I had a privileged upbringing. That is not to say that I come from a wealthy family. My privilege was to live in a home where classic cars were admired and enjoyed. A few found their way into the family garage, and most wore the Blue-Oval badge. However, my father instilled in me the ability to appreciate all classic cars, regardless of the marque. That is why I look at this 1965 Chevrolet Impala Super Sport and find myself going weak in the knees. This is an original and unmolested survivor offering performance to match its looks. This gem is remarkably well preserved, and its most pressing need is a new home. The seller has listed the SS here on eBay in Sparks, Nevada. The action has been frantic, with twenty-one bids pushing the price to $25,300. Plenty of time remains in this auction, meaning I expect both figures to climb before the hammer falls.
This 1965 Impala makes a stunning first impression, but one item requires clarification before we dig into the specifics. The Cowl Tag shows a Paint Code of “AA.” That confirms this car is wearing its correct Tuxedo Black paint, but not that it rolled off the line with a vinyl top. It is a question worth clarifying, and since the car has been part of the same family since Day One, a plausible explanation might be forthcoming. Its paint has accumulated some minor chips, but none are significant. Addressing these would be straightforward as part of a light cosmetic restoration, although preserving the car is a valid approach. The panels are as straight as an arrow, the gaps are consistent, and the underside shots confirm this classic is rust-free. There is no mention of prior repairs, with the seller claiming that 100% of this car’s steel is original. The trim and glass are in good order, and the damage-prone hubcaps are excellent.
The positive vibes continue inside this Impala, with very few items worthy of criticism. The carpet on the lower door trims has faded, but the Black vinyl upholstered surfaces are almost perfect. There are no signs of abuse, and the back seat looks like it has rarely seen occupants. The dash and pad are immaculate, as is the console. There is slight fading to the carpet on the sides of the transmission tunnel, but the lack of appreciable wear means it could remain untouched if the winning bidder decides to protect this car’s survivor status. It isn’t weighed down by factory opinions. However, air conditioning and the pushbutton AM radio should make any journey enjoyable.
We’ve now reached what many may consider the most crucial aspect of this Impala’s story. Lifting the hood reveals the original 327ci V8 that sends 300hp to the road via a two-speed Powerglide transmission. Buyers could order faster versions of the SS, but this car’s available power, automatic transmission, and power steering, would make driving effortless and rewarding. The Powerglide does sap outright performance, but most buyers seeking no compromises on that score would have selected the manual option. This car is in excellent mechanical health. It has been part of the same family since the day it drove off the lot, meaning the listing claim of 66,000 genuine miles is documented. It runs and drives perfectly, making it a turnkey proposition for its new owner.
A section of our society looks at cars like this 1965 Chevrolet Impala Super Sport and believes they should be banished from our roads. They call them gas guzzlers, claiming they are unsafe. However, they forget that whatever vehicle they drive has evolved from classics like this, and they are as crucial to our automotive history as the current band of hybrid and zero-emission vehicles will be to future generations. Consigning cars like this to garages and museums would be like locking away important works of art in safes away from the public’s eyes. These cars deserve to be driven and enjoyed now because the day may come when a lack of appropriate fuel might make it impossible. If you feel as I do, joining the bidding war on this survivor could be the best way to guarantee that it continues occupying its rightful place on our roads.
My father purchased a brand new Cypress Green Impala Super Sport when I was a kid. It had white bucket seats with a 327 325 HP “power pack heads” and a 2 speed just like this one. Dad loved that car and my sister and me had to clean it every Saturday for .50 cents apiece! He made us take Windex and paper towels to clean those seats, using a toothpick to thoroughly clean the lines in the upholstery. When she got married in 74, he gave her the car. I remember her driving it a couple of years and selling it to a kid for $400. I also remember thinking at that time, “maybe we should keep this?” I am sure all old farts here like me have similar stories and thoughts. Have a great Sunday my friends!
I have a ‘65 Impala SS, 327/300 hp, 4 speed, matching numbers. I don’t remember a 327 in a full size car having 325 horsepower.
Hello Mike, I believe the power packed heads is where the extra 25 came from. It was ordered by someone local and the heads were dealer installed. Then the guy backed out and it became a demo until Dad bought it. The car also had a manifold vacuum gauge in the console just ahead of the chrome t handle shifter. Where a clock is usually located. Has anyone ever seen one of these besides me? I have never seen one since. The car had really good pickup for such a big vehicle. I wish we’d just parked it in a garage and kept it in the family.
Automatics had a vacuum gauge, 4 spds had a tach. The clock is the round dial next to the glove box.
In 1967 you could order a Chevy Chevelle 327-325hp. I grew up in a small city in Georgia where almost everybody had a 55,56, or 57 Chevy 2dr, 4dr, wagon, or truck. The 327-325 was popular as it made the same horsepower as the base 396 big block with much less weight!
I had a 65 Impala sports sedan cypress green. Loved it. So I’m partial to the 1965s……. I think you either love them or hate them. I had to find a 1965-1966 Impala club to join. 1964 and earlier had their own as well as 1967 and later.
Crazy.
2nd reply, My 327/300 has what I call “double hump heads”, a clock on the console and a tach in the large dial on the passenger side of the dash. When I was younger, my first car was a ’65 Impala SS, 327/250 powerglide, it had a manifold vacuum gauge where the tach is (right side of the instrument panel) on my current one.
First, kudos to the Family that were dedicated caretakers of the beautiful survivor.
Adam, well written and good thing your appreciation for classics was cultivated by your father. Mine, too. He was a Ford engineer for 38 years on the LTD line and saw my share of police sedans – many with 15-20 miles on them. I worked the Louisville Fern Valley Rd line in ’78 and my 1st car was a ’67 police Ford Custom with a 428. Still have that registration slip.
This SS is a stunner and has the History to back it up.
Originan and worth more than any restored car in my opinion.
Still beautiful and ready to cruise after 57 years!
Front disc brakes and a dual master setup and a 350 trans.That’s the upgrades I’d do and a set of rally wheels. Vinyl top might have been put on as a dealer extra cost option at a local shop before they took delivery after they requested it. Everything was perfect for them but they wanted a vinyl and didn’t want to wait to have a car built or it was a year end close out model and 65’s weren’t available anymore.We used to send out cars to a shop that would convert cloth to leather interior at a dealer I worked before delivery if the customer wanted it for extra$. Glwts.Nice car.
Not much to say except “winner, winner, chicken dinner”. I would have loved to have had this car in either high school or college.
“Mostly” original is better choice of words.
That air cleaner isn’t nor are the door speakers, the top or the badges on the top behind the rear side windows.
My 1965 Impala cypress green.
Nice’ Will trad my 57 Chevy Bel-Air,283 Board 40 over, And second engine,383 Stroker, Told about 400 , Horse power, Eagle Crank and Cam, No longer have funds to put it in, New wheels and tires, Have all parts to convert front disc brakes, And power brakes, New Edelbrock AVS2 650 Four Barrel Carburetor, Have new Leaf Springs and Shocks. Have Clear Title in hand.
I love all the years of Impalas’ ;especially the early to late 60s ; hardtops & convertibles & SS ‘s ;favorite years are 66-69 SS BB ; ? is there a website for decoding cowl tags on Impalas’ ?
Beautiful car with a 327 and factory A/C, I wish I could buy it. I’d preserve and enjoy it just the way it is, as original as possible. The vinyl top could be dealer-installed.
Shouldn’t that rear trim below the trunk lid (above the bumper) be partially blacked out? Also not so sure about the red air cleaner, but aside from those two nitpicks, this is my kind of car!
I don’t believe the trim was blacked out on a black car.
yes ..the rear trim should be blacked out. Someone installed a 65 ss badge on non ss trim.65 Caprice was blacked out too too but no ss impala insignia on the right side.
Don’t think the ArmorAll everywhere is doing the car any favors. The tires look like they’re plastic and I’d be afraid I’d slide off of the back seat. Other than that, and the strange insignia on the C-pillar a really nice Impala SS.
The emblem on the sail panel is neither an impala logo nor an SS logo, so I suspect the vinyl roof is part of an overpriced dealer package.
We’re the Fuelie Heads and Power Pack Heads one and the same. Memory is failing me.
I remember back seats seeing plenty of action. Lol….ahhh youth is wasted on the young
Hard to believe GM still making 2 speed automatics in 1965 when Ford had 3 speeds and a manual could be had with 4. I guess they were still putting 2 speeds into Nova’s until early 70’s.
Yes sir, and contrary to today, the standard tranny was, well standard and the auto slush box optional. Although if memory serves the four peed might have been option also