I can't in good conscience cut up a running driving Malibu coupe for the wagon....or I would have used the red one for that. They're just too hard to find in these parts.
It'll make somebody a decent start, just not me at their asking price, I have the benefit/disadvantage of knowing what it's going to take in terms of time/money to make it nice. Be good for somebody that just wants a driving project or is in love with 90s style.
You outta see everything I have to do to the 81' Malibu in the course of the summer just to beat the Winter season. Crossing fingers I get the car back on at least by Tuesday or Wednesday, the bill going to be well over $1000 just for the repairs I can't do because I don't have the shop equipment to do it. Then there after it will need a New Wind Shield, Radiator, Alternator, Exhaust, Air Conditioning, Brakes, Coils and Struts, Suspension kit, possibly a new Sending unit, Underside rust clean up though not alot just a few trouble spots I am going to use a rust converter for much of it, A New modern Radio, Interior Head liner, all round Weather stripping , Cat Whiskers etc, I still have a lower Door Hinge to put in, Headlight dimmer switch, Center mirror put back onto the windshield. I have to repair dents and rust holes on the body then repaint to the color I have planned for it. Then save up for what I have planned for the motor rebuild (Hint: a Similar GN Turbo application) .
Much of what I have mentioned here I can do myself, some other stuff I may have to take to a Meineke, Auto Glass etc. Like you these G-bodies are super rare to get in our local area, Sure you'll see a bunch of El Camino's and Monte Carlo's but not these Malibu's. This car is a Jem in the rough and was highly coveted only after I showed interest into it on Facebook Market place (and mostly likely would have been built as a dragster). My intention is to restore it to get it back on the road, and participate on next years Power Tour 2021. Thankfully the previous owners where a first come first serve type otherwise I would never have gotten this car, as there were a few people trying to bid high on this thing.
As for the 79', I think it would be a good idea to wait for the price to get marked down a touch, anymore than that sitting on it waiting any further you may have someone snatch it from you. . . Good Luck.
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