Chevrolet was on fire in 1965. They sold more than one million Impalas for the first time, a number that would never be reached again. The popular Impala Super Sport was in its second year as a series of its own and sold extremely well at 243,000 copies. This ’65 SS project is a convertible that comes with its original 396 cubic-inch V8 engine, which was new to the cars that year (replacing the 409). It’s said to be a good-running machine that you could restore while you drive it. Located in Camarillo, California, this once-stately beast is available here on craigslist for $17,500. Thanks for the hot tip, T.J.!
Record numbers of people were “seeing the USA in their Chevrolet” in 1965. Maybe the styling updates brought on increased demand as the full-size cars were now curvy in appearance rather than boxy. And they were bigger than before, too. The Sport Coupe now employed a semi-fastback look which helped bring Super Sport sales to new levels. The Caprice sub-series of the Impala was also born that year, making “luxurious” now a word you could use the describe a Chevrolet. As before, SS models came with any Chevy engine and bucket seats with a center console and subtle Super Sport badging.
Any time you hit new records in the car business, the likelihood is that it won’t be sustainable (see the Ford Mustang, for example). Full-size Chevy sales would decline beginning in 1966 and the Impala SS would see a bigger drop as the mid-size Chevelle with potent engines was what younger buyers were going after in an age of 25-cent gasoline. The seller’s ’65 is said to be numbers-matching with its 325 hp 396 V8, paired with an automatic transmission (Powerglide, we assume).
This ’65 drop-top looks sort of rough but finding any rust beyond surface takes some effort. There is a small hole in the trunk, yet the floorboards look surprisingly good. The cowl tag says the car was finished in Regal Red paint and some of it may still be there, but there is also some blue on the trunk floor. It may be that the bodywork needed to bring this car back to show quality will not be overly ambitious. The interior is intact except for the console (missing), but it, too, will need time in the shop. Though the hardware all seems to be there, the canvas from the convertible top is pretty much done. We’re not told if the engine has been rebuilt, but it looks too nice at 20,000 odometer miles (120,000?) not to have been tinkered with. This could be one badass car with some time and money invested
Reminds me of a sad story- I graduated High School in 1965 and one of my classmates was given a new Impala SS as a graduation gift. He got drunk that night and was killed when he hit a telephone pole at over 100 MPH. He was one of those guys- good looking, smart, good athlete, class president- and it all ended for him.
It’s a good project, maybe a bit overpriced if you’re thinking of restoring it and not coming up upside down. The sun baked paint tells me that it was sitting outside in a sunny climate for a while, so look at the floor pans and trunk closely before you bid. It still rains in those places once in a while. They may not be as solid as you would hope.
I rebuilt a 63 convertible from Southern VA a number of decades ago that was in a very similar condition to what these pictures show. I still have it, but I look at it and remember a lot of metal work and the toll it took out of me doing it.
BTW – My books say that the transmission should be a Turbo 400. Chevy did put Powerglide transmissions behind lower horsepower 409’s but as far as I can tell there was never a ‘glide behind a BBC. Of course a lot of drag racers do it. I don’t know everything, just what I see.
CJ, I’ve seen 66 SS-396 Chevelles w/ powerglide transmissions…
This example is somewhat unique; the cowl tag says this was built in Cleveland, Ohio (the Fisher body plant in Euclid, OH). Chevrolet had that plant build the convertible body for the Flint, MI plant in ’65. There should be an F in the VIN.
Cowl tag also shows that it was built with a Tinted Windsheid, Powerglide, and a rear mounted antenna.
Regal Red, White Top, Black Bucket Seats (SS).
Front fenders are from an Impala. Maybe the entire front clip.
I had just graduated from college and my first car was the 65 Impala SS. I loved that car. Still wish I had it. I’m too old for a project car, but I hope someone can do something with this one. My SS was a babe magnet… I was never under the impression that it was me they were interested in…. LOL
Someone has been trying to save this thing for a long time. I don’t think without a ton of money you can get it back to top condition but you can definitely get a fun cruiser.
For the amount of work top, paint and upholstery, $17K is a bit steep. Too many cars for that price that need no repair.
Daily drove a 65 Impala for 10 years about 85 miles a day from 1991 to 2001. More than 200,000 miles. Other than lower ball joints, even if you greased them, every 60,000 miles, bullet proof, comfortable. Did most of my own repairs and maintenance. Just drain that Powerglide twice a year, add cheap Dexron and never an issue. Probably the most reliable automatic trans ever. Today, just read the stories about the horrible issues with Ford’s 10 speed and GM’s complete junk transmission. Should have kept that car.
This is my grail car, just too bad it’s on the other side of the country & I have too many projects I need to finish first. I do see som rust, but not near as bad as some I’ve seen for a lot more money. Temptation temptation…