1972 Chevrolet Chevelle and Malibu

1972 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu Hardtop Coupe, front view
Single-unit front parking/side marker lamps were new
for the 1972 Chevrolet Chevell and Malibu.
This Malibu hardtop coupe was the best-selling model.

The 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle and Chevrolet Malibu series had wide enough appeal to qualify as America's second-best-selling car.

Base versions of the 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle and Chevrolet Malibu series were again called Chevelles and included a four-model wagon series. Upscale versions were Malibus and were the home to the convertible models.

More than 24,000 Malibu Sport Sedans were built, with a standard 307-cubic-inch V-8 rated at 130 (net) horsepower. With that V-8, a Malibu Sport Coupe, the top seller by far in the 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle and Chevrolet Malibu series, started at $2,923. The six-cylinder version ran $90 less.

Chevelles sold in California could not get the 307 V-8 but carried a 350-cubic-inch engine instead. Through the 1970s, California cars often had different powertrains than those marketed in states with less-stringent emissions regulations.

Chevelles wore single-unit parking/side marker lights on their front fenders, outside of a revised twin-bar grille. All Malibus had concealed wipers. Super Sport equipment could now be ordered with any V-8 engine, including the base 307-cubic-inch version.

Powertrain options in­cluded the 175-horsepower 350-cubic-inch V-8 and 240-horsepower 402-cubic-inch (still known as a 396), as well as a 454 that managed to eke out 270 horsepower under the net rating system.

Chevelle wagons measured 10 inches shorter than full-size wagons and weighed about half a ton less, but sold much slower. Americans obviously still liked their big cars. Model-year output totaled 49,352 Chevelles and 290,008 Malibus -- plus 54,335 station wagons.

1972 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu Hardtop Sedan
The 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle series included
this Malibu hardtop sedan model.

1972 Chevrolet Chevelle and Malibu Facts
Model
 Weight range (lbs.)
 Price range (new)
 Number built
Chevelle
3,172-3,438$2,636-$3,187339,360
Station Wagon
3,605-3,943$2,926-$3,53854,335

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