David’s Friday AutoHunter Picks

A trio of new classics

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1973 MG MGB
1973 MG MGB

I’m hitting that age where the parameters of a car being classic has changed. At one point in my life, I considered a classic car something manufactured before 1972. I used that cutoff point due to the start of stricter U.S. emission laws that curtailed extreme horsepower from American V8s and how, subjectively, the overall vehicle aesthetic went downhill. This downturn in vehicle style and performance was not limited to the U.S., it carried over to many international automotive manufacturers.

I kept this notion of redefining what makes a car a classic while perusing AutoHunter’s online auction docket. This trio of “new” classics caught my eye and is helping evolve my concept of what makes a car a classic.

1979 Chevrolet Malibu
1979 Chevrolet Malibu

1979 Chevrolet Malibu

With each passing year there are new classics and I need to acknowledge that not everyone is in their 40s and thinks 1972 was the last great year for the Chevelle. I need to evolve some of my uptight thinking and embrace more offering from the Malaise Era.

1979 Chevrolet Malibu
1979 Chevrolet Malibu

That said, this frame-off restored 1979 Malibu is a sharp modern muscle car powered by a 406ci Chevrolet V8 featuring an aluminum intake, an Edelbrock 750 carburetor, and aluminum heads. The engine is paired with a 200-4R automatic transmission that sends the Chevy horsepower to an upgraded Ford nine-inch rear with a limited slip 3.73 gear. 

The late 1970s Malibus have a strong profile and are a proper heir to their iconic older siblings. This example is finished in Jet Black, over a red interior, and is a modern classic that was produced while I was alive. That last part made me feel kinda’ dated and reminds me of watching Vladimir Guererro Jr’s ascension with the Toronto Blue Jays and remembering that I was a fan of his father.

1973 MG MGB

The MGB maintained the same style and grace in the early 1970s that it had in the 1960s. Yes, the British roadster evolved a bit as the years went on, but a decade removed from its birth, car lovers could get an MGB with a similar vibe as the early models.

1973 MG MGB
1973 MG MGB

This Primrose Yellow 1973 MG MGB is noted in the listing as a California car and would be a great roadster for West Coast drives. Drop the top and enjoy the last moments of summer before fall kicks in and you need to drive a vehicle with a fixed roof.

1973 MG MGB
1973 MG MGB

Power is provided by a 1.8-liter inline-four with twin 38-mm SU carburetors. The engine is paired with a four-speed manual transmission. MGBs of the late 1970s evolved into a funky offering with cumbersome front bumpers and this 1973 example maintains a timeless silhouette.

1977 Chevrolet Blazer Chalet 4×4 

1977 Chevrolet Blazer Chalet 4x4 
1977 Chevrolet Blazer Chalet 4×4 

First and foremost, I loathe camping. I’m incredibly soft and prefer amenities and not sleeping on the ground. Hopefully my father, former member of the U.S. Army 1st Infantry at Fort Riley, doesn’t read this, and roll his eyes in disappointment at his pretty boy son.

1977 Chevrolet Blazer Chalet 4×4 

My disdain for tents would be irrelevant if I went camping in this Chevy Blazer Chalet 4×4 that has the amenities I would want for a weekend in the woods. This Blazer Chalet was restored in 2018 and 2021 and is permanent fiberglass camper with a pop-up roof. Features include bunk beds for two, a dinette table, sink, and stove.

This 4×4 is powered by a 400ci V8 paired with a Turbo-Hydramatic three-speed automatic transmission and a dual-range transfer case.

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