* yawn *
Posted on 11/23/2013 9:02:32 PM PST by Impala64ssa
The Chevy Malibu, which first appeared in 1964, has grown and improved immensely throughout its lifetime. Now, in its 50th year, it is offered with a standard 2.5L four-cylinder engine and also features stop/start technology, numerous safety features, and plenty of comfort and connectivity - a far cry from its predecessor. It has gained about 14 percent fuel economy in the city (25 mpg) and 6 percent highway (36 mph) since the 2013 model alone, and delivers 65 percent more horsepower than the '64 Malibu's 3.2L six-cylinder.
When it debuted in 1964, dubbed Chevy's first "intermediate" car, it was one of the first midsize cars in the United States. Up until then, most car companies only offered full-size models, including Chevrolet's Impala, Chevy II (Nova), Corvette, and Corvair. It adopted its name from the Los Angeles, California, area which was considered the center of beach culture in its time, and was regarded as the top-trim line for the intermediate platform, flanked by the Chevelle (entry-level) and the El Camino.
Since the Malibu has now entered its eighth generation, perhaps it's time to slow down and take a look back at where it all began and how we got to where we are in 2014. Let's start at the top.
Generation 1 - 1964-1967
It's obvious that Chevrolet did not quite understand what it was getting into when it released the Malibu, which was originally delivered to the public as a premium family sedan. Consumers quickly realized its potential to be included in the reign of muscle cars of the era, so it was soon offered with an SS trim. Though it took a backseat to the popularity of the Chevelle SS in 1966, the Malibu continued to thrive as a premium model, especially popular with suburban consumers...
(Excerpt) Read more at superchevy.com ...
Winner.
Stephanie doesn’t know crap about cars.
Remember the Chevy Laguna? It didn’t do so well. Early ‘70s and died.
I'm sure most of us would love to re-live that era as well. The computer age has re-aligned the universe.
At least we're only one 'coronal mass ejection' away from doing away with electronic ignitions ...
‘64s came out in fall of ‘63
At the end of the article, Stephanie does a good job describing the evolution from 1964 to 2014. As expected, the current model is packed with high-performance engine, transmission, brakes, stability control, steering, collision protection, and creature comforts. All that has added over 500 pounds to the car.
What she omits is how many hours does it take the average schlub to buy a new Malibu in 1964 and 2014. My Dad bought a new car in the 60s every two years. With a similar career as Dad and the same family size, I can afford a new car about every ten years.
Yeah but hell you could live on a lot less back then too. Government wasn’t robbing you blind to give your money to other people as fast as they possibly could, yet. The Great Society idea was still in debate.
Plus people could still send their kids to a public school that let them bring lunches from home. Didn’t teach overt communism, undermine mom and dad, and you could actually go to your high school gun range and practice with the Ruger 22 rifle after classes.
“...how many hours does it take the average schlub to buy a new Malibu in 1964 and 2014.”
As I recall, back in the early to mid sixties, a general rule of thumb was that one could afford to spend half a year’s income on a new car. In 1963 one could buy a new Impala SS for around $3200.00. I wonder if there is a similar rule of thumb for 2013-14.
Plus, with reasonable taxes, Mom could stay home and raise the family while Dad brought home the bread. We have fallen so far in so many ways.
Since when are Nova, Corvette, and Corvair full sized models? How does a writer for a car mag make such a basic mistake?
When I got out of the Service I bought a ‘64 Malibu SS convertible. Not that powerful. It was a 283. Good engine though. I had several cars with that engine.
The newer Malibus look like crap compared to the original ones. About half the size. If you fart in the new ones, you kill everyone inside.
I drove a 1957 Chevy 210, 145 HP (with a hidden overdrive). Could fill the truck with suitcases and still have room left over for a BBQ grill).
Once had three girls in the front seat with me driving, and 5 more in the back seat. Loved those old bench seats. They served their purpose very well. When they got out it looked like one of those clown cars with a neverending group of lovies, and moi!
When one dazed “youth” asked me “How did you do that”?, I simply replied, “Practice”.
Those were the good ole days!
My Chevrolet is 77 years old!
Word should be “trunk”, not “truck”.
* yawn *
Had a '61 Biscayne ounce.
Latest Malibu is not even an American design. Just like a 2005 Chrysler 300 which was based on a decomissioned Mercedes platform, Malibu is built around a cheap 2002 Opel Vectra - a kind of Saturn of Germany.
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