Chevrolet replaced the famous 409 cubic-inch big-block V8 with the new 396 midway through the 1965 model year. A setup with 325 hp was standard with that engine in the 1965 Impala SS 396. As the seller’s car was built at the end of the model year, it has the L34 360 hp version, not technically available until the 1966 model run. From its perch on a trailer, this was no doubt a barn find that will need a complete restoration after sitting for 40 years. Located in Eugene, Oregon, this once-bodacious bow-tie is available here on craigslist for $12,500.
From the data provided by the seller, this 1965 Chevy Impala SS 396 should be a rare car. Besides having an engine that wasn’t supposed to be in these cars that year, it also has factory air conditioning. The big motor is backed up by a TH-400 automatic transmission, and this is a numbers-matching automobile. If that’s not important to you, he has a Muncie 4-speed manual that you can have (perhaps in place of the automatic).
The seller must have found the car in Oklahoma, as that’s where the license plates are from. The machine may have just 60,000 miles and was parked for reasons unclear. The Chevy is not rust-free, but it hasn’t gotten carried away either, with the trunk and floorboards in question. The vehicle may be complete, and the seller has a cadre of extra parts that will follow the Impala to its new home.
Sales of the Impala SS would decline as the 1960s wore on. That’s because big performance cars were replaced by smaller ones; in Chevy’s case, that would be the mid-size Chevelle. The last Impala SS from that era would come out in 1969 – you shouldn’t be able to find a 1970 Impala SS anywhere. If you don’t mind a project, this Chevrolet will give you a lot to talk about – assuming you leave it in its current setup. Thanks for the nifty tip, “Zappenduster”.
“..bodacious bow tie..” Nice turn of the phrase, Russ!
It’ll be interesting to hear from our resident BA readers, et al, to figure out if this old ride is legit. Good for the potential Classic connoisseur group that the seller never installed the manual if it is for real. Needs a lot of love but it appears to be sound-hope someone likes it enough to save it.
GLWTS
This car checks a lot of boxes! Ballpark estimate on a restoration like this? Anyone?
Nice driver…$40-50. Show car…double that.
If the main selling point is the engine and at an elevated price, either show in a picture or list the stamped codes in the ad.
Steve R
Yeah, it is rare because they never built one!
The L34 was never offered in the Impala / BelAir / Biscayne. It was only offered in the 66-70 Chevelles, 68-70 Camaros, and 68-70 Novas.
In 65 your only big block choices in the big car (after the mid-year retirement of the 409) were the L35 396/325, and the L78 396/425.
In 66 your only big block choices in the big car were the L35 396/325, the L36 427/390, and the L72 427/425.
Did you notice that this big talking seller did not post a pic of the deck stamp? Guarantee you that, if it is the original engine, it is coded as a 325 horse. Or it is a transplant engine coded as a 360 horse from a 66 or later Chevelle, Camaro or Nova.
Also note that that original air cleaner is ONLY for a 325 horse 396. L34’s came with open element air cleaners.
Officially Chevy never offered the 350hp L79 in the 67 Nova but a few sneaked off the assembly line. I believe about 6 in total were known and are worth a small fortune today. Could this be a similar case? I have no idea but sort of cool if it did happen.
While you are correct regarding the ’67 L-79 Nova, there is virtually no credible evidence that any ’65 full size Chevrolet came from the factory equipped with an L-34. Jeff may be able answer thís more definitively than myself, but I don’t believe that the L-34 even existed in ’65.
Chevrolet did “officially offer” the L79 in the 67 Nova. They just didn’t publicize its availability. And the Chevrolet RPO production records SHOW that 6 were built.
Contrast that to the 65 full size car – L34 was never on an option list, publicized or not, and the Chevrolet RPO production records don’t list L34 anywhere, at all, in the 1965 model year totals.
So, apples and oranges.
It’s like when someone knew someone at GM who was able to order them a 1986 IROC with a Corvette 350. 99 out of 100 of these stories are baloney. I’d definitely want to see documentation and of course the block numbers and codes.
Too far gone to waste time restoring, I’d go restmod 100%. It would definitely be a one of one after that. Full on low rider style.
Too expensive for a restomod too. Patient shoppers can pick up rebuildable cores for cheap and good running performance takeouts at bargain prices compared to build costs. Like you said it’s too far gone to justify anywhere close to the asking price.
Steve R
I don’t see any exhaust pipes… should be dual.
another flipper with quite a yarn about this impala. where are all the casting numbers to back up the claim. bought cheap in Oklahoma now trying to double the money. it will cost at least 50k+ to bring it back.
’65 Impala SS with a big block is the ideal muscle car to me. Chev nailed it, that year.
Way overpriced. I have a ’65 Impala SS, 327/300, 4 speed that I paid $4000 years ago and had it restored. I spent more on it than it is worth now, but an Impala just doesn’t have the value of a Chevelle, Camaro, or Nova from the same year models.
Unless you love the build process and you can do all of the work yourself, you’re always way ahead money wise buying one that’s done. Let the guy before you take the loss off time and money
I see no where in the ad that it uses the term L34. I also don’t believe the L34 existed yet, and when it did, it was 350 HP, not 360. Definitely need to see some numbers to verify exactly what this thing is.
The ad says “396 CU IN / 360 HP”. A 396/360 was an L34, that was the option code for that engine. But again it was first available in a 66 Chevelle. (Then downgraded to 350 HP in 67 Chevelles.)
Definitely a great start and looks pretty solid.
Why oh why would someone be pushing a mid-rage HP motor….and not the high HP or lower HP…..just funny stuff………
Ford is notorious for building things without acknowledging them. Don’t think GM is immune to that issue.
Save the drivetrain, off to the crusher with the rest.