The 1964-65 Chevrolet Chevelle was a sales hit. As a new, mid-size entry, it captured the attention of buyers who wanted something smaller than an Impala but bigger than a Nova. Perhaps unexpectedly, the new Chevelle took sales away from the 1965 Chevy II/Nova, though it had received a minor restyle in its fourth outing. The seller’s car decodes as a real-deal Nova SS from ’65 but has gone the restomod route with a more recent 350 cubic inch V8. Located in Burlingame, California, this deep red beauty is available here on eBay for $29,000.
Chevy had a dilemma on their hands in 1965. Sales of their once-popular Chevy II/Nova were down by two-thirds in just two years, the same period in which the Chevelle debuted. The sporty new Ford Mustang may have had a hand in it, too, given that car’s tremendous success in 1964-66. Out of 122,800 of these little cars assembled in ’65, 9,100 carried Super Sport badging. A six-cylinder was standard, but you could upgrade to a V8, including the 327 which saw just 643 installations. This car appears to have been one of them.
This was an especially rare car when new as it also had a 4-speed manual transmission. For whatever reason, the 327 and 4-speed are gone, replaced by a rebuilt and tweaked 350 small-block with a TH-350 automatic transmission. This Chevy is said to run, drive, and sound better than a new car. The seller says this vehicle only has 26,000 miles, but it looks to have been restored, so we hope there is documentation to back it up.
We’re told the car is rust-free and the body panels have no patch panels, another clue to a restoration. The suspension has been lowered and power disc brakes added to the front for better stopping. The tires are also new, leading to a turn-key car that should attract attention wherever you go to show it off. Is the Chevy worth more or less than it would be if the original drivetrain had been saved?
Coincidentally I was driving behind this exact same car about a month ago. It’s in stunning shape.
It stands to reason, as this car was still basically the first Chevy II and it had so much sales competition including the Mustang and restyled Falcon too, that sales would be down. It’s a good car though but like the author, I’d be happier with it if they’d kept the original drive train. As a side note, in that year I believe an SS could be had with any engine including the six.
nice looking nova but that shifter looks utterly ridiculous in there. something better could have been installed. missing the o/e drive train i would say 20k
Too bad they got rid of the stick & replaced it with a slush box.
It is beyond me why cars that are rare like this one are changed. It would have been better with the 4speed tranny, if it had a 6 ican understand the switch to a 350, but if it had a 327, you could have tweaked that one too, nice ride, but I wouldn’t buy it
I own a ’65. Only the coolest need apply. =D
My stepdads nephew inherited his grandmothers car JUST like this. The car was immaculate, one owner, original condition. I was a Chevy nut and my stepdad said he knew I’d love to have it but it was only right to go to a real family member. The young man was a drinker and pot smoker and totaled it within 60 days. They sent it to the crusher before I knew it. Didn’t save the bucket seats, special V-8 or anything off of it. 40 years later and I still get disgusted thinking about it.
Not “better than new”. Super rare 327/4 speed replaced with a belly button 350/T350. Nice job. 😖
Stunning , and rare car ! Yes , a high compression day 2,327, build with a 4 speed (make it 5 while you’re at it ) , would be killer.
@Courtney H. Do you have any pics of your 65?
This generation is pretty cool!!
Nice real nice and striking !1 I never knew what the allure is with those shifters!! I never liked them they to me look like a hack job. I would replace that and drive it….
The 1965 Nova looks like a 1964 model that developed a meth problem.
Drooling…I’d about give my left…er arm for one of these although I gotta chime in as to why the drivetrain change was made. Be worth a heck of a lot more original even if it would be fun to drive as is. Gorgeous car though! I owned a 67 SS and always liked that model but this one might top that one.
This used to be a Nova SS but now it’s just another boy-racer Chevy II with SS badges. The only thing of real interest is the instrument panel-mounted tachometer ($47 MSRP) if it’s OE. The interior is pretty shabby for a $29k asking price. The driver’s seat needs to be rebuilt, the brake pedal is missing its pad, and the headliner is just a mess.
It’s a damn shame that someone swapped out the original drive train for this, particularly if this was a 300 horse 327. With that motor, one of these was in SS 396 and GTO territory. It’s a beautiful car, but if it were mine, I the would convert it back to a 4 speed and a 327/ 300.
Why swap out the 327 for a 350? A 327 had to move this light car quick in itself. The real head-scratcher is dumping the 4-speed for an automatic. That driver’s seat looks awfully worn for a supposed 26,000 mile car.