'68 L79 Malibu survivor

augy · #1 01-03-2018, 11:11 PM

Just want to intro myself and this Malibu, purchased in Nov of 2014. True L79 car, all original and numbers-matching. We had it at MCACN in Nov 2015 in the Barn Find display, where this pic was taken. Still looks like this today.

I've been a long-time member over on Team Chevelle and finally decided to join up here also.

**Ryan1969Chevelle** · #2 01-03-2018, 11:13 PM

Welcome:-)

Our cars were feet apart :-)

Ryan

augy · #3 01-03-2018, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan1969Chevelle

Welcome:-)

Our cars were feet apart :-)

Ryan

Yes, they were!

**MarcDant** · #4 01-03-2018, 11:26 PM

Cool car , could never understand why these l79s could not be had with auto trans.

augy · #5 01-04-2018, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marshall

Cool car , could never understand why these l79s could not be had with auto trans.

This quote was taken from Hot Rod magazine back then:

"In all, the L79 camshaft gave good throttle response, a great power curve, decent power brake vacuum and a lumpy, performance, 800-rpm idle to boot. Due to its overlap, the only thing it could not do was idle properly with an automatic transmission's stock stall-speed torque converter, so the L79 could only be ordered with a 3- or 4-speed transmission."

.

69W31post · #6 01-04-2018, 01:05 PM

I absolutely love this car.
One of these would be a great stable mate to my '69 F-85 W-31.
Who doesn't love a screamin' small block.?
Definitely on my wish list.

**WILMASBOYL78** · #7 01-04-2018, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marshall

Cool car , could never understand why these l79s could not be had with auto trans.

I tried that approach many years ago on a small block rebuild...unfortunately I didn't know from things like 'overlap or duration'...just the L79 mystique. Well, I can tell you it didn't work with a Powerglide

augy...Thanks for posting the photo of the car...very cool

-wilma

**MarcDant** · #8 01-04-2018, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WILMASBOYL78

I tried that approach many years ago on a small block rebuild...unfortunately I didn't know from things like 'overlap or duration'...just the L79 mystique. Well, I can tell you it didn't work with a Powerglide

augy...Thanks for posting the photo of the car...very cool

-wilma

Sorry to hear about your experience with your small block rebuild , never used a powerglide. Always thought if GM could make a powerglide work in a 67 427 400 hp corvette, that it could work in a 327 325 hp.

augy · #9 02-01-2018, 03:08 PM

I've been asked how this L79 Malibu was found, so thought I'd update this post with a little history about it.

A little backstory to begin with. Way back in April of 1967 and 19 years old, I ordered a new '67 L79 Malibu 2-door hardtop. 327/350 hp, M22 4-speed, 4.10 posi, Deepwater Blue, black bench seat interior. It was delivered to the dealer in late June. As a 4-door hardtop! Everything was as ordered, but it had 2 extra doors! Dealership screw-up. I refused delivery and they ordered another one. In August I was informed it was too late in the year, as the factory was changing over to the new-body-style '68 models. No one knew what they would look like (big secret), so I cancelled my order. Sept '68, same dealer calls and says they have something to show me. So I drive over and hidden in the back room is a new '68 L79 Malibu, exactly as I ordered the '67. 327 now rated at 325 hp, same colors, but now called Fathom Blue. I had first look and first chance at the Malibu. This was before the first public showing of the new '68s in Oct. Decided to buy it after a couple days of thinking it over, but couldn't take delivery until the day of first showing, Oct 25, 1968, IIRC. Took it home that day and had a lot of fun drag-racing it until Uncle Sam called in Dec of '69. Sold the car and then it was totalled a month later by the new owner. I always wanted another one.

Fast forward to Nov 2014. After finding THIS car about 10 years earlier, I was finally able to purchase it from a gentleman right here in MN. It had been sold new in Oklahoma and then taken to Las Vegas, where it spent it's first 35 years of life in the dry desert. Then brought to MN in the early 2000's and stored by the guy I bought it from. Never driven in salt, so it's rust-free. Technically I'm the 3rd owner, although the 2nd owner never drove it.

This car is almost identical to that very first one. Same color, interior, and engine. But with an M21 trans and 3.73 posi rear. This one has the factory mag hubcaps and factory A/C, which the first did not have. It also has a build sheet stuck down in between the front left fender and inner fender. I can see it with a flashlight, but have not tried to remove it for fear of destroying it. There may be more build sheets since the car has NEVER been apart. Some day......

So that's it, thought maybe you folks would enjoy the history.

novadude · #10 02-01-2018, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by augy

I ordered a new '67 L79 Malibu 2-door hardtop. 327/350 hp, M22 4-speed, 4.10 posi, Deepwater Blue, black bench seat interior. It was delivered to the dealer in late June. As a 4-door hardtop! Everything was as ordered, but it had 2 extra doors! Dealership screw-up. I refused delivery and they ordered another one

Wonder where that car ended up? Would be neat to see.

I didn't think the was offered with the L79?

The Following User Says Thank You to WILMASBOYL78 For This Useful Post:
luzl78 (01-04-2018)

The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to augy For This Useful Post:
GM Powertrain (02-02-2018), markinnaples (02-01-2018), Tenney (02-02-2018)