Minneapolis Street Sighting: Chevy Chevelle Malibu

Honestly, very few GM "muscle cars" get me excited anymore, except for a specific few cars. Sitting in my list of top 10 favorite cars of all time, the 1971 and 1972 GM A-Bodies, specifically the Chevy Chevelle/Malibu and Oldsmobile Cutlass. Sadly, like their 1980s kin, the 1970s versions have fallen victim to the ever-popular donk/bling craze so finding a clean, unmolested "whip" is getting rarer by the day. It just so happens I stumbled upon a neighborhood in Minneapolis free of gangstaz or donkrydaz. Classic cars free of homie-itus are the norm there.
Although I much prefer the SS, a basic Chevelle Malibu does just fine. Like most other Chevy products of the era, this bronze example comes with a 350 and an automatic transmission. Rather than go the SS route, this example is more pedestrian, restraining from a loud paint job and rumbling 454 underhood; a car like this is something you'd expect to find parked in the teacher's lot at a school circa 1974.
With age, the paint finish has begun to fade, and weather has taken its toll on the vehicle somewhat. However, the majority of the vehicle appears to be in pretty good shape. There are some places of pitting in the trim, and the badges aren't quite immaculate anymore and neither are the stock hubcaps, but that's to be expected; this vehicle is damn-near 40 years old now. And, it still looks good.
Inside, the vehicle has been pretty well kept up. No obvious interior damage, and although wear and tear is present, there is surprisingly little. It's been gently driven for the last 37ish years. Which is good, because in Minnesota, if you're not careful, your car will become dust in the winter. Slick roads and bad drivers will eat any car alive, but thankfully that's not yet the case here.
I can only hope this clean example stays that way. If it were mine, rather than turn it into an SS cone, I'd leave it the way it is. That's saying alot, considering how much I lust after 1971-1972 SS. I would gladly drive this, even in this shape. I just freaking love this bodystyle, even if the color and trim isn't my ideal standard.