In 1962, Ford introduced a mid-size automobile with Fairlane badging, sandwiched between the compact Falcon and full-size Galaxie. General Motors followed suit in 1964, and Chevrolet added a new product line called the Chevelle. It was instantly popular and would continue on for decades (badged later as the Malibu). This 1965 Chevelle is a Super Sport and has its original 283 cubic inch V8 (the SS 396 would become a series the following year). Located in Winchester, Kentucky, this Chevy appears to have been at least partially restored and is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $32,500 OBO. A nod goes to “Pnuts” for the tip!
Since the Chevelle was all-new in 1964, the ’65 Chevelles were little changed. Subtle differences in the grille and taillights would set the cars apart. Nearly 72,000 Malibu Sport Coupes came with the $162 Super Sport option in 1965, and 10% of them had inline sixes (which was true across the Impala and Nova SS lines as well). That lofty extra expense gave you bucket seats with a console, extra chrome bits, and Impala SS wheel covers. Also, the instrument layout was enhanced. If you went for the 283 V8, you could have it with a 4-barrel carburetor rated at 220 hp, just like the Power-Pak 283 of 1957 roots.
The seller (a dealer?) doesn’t go into the history of the Chevelle. For example, is 10,000 the really, true, legit mileage, or has the odometer flipped at least once? And the motor and engine bay have been repainted. The raised hood, which seems to add nothing to the 283 engine, strikes me as out of place, so was it added later and the paint refreshed? Also, the chrome trim on the trunk lid doesn’t line up with the side trim, so was there some damage repaired at some point?
Don’t get me wrong, this Malibu SS looks sweet, and it may have been lowered, too. Since it has an automatic transmission, we assume it’s a 2-speed Powerglide. The car has that Saturday night cruising look back when you made the rounds from one drive-in eatery to the next, like in American Graffiti. Is this a collector-quality automobile or one to be enjoyed on weekend outings?
I’ve never cared for cowl hoods on cars or trucks that they were never offered on. Price seems steep for a high school hot rod.