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1971 Malibu Restoration

HNL2LHC

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Looking to bring our 1971 Malibu convertible to the mainland from Hawaii. My grandparents bought it new and gave it to us when they passed. Our son drove it through high school.and had a great time. The issue is that it has spent most of it’s years one block from the ocean. Over the years our grandfather had repairs done but it was not the best quality. It is rather rough is shape with rust underneath the heavy bondo panels. I’d like recommendations of shops that would do a proper restoration. I am thinking that we do the work when it is shipped to the mainland before we take it to Havasu.

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monkeyswrench

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Some guy, with a shop in the valley maybe....Bones-something-or-another?
🤣
That's a badass car with a great history to it. Worth sinking some coin into it.
And I hope your son realizes how incredibly fortunate he was!
 

mjc

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Check with Speedway customs in havasu.
 

HNL2LHC

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I know I have been thinking about @bonesfab but not sure if I want stock or mild build.
 

just_floatin

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Sounds like a frame off project to me if rusting underneath. I would start calling around to see which shops are available to take in this major job to scope cost and their turnaround timetable.

You may need multiple shops for different work too. Some of the work you can do yourself like removing bumpers, bezels for chrome, wheel wells and frame to powder coat, dropping off seats for upholstery etc. Maybe start shopping around for used parts and panels versus trying to repair heavily rusted areas to save a few bucks. Salt is brutal on metal so plan on spending some serious dough if you are doing a full restoration. Have fun brah 😀
 

bonesfab

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That is going to be a giant onion to peel. The deeper you go the more you are going to cry. It is something we can do. I am not a chalk mark restoration guy but from mild to wild. I would up date some things and make it a real nice driver.
 

HNL2LHC

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That is going to be a giant onion to peel. The deeper you go the more you are going to cry. It is something we can do. I am not a chalk mark restoration guy but from mild to wild. I would up date some things and make it a real nice driver.

Right!?!??! Maybe just opening up and get it stable then rock the rust holes with a good frame, mechanicals and healthy motor. LOL.
 

bonesfab

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Right!?!??! Maybe just opening up and get it stable then rock the rust holes with a good frame, mechanicals and healthy motor. LOL.
It really depends on how bad it is. But being from Hawaii, I would assume the worst. The frame could be some what questionable as well. Cool car though. I like chevelle rag tops.
 

just_floatin

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You will save a ton of money by starting to build a roller now. Mount the engine, trans, differential, brakes, wheels and tires and put the body on a rotisserie when it arrives to the mainland. Restoration time will be cut in half. More work than I like to do on my classics. However, I am contemplating a full frame (roller) off with major upgrades on my 1964. I start this project in three months.
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BUDMAN

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I know I have been thinking about @bonesfab but not sure if I want stock or mild build.
Mild build for sure with the drivability of a modern drive train. I’m pretty sure if you wanted a stock build Bones could handle that as well. She’s a beauty, looking forward to checking it out.
 

warpt71

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There are several shops in Havasu that could take on that project and it would be close to home for you to check on. Id bet thats a multi-year build. Totally worth it!!!!
 

bowtiejunkie

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I dig it! Being a ‘71 Chevelle owner myself. So cool about the history and certainly worth restoration.

Good luck! Hopefully the lurking rust won’t be too bad. Pretty sure just about everything is reproduced for the ‘71’s, so that helps.
 

RiverDave

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I'd hit up Lakeside Speed and Shine here in Havasu.

RD
 

HNL2LHC

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I dig it! Being a ‘71 Chevelle owner myself. So cool about the history and certainly worth restoration.

Good luck! Hopefully the lurking rust won’t be too bad. Pretty sure just about everything is reproduced for the ‘71’s, so that helps.

It kind of gets better.…..with the color the kind of sticks out. Over the years friends of the family would would tell us of spotting the car with our son.

Back up a few years….one day while doing her driving around Kailua she was approached. This happens very often most of the time people asking her if she wants to sell the car. This time it is someone wanting to use the car for a video shoot. Turns out they were with Cheryl Crow. Grandparents had no Clue who it was. The grandparents went out to the North Shore all day as they shot the video. Sadly, they never told us until it was all over. The other sad part is that they never show the whole car in the video. Oh well kind of a fun story.

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HNL2LHC

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Coming along nicely Mike @mjc . I got to invite myself over again to see the progress and talk about it now that it is going to start to happen. 👍 You going to be in town next week? We get back on Friday. What kind of beer should I bring and how much. LOL.
 

mjc

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Coming along nicely Mike @mjc . I got to invite myself over again to see the progress and talk about it now that it is going to start to happen. 👍 You going to be in town next week? We get back on Friday. What kind of beer should I bring and how much. LOL.
I am almost always home so any day.
 
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