While the 1978 Monte Carlo sold 358,191 cars with just one body style (Chevrolet actually considered it two body styles, the 2 door sport coupe, and the 2 door Landau coupe), it took three body styles in the Malibu line to slightly outsell it with 358,636 cars (the 2 door coupe, the 4 door sedan, and the 4 door station wagon).
In 1978, General Motors downsized the A-body cars and Chevrolet had the Malibu, doing away with the Chevelle name. For a few hundred more dollars, the personal luxury cars provided more unique styling. However, they did not sell as well in the 2 door style. The mid-size personal luxury car was the shining star of the late seventies, but there were still mid-size mainstream cars.
