1965 was a banner year for Chevrolet in overall sales (2,383,504 cars sold, including 1,617,614 full-size models) and, in my opinion, styling. It also marked the first year Chevrolet strayed out of its lane to test the luxury car market with the Caprice Custom Sedan luxury trim option that added $242.10 to the Impala’s $2,742 price tag. Only offered on the Impala four-door hardtop in 1965 (Caprice would have its own line in 1966 and include a coupe and station wagon), here’s a surviving example with a lot of originality going for it, plus the desirable 396 V8 engine option. Located near Missoula, Montana, this “Caprice by Chevrolet” is for sale here on craiglist for $14,495. Another thanks to T.J. for sending this tip our way.
When Ford introduced the LTD luxury trim option to their Galaxie 500 line in 1965, Chevrolet scrambled and matched its rival six months later with the February introduction of the Caprice luxury trim package option. The seller shares quite a list of what has been rebuilt and upgraded on the car as well as what’s original when it left the factory in March 1965. The original Mist Blue Code D paint has its share of patina, bumps, and bruises as the seller shares that the patina is a result of the car being “parked outside for some of those years.” The seller also claims “a solid frame, almost zero rust on the body, floor solid, trunk solid, rear window channel solid, this car has spent its entire life in Montana,” Based on the photos, there is obvious surface rust, bumps and bruises, and some damage to the driver’s side doors, but all of the special Caprice badging seems to be there.
The Caprice cabin gave its passengers a more upscale riding experience by offering softer cushioned seats, higher-grade cloth and vinyl seats, door trim, and carpet, faux walnut trim, a fold-down rear seat armrest, and even extra “convenience lights.” The original blue interior isn’t perfect, but looks very presentable and pretty well preserved. Options on this Caprice includes the Tilt Telescopic steering column, AM/FM radio with rear speakers, and factory 6k tachometer. There are some splits on the rear seats and the headliner will need attention, but overall the cabin looks very good for a 57-ear-old car.
The engine bay looks very clean and houses the original, completely rebuilt optional 396 cu-in, 325 hp V8 engine with the original Holley 4-barrel carburetor. The sellers shares, “I have rebuild receipts. Rebuilt motor runs beautifully, has less than 1000 miles since rebuild. Engine suffix code is LB (325hp, powerglide, Holley). Original number matching 2 speed powerglide transmission has recently been serviced with new seals, filter and fluid.”
The seller also shares a long list of other work performed on the Caprice including: new wheel bearings all around, new brake shoes and wheel cylinders, upgraded master cylinder to dual reservoir, new ball joints, tie rod ends, control arm bushings, idler arm, four new Bilstein shocks, 12-bolt posi rear, 3.08 gear ratio, new u-joints, new radiator, heater core, HEI ignition, plug wires, NGK iridium plugs. and new 15” Cooper Cobra tires on 15×7 GM rally wheels (the original 14” wheels and Caprice wheel covers are also included). The seller claims this 396-powered ’65 Caprice is safe to drive at interstate speeds, doesn’t wander, and tracks correctly. So, who’s the next owner that could probably drive this one home from Missoula, Montana? Any takers out there?
Automatic transmission is a bummer, otherwise it is a really nice vehicle! Great find!
Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry flashback. Lol
KC John,
Exact same first thing that cane to my mind. LOL
KC John: Susan George was even hotter in Straw Dogs! I fell in love with British birds after that!
Absolutely, although that was a ’66, just hit it with a bigger hammer and hang on!
Tony Barreta will be wanting his car back
Close, but his was a 1966.
I’ve only see ONE ’65 caprice(oddly only came as a 4 door in ’65) in the flesh EVER(same with a ’68 with hidden headlites) – both back in the ’60s & i still remember where i saw them, but can’t remember what i did a few days ago. Go figure. lol
Astounding that the steering wheel is not cracked(better quality than later ones?).
I’m guessing the front seats were recovered – quite nicely. & that those aux gages are rare as hell.
I doubt very much it came with those wheels – somewhere today there is a gigantic mountain of old discarded wheel covers.
Chevy offered the tilt-tele wheel ONLY in 66, so this has been swapped in. Most often, the 396 was paired with the newly introduced (for Chevy) Turbo 400, not a PG (tho’ both were used). Back when new, I knew a guy who bought a new 67 Chevelle SS 396 w/a PG. I never understood why a dealer would order one of those w/a PG and not the Turbo 400!
I have a ’65 Impala of the same colour and body style, but with wheel covers from a ’66 full-size Chevy. I’ve been trying to find a set of correct dog-dish hubcaps for it, as that is how it was originally ordered.
I am a stickler for originality. That said, the first thing I would do with this car is lose the Rally wheels and white-letter tires and put the originals on it. Don’t get me wrong; the Rally wheels look nice, but they are not period-correct for this car, as they weren’t available from the factory until the 1967 model year.
Lotta wear on the back seat. But it does look kind of inviting . .
I love this 65 Chevrolet Caprice in this malibu blue . Very nice survivor ❤️❤️And the desired 396 WOW!! Brings back memories of days with friends cruising . $14 k a little out of my pocket range but would love to have it just the same . The one that we cruised around with was factory tilt wheel 327 automatic . The interior was exactly as this one here fabulous car love ❤️ it .
Looks like a dog with sharp nails rode in the backseat. If I’m right I never could understand why people wouldn’t put a blanket or something when doggo in car. Either way backseat had some action possibly human toenails tore the seat.
Reminds me of a 1967 Impala 4 door hardtop 396ci/325hp I bought in 1978 for a “winter car” for $125. It was all rusted out but was a good driver. A little brake torque action would smoke the rear tire (one wheel peel).
Eventually I rebuilt the 396 with rec port heads, a GM hipo camshaft and put it in my 1968 Camaro (with an M22 out of another car). I sold the TH400 to my friend Tony for $100, so it turned out to be a very good deal.
I did shed a tear when the junkyard hauled off the remains of the Impala with a 12 bolt open rear end. They wouldn’t take it without the rear axle and I had no other way to remove it from my high school auto shop parking area. Good times.
Had one I got from the original owner back in the day. Same motor but had the TH400 tranny. Never should have sold it.