By the very early sixties, the Detroit three-and-a-half had pretty much said adios to two-door station wagons. Particularly popular in the fifties, they had pretty much run their course by about ’61. There were some exceptions, but the big selling main-stay models opted for four doors only. That being the case, it was a bit of a surprise when Chevrolet’s new for ’64 mid-size Chevelle station wagon was introduced with a two-door option. Continuing on through ’65, it was dropped for good with the restyled ’66 edition. Today’s Los Angeles, California discovery is a ’65 300 model in what the seller refers to as “original” condition. Let’s take a close look at this rarity; it’s available here on craigslist for $34,000.
Chevrolet’s 1965 Chevelle lineup positioned the Malibu at the top, the 300 Deluxe in the middle, and the standard 300 trailing behind – and that’s where the two-door wagon resided. The seller suggests that this car is one of 653 built, but I’ve uncovered a volume of 1,668 – in both six-cylinder and V8-powered configurations (and that could explain the difference, 653 with a V8 and the remainder, 1,015 powered by a six).” Regardless, these are not commonly encountered cars. The nearly identical ’64 edition only mustered 2,710 copies, so it would seem that the general station wagon buyer was not interested in a return to the past. As for that “original” business, this car has undergone a repaint and is wearing later rally wheels, but yeah, it has an original vibe about it. It looks great, the body is nice and straight – really noticeable on those long quarter panels, and it seems unlikely that rust was ever an issue. Besides the noted wheels, the only deviation from stock that I can detect is the lack of a stainless rocker panel molding.
The powerplant is said to be a 283 CI V8, and two versions were available in ’65: a 195 HP version and a 220 HP version, which was added back to the option sheet mid-year; it’s not stated which one this is. A couple of observations: the valve covers look like those used on a 327 CI engine, and the oil filler cap should be an open breather, but it’s not. The engine’s appearance makes me think it’s a later version of the smallblock, 1968 perhaps – it’s worth an inquiry. A Powerglide automatic transmission sits behind the small block, and the seller claims it all “runs good.” The engine shows as being unmodified, but it would be helpful to know its genuine mileage recording and whether it has undergone any rebuilding or improvements.
The interior features simple, vinyl upholstered bench seats and appears to be carpeted, though Chevrolet sales material of the time states that a 300 trim level made do with a rubber mat. An aftermarket steering wheel has been added, and the instrument panel has been finished in black, but beyond that, the environment appears to be stock and clean. One Nomadesque characteristic is the rear sliding windows – a neat touch!
So, Nomad redux? No, not really; the Nomad was a topline model while this 300 is a bottom of the line stripper, though the swept back B-pillar does recall that same Nomad styling cue. GM did have its styling mojo turned up to eleven in the mid-sixties, and this Chevelle wagon is no exception – it’s a sharp, clean, graceful-looking wagon. Let’s talk price; at $34,000, is it priced right, or not quite?
A Chevelle 2 door wagon is a car a regret not pursuing more vigorously when prices were reasonable.
I’m never a fan of a car being sold with fresh paint, with the cost of materials and labor in California far too many are the equivalent of putting lipstick on a pig. I’d rather find a car in a more “original” state so it’s easier to gauge its actual condition.
I’m not sure what point there is in showing a couple of ads for other 2 door wagons that didn’t sell. It doesn’t do anything to bolster the notion that this one is a good deal.
Steve R
Looks like a 307 to me..
The only thing which looks close to original with this car is the engine compartment. The first three digits of the VIN (131/132) can identify if the car was delivered with the L6 or a V8.
The interior doesn’t look much better. Jim ODonnell is correct about only rubber mats in the 300 series. The 300 Deluxe and Malibu series were carpeted. Post-sale parts bin engineering is a likely source of the carpet. The cutout for the dimmer switch shows the care and precision of the carpet installation. Having two different styles of seat upholstery is another knock on originality.
The paint looks nice but the callouts weren’t replaced. What is to be found under the shiny paint is an unknown.
Asking $34K seems like a big stretch but it only takes a market of one to make a sale.
My parents had a 300 Deluxe wagon.
It came with RUBBER floor mats.
Only the Malibu had carpeting
Having left our ‘57 Chevy 210 2dr in Spain, our family landed in NJ (1964) and headed to the Chevy dealership where a preordered Chevy wagon was to be. Being raised in The Depression a frugal choice was made by our folks: we would drive to California in our new 1964 Meadow Green Poly Chevy 2 door wagon with the 194ci 6cyl, 3 spd column shift, exterior hand crank rear window.
Just before the getting to the Rockies we stopped to have a PB&J tailgate lunch and hang a Desert Water Bag on the grill. As we were driving off my very young brother sitting between my folks grabbed the keys hanging in the ignition and threw them out the window at about 50MPH..
After a fortunately successful 10 minute search of the general area, my brother was relocated to the rear seat for the duration of out trip out west.
Years later that I-6 got tired and was replaced with a 283 from Little John’s Wrecking Yard; found it many years later in the same yard waiting to be crushed.
Doggone Automotive Crystal Ball was a little cloudy in those days, elsewise it’d be in my garage today obviously.
Way overpriced!
I doubt this car would fetch $20,000 at a large auction.
Great story from Nevadahalfrack. It sound like my family experiences with GM wagons of my childhood. 6 kids with only 2 rows of seats, until ‘67. I loved pulling the keys out of the ignition while running. Loved the memory of the exterior hand crank widows. I think we had a radio in our 56 2-door Biscaine wagon [black and tan] because it was the cheapest. Simpler life, and cars.
These were definitely meant as a utility vehicle. I don’t think they were even offered in Malibu trim. I read the reason for making these was only because it wasn’t much more than a combination of the 4 door wagon and an El Camino. So not a lot of retooling needed. Surprisingly this and the El Camino use different door frames. I always thought Chevrolet missed a great opportunity by not making an upscale version of this body style. As for this one, the seller may get his ask or close to it. Most of these were used up and thrown away and up north they were bad rusters. With the low production numbers there ain’t a lot to pick from.
JO, nice write-up.
I’ve never laid eyes on one of these 2 door Chevelle wagons, not sure I knew they existed. It is absolutely a appropriate Chevy color for the 60’s.
Nevadahalfrack/ DMM, great stories along with many others here on BF. My mom had 5 station wagons in a row starting in 61. I am the middle of 5 kids, 2 older sisters, 2 younger brothers. Some of the things I remember most are times spent in these cars. Of course the rules changed when dad was in the car.
When mom went to the store we would stay in the car. She couldn’t take us in, it would be a clown show and couldn’t leave us home, we would destroy it or burn the place down. That was normal practice in the 60’s as there were kids in cars all over the parking lot.
One thing about it…we had better be in the car when she came out with the groceries. She could make our life rough and there was nothing my dad couldn’t make worse when dad got home!
Brought back a lot of good memories as a kid Matt. We had a 1964 four door Chevy Impala i remember my Mom driving 75 on the Expressway with all the windows down in the summer, A/C was not a thing back then. I would lie on the package tray behind the back seat with my mom screaming at me to get in the seat that was one of the wait to your Father gets home and that was never a good thing. Simpler times and all good memories.
Definitely a nifty automobile with what appears to be a very nice body. Problem is that it is in no way worth the asking price. Maybe if it had a engine, gearbox, suspension, and interior up grade it would be in the ball park. Now, I’m not saying that there isn’t someone out there that would drop that kind of foldin’ money on it, that person sue as heck wouldn’t be me, (and I kind of like the car)
I have never seen one of these before now. Very cool wagon and you sure wouldn’t have to worry about someone pulling up next to you with another one at a car show. Price does seem a bit steep but 1 of 653 makes it a bit more reasonable. It’s definitely a car I would have to touch and look it over very good before spending that kind of money. But it is cool seeing something new and cool. Good luck with the sale.
More “Jungle – Cruiser” like, than Beloved ‘55-57 Nomad’s!
I agree that this car is beautiful but way overpriced.
In the Chevelle line, the two-door wagon was odd, but it wasn’t hard to justify. It’s pretty much an El Camino with the roof and tailgate of a 4-door wagon grafted on.
Original?
I had 1 of these for awhile, back in the late 1980’s into the early 1990’s. It had rust issues, which lead me to selling it when the motor reached its end of life phase. The buyer had a ’64 2 door wagon and wanted this for a parts car.
Fun fact, I bought this from Bellingam Bert, 1 of his neighbors had a ’64 2 door wagon at the same time he had that car. Rare cars each, living almost side by side.
All that being said, this 1 is overpriced IMO, we shall see if anyone steps up or not. After all the buyer’s opinion is the only one that really matters in the end.
really cool but not original with a repaint. showing other wagons is not going to help the cause. price is optimistic at best.
it’d be sweet to drop a big block setup in and make a sleeper out of but gotta agree with most everybody else, awful expensive starting point!
“Nomad Like”? Yeah, No.
Paid $400 for my 64 and traded for a 1941 deluxe coupe. Those were fun times.
I still have a 64 2dr Chevelle wagon bought it in 73, drove it until 82 now waiting for restore. but still a solid Arizona car. I never drove it in the winter. It came with a 283 two barrel, which was gone when I bought it. there was a rebuilt 62 327 short block with the 283 heads and intake and a powerglide in it. that are now wore out, and was already punched .040 with three sleeves, so that will not go back in. I picked up a date matching 327 block and will be putting together a 250hp 327 using the original 283 heads, and a not yet found date matching 250 hp four barrel intake with a 4GC on it.
As the saying goes, “They are only original once.”
I do like the car. A guy in my hometown had a 64 that he used in his painting business.
This is one of those that you might not find another one of. As for the price, I think you can still negotiate before you throw up hands and walk away.
Sometimes the starting point is just too high to make what one may think is a reasonable offer.
In the early 70’s there was one of these running around Amazonia, it was a dark blue, rear jacked up with big tires and it was a good looking car. Story I was told was the owner wanted to sell. There were several guys in the area that wanted it and put down deposits on it without knowing about the others. The owner took the deposits and skipped town.
I don’t think so. The air cleaner would be a lot different, and the oil filler would be on the valve cover.