Chevrolet’s original Nomad (’55-’57) was an arguable success. Reaching a sales total of about 22K units, it probably had a more limited appeal than most station wagons due to its price, and of course, its two-door body style – great for style but less than optimal for functionality. By the early ’60s, the two-door station wagon was mostly kaput. Chevrolet tossed in the towel with it’s 1960 Brookwood and that was the end of the line for them, or was it? Chevy’s new for 1964 Chevelle brought that cool body style back for another run and today we have a 1965 example for your review. Discovered by Pat L, this two-door Chevelle 300 wagon is located in Claremont, California and is available, here on craigslist for $29,000.
When introduced in 1964, the Chevrolet Chevelle came in three different trim levels, Malibu SS, Malibu, and 300 – that lineup mostly continued in ’65 but with the addition of the 300 Deluxe sandwiched in between the Malibu and the 300. For both years, the two-door station wagon was the province of the 300 trim level – after ’65 it was gone and another didn’t darken the Bowtie’s doorway until the early ’70s Vega was upon us – but that’s another story. According to “Drivin’ It Home“, this two-door wagon is a rare bird with only a bit over 1,600 produced in ’65.
The seller tells us, “straight body, no rust anywhere, dry undercarriage, except for a small rust spot on the right side of hood…” The VIN indicates that this is a Fremont, California assembled car and if it has resided in the Golden State for its entire life that may help explain its overall integrity. It does appear to be pretty solid – interestingly, I owned a ’65 Malibu SS many years ago and the hood rusted through in the same place. Other than the rally wheels and the add-on bump strip, this Chevy maintains an unmodified appearance. Note the shape of the B-pillar, Nomadesque?
The listing states that this 300 is powered by a 283 CI V8 engine. Two were available in ’65, a standard 195 gross HP version (such as this one with its two-barrel carburetor), and then later in the model year, a 220 HP, four-barrel carburetor variation, was made available again. The seller adds, “wagon is complete, running, no leaks“. It is claimed that this car is one of 653 constructed with a V8 engine, the balance of the volume that I previously quoted (1,600), was powered by an in-line, six-cylinder motor. As is often the case, a Powerglide automatic transmission is in place.
The interior looks better than I anticipated. The front seat upholstery shows as new, maybe it is and there is a very nice optional padded dash in place. Even the door panels have survived the test of time! The steering wheel is definitely not an original piece but is certainly a nice substitution for the oversized stock tiller.
It’s surprising to find one of these wagons still existing in basically stock form. That said, and considering its rareness, I’m still not down with the $29K price tag. Anyway…I’d like to see this one stay original but that’s unlikely. Two-door wagons like this Chevelle usually end up modified, hot-rodded, restomoded, etc. So, with that thought in mind, if you were this ’65 Chevelle’s next custodian, what would you do with it?
These are too cool, at least I like them. Drove almost 4 hrs round trip to look at one. Spent maybe 3 minutes there. Car was in black primer and was a total rust bucket. Black and white photo it looked decent and price wasn’t that cheap. This was many moons ago when I resided in NE Ohio. Was before the internet and remember Autotrader? Too bad this is across the country as I am now in Fl might have considered it. Best of luck to the seller and yeah a 400 HP LS with an updated auto and cruise!
I get a kick out of lines like that –
“….no rust anywhere….except for a small rust spot on the right side of hood”.
Isn’t that like “All original,except for….”
It needs to remain JUST as it is. If you want to pep it up give the original drive train a vitamin and put it back in place.
Always had thing for sharp looking wagons. Miss my ’66 Impala. There was a mechanic at the local Mobile station that had one of these,and I would swoon over it every time I would pass by. Somehow,a friend of mine, Eddie, convinced the mechanic to sell to him. I begged Eddie,that if he ever sold it,to please let me know. Well,he did sell it,but not to me. I was one PO’d Irish man,and I’m not even Irish. Never saw that beautiful car again
Great lines .. I’d find a 327 / 375 horse period correct / date correct code motor, then maybe a clutch pedal , a 4 speed trans and make a set of wider rear stock rims to give it a wider stance in the rear . Other then that I’d keep it as is .
Always thought these were cool since i was a kid. My older brother had built the i believe Monogram model kit, could have been AMT i gave it to me. Just thought it was neat. Fast forward to years later joined a car club through a friend i met through work. There lies this beautiful black with red interior 65 300 wagon thats made its rounds through the club for decades. No longer has the small block as a 427 BB has been between the fenders for a long time backed by a four speed. Just a sweet lookin wagon, maybe someday ill get to be the next caretaker within the club.
Just saw this car last night at one of our local cruise nights yeah it’s been around for a long time think it’s been around since at least the 80’s maybe longer don’t exactly remember but hasn’t changed a bit very cool car then, still very cool
I wouldn’t leave it the way it is. I’d bring back the factory Artesian Turquoise paint and interior, and replace all of the missing or damaged trim. Maybe add SS badging and hubcaps.
I ended up trading a 68 el camino for it. Being painted original paint. Gonna keep as original. Paint is artesian turquiose
Back in 1995, my mother, my brother, and I bought a 1965 Malibu 300. It ran well, didn’t have too much work to be done, and we paid $1700 for it. My brother had such a conviction to hot rod it out that my mother and I forced a buyout from my brother. He did put some hot rod 350 or whatever in it that eventually seized, but to this day he still has that original 1965 wagon.
Very special car and very sought after body style. I think there is good reason for this and allot of the interest is from enthusiasts, that will want to modify it. I know I would. I also know allot of people interpret that to mean ruin it. I don’t believe that, I think if it is done right, it can become even better than, if it was a 100% restoration.
they made a 2 door wagon full size in 1961, almost bougth it, gold with a gold interior.
’61 Chevrolet station wagon brochure attached. No such animal is listed.
JO
1960 was the last year for the 2 door Brookwood.
Agreed!
JO
Hmmmm. Even the Corvair wagon in 1961 was a four-door.
Well, the first thing I would do after buying it is NOT refer to myself as “The Custodian”. I don’t know who started that humble brag nonsense, but geez let’s stop already. Next, I’d enjoy driving it for about a year before I decided to restore or tastefully resto-mod it. Both options could be very appealing.
No, I won’t stop it and it’s not “humble brag nonsense“. You don’t get to dictate the descriptors that I use simply because you don’t agree with my use of the word.
Let’s face it, with old cars we own them, enjoy them and then pass them on to someone else who hopefully will do the same. We own them in a legal sense but what we really do is care for them until the next owner, guardian, custodian, etc. comes along.
As to your options, either is a good choice.
JO
Mary: “That jacket looks sharp on you Jim!”
Jim: “Thanks Mary, but I’m just the jacket’s custodian.”
Jackets get thrown out or donated, hopefully, that’s not what you do with an old or cherished car when you’re tired of it.
JO
Lift it up with those donk wherls and put in a cummins with a big long skull shifter and put the big stinkiest exhaust pipe on the side !!!
Only joking
Real engine, real brakes and real wheels and replace the cheap looking steering wheel would be my choices
But since i am now lazy and refuse to work full time ,i will appreciate what i have and enjoy my time
Jim makes a good point and thats the way it is with any possesion, we are just custodians until someone else gets it. This is one rare car. No matter what you wanted to do with it. I’m thinking 327 4 speed, leave as is or paint to bring it up to date, or original . As custodians, do what you want , get what you want,and enjoy, but JUST DO IT. This ain’t no dress rehearsal. Wise words from my guidance counselor in High School.
Cheers
GPC
The custodian at my job, doesn’t charge $30k to me personally, to mop the floor.
Years ago, later 70’s to be close a guy in the town near me had a dark blue version of this car, 327 four speed and mags. Very good looking car and there were a few guys around that wanted that car and the story that i heard was that the owner wanted to sell the car and 3 or 4 or so guys put down deposits to buy it and the guy skipped town with car and cash
One last comment Jim, and then I’ll get off my rant. If the majority of the cars in your publication had truly been cared for by “Custodians”, would there even be a need for Barnfinds.com?
Peace brother!
John:
There is some truth to that, partially, but time is the deciding factor. Take muscle cars for example as many people seem to gravitate to them. In the late ’70s they were just old used and mostly worn-out cars; I know, I owned a few and many are often the gist of Barn Finds and look like it. But things seemed to change in the ’90s and an appreciation for old cars, i.e. restoring and maintaining them has become a big hobby (and business!) one that has continued to grow.
The way that I think about it is a 55-year-old car had “owners” for 30 years or so. If it has survived and is currently or still in decent shape, such as this Chevelle wagon, then it’s now under the care of a custodian.
JO
The write up shows this to have a 283 sbc, but I notice the valve covers are the 327 version, with no center decals showing. Could this SB be an original 327? Would be a real plus if it is.
I noticed that too but this engine has a two-barrel carburetor and the first 327 so equipped was introduced in MY ’67 for the Camaro.
All three 327’s (250, 300 & 350 HP) used in the ’65 Chevelle had four-holers.
JO
Thanks Jim for writing this article on my wagon.
I’ve always known these had extremely low production #s, however when browsing CL ads I still stumble upon 2door ’64/’65 wagons now and then.
Considering these were bottom-of-the-barrel cars when new it’s almost shocking that any are even alive – though I may add that those mentioned in CL ads may be ‘alive’ but hardly any more than that. These are extremely cool wagons and it’s kinda weird that these are rarer than any Nomad ever was. My favorite has to be this 1-of-0 ’67 : http://classiccardb.com/chevrolet/127332-1967-chevelle-two-door-wagon-custom-one-off-white-2-door-67-chevelle.html
If you want a little more power out of the 283, but keep it otherwise original you can’t go wrong with a set of vortec heads.
Just my humble opinion
I didn’t know about the nomad going beyond 1957 but now I’m watching Clunkers and Classics building a 67 and today ole Mortske Repair did a will it run and drive on one. Learn something new every day
The wagon got me thinking….. certainly someone ordered one of these with the L79 350hp 327 4 speed combo. Boy what a find THAT would be….. :)
Hello, I am the owner of this blue wagon for sale in Claremont.
The ad is not written well because I normally don’t sell cars. Anyway
I got this wagon from a friend on a trade of a 53 Bel Air that I was selling. My friend had it parked for about 10 years in a carport and he bought it from a guy who had it garaged for who knows how many more. I lowered the price to 27K but of course the price is if very very negotiable. any questions ?
Updated ad:
https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/d/claremont-1965-chevelle-malibu-300-wagon/7520327703.html
I attended high school when these first came out. Hung out with my school friends and another high school that my grade school friend. My school had a lot of wealthy parents and two showed up on campus. Both 4-speed 327ci., one was like British Racing green?with fawn beige interior and the other a metallic purplish, called desert sunset? with black interior owed by a young lady. At my friends high school, there were two dark green/fawn beige 4-speeds.we also had a very nice contingent of ‘55-57 Nomads. We were all wagon happy because we were directly over the hill from the beach, surfboards came into play!!