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Oshawa Roots, Preserved on the Prairies
Long before it became a preserved relic of the prairies, this 1965 Chevelle Malibu rolled off the assembly line in Oshawa, Ontario. From the factory, it was configured with a 283-cubic-inch Turbo-Fire V8 putting out 220 horsepower, paired with a smooth three-speed automatic transmission. Its journey westward began when it was delivered to its original selling dealership, the Edson Motors Company Ltd. in Edson, Alberta—a historic local GM hub that underwent several corporate transitions over the decades and now operates today as Bannister Chevrolet Buick GMC Ltd. It was there that its very first owner drove it off the lot for a total purchase price of just $2,943.00.
For those who know how to read the historical roadmap stamped right onto the metal, the engine bay firewall tag tells the complete story of its birth: Style 13637 1-2-1, Body #235325, Paint Code C for a flawless Ermine White exterior, and Trim 772. Decades later, a "BU" license plate would pay a clever typographic homage to that factory-born Malibu pedigree.
"The 'Bu" on the Manitoba Collector plate is simply a casual, phonetic shorthand for Malibu by dropping the first syllable of Malibu leaves you with "'Bu."
A Fresh Slate in 1998
Some classic cars are built to rack up heavy highway miles, while others become rolling testaments to craftsmanship. For this particular Malibu, its modern timeline truly resets in 1998. That was the year its long-term original owner wrapped up a comprehensive, labor-of-love frame-off restoration in Edmonton. With every nut and bolt refreshed to factory-correct perfection, the odometer was zeroed out to mark a brand-new lease on life.
Over the next four years, the Malibu was treated with visual reverence, occasionally stretching its legs around the city for a grand total of just 952 miles. In 2002, the ignition clicked off, the garage door came down, and an unexpected era of preservation began.
The 26-Mile Return to Hinton
For over a decade, the mid-60s cruiser sat undisturbed, suspended in a state of absolute stasis. The world outside changed rapidly, but beneath the car cover, the 1998 restoration remained flawless.
It wasn't until 2014—12 years after it was first parked—that the Malibu saw daylight again. The owner rolled her out, woke the engine from its long slumber, and embarked on a highly specific 26-mile journey out to Hinton, Alberta—returning right back to the region where its story first began. The mission? To swap out the aging rubber for a brand-new set of tires. Once the fresh tread was secured, the Chevelle returned directly to its secure bunker, locking the odometer at exactly 978 miles. It wouldn’t see the sun again for another 13 years.
Protecting a Legacy
Following that brief highway run, the car went back into deep hibernation. Sadly, during this secondary slumber, the dedicated original owner passed away. The time-capsule Malibu eventually fell to his grieving wife to sell—a stressful prospect for any widow facing a market often flooded with opportunistic buyers and lowballers.
Enter the car's second official owner, an authentic Edmonton-based collector who recognized the vehicle’s remarkable local pedigree. Ensuring she received an honest, fair price, he acquired the car directly from her in October. Along with the keys came a pristine paper trail: an incredible archive of original photographs, receipts, and historical documentation recording the entire life of the car. He kept the car meticulously preserved from October through to May, acting as the perfect bridge to safeguard its history.
From a Sour Deal to a Friday "SOLD!"
The road to true automotive love is rarely a straight line. The car's current and third owner wasn't even looking for a Chevelle at first; they were actively working on buying a 1970 Acadian out of Lethbridge, Alberta. When that deal suddenly went sour, disappointment threatened to ruin the weekend. But just a few minutes later, a fresh listing flashed across their phone screen. Looking over at the white cruiser, the owner's wife caught one glimpse and said, “Now that’s your style of car!”
An immediate call was placed to the gentleman in Edmonton. On the other end of the line, the seller was stunned: “I can’t believe how fast you contacted me? I just finished pushing the post button on my phone!” After a quick request to do a live video tour of the entire car and hear the engine start, the next words out of the buyer's mouth were an immediate, definitive "SOLD! When can I come and pick it up?"
The transaction was wrapped up that very Friday. By Sunday morning, the new owner had rented an enclosed trailer and hit the blacktop. After a thorough road test and completing the formal paperwork on Monday afternoon, the car was safely loaded up for its journey east. In a heartwarming twist of small-world trust, the Edmonton seller didn't even demand a down payment to hold the vehicle. Having previously sold one of his hot rod trucks to a buyer in Manitoba, he simply smiled and said, "I trust you Winnipeg guys!"
A Soft Seat and a Fresh Stance
Arriving at its new home in Winnipeg, the Chevelle was treated with ultimate mechanical respect. Before the key was ever turned in the ignition, the entire vehicle was completely checked out from top to bottom to guarantee its health. Once given a clean bill of health, a few tasteful modern upgrades were introduced, including a brand-new dual exhaust system and a subtle, light black tint on the glass. The car now rides proudly on classic American Racing Wheels wrapped in Starfire Solarus 205/70R-15 tires.
To prep it for modern summer commuting, a premium Vintage Air climate control system was seamlessly integrated into the dashboard. Yet, classic ownership always comes with personality quirks. When the time came to actually pilot the Malibu through modern traffic, an unexpected comfort issue arose. The original factory bench seat, while beautifully upholstered, proved to be incredibly plush. Sinking deep into the decades-old spring cushions, the new owner realized they couldn't comfortably or safely see over the Chevelle's long, iconic hood line.
An Unbelievable Journey
From its factory birth in Oshawa to its long hibernation in Alberta, and finally to its enthusiastic welcome in Manitoba, this 1965 Malibu is an absolute lottery win. With a flawless frame-off restoration, an unbroken chain of care, and under 1,000 original miles on the odometer, its current caretaker couldn't be any happier. She remains a breathtakingly beautiful piece of living automotive history, perfectly preserved and waiting for her next turn in the Winnipeg spotlight.
Rob Glesby is a member of Manitoba Street Rod Association