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View Full Version : Two Not So Common Cars - 72 Rally Nova, 73 Malibu


Jefferson
05-10-2016, 07:12 AM
Finally got both cars together for a few pictures! 1972 Rally Nova and 1973 Chevelle Malibu. Both vehicles I restored a few years ago in my early 20's. Both locally sold British Columbia cars, Canadian documented and the Rally even has both build sheets still in great shape.
Quick story on the Rally; I saw it for sale at a local car show here in the lower mainland. Moving from Ontario with the family and fresh out of high school and no friends, I instantly fell in love! She shows 45,000 miles young, all original body panels, seat covers, carpet, even most of the suspension bushings appear original. The engine was swapped out in the early 70's with a high performance #492 headed, #1182 crank 350 small block. Probably out of a z28 camaro or something. Inside the trunk covered in dust was boxes of NOS Rally stripes!! ( couldn't believe that), old school lakewood traction bars, 14x8 American racing mags in absolute amazing condition, along with a few small day 2 go fast goodies. Long story short, I blocked out the original paint, fixed a few minor door dings and painted it original #52 placer gold. You could say this car was my automotive painter apprenticeship haha. She really is a cool fast car, 373 gear, 450hp and a 3500 converter, it lights up those bias plys for blocks!

Moving foward to the 73 Chevelle Malibu. Only a few months after finishing my Nova, an older guy I worked with told me about his chevelle he had in his garage. Similar condition as my Nova, original body panels and drivetrain, she had been sitting in his garage for years and years. Him being 65 years young at the time, he didnt quite have the ability or knowledge to restore his baby back to original condition. So I took on the task! Asking nothing more then a helping hand from him, we block sanded for days on days... on days! to get her arrow straight. Some minor body modifications were done, such as removing the mid body and lower exterior trim for a smooth clean look. Finished off in the original baby poop yellow/brown, I had finally helped his dreams come true. Its nothing special, bench seat, column shift, 350 2bbl, but still a car you dont see everyday, especially in that colour.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v632/Jefferso_n/DSC_0220_zpsnvhpznb9.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v632/Jefferso_n/DSC_0221_zpsbujicfyz.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v632/Jefferso_n/DSC_0238_zpsv6m9mlze.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v632/Jefferso_n/DSC_0232_zpsx7yi9cmi.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v632/Jefferso_n/DSC_0236_zpsa5yb1bbb.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v632/Jefferso_n/308592_10151456481208722_664164486_n_zpsd1633aa0.j pg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v632/Jefferso_n/DSC_0186_zpskfimvedn.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v632/Jefferso_n/DSC_0180_zpsxyswt28w.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v632/Jefferso_n/DSC_0188_zps0sejz5kk.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v632/Jefferso_n/DSC_0189_zpsehdpounh.jpg

Damien
05-10-2016, 08:23 AM
Two very cool cars. Nice job with them both. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

DW31S
05-10-2016, 10:47 AM
Love 'em both! all you need is a tow bar, some tabs and a hitch.

Woj
05-10-2016, 12:47 PM
You have two nice cars that you can be proud to own. Even better yet, you did the restorations.

Phil Woj.

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

markinnaples
05-10-2016, 01:29 PM
Congrats, those both look great. Was gold the original color of the Nova?

SS427
05-10-2016, 01:32 PM
Regardless of the years and colors they look great and I would be proud to own either/both. Congrats!

Jefferson
05-10-2016, 05:11 PM
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: markinnaples</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Congrats, those both look great. Was gold the original color of the Nova? </div></div>

Yes, both cars are repainted their original colours.

68l30
05-10-2016, 06:04 PM
Great looking pair! I like the Nova's TT's...Did you add a gold edge/highlight in them? Nice custom touch if you did.. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif


BIG

mockingbird812
05-10-2016, 09:26 PM
NIcely done Jefferson. Really like the look of your Rally Nova and I am certain you made your buddy very happy restoring his Malibu. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

Xplantdad
05-10-2016, 10:42 PM
Very cool!

454_Malibu
05-11-2016, 12:20 AM
Luv the Baby Poop Yellow/Brown Chev/Malibu.. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

Mr. Chevy
05-11-2016, 02:47 AM
Great pair of muscle cars!!

Rich

WILMASBOYL78
05-11-2016, 03:13 AM
<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

BJCHEV396
05-11-2016, 03:25 AM
Nice!!

Jonesy
05-11-2016, 03:50 AM
Nice rides!!

Craig_Maiorana
05-11-2016, 06:02 PM
What a great pair ... that nova is really sharp

novadude
05-17-2016, 08:12 PM
I really like them both, but that '73 Malibu is way cool! For some reason I have a soft spot for '73 Chevelles, though I am probably in the minority.

Lynn
05-17-2016, 09:15 PM
&quot;Its nothing special,&quot;

I disagree. While that body style isn't my favorite, and the color is, as you aptly described, &quot;baby poop&quot; it is a special car to your friend, and even more so now. Kudos to you for both a job well done, and for being such a good friend.

Ain't this hobby great!

SS427
05-17-2016, 09:44 PM
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: novadude</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For some reason I have a soft spot for '73 Chevelles, though I am probably in the minority. </div></div>

You are very correct on that statement but you will not sit alone as I also belong to that group. 73-77 especially Malibu Classics, SS and Laguna models.

454_Malibu
05-18-2016, 01:38 AM
Don't forget the Elcaminos,, Had 2 77's.. both black with red guts,, nice drivers back in the day. Scot.

markinnaples
05-18-2016, 02:19 PM
Count me in on the colonnade style Malibu's and El Camino's as well. Growing up we had a '76 ElCo in that funky gold/yellow that was so prominent in the 70's.

Bill Pritchard
05-19-2016, 12:34 AM
Congrats on all the work that turned out two very sharp cars <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

Jefferson
05-20-2016, 07:52 PM
Thanks for all the kind words guys!

L78steve
05-31-2016, 07:59 PM
My first car back in 74 was a Placer Gold 72 Nova 350/Turbo 350. Not a Rally or SS but a great car. Became a good runner like yours with some mods.
Love the Gold.

firstgenaddict
05-31-2016, 08:40 PM
The mother of one of my best friends I grew up with drove a 73-74 Malibu which was the exact same color combo.... wow does that bring back memories.

marxjunk
06-05-2016, 04:30 AM
ive always had a soft sot for Rally Novas...just love them..i am chasing a red one right now..hope it comes home with me

i owned a malibu that looked exactly like that in the mid 80s...it was loaded..454 turbo 400, posi, tach gauges power windows and locks, cruise, and on and on......loved the car..was stolen and stripped...same colors etc..was a malibu classic..even back then i thought it was a special car.