LS1-Powered 1965 Chevrolet Malibu SS Has Just The Right Amount Of Power
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We’ve been known to feature some crazy cars, some ludicrous cars, and some downright insane cars. And why not, there’s no replacement for displacement, right? More engine = better car, doesn’t it?
Not according to Mike Musto, host of Big Muscle on Drive. This week, Musto gets behind the wheel of a wicked 1965 Chevrolet Malibu SS and proceeds to postulate on all the reason why its Goldilocks engine– a term we just invented to describe a powerplant that’s not too big nor not too small– makes it the perfect car.
Although many on the Internet will insist the biggest and wildest engine is always best, he explains, that’s not actually the case in the real world.
Musto says the Malibu, which is fitted with a 500 hp LS1 small-block, Global West suspension, a T56 transmission out of a Dodge Viper, and Wilwood brakes, hits the sweet spot between underpowered wannabe and over-powered monster.
It’s a damn fine looking Malibu and we think its well-worth ten minutes of your Friday.
Head down to the comments when you’re done and let us know: is Musto crazy or is this Malibu in fact the perfect muscle car?
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love this car! Way more power and control than I would need, but nicely done!
I know the lines are a bit pedestrian, but cool in a Mad Men sort of way. My first car was a ’65 SS Convertible, just a 283 automatic, but enough for a 15 year old in 1975 to get into trouble with. Rebuilt and tuned the car through high school and college, then forgot about her for a ’67 RS Camaro 327. Like many guys, got married, had kids, bought Grayco strollers and playschool stuff, and needed a “safer” Cadillac Cimmaron (manual transmission, yeee!)to ferry Junior home from the hospital. Sigh. Right about now I’d give up a body part or two to have the Malibu or Camaro back in my garage. Not so, the Cimmaron.
Here in the Northeast where the weather’s a bit more unpredictable than sunny California, the owner’s quote – “300-350 HP is all you need” – really rings true.
Unless all you’re going to do is drive to Starlite Cruise Night. Then, go ahead and do an overcarbbed, overcammed 800 HP engine.
I’d rather have that “medium” that I can drive and enjoy every day.
This is what many of us saner GM fans want to see a Code 130ish offering from the General. Must every performance oriented car be V8 powered? I guess there aren’t enough us to make a case.