The 1967 Chevelle Malibu has been in the Lambert family of Logan and Hardin counties its entire life, with Harriet Robinson buying it new for $2,800. It had just 38,000 miles on it when it was sold to Larry Lambert in 2003. He has put only 3,000 miles on it during the last 20 years.
Submitted photos
BELLEFONTAINE – Jeannette Lambert will never forget the time she was helping her husband Larry wash their 1967 Chevelle Malibu and she accidentally broke off the rear-view mirror.
“I thought that was grounds for divorce, but he forgave me,” she said. “I went online and purchased another ‘67 mirror.”
The 1967 Malibu has a special spot in the hearts of the Bellefontaine couple, who celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary on July 27. Jeannette’s aunt, Harriet Robinson of Kenton, bought the top-of-the-line muscle car new in 1967 from her brother, Gene Bowman, who was a car dealer. She paid $2,800 for it.
“My fondest memory of the car is my 62-year-old widowed aunt driving that car to our wedding,” said Larry Lambert.
When Harriet passed away the car was given to his brother, Edwin Lambert of Kenton. Edwin never had time to work on it and the Malibu ended up in his barn collecting dust and mice.
“We made him an offer for it in 2003 and he sold it to us, knowing it was staying in the family,” Jeannette said.
The Malibu has a 283 V-8 engine. It had just 38,000 miles on it when it was sold to Larry. He has put only 3,000 miles on it during the last 20 years.
“Everything on it is original, down to the key holder that has the dealer name,” Larry said. “I also have the original bill of sale.”
Larry has needed to do only minimal work on the car. He had it painted Tahoe Turquoise, which was its original color, and replaced the carpeting. The roof still has a small mouse hole in the material. The car has no radio as radios were an option in the 1960s. Instead, Harriet decided to have the front window tinted.
Larry and Jeannette have taken the Malibu to shows around Logan County and have won several awards.
She said their son, Kenny Lambert, 52, of Bellefontaine, will get the Malibu some day.
“He loves classic cars. He just purchased a 1968 Mustang. He has always loved this car, so I’m sure it will always be in the family.”
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