On The Go Classic: No, It’s Not A Malibu, Although It Is How Old Malibus Used To Typically Look

As a follow-up to the Malibu that didn’t look like a typical Malibu, here’s a Chevelle that sure looks like a Malibu, but it’s not.  It’s a quite rare low-end 1968 Chevelle 300 Deluxe hardtop coupe. Note the lack of trim between the taillights. And the lack of the Malibu’s lower trim that went across the lower section of the door.

It may not be a Malibu, but it’s very much how so many Malibus used to look back in the day when so many young guys scraped together the bucks to buy a well-worn used one: a bit scruffy, a mild lift in the back along with bigger wheels and tires. But no big exhaust pipes hanging out back. For all we know, it could have a six under the hood, although a mild 307 V8 is probably more likely.

 

I shot this in traffic some years back, so only one shot.

Here it is in the brochure, along with the 300 Deluxe post coupe. The Malibu used to be the top trim version of the Chevelle, like the Impala. The 300 Deluxe was comparable to a Bel Air, and the plain 300 to a Biscayne. Of course that would change with time.  There was also a 300 Deluxe sedan.

What’s a bit unusual about this 300 Deluxe I found is that it’s got an optional vinyl top. That was usually only found on the Malibu.

And the cheapest Chevelle was the true stripper, the plain 300 Coupe. But order it with the L79 325 hp 327 and the four speed, and you’ve got a pretty serious street machine for cheap. A Chevelle Road Runner. That L79 only had its hp rating reduced from 350 hp to meet GM’s no-less-than-10lbs-per-hp rule that started in 1967. And in 1969 one could also order the SS396 package with the 300 Coupes.