1965 Canadian RHD Malibu Restoration

65beau · Addicted!

1965 Canadian RHD Malibu Restoration

Johann65 · Guru

I am humbled by the espri de cor of this Forum! aww

I have sold my Sani to finance the last saga of correct rims and tyres. Hopefully the last two rims will be available next week and the white painted top will be sprayed coming Monday. biggrin

What I see happening is fantastic and then all will be able to share in my joy!

DAD!! DAD!! my 65 Malibu looks as good as the 58 Pontiac Pathfinder!

-- Edited by Johann65 at 15:36, 2009-02-03

Johann65 · Guru

Almost there! smile

Note the near "out the factory appearance"! Just the badly dinged hubcaps are to be replaced and the rooftop to be sprayed off-white tomorrow! Does the car proud!!! biggrin

-- Edited by Johann65 at 04:32, 2009-02-08

Johann65 · Guru

Almost There!!!! biggrin

Waiting for the hubcaps and vent latches.
Tomorrow is car show day at Eikenhoff just south of Johannesburg and the Malibu (Must find name for her) is attending! Hold thumbs and I will take some photos for all to see!!! Valentines day

-- Edited by Johann65 at 16:21, 2009-02-13

Johann65 · Guru

Tomorrow is car show day at Eikenhoff just south of Johannesburg and the Malibu (Must find name for her) is attending! Hold thumbs and I will take some photos for all to see!!! Valentines day

-- Edited by Johann65 at 16:21, 2009-02-13

427carl · A Poncho Legend!

Looks good

white adds a lot

Johann65 · Guru

Johann65 wrote:
Tomorrow is car show day at Eikenhoff just south of Johannesburg and the Malibu (Must find name for her) is attending! Hold thumbs and I will take some photos for all to see!!! Valentines day

What a dissapointment! There were more Japanese "Pimped my rides" than anything else! There were about five real old cars See photos. We looked out of place between 1200cc Datsuns and Ford Escourts. Note my Malibu with the blinds in the rear window!!! Very popular in the sixties !

-- Edited by Johann65 at 12:25, 2009-02-15

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

Great photos Johann. Thanks for sharing.

-- Edited by 69Laurentian at 12:33, 2009-02-15

Johann65 · Guru

17 Feb 2009; The Malibu passes roadworthy test within 5 minutes!
Test officials drooled over car and the chief testing officer took it for a ride.
Came back and said that they don't build them like this anymore!

-- Edited by Johann65 at 09:40, 2009-02-17

-- Edited by Johann65 at 09:41, 2009-02-17

Astro Jet · Poncho Master!

Congratulations Johann, I'm sure it was the 71 Malibu wheel covers that did the trick!

What is that VIN number on your inspection sticker? It looks like a different format from the ones we have here. Did SA vehicles have VINS that were not consistent with the ones issued in NA?

Johann65 · Guru

Hullo Hillar,
The VIN number is unique to GMSA. The P at the end denotes Port Elizabeth.
Thanks for the hubcap info.
Here in South Africa they came off a 1974 Chevrolet Constancia (Holden Kingsway).
The design complimented the 65 Malibu.

-- Edited by Johann65 at 15:06, 2009-02-17

-- Edited by Johann65 at 15:10, 2009-02-17

Johann65 · Guru

Just to show the difference between a "Job Done" and a "Quality Job" Makes you think twice about paying to have work done by anybody!

Re-did the work self

427carl · A Poncho Legend!

19Pontiac65 · Veteran Member

Just curious Johann, when you pulled off thebacking plate, did you happen to find a gasket between the backing plate and where it rests against the spindle backstop ?

Johann65 · Guru

19Pontiac65 wrote:
Just curious Johann, when you pulled off thebacking plate, did you happen to find a gasket between the backing plate and where it rests against the spindle backstop ?

Yes! If you look closely at the before picture at the top rounding of the spindle, you will see a bit protruding. smile

It is about 1mm thick. Left it in place. Be sure to check the spacing between the hub and the backing plate or you may end up with a sqeaky noise when driving due to the hub touching the backing plate.

This was the motivation in cleaning up the assembly!

Johann65 · Guru

Thanks Carl, The "Insert" function does not work this side, but when you click on "view image", it comes up the same size! So it's six of the one and half a dozen of the other!

Please pardon the Weber gasket on ground! ashamed

Removed the Weber and sent in the Rochester Monojet for rebuild. Rather go the original way. We have a funny quiet man blankstare

who rebuilds a carb to its original specs and it looks and works like new Gonna cost me an arm and a leg!

Fortunately my plastic card still has some space on it!

-- Edited by Johann65 at 04:20, 2009-03-03

Johann65 · Guru

Seat belt emblem on the buckle. These are two buckles that I am going to restore.
We have a graphics boffin not far from me that can make the emblems.
Note the "GM South African"
PS! The Rochester re-build came to R450 about 55$ Canadian!
What a pleasure!

-- Edited by Johann65 on Friday 13th of March 2009 03:39:00 PM

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

Great deal on the rebuild.

I sure love those seat belts! Very cool!

427carl · A Poncho Legend!

Where are those Christmas gift, wheel covers, for the Mali boo ??

Johann65 · Guru

427carl wrote:
Where are those Christmas gift, wheel covers, for the Mali boo ??

Carl and Chuck,
Monday the 16th makes it 3 months to the day that Chuck posted the package!
According to Canada Post Tracking the package is still in the Container!
Around the world in more than 80 days!
Will make a huge fanfare when they eventually arrive.

Johann65 · Guru

Johann65 wrote:

427carl wrote:
Where are those Christmas gift, wheel covers, for the Mali boo ??
Carl and Chuck,
Monday the 16th makes it 3 months to the day that Chuck posted the package!
According to Canada Post Tracking the package is still in the Container!
Around the world in more than 80 days!
Will make a huge fanfare when they eventually arrive.

The age of miracles are still here!
Product Type: International Parcel

Date of Event Time of Event Location Description Retail Location Signatory Name
2009/03/12 11:34 ZAJNBC,South Africa Item has been received at the delivery office in the destination country
2009/03/12 09:13 International shipment has arrived in the destination country
2009/03/12 09:12 International item arrived in destination country
2009/03/06 01:14 International shipment has arrived in the destination country
2009/01/08 10:50 International item has left Canada
2008/12/19 16:53 WESTBANK, BC Item accepted at the Post Office

Johann65 · Guru

Carl Stevenson wrote:
Great deal on the rebuild.

I sure love those seat belts! Very cool!

Took the Malibu for its first 100 mile plus trip to Pretoria and back.
Total distance traveled 170 miles = 274 Km; Fuel used 29.07 liters.
Consumption 22 MPG = 9.448 KM/L. biggrin

Speed was between 55 and 70 MpH on the freeway evileye

with one section of roadworks about two miles long
where the traffic virtually came to a standstill! Not too bad if I may say so! aww

Believe it or not!!! The Malibu had its first wheelie today
when I had to make a quick right turn at an intersection in Pretoria!!!!

-- Edited by Johann65 on Sunday 15th of March 2009 01:57:29 PM

-- Edited by Johann65 on Sunday 15th of March 2009 01:59:03 PM

Johann65 · Guru

To all the Forum Members for your assistance and support in bringing the Malibu back to Life!
Thank You and God bless You.
Will go hunting for a CP Pontiac to restore! All RHD Pontiacs are CP!!

-- Edited by Johann65 on Saturday 21st of March 2009 01:41:30 PM

-- Edited by Johann65 on Saturday 21st of March 2009 01:42:36 PM

-- Edited by Johann65 on Saturday 21st of March 2009 01:43:49 PM

Johann65 · Guru

427carl wrote:

My left front brake is binding at low speed. The newly painted is right front while the unpainted is left front. Is the left fitted correctly or should it be the opposite of the right brake?

Johann

jmont64 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Hi Johann Don't think I've ever talked to you on the forum but have read with interest your progress on your malibu and when the guys teamed together and sent you your caps. It was interesting when you said that your drive took you to Pretoria as my youngest daughter in Grade 12 landed in Johannesburg and went to Pretoria last weekend. She has since flown to Zambia for the next 2 weeks. They are working to help build an orphanage there with about 20 kids from her school. The world has sure gotten a lot smaller in some ways and also the opportunities for kids to do things through school has changed. Anyhow always good to hear your progress and comments.