Performance Review: Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu SS 350 Coupe 2nd Gen - [1973]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu SS 350 Coupe 2nd Gen is the 3 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1973. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1973 Monteverdi Hai 450 GTS and the 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona.This particular Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu has a 5733cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Chevelle-Malibu shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Chevelle-Malibu's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1680 kgs (3703 lbs) this makes the Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu SS 350 Coupe 2nd Gen in the same weight category as the 2023 Aston-Martin Valour 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 5733cc 16V V8 engine produces 147 bhp (109 kW) @ 4000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 255 lb-ft (345.7 Nm) @ 2400 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft) or the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2005 Mazda MX5 1.8i (112.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu.

The Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu has a Power to weight ratio of 87.5 bhp per ton and 151.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1973 Chevelle-Malibu competing with the 2005 Mazda MX5 1.8i (112.5 bhp per ton) or the 1968 Vauxhall-Opel Viva GT 2.0L (112.4 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu generating around 151.7 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2009 Ford Taurus SHO 3.5 V6 (176.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 1997 Subaru Impreza WRX - Classic JDM Wagon (176.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 11.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 12.0 secs, this made the Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu SS 350 Coupe 2nd Gen as fast as the 1970 Triumph Stag 3.0 V8 Convertible Mk1 (11.60 secs) the 2012 Fiat 500 L TwinAir Turbo (11.70 secs) the 1980 Ford Thunderbird 300 4.9L V8 8th Gen (11.90 secs) the or the 1978 Ford Mustang 2 Cobra 140 2.3 (12.00 secs). This Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu SS 350 Coupe 2nd Gen is also faster than the 2012 Fiat 500 L TwinAir Turbo (11.70 secs) the 1980 Ford Thunderbird 300 4.9L V8 8th Gen (11.90 secs) the 1978 Ford Mustang 2 Cobra 140 2.3 (12.00 secs) the and the 1977 Ford Thunderbird 400 6.6L V8 7th Gen (12.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Chevelle-Malibu and the 2000 Vauxhall-Opel Astra Coupe Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 18.37 secs @ 74.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2000 Vauxhall-Opel Astra Coupe Turbo (18.33 secs), the 1980 Mercedes SL Class 500SL V8 R107 (18.33 secs), and the 2010 Peugeot 308 1.6 GTi (18.35 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1973 version of the Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu SS 350 Coupe 2nd Gen has a maximum speed of 110mph.

Top Speed of the 1973 Chevelle-Malibu equals the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (121 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1973 Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu SS 350 Coupe 2nd Gen then how about the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (121 mph), the 2007 Toyota Yaris 1.8L TS (121 mph), or the 2004 Land-Rover Discovery 3 4.4 V8 (121 mph).

Related Links:

1973 Chevelle-Malibu Rivals List.

A Brief History of Chevrolet

Car Comparison