bottom glass stop(s) and unbolt the channel for the glass pivot...and one of the vertical channels to remove the glass.

The run channels for the rear glass is slightly different in shape between a 4-dr sedan and a wagon. The vent window shape is different between the two models.

 

[1983mailbuwagon]

got a chance to work on the car a little this weekend,


Longroof- will the channels for the rear windows from the 4 door work or am I just waisting my time????

 

[1983mailbuwagon]

***update***

Well its winter here now and snow is here and its cold.

Picked up a 81 Malibu Sedan with a 3.8 and a 3 speed standard set up so it looks like the wagon is going have an extra pedal.

The car was the famous Iraqi Taxi that GM produced special order of 25,500 4 door sedans for Saddam Hussein's Iraqi government,
they were only sold in Canada and came with 3.8 v6 with a 3 speed floor stick, a/c , 200 kph swipe style speedo, 14" baby moon wheels, am/fm cassette
with heavy duty tweed interiors.

Car was sitting at a Cow Farm in the pasture for the last 13 years. almost went to the shredder

that's all for now.

OH fORGOT TO mention , I Got MY CLEAN TITLE BACK 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 Insurance Company changed the status back, only took a year and a bit.

 

[clean8485]

Hi Kevin. Congrats on getting the clean title back on your car. I just started going through the thread you have here. The wagon looks like quite a find. If you don't mind me asking, whereabouts are you located? I'm figuring that you're somewhere in Canada, but since most of the country is cold and snowy right now, I'm not exactly sure where you are.
I also have one of the infamous Iraqi Malibus. Actually, its the third one that I've had since 1990. This one is still in pretty good shape, so I'm thinking that I'll fix it up eventually.
Good luck with the work on your wagon. Please keep the updates coming.