Decode 1980 malibu 4 speed

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Ibe555666

Apprentice
Feb 2, 2022
53
58
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Florida
Who can help? Just want to verify trim tag, all codes etc. Its factory 305 / 4 speed car. Should be Canada build 1 of 124.
 

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69hurstolds

Geezer
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Jan 2, 2006
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Weird- doesn't seem to be a year of manufacture or plant code. Or if there were, I'm not familiar with the Canada body tags.

04B - scheduled build 2nd week of April.
1A- Chevrolet A-body
W27- Malibu Classic 2 door HT- bare. No vinyl top noted on body tag.
19L/19U- Black all over.
79D- Dark Claret interior
AU3- Power door locks
AS1- Shoulder harness seat belt
CD4- Pulse wipers (delay)
D55- Console
D68- Sport mirror with remote control both sides
M20- 4 speed manual transmission
U14- Gage package
U29- Courtesy Lights
U75- Power antenna
 
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Ibe555666

Apprentice
Feb 2, 2022
53
58
18
Florida
Thanks , good info. Yes it is well equipped. Canadian-built 1 of 124 with a 4 speed. Very clean and solid. I am a purist I liked it because it was pretty much original. May even look to find the factory wheels for it.
 

69hurstolds

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Jan 2, 2006
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No idea what kind of transmission is in your car other than a 4-speed manual. The RPO M20 simply is the option code for the factory to place a 4-speed transmission in the car at assembly. Doesn't mean it's a Muncie. M is the starting code on nearly all transmission codes, like MX0 for TH200-4R, and M40 for the TH400, etc.
 
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pagrunt

Geezer
Sep 14, 2014
9,122
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Elderton, Pa
Thanks for decode....funny code for trans is m20.....but doesn't get muncie. What is it?
M20 is for a wide ratio 4 speed regardless of being a Muncie or Saginaw. By the time our generation went into production the Saginaw was the only M20. FYI M21 is close ratio, M22 is close ratio special heavy duty, M24 is for the BW Super T10 (post Muncie usage about '75)
 
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69hurstolds

Geezer
Supporting Member
Jan 2, 2006
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M20 is for a wide ratio 4 speed regardless of being a Muncie or Saginaw. By the time our generation went into production the Saginaw was the only M20. FYI M21 is close ratio, M22 is close ratio special heavy duty, M24 is for the BW Super T10 (post Muncie usage about '75)
This is a better explanation than mine. M20/M21/etc., etc., RPOs have been around since the early 60s, and used in cars and trucks, and cast iron or aluminum. Casting numbers on the case are pretty much the only way you can tell which transmission you have as far as model, gear ratios etc. In the early days, you ordered a car with M20 wide-ratio, but you could get close-ratio instead depending on the rear end gearing choice. In any matter, the fact that M20 is on the body tag means you got a 4-speed manual, and it makes your car a whole lot more unique than the automatic RPOs.
 
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doood

Amateur Mechanic
Sep 24, 2020
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can we see the car?
 

Ibe555666

Apprentice
Feb 2, 2022
53
58
18
Florida
Here's a few....post more later. Lots of good info here, thanks to all who responded.
 

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