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1981 malibu for girlfriend daily driver, thoughts?

KansasTwister

KansasTwister

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Lawrence, ks
Something i can work on, cheap (hes wanted 700 a month ago, 500 2 weeks ago, if she likes it ill bring 400 cash and offer 300 as he needs it gone). Interior is fair, four door, steelies and dog dishes. I thought it was a v8 for some reason but i need to check on that (really dont want a v6, although they arent bad motors but id like to swap this one to an auto as its a 3 speed stick now and she cant drive stick).


so, if i buy it, planned mods: 15inch tires or the nice 14" steelies off my camaro, cheap paint job (maybe flat hotrod black with a red gloss stripe or accent, either bondo or patch the rust), make sure the radio works and redo the brakes and let her drive it. Let me know the brotherhoods thoughts.

http://lawrence.craigslist.org/cto/1870129842.html
 
the more and more i think on it my hotrodder side kicks in and wants to find her a 2 door really badly. I mean, why throw money in a 4 door that looks okay when the two doors look mean.
 
The standard conversion parts might be worth the price of the car. The pedal setup and stuff fits all G bodies and is obsolete. sounds like a lot of work if you want a 2 dr anyway. Might be a good parts car though.
 
You are really going to do a trans swap on a $500 dd canidate? Seems like a LOT of work. Teach her to drive a stick.
 
A friend of mine loves that era car and collects 2 doors, one has a 454. 4spd, 12 bolt and is painted blackcherry with ralleys...awesome ride. The another he uses every day, 350 th350 and has been daily driving it for years. Finally the last one thats whole is a blue two door with all different pannels, 406, t400 and runs mid 11s in the 1/4. He must have ten others that just lay in a field and wont part with them.

Those cars are easy to find just look at it real well, like said the frames get pretty bad on these. Also check the floors under the carpet.
 
yeah im the kinda guy that would swap the trans on a 500 dollar car :D

Driveshaft is same length, crossmember should be the same, all i need to do is bypass the neutral safety and put a floor shifter in it. not hard at all.


Im still debating it. if it was a v8, even a 267, i may get it as potential parts for a 2 door later down the way me and her can fix up, and just do stuff to this one for now.
 
Shouldn't this be in the Lounge?
 
pics for sake, im thinking frame may be rusted, tie down holding bumper up? brnging my spotlight and the cardboard if i go look at it. Drove by it last night, saw it while dropping off a manager from work, clips nice has a ding or two on fender and on hood, and backseat looks weathered at the top, but didnt look exceptionally bad.

1981malibu1.jpg

1981malibu2.jpg

1981malibu3.jpg

1981malibu4.jpg
 
Yep the pedals, bell housing, and clutch related items are probably worth $300-$500.

80s G bodys were only offered stick for 2 or 3 years and in 2 of the like 6 models.

Malibu and El Camino came stick. Regal, Monte, Grand prix, and Cutlass never came stick on those years but are compatible with the setup from that car. Theyre pretty hot ticket items. Might not be worth what they were though seeing as how some guys started reproducing all the parts to do a auto to manual swap.


Now on the subject of what you want to do. Dont waste your time. Swapping an auto into a $300 car just so that your GF can use THAT car is ridiculous IMO. Your gonna have to pay at least $300 to get a decent TH350 or 700r4...
 
I may give him a call anyway on it as she wanted to learn stick, but shes not learning on my camaro haha.


Also, if i did convert it to an auto, i would need the kickdown, cooler lines, and what not. Im debating it with myself as well but im thinking im going to pass.
 
If it runs and drives its worth it fur sure.I wouldnt concider 170k low milage though.Thats kinda funny.
 
id get it and let your girl learn to drive stick with it.if she blows it up youre only out a few hundred.she blows up your camaro then im sure it wont be as cheap.run it til you find a 2 door and if she figures out how to drive it switch over the tranny and that to the new ride.if it runs alright id say it worth just the parts.
 
chulisohombre said:
id get it and let your girl learn to drive stick with it.if she blows it up youre only out a few hundred.she blows up your camaro then im sure it wont be as cheap.run it til you find a 2 door and if she figures out how to drive it switch over the tranny and that to the new ride.if it runs alright id say it worth just the parts.
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she doesnt need to blow up the camaro, lately its been giving me enough trouble on its own haha. Im gonna call him and see if he is available to show it tongiht. not gonna rush into it, but a v8 stick alone would be good conversion parts if i bought her another down the road.
 
From the looks of the pic it has a rear frame rail issue, offer them $200 scrap value. Let her learn stick on it, then scavenge and sell the stick conversion parts. Or buy a cheap Monte SS and make it a stick.
 
str8axle55 said:
From the looks of the pic it has a rear frame rail issue, offer them $200 scrap value. Let her learn stick on it, then scavenge and sell the stick conversion parts. Or buy a cheap Monte SS and make it a stick.
Click to expand...

Yes, do this:D
 
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