This 1965 Chevrolet Impala Sport Coupe will tick the boxes for many enthusiasts. It is a project candidate that they can enjoy immediately, tackling its shortcomings at their leisure. It isn’t perfect, but its lack of significant rust and desirable drivetrain specifications has seen it capture the attention of potential buyers. However, the interest hasn’t translated into auction action as the listing heads into its final days. You will find the Impala here on eBay in Yadkinville, North Carolina. The seller set their auction to open at $18,000 but has received no bids. There is also a BIN option of $25,000 for those viewing the Sport Coupe as a “must-have.”
Chevrolet introduced its Fourth Generation Impala range for the 1965 model year. Although it utilized some major mechanical components from its predecessor, its latest offering represented a virtual clean-sheet approach. The Sport Coupe was a particularly attractive variant, and this first-year example is no exception. It isn’t perfect, but the seller is candid about its flaws and shortcomings. The Mist Blue Metallic paint has become patchy over the past sixty years, and the panels have accumulated a few minor bumps and bruises. The seller provides some slightly blurred close-up shots revealing minor exterior rust that is patchable. However, the floors and frame are rock-solid, and the trunk pan also appears to be clean. The trim and glass look acceptable for a driver-grade build, with the color-matched Rally wheels allowing wider tires that will improve handling and safety. Overall, whipping this Impala’s exterior into shape shouldn’t be complicated if the buyer has DIY leanings.
Chevrolet offered two versions of the 327ci V8 to 1965 Impala buyers, with this car’s owner selecting the more potent of the pair. Its Sales Brochure quotes power and torque figures of 300hp and 360 ft/lbs, which feeds to the road via a four-speed manual transmission. This Impala wouldn’t be muscle car fast, but it should provide performance that will allow it to cope with city traffic or gallop effortlessly at 70 on the open road. The seller indicates that they recently fitted new tires, and it appears that the brakes have received upgrades, including a new booster, dual-circuit master cylinder, and front discs. They say that it runs and drives extremely well, allowing the new owner to fly in and drive it home.
This Impala is consistent, with its interior presenting quite nicely, but it needs a few tweaks to lift its appearance to a higher level. The seller recently installed new seatcovers in the correct Blue vinyl, with the remaining upholstered surfaces looking nice for their age. The dash and pad are excellent, and I believe that the column-mounted tach might be the only addition. There is typical wheel wear, but restoration kits to address that shortcoming are readily available for under $100. Add a $220 carpet set to the equation, and the inside of this Sport Coupe would look very nice.
The American vehicle manufacturing industry was on a roll in the 1960s, producing some of the most attractive cars in automotive history. General Motors was a significant player in that movement, unveiling cars like the original Buick Riviera and the C3 Corvette, to name a few. The 1965 Impala Sport Coupe deserves to be on that list because I have always viewed these as stunning classics. This one isn’t perfect, but the foundations are there for someone to transform it into something genuinely special. From its desirable mechanical specifications to its lack of significant rust, it could be a straightforward and rewarding project for the right person. Are you up for that challenge?
Drop a gear and floor it, plenty of power for the highway too Clarkey 🏁
I couldn’t agree more, Stan. One of the problems with writing for Barn Finds is the number of classics we feature that I want to take home. This is another one to add to my list.
Thanks for the article Adam. Keep up the good work 👏 🙌 👍
The ’65 and ’66 Impalas are my favorite from that decade. Of course I’m partial because my Grandpa had a ’66 Impala SS with a 396.
I second what Stan said, 327 4 speed is a great combination and you’ll have a blast running it through the gears. Maybe Adam can hit the lottery, and get his own Barn. And Find his own old cars in it. ( I’m sure Adam is agreeing with me right now if he’s reading this). I enjoyed your article too Adam, thanks.
Agreed… Adam would have his own car Club. Imagine all your neighbors having classics – everyone would want to talk to each other, sharing tools and assistance.
A lottery win could work to kickstart workshops at local colleges and have them compete with each other, bringing back old classics and maybe sparking a life long passion. Real life hands on work for our next generation so these are not forgotten.
These are some of the great joys in life, this nice Sport Coupe included.
Like the brake upgrade and just the car itself is really interesting and I would drive it everyday.
But IMO, the jaw dropper big Chevy is the ’68 Caprice coupe with the ultra rare hidden headlite option. I only ever see – ONE.
June 1965, a guy I knew graduated from High School. He was one of those guys who had it all- good student, good athlete and the girls loved him. His parents gave him a new Chevy Impala SS for graduation and he and another friend celebrated with alcohol. His graduation night was his last.
Same thing happened to my high school buddy. Father bought him a 63 Vette for graduation. Had 58 miles on it when he stuck in a culvert at 80mph.
How sad.
Gippy: A familiar story; in 1966 when I graduated, the star every sport, rich guy, handsome well-liked “Stud” was given a new Corvette by his proud parents. Went out drinking with friends, wrecked the ‘vette and was in a terminal coma at the local hospital. Sometime the next night his life support was ‘mysteriously’ turned off. What a local scandal! My class lost 8 kids thru that year from alcohol related wrecks, I think we were cursed. Please reinforce with your young ones not to drink and drive! Ok, off my soap box.
Buy this one and the 1996 Impala SS features further up, kind of like bookends. I remember these cars well in this color and with the sport roof but they were probably 283 ci with automatic transmissions. I like the front bench too. Great fun sliding around in the turns or in power slides.
Six taillights! Nothing like ’em!
The ’71 t-bird has TEN red! + 2 backup lights. Any others >6 red?
Buying 1157s by the dozens!!!
They come 10 to the box, don’t they?
I just LOVE the rear haunches on these beasts – looks mean and ready to spring.
I bought a 66 version of this car about 15 years ago for $6000 in New York State. Survivor show car, Silver Impala w/black vinyl top, 327/275 4 speed. Don’t know much about Survivor show class, but the guy I bought it from said he’d done too much to it for it to be considered a “Survivor” any more. Built a 496 big block to put in it, and let a friend convince me that the car was too nice and original to change. Sold it to a coworker in KY for $7000. Shoulda kept it! Kept the motor, now installing it in a Nova.
I had a ‘65 Impala SS 327/300 4 spd. back in the day. Fun car, I scared Road Runners with it. They struggled to pull away with their 383 automatics. Good times…
Before I bought my first car at 16, a 1951 Chevy pick up for $250, the family car that I learned to drive in was a 1966 Impala SS with 396 and three in the tree, silver with black vinyl top, black interior, no AC. Hot car in couple of ways!
The only issue that I see with this car is that I don’t own it.
I concur.
In the late 60s I ran the service dept, parts and body shop at a small Pontiac, Cadillac and Buick dealership. I did not get a new car demo to drive but was told to pick any used car and drive it. That was great fun. One of the cars I drove for awhile was a 65 SS Impala with a 250hp 327 and a 4 speed.
That car was great fun and I have since owned a 327 300 hp Chev that was pretty darn quick.
My hotrod 55 Chev had a thrown together 327 with some 250 hp parts and some 300hp parts. It was a beast.
Unfortunately too many of us remember friends and classmates who were killed in car crashes in high school Very sad and heartbreaking but unfortunately true BY the Grace of GOD I am still here because I rode with some real morons HEY WATCH THIS Yikes
This car is B@D @$$. 327 4 barrel, Bench seat no console 4 speed. My 65 had buckets, Console, Muncie 4 speed, AC and a 409! White with a red interior. I like this one a lot. Medium blue isn’t my bag, but it is SSsuper nice. Marc, out.
Shoulda kept that 65 Drifter…one like it in #2 condition is probably worth $75-100K. I’ve always wanted one like you had, but can never afford one now!
My down the street neighbor has a, white one like this that she bought brand new in Utah. (327 4 bbl, dual exhaust with a power glide) She used to drive it to Las Vegas when Nevada had no speed limits on the highway. She claims many trips to Las Vegas at over 100 mph. 327s tack a lickin’ and keep on tickin’ hers still looks showroom new. I have to tune it up soon, because no one else knows about points and condesers! (Yes, I still have a dwell meter!) jeep
This is an exceptionally cool car albeit a little pricey. I have always been a huge fan of the 300 horse 327. I had one in a ’37 Chev coupe, a ’57 sedan delivery, a ’64 Nova, and a ’64 Impala SS. If the money was right, I would love to own this car. Great year, perfect choice of wheels, just not much to complain about. As a footnote, even a big old Impala would scoot pretty good with this motor and a 4 speed.
I built my first engine for that car’s twin. It belonged to a local hot rodder/mechanic that blew up the original engine. I bought the car sans engine. I had wrecked my 67 Impala and pulled its tired 327 out, rebuilt it and put it in my newly acquired 65. Put in the 67 front seat too with the “locking backrest.” I put in too big a cam as most young builders do, too high a rear gear (3:36) in a 2 ton car but it would run once you got it moving. I blew it up and sold it to a friend who had wrecked his 68 Malibu 307. He installed the 307 and I don’t recall what happened after that.
Always liked the 65 Impala SS, man I really did think those 6 taillights were the coolest ones on the road!
I dig the 6 rear lights but only the outer & inner are tail lights, the center one is a back up lamp, easy enough to change over tho.This Impaler is very nice but too rich for my blood, 327/300 & a 4 speed is a nice combination .
My favorite Impala year……
I had one years ago.
Looks like you also had something pretty strange going on with your driver’s side rear wheel.
Haha…never noticed that in the photo…..but all was good…no issues.
i had a 66 impala ss sports roof 396 , automatic, consual, bucket seats all the gauges, running driving car. my 17 year old bil wanted the car so badly he kept begging me it, but he had no money but he eas a great kid, like a brother to me, i needed a pair of snow tires and my sil had a pair for sale in her garage sale, i told him get me the tires and the car was his, i got the tire that day, that was the best $10 he ever spent, true story
Love this car ! I had a 65 4dr hard top same color 283 powerglide a/c ps pb I really wish I kept that car. If I had the cash this one would be in my garage
Auction ended on 4/12/2025 with one bid of $18,000, did not meet reserve.
Steve R
I love this car, but I think that the seller made a mistake walking away from 18K.
The 1965 Impala was perfection personified.
Yes indeed.