MALIBU Malibu ST (Car Craft)

[Darcane]

Heh...

Car Craft's Malibu ST

1980 - Check
Malibu - Check
Wagon - Check
LS Swap - Check

They are basically building the same car I planned on. And the buggers got a better deal on theirs too.

 

[melloelky]

damn rite,I'm feeling nostalgic.bring back john tell's five door!

 

[ssn696]

1981 header and grille. Take the clip off then pull the engine; much easier. How soon does the butyl melt and the fake Dynamat fall off? The Eastwood paint looks interesting; might have to try that.

 

[TURNA]

I use to wait for the day these cars made the shows and magazines......

But now the more I see these guys mess with GBody's the more I wish they would stick to there 55-57 Chevys and Camaros

 

[Ribbedroof]

I kinda figure they would leave G bodies alone and favor the old stuff...BUT, there are advertisers that are making stuff for us, so I would imagine that it is driven, at least in part, by pressure from advertisers to get their stuff in the magazines.

I have always laughed at their "budget" builds, usually consisting of slapping whatever sponsor's parts they can get for free together.

I get that it is supposed to be a goal of what can be done, but IMO, these magazine builds are out of the realm of reality for a working guy with kids and a mortgage. $700 wire harnesses are a good example How about investing the time in cleaning up the donor car harness? It's not that big of a deal, especially given the info readily available in today's world. Sure, it takes time and they have deadlines/schedules, but since they're already late to the party would it kill them to present the series after it's finished?

I don't doubt that there are people that can swing these not so "budget" builds, but IMO, they are the minority. Most hobbyists with deep pockets are NOT going to choose a run of the mill non "musclecar" as a project. Like my friend Dave says...it costs the same to build a G body or a Chevelle, and in the end the Chevelle is going to be worth a lot more when you're tired of it and want to move on.

I figure about 95% of us are building G bodies because for whatever reason, we actually like them, rather than because that's the accepted traditional route. I'm sure there are a few that are involved because the buy-in in recent years was cheap, but I believe most of us have a soft spot for them.

 

[TURNA]

The only ones making parts for these thing is GBodyParts and half the time you order from them you never get your items!!

I liked it better when no one wanted these cars!!!

 

[Ribbedroof]

The only ones making parts for these thing is GBodyParts and half the time you order from them you never get your items!!

I liked it better when no one wanted these cars!!!

Half that first statement is true.

I agree, it was a lot easier when they were just old used cars,

 

[ssn696]

I figure about 95% of us are building G bodies because for whatever reason, we actually like them, rather than because that's the accepted traditional route. I'm sure there are a few that are involved because the buy-in in recent years was cheap, but I believe most of us have a soft spot for them.

YES! What he said! I can't explain why the 1980 model year in particular does it for me and it falls off in either direction.

 

[CaliWagon83]

I kinda figure they would leave G bodies alone and favor the old stuff...BUT, there are advertisers that are making stuff for us, so I would imagine that it is driven, at least in part, by pressure from advertisers to get their stuff in the magazines.

I have always laughed at their "budget" builds, usually consisting of slapping whatever sponsor's parts they can get for free together.

That's why I have no problem paying five-figures out-of-pocket to build mine. I used to play that game, trying to make advertisers and sponsors happy. Sometimes you get good stuff, sometimes you end up settling for junk because it made an advertiser happy. I'm going to build mine exactly how I want, not how the biggest advertiser that quarter wants me to.

 

[Longroof79]

I'm among the people that genuinely liked these cars from the get-go...not because they've become the flavor of the day and trendy. I guess it explains why I've owned mine for many years.

On the up side, I'd like to see more parts reproduced for them....especially assorted rubber weatherstripping, clips, lenses, interior plastics, etc. I would think with the increased popularity of these cars, more of these parts would become available.