When I think of Bu. I am reminded of the reclusive character in the classic movie ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ and like others have never heard the term used for a Malibu. I suppose that it might well have been though, but from a different era to the revered 57 Chevy…Bel Aire I suppose, although ’57 Chevy’ might be the more memorable ID for the Bel Air. The Impala name rings louder than Malibu to my mind and is retained for the larger car today. You would have to find folk who are fairly long in the tooth to hark back to the days of the 57 Chevy now but still many are around who have fond memories no doubt, of those days of curved wind shields and vacuum operated wipers of the same. Ahh…serious size steering wheels and chrome plated ‘Metal’ parts.
So, like others here, I can see nostalgia for some GM cars but maybe the Malibu does not go back far enough and not a major statement IMO and others might go back too far. Why hark back with names of large impractical vehicles that are not relevant to today’s realities.
The reality here I suspect is that fewer folk can afford to put out the coin for a smallish vehicle without low interest rates…over $40,000 with taxes and in the range of ‘here to fore’ offshore luxury brands…for those that can. The UV phenomena has also taken away customers. What GM and the other two have in common here is ‘coverage’ perhaps….widespread dealerships…to offer assistance when far from home. Always a plus purchase feature in days of yore but maybe the offshore offerings contend in this respect now. Anyway, this aspect is still there.
How about ’15 Chevy’ hmmm…with a bench seat. Yeah…with a couple of fins for pete’s sake and column or dash mount auto shifter. A bit higher 2WD only sedan. Hit a home run or strike out…a ‘drag bunt’ might only tie the game at best.
