Thread: '33 Chevy & 78 Malibu marriage

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Robert,

Putting the '33 on the Malibu chassis is a pretty radical suggestion. My main concern would be that the '33 body components would not adapt to the Malibu frame and suspension without some really major re-working. As you say, it would give me a total running gear package, but there must be good reasons why this is not done more commonly (I've never seen one done that way myself). I'm concerned that the time and labor that I would save on the suspension and engine would be given back on the body attachments. I'll do some more measurements and see if its worth a try.

If, as R Pope suggested, I put the Malibu rear end under the '33, I don't know that the '33 Chevy body would allow me to keep the Malibu suspension sub-framing (for the coils and shocks). Sounds like it could be a lot of time and work. I'd like to get the car on the road ASAP, and if the leaf springs are just not tolerable, at least I would know I had tried the easy (easier?) way.

It looks like the Malibu rear axle could be attached to the '33 leaf springs (after tossing the coil springs and shocks). The Malibu differential seems to be off-set to the left several inches, but this is probably no big deal. I just hope the u-bolts holding the Malibu axle to the leaf springs can handle the torque from the 305.