Cruising Franklin: ’78 Malibu

A common misconception in the car enthusiast world is that it’s all about the cars. For those in the hobby, we know better. Sure, cars are the spark, but it’s the connections, the family and friends — it’s the people that really matter.

I met my friend Richard Napier our junior year of high school when we took automotive mechanics class together at Central Nine Vocational School. We hit it off and quickly became best friends. I don’t remember what car I drove back then, nor do I remember his. The cars may have been the spark, but the friendship is what has lasted.

Thirty-six years later that friendship remains, and we still enjoy getting together at car shows and cruise events all summer long — most recently at the annual Restoration Church Car Show in October. Napier brought his mother, Alice Napier, along with him to the show as he does for most car shows he attends.

The car hobby is truly a family affair for the Napiers, and it has kept their family close as everyone puts in time and effort keeping some beautiful hot rods on the roadways. Case in point: Napier’s sinister 1978 Chevy Malibu street machine.

Napier traded a motorcycle for this former bracket-racing black beauty in 2005 in Virginia and brought it back to Indiana. In the 20 years since, the car has had a total remake. The car retains its original black hue, but Napier’s older brother, Wes, laid down some serious flames in Raptor Ruby Red. The Malibu also sports a massive cowl-induction fiberglass hood, a half vinyl top, a custom-molded front spoiler, and a parachute hanging off the back.

Shawn Phillips stiffened the car up by installing a 10-point roll cage, making it much safer to race — something Napier’s mother and his wife, Rae, appreciate. The car is also fitted with a driver’s side window net, racing harnesses, Southside Machine Performance suspension, drag radial rear tires, and upgraded brakes all around.

Richard and his younger brother, Steve, do all the wrenching on the car. Under the hood is an impressive 358 small-block Chevy engine pumping out 525 horsepower. On top of that sits a 200-shot of nitrous oxide, making this a very scary car to contend with on the racetrack.

Napier’s wife, adult children, and grandchildren often join him for car shows and cruises, so this hobby truly is a family affair.

The 1978 Malibu was the fourth generation of the model and quickly became popular with drag racers, as the wheelbase was shortened by more than a foot and it shed over 1,000 pounds compared to the previous model. While the cars were lighter, thanks to the increased emission standards of the ’70s, they were woefully underpowered — with the 305 V-8 only producing 140 horsepower. The spacious engine bay made it an easy swap to upgrade to a more powerful mill.

Napier’s Malibu was lightened further when all unnecessary weight was removed, lightweight performance parts replaced bulky original pieces, and of course, the new powerplant really makes this GM G-body move.

Even with all the performance parts and roll cage, the interior is still roomy and comfortable. Decked out in red, it creates a dynamic contrast against the pitch-black paint. Alice, Napier’s mother, hand-stitched the red leather roll cage padding, and his grandkids happily swing under the roll cage crossbar to enjoy the full back seat.

Napier was a longtime Franklin cruiser in his youth and still travels from his Marion County home to the regular cruises and car shows in and around Franklin. He has also maintained enduring friendships with many he’s met through the hobby — through the years and through the decades.

The Napiers are truly a car family. The many cars they have between them are impressive — especially this bad black Malibu — but what really stands out is the love and togetherness they share. A mother, her three sons, their spouses, children and grandchildren — all enjoying a shared hobby. And those friendships that still exist and grow, all thanks to that shared love of cars. That is the real power of hot-rodding culture.

Until next time, keep cruising.