One of the milestones from the 1965 model year was the introduction of the Ford Mustang. The second was the Chevrolet Impala selling more than one million units for the first (and only) time. This Impala Sport Coupe looks like a winner from the outside and engine compartment, but when you open the doors, you’ll see that work is needed. A one-owner car from Greenwood, Indiana, this Chevy is available here on eBay for $30,000 OBO. Another great tip brought to us by T.J.!
Chevy’s full-size cars were restyled and either the new looks or a great economy brought sales numbers to new records. Across the board for the Biscayne, Bel Air, Impala, and the new Caprice (a gussied-up Impala). Nearly 2.4 million Chevies were built among all product lines, with the Impala and Impala SS tallying at 1,046,500 units. Engine choices ranged from a 230 cubic-inch inline-6 (which could even be ordered in an Impala SS) to the legendary 409. Most were probably sold with a 327 or 283, the latter being in the seller’s car, numbers matching.
Not much is said of the history of this car, though we’re told the light blue paint was redone 25 to 30 years ago. It still looks great, and the seller says there is no rust on the machine anywhere. All of this is enough to get all excited over until you look inside. Besides the original fabric having split in the back, the headliner and door panels are a mess and will need replacing. Perhaps this car was stored indoors for a time with the windows down, allowing for mildew to get inside.
Original paperwork will go with the Impala, including the original title, owner’s manual, bill of sale, and so forth. The mileage is 81,000 and probably legit and we’re told the Chevy runs great (even the 2-speed Powerglide automatic). Photos show the car with its original wheels and covers and also with some aftermarket low riders. Before you get worked up, only the factory donuts will go with the sale.
E-Bay description stated original interior? Front seat and rear? Looks like the front suspension has a little bit going on with it, as far as hydraulics lifting? I do like the 65-68 Impala though.
You are right about the suspension being off. I used to work at an auto parts store south of Oakland that sold a lot of performance parts. We were asked fairly often if we could get spacers to lift the suspension for a variety of cars in order to fit 22”-26” wheels. The owner said under no circumstances were we ever to sell something like that or wheel adapters. As far as he was concerned those were a lawsuit waiting to happen.
Steve R
I think they lent the car to their gardener for the weekend and it came back looking like this
Not a fan of wheels or worn interior for price
Seller’d wheels are a great disfavor to the dar
SAD…
30k for One of one million, not an SS, with the two speed slushbox? It doesn’t even come with the space saver wire wheels!
Yes, something is off about the suspension, it makes the original rims and tires look too small. The interior looks badly worn, and like the front seat was re-covered a long time ago. Still, if it’s as solid as it looks, it’ll be worth a lot, simply because there’s so few left, and it’s a beautiful car. Most of these rotted away a long time ago, or were run into the ground. My first car was a 66 Impala coupe, light gold color, black brocade seats, 283 2 bbl w/ powerglide and am radio, power steering being the only options. It was rotted by the time I got it, and since I wanted A/C, I upgraded to something else as soon as I could. At the time, 1989, the car wasn’t worth much or desirable, there was no internet, and I wound up selling to someone who entered it in an endurance race. So, Riverhead, NY is where it probably died, and got scrapped. I imagine that bits of its recycled metal are in appliances and other products all over the world by now.
Back when I was a kid working in a body shop it seemed like every other GM car was this color. I remember It as Seafoam Green. We stocked it by the five gallon pail from Ditzler.
Rather amusing that there’s a tear in the middle of the back seat cushion but not the front! 🤔🤭
Moving right along, the interior needs a complete redo from door panels to seats to carpet and headliner and maybe some of the plastic on the dash and dash pad. Did I miss anything?
I remember in those days you could order a manual, pushbutton AM radio or the AM-FM manual. If memory serves me correctly, I don’t think FM stereo was out until ’66 or ’67 except in the 4 button under dash reverb. which as we know wasn’t true stereo.They had the separate multiplex unit under the dash.
3 of my uncles bought ’65 BelAirs. 2 red ones, both stick trannys and #3 was light brown with the Powerglide. All three had radios but only 2 had pushbutton tuning. All had 283 engines.
The dirty seats and shredded passenger door panel looks like the product of dog damage
Love the 65 tail lights on the trunk lid. And it the same age as I am ❤️
Thanks for sharing the information
Darrin
Had a 65 ss in High School 283 2 spd power glide. Believe car is way over priced
Heck Darrin, I’ve got socks older than you!
This is a nice example, maybe a bit overpriced since it needs a new interior. My parents bought a new Impala 4 door HT in this color in ’65. It had a 283 and a PG, like this one. It also had PS and factory AC, which was still a luxury at the time.
It was a nice car. In 1968, they traded it for an Oldsmobile Delmont 88 hardtop. I keep cars a lot longer than my parents did.
Way overpriced, dream on. For 30k you could atleast go for an 800.00 set of seat covers. Any idiot can put them on nicely in a few hours if the seats haven’t been attacked by wild gophers. A basic unit with no real exciting options.
“All, my, friends, know the lowrider…”
A set of ralley wheels would make it look cool!
It looks very presentable but there’s an awful lot of bondo on this car. I owned two 65’s and know them pretty well inside and out. They’ve bondoed all four wheel openings, which is why the trim is missing. The left 1/4 has had work done as has the right one. I love these cars but there’s no way this is a 30k machine in its current state.
Yep, nailed it, 10 grand car tops. Maybe 20 restored with new metal and interior
1977 bought the same car in turquoise. 30k miles 283 pg, $300.
Unstoppable in snow with snow tires. Nice downshift to 1st at 45-50mph. Replaced water pump, fuel pump, radiator, shocks. Was the perfect car to learn basic maintenance. Sold 2 years later, $300.
This price is 10k high
Love the 65 Impalas…..
I must be blind…because I don’t see a Power steering pump…My 66 Malibu didn’t have ps or pb, and I see no pb on this car , but no ps, interesting. We used to call it ARMSTRONG power steering, because it gave you big arms.
I bought a 65 SS just about this condition a few years ago for $3000. I really think this is overpriced for what it is. Mine is not as original, it has a 350 with a turbo 350 and power steering and brakes but I don’t think mine is a $30,000 car either.
A great find for an Impala ;SS or not ; great solid car even if some interior work is needed ! I love these brand of Chevy’s before & after Chevelle’s & good choice of engines for these cars ;The engine in this car ; to me seems under – powered for car this size& weight ?!the 327 is a little more beefy & more power to move a car this size! both engines are reputable but for this car bigger cubes is better!? And the styling on these cars is always popular just a cool looking car ! as for $$ price these cars are always worth a few bucks unless rusted to pieces!? my favorite years are ’63-’69 ; ’65 & 66 top choice
Not even close to being worth that much. It’s not worth $20,000.
That is way over priced. I have a fully restored, numbers matching, ’65 Impala SS, 327/300, 4 speed, posi traction that I would sell for not much more than what this one is listed at.
$8,000 would be a deal up to $10,000 if really want it
When I was in college back in 1975 one of my professors had a1965 Impala station wagon in this same color. It had a 327 CID 2 barrel. I was majoring in automotive technology. He and his wife bought a new 1975 Caprice. He asked me if I would like the wagon to practice on in class and he signed the title over to me. When I checked out the car I found it to be like new! It only had 45,000 miles and ran great. I told my professor that it had a lot of life left, but he just told me he had no use for it and to just keep it. The car only had P/S, P/B, and an AM radio, but it ran great and after several years I gave it to a friend who needed a car but couldn’t afford one. As far as I know it’s still on the road today.
1,046,500 units, not including an unknown number of Impala Station Wagons. It’s a safe bet that a good majority of the 184,400 full-size wagons built were Impalas.
I learned to drive on the family’s ’66 Biscayne wagon; it had the 283 with 3 on the tree, Armstrong steering, and no radio. 2nd gear finally gave out after 127 k miles, and my dad traded it in on a ’69 Chevelle Greenbrier wagon, with a 350/300, THM 350, PS, PB – it was somewhat intimidating for a 14 year old, but I quickly got used to it, and I’ve enjoyed the modern creature comforts ever since! I’m curious to know how the wagon numbers were split between Impalas, Belairs, and Biscaynes.
Forgot to mention that was also the first year for the 396 and the last year for the 409
One of the first cars I got to drive was a ’65 Caprice 4 door HT, white over pastel yellow, black interior, 327 under the hood. Loved that car. My dad paid $400 for it about 1975, sold it in ’79, I didn’t get a say in the matter.