Chevrolet added a mid-size car in 1964, the Chevelle. It was sandwiched between the Corvair/Chevy II compacts and the full-size Chevies. It competed against the Ford Fairlane, which had ventured into that space two years earlier. The 1965 Chevelles had minimal changes, and this unfinished drop-top is said to be a Super Sport (real deal or tribute?). Located in Oregon City, Oregon, this bit of unfinished business is available here on craigslist for $13,500. As no surprise, this tip comes to us by way of “Curvette”!
This vehicle is likely not one of the 200 Z-16 Chevelles that were built in 1965. In 1966, the Chevelle SS 396 became a series of its own. In 1965, the Chevelle SS could be ordered with a six-cylinder engine like the Impala SS, but they were in the minority. This one has a fresh 327 cubic inch V8 rated at 300 hp, which may or may not have come with the car when new (no heritage of this Chevy is provided). Sales of the SS convertible dropped by 17% in 1965 to 9,000 units, even though the Sport Coupe version saw an increase over 1964.
Besides the 327 engine, this continuing project has a 4-speed manual transmission and a 12-bolt transmission, both refreshed (we assume). The odometer is broken, and the placeholder figure on the instrument cluster is 100 miles. We’re told the Chevelle has “too many new parts to list,” which doesn’t add value to the seller’s listing. You’ll have to gauge by the limited photos what these items may be.
The body is unfinished as the trunk floor, and wheelhouses have been removed, and the rear quarter panels have been cut, awaiting new skins. On the plus side, the interior is said to be new (at least what we see of it), and the suspension parts are also fresh, including front disc brakes. We’re told the asking price is roughly equal to what the seller has in the car in bits and pieces.
Reasonably priced, convertible, with a lot of work already done. This is the type of project you grab.