would you choose a 69 Malibu and make it a Chevelle or find the real Chevelle package? just wondering.

I thought a "Malibu" was a submodel of the "Chevelle" sedan line, not the other way around. Just like the "Chevelle SS" and "Heavy Chevy" were submodels of the hardtop/coupe, "Concours", "Nomad", and "Malibu" wagons were submodels of "Chevelle" wagons. Maybe my memory is not that good, however, but as far as I can remember, "Malibus" were all sedans, and some "Chevelles" were sedans while others were hardtops.

You're correct, BB. The Malibu was an up-option on the Chevelle, much like Caprice to Impala (although a Malibu is still a Chevelle in those days).

The basic difference is the trim and some options, not as drastic as if you were comparing a base Chevelle with an SS though.