1965 was a big year for Chevrolet and specifically the Impala. Chevy sold a record 1.5 million full-size cars, of which more than one million of them would be the Impala or Impala Super Sport. This would be a record that even Chevy itself would never break. The ’65 models were all new and that generation would run through 1970. This beautiful ’65 Impala convertible has been well-maintained and is said to have been a parade car for part of its life. It’s offered in Sarasota, Florida and here on eBay where the no reserve auction has hit $27,000.
The advertising slogan “See the USA in a Chevrolet” was something a lot of folks bought into during 1965. Convertibles were still popular modes of transportation in the mid-1960s and Chevy sold more than 72,000 drop top Impala’s. That would include the seller’s car which is a bit unusual as it was ordered with a 4-speed manual transmission to accompany the 327 cubic inch V8. Most of them were sold with the 2-speed Powerglide automatic. This is a numbers-matching car, so everything major that is mechanical goes back 56 years.
History on the Impala dates back to its production date in March 1965 at the Chevrolet plant in Janesville, Wisconsin. The original owner sold the car in 1988 to a gentleman who had homes in booth Wisconsin and Florida and he used the car in parades and other events, which helps explain the low mileage of under 61,000. The seller, the third owner, acquired the car while it was garaged in the Sunshine State. The car is for sale because the seller is moving and thinning the herd (he has other cars listed for sale).
The Ermine White paint looks flawless and is a nice contrast to the blue interior. We’re not told if the paint is original or if any body work has ever been done, but we assume it was applied in 1965. This looks like a car that was treated with kid gloves. All the owners have kept original documents on the car, so the buyer will get the protecto-plate, original title, owner’s guide, owner’s protection plan and a custom features and accessories pamphlet.
We’re told this Chevy floats down the road effortlessly, almost as if it had never seen any use before. The engine cranks right up and you can shift through all four gears effortlessly. This Impala has a lot of convenience options, like a tinted windshield, back-up lights, remote mirror and a padded dash, and yet it wasn’t ordered as a Super Sport. The seller says everything works as it should, including the like-new power convertible top.
Hagerty states that super nice ’65 Impalas are worth $25,000 and higher, but that’s for hardtops and convertibles should add a premium. There are a few of these available online, mostly SS cars, and $40-50,000 seems more common. So, the bidding on this car is surely to go higher before the eBay gavel comes down on a deal.
Wow! It still has the triangular glass bottle that contained windshield washer fluid! And a 4 speed! This one’s a beauty!! :-)
Oy. If people only learned how to write.
“SHE IS A HARD CAR TO GET RID OF . . .”
At least it doesn’t have “duel exausts”
It should have dual exhausts if it is a true super sport, with that motor
“Parade car”. I would be ashamed to have to list that as a selling point.
Why? I’ve always found it to be an honor when someone asks me to drive my car in a parade.
Yes, being a parade car means it is nice. It also means it won’t overheat while idling along at slow/stop and go pace.
It can be a 10 footer. You can hide things behind banners and decorations.
Convertibles are great for parades, celebs, VIPs, dignitaries, etc can be seen by the crowd.
As a high school junior a drove a ’65 Mustang convert with a local politico (and spouse) in our local parade. It was one of many borrowed convertibles for this event. The car was 7 years old at the time. It belong to another high school student. It was a daily driver. Nothing special other than it was a convertible.
I volunteered again the next year, but I was bumped out of a ’65 GTO convertible at the last minute, as the owner decided he would drive his own car. I rode shotgun in 1 of the cars until about 3/4 of the way to the end of the parade. My sister’s in-laws lived along the route. I got out at their house and joined the party.
Parade cars may or may not be show quality. Parade use only would definitely reduce the mileage.
Looking forward to the non-salty comments. Beautiful car!
In the eBay ad title (and a good way to get buyers directed to their page!)…
“1965 CHEVROLET IMPALA CONVERTIBLE NOT SS 1964 1963 1962 1961 1960 1959 1966 1967”
LOL!
I always search for the cars I don’t want…What a waste of title.
I loved my 65 Impala convertible. Many great memories about that car.
Author please note, the plural of Impala is Impalas. Using an apostrophe would indicate possessive not plural.
sweet four speed cruiser.
Strange equipment. I see what appears to e a power window switch in the picture of the right rear interior, but no mention is made of that option or of A/C. Picture of engine compartment is hard to see and I cannot observe a compressor or hoses. I have a 1970 Impala convertible bel9eved to have been built as a COPO for the California Zone Manager. Factory equipped with every accessory including fiber optic lamp monitors but missing cruise control. Guess one did not need cruise to drive on the 405.
I’m laughing to myself. Right out of high school, I bought a ’65 Impala SS convertible for $400. 327 (250), 4 speed, factory stereo, factory a/c. Body, interior and top were very good – car had been ‘beaten’ otherwise. a/c and radio didn’t work, motor that ‘just needed a tune up’ turned out to be shot. Sold it a few months later for what I paid for it. New buyer knew what he was getting into and had ‘big plans’ for the car – never saw it again.
The 1965, and 1969 Impalas are my favorites design wise. The 1959, and 1966 Impalas are my least favorite IMHO.
Would be nice to know what color the top is.
Added info the top is white. IMHO it would look sharper with a blue top. Seller states original color was white.
My first car was a 1964 Impala SS, which I purchased before I received my drivers license, in 1973. Mint condition and loved that car.
I had a 1965 Impala. My favorite design year too. I think you either love them or hate them. Kind of a bastard year for car clubs. I found there were many clubs for pre 1965 Impalas and a lot for post 1966 Impalas. I finally found one 1965/66 Impala Club.
About 1985 I had an almost identical car, very nice looking & driving convertible, except mine was an automatic. I was on the DC beltway, outer loop near Holy Cross Hospital, 5pm rush hour traffic, when at about 50mph, the rear axle mount on the right side pulled away from the rusted frame, the drive shaft front dropped out of the trans, hit a pavement crack or pothole [never knew exactly what it hit].
Back of the car went up in the air several feet [at least – it seemed at the time like it went up 15 feet or more!], complete rear axle pulled out of the car. Coming back down it hit the concrete pavement in a blaze of sparks, and suddenly I was stopped in the middle lane. I was lucky the gas tank didn’t rupture. Neither the rear axle or my car, hit any other vehicle.
A guy in a big dump truck saw it all, pulled up in front of me, backed up, and the driver, grabbing a chain, shouted “Did I want it pulled to the shoulder?” [Yes.] He slung the chain under the front suspension, and slowly pulled the car off the roadway before unhooking the chain & heading back to his job.
I returned with my ramp truck & brought it back to my shop. Ended up junking the car.
Wow. What a story Bill. Glad you are still around.
MattR,
That whole event took only a few seconds, and barely a few minutes until the car and I were safely off the road, but even today some 35 years later, it’s still a very vivid memory and I remember every second like it was slo-mo!
Be still my heart….. a row your own boat! And topless to boot!
This Impala has the very rare front bumper guard option (under the parking lamps). I think these really enhance the frontal appearance of the car.
Never take a picture of a convertible with the top down without having the top down “boot” installed! Does this car even have this important item anymore?
I would love to move to Sarasota. Maybe I can buy the car and get the guy’s house as a throw in.