Trunk light?
- Thread starter Phoenyx
- Start date
- Status
78mali350 said:
Took a look in the brochure... the Classic only had the ashtray, glovebox, and dash courtesy lights added.
The extra-cost package added the trunk and underhood lights, the dome light delay, and headlight reminder alarm (and those lights mentioned above to base models).
While on the topic, Malibu didn't get rear door light switches (though the dimples are there in the B pillar!). Olds Cutlass and Buick Century did get rear door switches. Talk about GM cheaping out!
mhamilton said:
Hmm, I didn't know that. I'll have to go look at mine. I know my '85 Bonneville had them.
You gotta remember that Chevys were the bottom of the line models and usually came far more stripped than the upper brands. I don't think you could get a rubber mat floor in anything but a Malibu for example.
The oddest trunk light story I have ( and don't we all have trunk light stories?) was the new Sentra XE I had bought in 1998. It was sold with no trunk light, but oddly, the switch and wiring were all there. So, I bought the socket and bulb for $10 from the dealer's parts counter and snapped it in place. It worked, but I had to wonder why they would not have done that from the factory? Did they really think people should have paid $1,000 more for the next model up to add a trunk light?
By far the worst omission on G bodies was the lack of roll down rear door windows on 4 door models. Were the engineers just too lazy to figure it out, or did GM expect to start a new trend?
The oddest trunk light story I have ( and don't we all have trunk light stories?) was the new Sentra XE I had bought in 1998. It was sold with no trunk light, but oddly, the switch and wiring were all there. So, I bought the socket and bulb for $10 from the dealer's parts counter and snapped it in place. It worked, but I had to wonder why they would not have done that from the factory? Did they really think people should have paid $1,000 more for the next model up to add a trunk light?
By far the worst omission on G bodies was the lack of roll down rear door windows on 4 door models. Were the engineers just too lazy to figure it out, or did GM expect to start a new trend?
85 Cutlass Brougham said:
Yeah I totally agree there. I remember when I was a kid my friends parents had a Malibu wagon. Long trips in the summer were so rough in the back seat. It felt like we were in an oven.
I don't know for sure what the reasoning was with the rear windows. GM may have known in 1978 that they were axing the RWD models for the new FWD A body in a few years. Then again, the Cutlass and Century continued into the later '80s with the inop rear windows.
The '78-'80 Malibu windows (without the divided vent) couldn't roll down, the glass was too wide. The '81+ with the divided rear window could have rolled down, but the recessed armrest was in the way. Perhaps GM thought customers wouldn't want a back seat that wasn't as wide as the big old A body cars.
But, I think over 90% of the cars were optioned with a/c, so for most people it wasn't an issue when they were new.
Some other things that differ between the Chevy and upper division A bodies include extra body bracing (fender to core support, not F41 braces). Plus, there were many more options than a Chevy could have--twilight sentinel, auto climate control, factory alarm system. You could option your Buick Century like a baby Seville.
The '78-'80 Malibu windows (without the divided vent) couldn't roll down, the glass was too wide. The '81+ with the divided rear window could have rolled down, but the recessed armrest was in the way. Perhaps GM thought customers wouldn't want a back seat that wasn't as wide as the big old A body cars.
But, I think over 90% of the cars were optioned with a/c, so for most people it wasn't an issue when they were new.
Some other things that differ between the Chevy and upper division A bodies include extra body bracing (fender to core support, not F41 braces). Plus, there were many more options than a Chevy could have--twilight sentinel, auto climate control, factory alarm system. You could option your Buick Century like a baby Seville.
- Status
