This 1965 Chevrolet Impala Station Wagon could be considered a genuine muscle Wagon. Its exterior and wider wheels give it a menacing appearance, an impression reinforced by the 409ci V8 under the hood. It isn’t perfect, but it should be a rewarding project for someone seeking a versatile classic. Its next journey could be to a new home, with the seller listing the Impala here on Facebook Marketplace in Hebron, Indiana. The price of $38,000 is negotiable, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Tim961 for spotting this beauty.
Chevrolet’s Fourth Generation Impala range landed on showroom floors for the 1965 model year, striking an immediate chord with potential buyers. The company sold over one million vehicles in 1965, setting a sales record that hasn’t been surpassed nearly six decades later. This Station Wagon emerged during the first year, with the original owner ordering it in menacing Tuxedo Black. The seller admits it received a repaint but not when this occurred. Its overall presentation is impressive at first glance, with the paint holding an excellent shine and no significant flaws in it or the vehicle’s steel. They admit there is developing rust in some lower extremities, but the poor image quality makes it impossible to determine how severe this is. The underside shots reveal some further rust, but with the frame looking solid, the Wagon appears structurally sound. The trim and glass look excellent for their age, and the wider steel wheels and Baby Moon hubcaps confirm there is more to this classic than meets the eye.
Chevrolet offered a big-block option in its 1965 Impala range, although early examples received the 409ci powerplant. This Wagon is one of those vehicles, with the seller claiming that only eighty-two Station Wagons were so equipped. The first owner teamed the 409 with a two-speed Powerglide transmission and power assistance for the steering and brakes. The seller located the Impala in a New York barn, a spot it had occupied for many years. They worked through a meticulous revival, replacing the fuel tank, fuel pump, wheels, tires, and all fluids. It received a brake system rebuild, a tune-up, and a carburetor rebuild, meaning the big-block should produce something close to its original 340hp and 420 ft/lbs of torque. It might be unable to match genuine muscle cars in outright performance due to its curb weight of 4,407 lbs. Still, its ability to cover the ¼-mile in under 17 seconds was viewed as impressive for a family Wagon capable of comfortably seating six. Potential buyers can consider it a turnkey proposition. The Impala runs and drives well, with no problems or mechanical shortcomings.
I wouldn’t describe this Impala’s interior as pristine, but its condition and presentation are better than average for a fifty-nine-year-old family Wagon. The front seat wears a replacement cover. However, the remaining trim and carpet appear original and free from rips and tears. The cargo area has the typical assortment of scratches and scrapes, although it isn’t horrendous. It is hard to determine what aftermarket additions it features, but the air conditioning should make life on the road pretty pleasant.
Enthusiasts with families often have to compromise when purchasing a classic, trading performance for practicality. However, this 1965 Impala Station Wagon offers the best of both worlds. It will comfortably seat six, but its original big-block provides plenty of urge under the right foot. It would undoubtedly command respect and turn heads, but is that enough for you to pursue it further?
Love the look. Install disc brakes, convert to a 4spd and drive it.
Expensive, but wagons are hot and where will you find another. Time will tell if he can get an offer he’s willing to accept.
Steve R
I want to hear about that A/C, does it just need a charge to blow cold?
If it is the original motor, this has to be a very late ’64 or early ’65, and “pops” had no intention of racing, and may have never heard of The Beach Boys, those unkept youngsters from California, and simply the biggest motor they had to offer. Had pops waited until after Feb. 15, 1965, the 396 came out, but the order was already placed, and probably lucky ma allowed that. I think it’s cool it has an iconic motor, now whether future generations will care, or even know how to open the hood, may be a different matter entirely.
Im kind of surprised its a Powerglide. The Turbohydramatic 400 became available on the Chevies in ’65.
That would have made a bit of a difference in performance for sure. I wonder if it was ordered with the 409 for towing? Anyways its nice to see an old Impala wagon in nice shape, 409 or not. The black with red interior looks great together.
I’m surprised a 409 would get mated to a two speed powerglide. The three speed turbo 400 would’ve been much better. Nice car, though, a big block wagon with factory A/C. Look it over and under very carefully for rot.
Not offered in 65 for the 409.
Wrong! Two 409’s were Available. 340 HP and a 400 HP. I HAD a 340 4 speed A/C Impala SS.
Even Corvettes had two speed Powerglides. I don’t think that the Turbo Hydra Matic was offered with the 409. It may have been offered with the 396 in 1965, but I know that the Turbo Hydra Matic was offered in 1966. My aunt had a Super Sport with that combination.
Chevrolet’s first became available with the Turbo 400 in 1965, but it was only available behind the full size 396/325. All other engines got the Powerglide except the 409/425, which required a 3 or 4 speed. The 65 Chevelle SS396 only came with a 4 speed and the 65 Corvette’s 396/425 was also only available with a 4 speed. The 409/340 came out in 63 for people who wanted 409 with an automatic since the 409/400 and 425 were only available with a manual trans.
For 66 the TH400 could be had behind either the 396/325 or 427/390 in full size Chevy’s and for 67 it was also offered in a full size with the 327/275.
The TH400 was first offered in the Chevelle in 68, but only with the 396, and you could still get a 396 with a Powerglide too. Corvettes were not available with a Turbo 400 until 1968.
Good information. One correction, a 67 SS396 Chevelle could have come equipped with a TH400.
Steve R
Love those dog dishes! $38K tho?? Meh….
IMHO This Chevy wagon in its day was the bottom of the line of wagons. My father always bought Mercury wagons for mom to drive and they were much nicer. Now most wagons didn’t get many miles on them by the original owners because I always saw them sitting in the garages and driveways in the suburbs. Ours always in the garage cuz in those days Mom didn’t take the kids to and from school everyone rode the bus. No matter the miles dad traded them in every 3 years. Had to keep up with the style changes. I am so surprised that someone didn’t pull that 409 out for a Chevelle or nova and crush the wagon. That happened a lot so I guess this could be a rare wagon. $38Gs though wishful thinking I guess. GLWTS To the buyer drive it and enjoy it.v
If you see this post twice. My original is stuck awaiting moderation. I apologize. I had written Im kind of surprised its a Powerglide. The Turbohydramatic 400 became available on the Chevies in ’65.
That would have made a bit of a difference in performance for sure. I wonder if it was ordered with the 409 for towing? Anyways its nice to see an old Impala wagon in nice shape, 409 or not. The black with red interior looks great together.
I hope this is just as nice underneath as it is on top.
I really like the ORIGINALITY of Tuxedo Black with a Red interior!
I have a ‘63 Bonneville Safari 389 4 bbl Super Hydra-Matic originally ordered Midnight Black with a Red interior, fact A/C, 8 lug wheels, Tilt, AM/FM all originally ordered!
It’s a knockout!
How bad is the damage to the driver’s side frame rail that somebody felt the need to weld in pieces of angle iron?
Wow!!! I missed that the first time I looked at the ad. I saw all the black undercoating and thought it may be hiding something, but, yeah, thats a lot of angle iron welded in there.
Yep…..saw that as well….buddy here in Texas had to fix a section of rust in his 1966 Chevy post car frame just like the looks of this one – and it was a Texas car to boot.
FIFTY EXTRA POINTS for the owner going to the troble of soucing a new (OEM maybe?) 4GC Rochester. Usually its a stoopid edelhoser. Still needs a double master cylinder
The material on the front and back seat don’t match. The under coating is fresh and over spray on the exhaust and angle iron on frame. I wonder what they are hiding?
The Powerglide was the only auto trans available with the 409 in 1965. The 348 had the powerglide and Turboglide, these powertrains ended in 1961.
Back in the early 80’s I worked in a machine shop with an interesting individual who collected interesting old Chevrolets, one of which was a 65 Impala station wagon with the rare factory 409 and a Powerglide (apparently 1 of 82). I did get the opportunity to drive it a couple of times and it was kind of hard to NOT light up the tires. My mother had a 65 Impala convertible with the 327 and a Powerglide and there was absolutely no comparison. That station wagon was absolutely wicked fun!!
looks like the frame has been welded up. this car should have it replaced. factory black w/ red gut, great combo. sweet wagon.