It’s been decades since this 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle has seen any track action, but this one served as a vintage racer back in the day, although it’s now out of commission and has been sitting in a garage for the last 40 years. However, this Chevy seems like a good candidate to consider for a restoration, a Restomod, or maybe do some mechanical work and keep it a race car. Whatever you’ve got in mind, this 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle is located in London, Ohio, and can be found here on Facebook Marketplace. The price is listed at $9,000, but this one’s been for sale for over four months now, so it’s possible the owner may be ready to listen to an offer. Ted, thanks a lot for your great tip here!
While the Chevy is currently in primer outside, a couple of photos are included showing the Chevelle on a trailer, with the body wearing green paint plus a set of racing wheels and tires. I’m speculating this is how the car looked when it was active in the racing community, but the rollers are now Chevy Rallys with rubber that doesn’t look quite as aggressive as before. It’s not mentioned if the intent was to repaint the body and it just never happened, or if the owner preferred the primer-look over the green. From what I can tell, most of the panels may still be salvageable, though there are a few areas that could probably stand some attention and smoothing out.
Considering the background, one might expect to find an engine of the big block variety under the hood. However, that’s not the case here, as a 327 is in the bay. The only information we get here is that the motor is not running, with no word on whether it still turns. It’ll be up to the future owner to decide if they want to repair and keep this small block, or maybe choose to install something different instead. Other drivetrain components include a 4-speed manual transmission and a 12-bolt positraction rear end, but their health status isn’t mentioned either.
Whoever turned this one into a race car subscribed to the minimalist mindset inside, as the interior has been stripped of just about everything, other than the dash and a lone bucket seat for the driver. This is understandable, as removing these items certainly reduced weight. However, unless this one’s destined to remain a track car, numerous parts will need to be sourced to bring this one back to stock status. Regardless of the next owner’s intention, there’s some work to be done here, but I feel this one’s worthy of taking on as a project. What do you think?
If this car could talk I’d love to hear its story. A pretty solid blank canvas to build whatever your imagination can conjure up. It still has its bumpers, door handles and most of the glass. Glad it avoided the crusher and I hope someone brings her back to life!
I don’t know, but $9000 for a “race car” that no longer runs and is only a couple of increments from being a total rust bucket, isn’t my idea of a good buy. At best I’m seeing a decent set of parts here.
You are right. It’s way overpriced. The title that comes with the car is useless, it’s rusty, the rear wheel wells have been cut up for bigger tires, it doesn’t run, there is no mention as to which transmission or rear end is in the car. As you said it’s a collection of parts. It’s not even viable to return it to the track since you can buy turn key bracket car for only a few thousand dollars more. I’d leave it, some dreamer will eventually come along who hasn’t done their research and offer close enough to the asking price to make a deal happen.
Seventeen weeks on the market suggests no one else sees the value in it either.
Steve R
I completely agree with Steve R. The reason that it has been for sale for so long is because it quite simply not worth anything close to what the seller is asking.
Poorly replaced floor pans. It’s going to need more than it’s worth.
This is a 300 model. My understanding is that parts are hard to come by. Shame.
Should have just left it green so you could see what is really going on
Useless as a race car, not worth restoring. The title won’t match the vehicle, so that is useless as well. Seller will need a sucker.
What a difference a roof line makes. See the 66-67 Chevy II models as a great example.
I’m not sure what you mean about the roof line of the ’66 & ’68 Chevy ll’s. Do you mean that their roof lines are attractive (which they are) or are you saying that they are different (which they are not)?
I think he’s referring to the difference in the rooflines between the 66-67 Chevy II/Nova hardtop versus sedan. The sedan has a much boxier roof than the hardtop, just like the differences between the 64-65 Chevelle hardtop vs sedan.
Steve R
I’m not sure what you mean about the roof line of the ’66 & ’68 Chevy ll’s. Do you mean that their roof lines are attractive (which they are) or are you saying that they are different (which they are not)?
I’m not sure what you are referring to re: the ’66/’67 Chevy ll roof lines. Are you saying that they are attractive (which they are) or do you mean that they are different (which they are not)?
I saw the truck in the background and felt the need to check my own garage. Can’t tell if that is a large or small rear window but I just completed a 67 gmc resto an the resemblance is amazing
Gonna need cubic money to put it right, but I love the look! Good luck with the sale, and consider knocking about $7500 off the price…
Must have been a street racer because I do not see any trace of a roll cage or bar of any kind, . Even 40 years ago a cage was required at most sanctioned events
I had the same thought. This looks a lot like some of the stuff we used to blast around out on old county roads during the sixties. I even had one or two that were every bit as crude as this. Fun time though!
There is a good chance it was a street racer, but the lack of a roll bar doesn’t mean it didn’t spend a lot of time at a track. Roll bars and other safety equipment aren’t needed unless a car runs quicker or faster than specific ET’s or MPH. There are a lot of bracket racers that build their cars specifically to run a little faster than those numbers so they don’t have to add that specific equipment. Take a roll bar for example, you need one on a 2008 and earlier car if it runs quicker than 11.50, there are a lot of guys with street cars that have their cars set up to run 11.60’s or 11.70’s often times that’s the floor of a particular class or they don’t want to climb over a door bar whenever they get in or out. The next big ET break is 10.00, if you run in 9’s you need a specific competition license and have to upgrade your roll cage and add a bunch of other safety equipment, then have it all certified every 3 years. That’s why there are more low to mid-10 second cars running brackets than 9’s or quicker. Most of the cars running brackets are class legal run NHRA national and divisional races.
Steve R