New to G-Bodies....

[TerryD]

I've wanted a G-body for years. Mostly a Monte Carlo, Cutlass, or other two door. However, I've happened into many 80's Camaros and been playing with a 84 SC for several years now. Right now though, I have more kids than my Camaro has seats, so I can't take the family anywhere in the hot rod. This really became a problem when we went to the Spring Grand Rod Run in Pigeon Forge this year and were constantly dumping one kid with my parents while we were there.

So, I've found a couple Malibu wagons. A 78 and a 81. Prices seem reasonable to me for cars with the drive lines pulled from them (robbing the 350/700R4 from my Camaro to put in which ever one I get).

Right now, I'm here looking for advice in what kind of problem areas these cars have. Places they are bad for rot, things that may be missing that are hard to find, ect. Thanks for any input you guys can give me, I'm going to check them out tomorrow.

 

[illregal]

im not too familiar with the wagons,but like all gbodys check the rear frame rails

 

[Longroof79]

Terry,
First off, welcome aboard! I would check between the two and see which one had the least amount of issues. Broken and missing parts, rust of course, complete interior with good plastic trim parts, etc. You get the picture.
First check for rust in the rear frame rails, as mentioned. Look underneath the doors for rust, quarter window sills, floors, ...
better still, why don't you take a picture of both cars and post them here.
We certainly could help you pic which one would be a better candidate.
I assume you're in the southeast part of the country somewhere. Chances of finding something with minimal rust is better.

 

[TerryD]

Thanks for the advice guys! I will take some pictures of them and post them up. The 81 has a (from the pictures he sent) good, non-factory yellow/black paint job and some gauges, B&M shifter and stuff installed. He's asking $1500 for it. The 78 is original paint, but has some surface rust on the outside of it. The 78 is only $700 though. If the underside of the car is good on the 81, I'm more interested in it because of the decent paint job. Not that I'm crazy about school bus yellow or anything, but I HATE body work. In fact, my hot rod Camaro with early $5000 invested in it (got body free) is still 3-4 different colors and has dents and wrinkles all over it. At least the yellow paint will preserve the body until I decide to get it painted what ever color I decide I want it. Plus, my oldest daughter likes yellow cars. However, for the $800 difference, I have a buddy that can lay some world class quality paint jobs who owes me a favor from a few years ago that'll do a full strip and paint of that 78. While there is no drive line in it, it would be the perfect time.

Anyways, I will get pictures of as much of them as I can and put them up tonight or tomorrow hopefully. Thanks again!

Here are the pics they e-mailed me:

The 81

 

[TerryD]

The 78

 

[clean8485]

Good advice given above. That yellow car looks like it has either a '78-'79 front header panel & grill, or possibly a whole front clip from a '78 or '79, judging by the grill and headlights.
As stated above, check the interior. Some of the interior trim can be hard to find, and you want something which is complete, and in reasonably good shape.
Good luck with your hunt, and let us know how it goes.

 

[magoo_oner]

Little things on the wagons that you may consider that I know off like the weather striping on top off the tailgate thats something you cant find ive read that others made other strips fit but that exact oem replacment perfect fit forget about it the rear headliner clips those are hard to find possibly because kno one re makes them

 

[[email protected]]

WELL I WOULD LIKE TO SAY HELLO TO ERR BODY.I AM ALSO NEW TO THE SITE,THAT BEING SAID I HAVE A 1983 TURBO REGAL(FACTORY TURBO CAR). I WOULD LIKE TO SALE FOR $2500 THE CAR HAS NEW FILLER AND THE INSIDE IS PERFECT.THE COLOR OF THE CAR IS BROWN ON BROWN IT HAS THE BENCH SEAT NOT BUCKETS SEATS.757 750-5072,THE CAR IS LOCATED IN NEWPORTNEWS VIRGINIA,MY NAME IS KEVIN CALL ANYTIME.THXS GUYS.

 

[oldtinsmith]

TerryD,
Welcome to the site! Never owned one but, I've always liked the longroofs.

Doug

 

[Longroof79]

Terry,
I personally like the '78 over the '81. And as pointed out, it has a '78-'79 header panel. I wouldn't doubt that the yellow paint could be hiding some boo-boos' underneath.
I like the thought of an original car that hasn't been bastardized and repainted. What you see is what you get. The prices on both are good. You could look at both of them and make your own assessment.
And again, I'm leaning toward the '78. You can build it your way and not have to go over somebody else's shoddy work.

And again, this is just my opinion. Good luck and let us know how it goes.