What's your opinion of this eBay car? - Page 3

442w30 · #21 11-02-2009, 12:35 AM

Well, I'm not a Chevy guy, but it's my understanding that there's nothing COPO about it because it appears that everything that the car is about was available to the guy on the street.

Additionally, there are no true production figures to show many were built; all there is to go by is the extrapolation done by Daniel Carr, which serves as a special-interest item and is nothing cast in stone.

I was just curious if I was on the right track or if I was mistaken.

MultiMopars · #22 11-02-2009, 12:45 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Well, I'm not a Chevy guy, but it's my understanding that there's nothing COPO about it because it appears that everything that the car is about was available to the guy on the street.

Additionally, there are no true production figures to show many were built; all there is to go by is the extrapolation done by Daniel Carr, which serves as a special-interest item and is nothing cast in stone.

I was just curious if I was on the right track or if I was mistaken.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think the COPO thing requires some more investigation for those interested. The sells says he has a lot of documentation, so if it truely is a COP order there MAY be some type of proof. However if it was simply because it was an employee car, that certainly doesn't put it in any kind of a value class for what we typically think of when we hear COPO.

**flyingn** · #23 11-02-2009, 02:42 AM

this Malibu IS a big block

[ QUOTE ]
This is just my OPINION.

First of all, as we know rare and desirable don't always go togather. That is the case for ME on this car.

My idea of a supercar (and the reason I joined this site) is a 60s-70s muscle car with at the very LEAST 375 h.p. and the torque to go with it, in other words, a BIG BLOCK. A 300 h.p. car is pretty anemic to me. The fact that it took a COPO order to get/make the car doesn't hold the same luster that I think of when I typically think COPO.

Then there is the color. Greens and Golds were very popular back in the days of these cars, but today MOST people want Red, Black, Blue or nearly ANY OTHER color other than Green or Gold. Oh, sure there will be a few that will chime in that they are sick of seeing the better selling desired colors, and like seeing something like this car. BUT, when it comes down to BUYING one, a lot of these guys will change their tune.

I looked at the car breifly and it appears to be a nice car, but it didn't hold my interest enough to read every word of the auction like I would if I really LIKE a car.

Nothing I would ever consider buying unless I thought I could make money on it, and then I would really have to think about it. I have a rule that I never buy any old car for resale that I would be unhappy with if I couldn't get it sold.

[/ QUOTE ]

**RPOLS3** · #24 11-02-2009, 02:44 AM

Is Rainer anywhere to chime in on this? He knows these Malibu 400's pretty well too.

Here is a link to his site:

http://malibu400.com/

Jake

**wheelhop** · #25 11-02-2009, 03:22 AM

I sent this seller an email and asked him why he was calling this car a copo and told him I thought he was misleading people? He responded back rather rudely and said it was a GM executive special order and mentioned the special suspension. He also told me to not email him again!
Well, I emailed him back and told him this car could have been ordered by anyone off of the street and was not a COPO!

I'm waiting for his reply.

MultiMopars · #26 11-02-2009, 03:45 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Is Rainer anywhere to chime in on this? He knows these Malibu 400's pretty well too.

Here is a link to his site:

http://malibu400.com/

Jake

[/ QUOTE ]

I know it is a big block, but it is only 300 h.p.

**Bill Pritchard** · #27 11-02-2009, 06:09 AM

Our local Chevy dealer in Aurora, IL in 1971 sold a whole bunch of Malibus factory equipped with the 402 (marketed as a '400'). IMO the car is not a COPO, as the engine carried the LS3 RPO designation.

**Late BrakeU2** · #28 11-02-2009, 07:44 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Well, I'm not a Chevy guy, but it's my understanding that there's nothing COPO about it because it appears that everything that the car is about was available to the guy on the street.

[/ QUOTE ]

If it can be proven F41 was only availible with RPO Z15 it supports the sellers claim. The build sheet clearly shows employee's name it matches the POP so who knows?. It's an interesting car for sure,great paper,but if it's that original why do you finish it with ralley wheels,T/A's and maint free batt? As far as the engine it's been established LS3 was availible in a Malibu through 72, so it's about as COPO as an LM1 in a 69 Camaro.

MultiMopars · #29 11-02-2009, 08:54 AM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Well, I'm not a Chevy guy, but it's my understanding that there's nothing COPO about it because it appears that everything that the car is about was available to the guy on the street.

[/ QUOTE ]

If it can be proven F41 was only availible with RPO Z15 it supports the sellers claim. The build sheet clearly shows employee's name it matches the POP so who knows?. It's an interesting car for sure,great paper,but if it's that original why do you finish it with ralley wheels,T/A's and maint free batt? As far as the engine it's been established LS3 was availible in a Malibu through 72, so it's about as COPO as an LM1 in a 69 Camaro.

[/ QUOTE ]

I see complaints about this stuff ALL the time on these forums. I just don't understand WHY people have such a problem with it?
The wheels may be a personal choice of the owner.
I too like to use radial tires on my old muscle cars for daily driving as they make a HUGH difference in the way the car drives.
Batteries (like tires) are a consumable wear items that don't typically last all that long. Especially the very expensive restoration batteries which are notorious for crapping out earlier than other "regular" batteries which are far less expensive.

The bottom line here is that it may or may not be important to a buyer. If it is a deal breaker (which would be stupid) then the buyer and seller could certainly negotiate the price based on the value of those few items. It is not like a color change from the original the car was born with that is a major undertaking and quite expensive to correct. The items listed above are a total of about $1500. to rectify and that does not account for any salvage value of the parts removed.

BTW, IF this car was painted red, black, or blue "I" would actually pay more for it than the born in green it was supposed to be. There is just no accounting for taste is there?

**PeteLeathersac** · #30 11-02-2009, 04:34 PM

Aside from the Copo tale and a few details I like it too...including the color!.
If the great paper is genuine it's really too bad the guy doesn't just let the car stand on it's own!.

Here's a bit more on it's recent history..

Posted for sale here for $35,990..
http://testing.ecarlist.com/showroom/120...400-Convertible

Listed on pg. # 27 of this link as sold at auction in Jan. '06 for 45,900..
http://www.rickcarey.com/MarketJourn...10806CCOMJ.pdf

~ Pete

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I like real cars best...the REAL real ones!

Dedicated to the Promotion and Preservation of American Muscle Cars, Dealer built Supercars and COPO cars.