With summer on our doorstep, the thoughts of many enthusiasts will turn to hitting the road for a spot of classic motoring fun. However, that doesn’t mean that we can’t plan for the moment when winter once again shows its face. Therefore, this 1965 Chevrolet Impala SS Convertible is worth a close look. It requires a restoration to recapture its former good looks, but with no urgent needs, they could wait until the new owner has enjoyed all that the Impala currently offers. The seller has listed this cool Convertible here on eBay in Somerville, Tennessee. They set their BIN at $29,999 with the option to make an offer.
There must have been something in the air during the 1960s, because the decade delivered some unprecedented motoring success stories. It witnessed the rise of pony and muscle cars, while Chevrolet’s Fourth Generation Impala sold in record numbers upon its 1965 release. Buyers embraced the crisp, modern styling, while the company offered a vast array of engines and other options, allowing customers to personalize their new purchase to an impressive degree. This first-year Convertible is a genuine SS, ordered by its first owner in Regal Red with a White power top. The seller confirms that a previous owner treated it to a cosmetic refresh in its original color in 1987, but its current appearance confirms it is begging for a repeat performance. The paint is tired, and although the soft-top is complete, it requires new fabric and some work on the switches and the mechanism. Scrolling through the listing images reveals rust in the hood, lower door corners, and front fenders. However, the underside shots confirm that this gem is surprisingly solid. The seller admits to patching a couple of spots in the trunk pan, but there are no further issues requiring attention. The trim and glass look acceptable for a driver-grade restoration, and the wheels wear seemingly flawless spinner wheel covers.
Chevrolet offered ’65 Impala buyers an impressive assortment of engines to power their new purchase. Lifting this classic’s hood reveals a 327ci V8, producing a factory-quoted 250hp and 350 ft/lbs of torque. The first owner paired the V8 with a two-speed Powerglide transmission and added power steering for an effortless driving experience. It is fair to say that this wasn’t the most potent SS to roll off the line in 1965, but it should acquit itself well under all circumstances. The transmission and steering combination should make life in heavy traffic pretty relaxed, while the V8 should allow it to bowl along the open road at 70mph without raising a sweat. The impression conveyed in the listing is that this Convertible is a turnkey proposition. The seller’s embedded video features the 327 running. It sounds crisp and clean, with no evidence of rattles or other unwelcome noises.
Trimmed in Red vinyl, this Impala’s bucket seats, console, AM radio, and two-spoke sports wheel would have guaranteed that the car turned heads in its prime. A previous owner fitted a high-end Marantz “Gold Series” radio/cassette player in the 1970s, but the seller includes the factory radio, allowing the buyer to reverse that change. I would describe this interior as serviceable, but it is begging for a refresh. The seatcovers are split, the stereo installation included cutting the door trims for speakers, and the carpet is tired. Sadly, the wheel has cracked in a couple of spots, and finding a genuine replacement may prove challenging. Otherwise, trim kits are available to return the interior to a pristine state, and installing one should allow it to present beautifully for many decades if treated respectfully.
The originality of this 1965 Chevrolet Impala SS Convertible and its lack of significant rust make it a prime candidate for a faithful restoration. That approach would potentially maximize the future return on the buyer’s investment. That brings us to the seller’s BIN and whether it is justified. It is borderline when you consider what it might cost the buyer to restore the vehicle to a high level. However, with values climbing steadily, that approach could make the Impala an excellent long-term investment if treated to the TLC it deserves. It has generated plenty of interest, suggesting that there are enthusiasts who view the SS as an excellent project candidate. Do you share those feelings?
My mother in law, who is gone about 8 years now, had a ’65 Impala (non SS) drop top in this color. I remember her laughing and telling me about how she’d blast Tom Jones What’s New Pussycat with the top down. ’65 and ’66 will always be a favorite with me especially becausr of my Grandpas ’66 Impala SS with a 396. I agree with Adam, this will make a great restoration candidate. Thanks Adam for the nice memory of a great woman and the smile.
I bet your mother in-law was the first woman to throw her panties at Tom Jones.
True story ~ years ago my wife and sisters in laws went to see Tom Jones and my wife went on stage to wipe Tom’s forehead with a handkerchief. When she arrived home she showed my brother the handkerchief and told him the story. My brother grabbed the handkerchief and blew his nose in it. That was an unforgettable moment. Today we laugh at the memory.
It’s not unusual to be loved by anyone. It’s not unusual to have fun with anyone.
I M O – 30k for a 2nd owner project car with PG, needs body rust repair, paint, rear bumper repress, top, glass rear window, upholstery and who knows whatever else is 7500 tops and that’s being generous in my opinion. JMO
Well worn, but not worn out. Many items to address.
That ‘original’ radio is a dealer installed Motorola. Too bad they cut speakers in to the doors.
That trunk repair was the cheapest way to ‘fix’ the rust. How about leaving it alone and let the next owner deal with it the way they want to, Mr. Flipper?
The under hood chrome is not impressive with its Auto Zone shine – please find a factory replacement so we can believe the lie…
Throughout my life I have owned 4 Impala Super Sports. I had two 1965s, a 1966 and a 1968. My two 65s and my 66 all had machined aluminum dash trim. This one appears to have woodgrain dash trim. Also the steering wheel appears to be aftermarket or from another car. All in all this would make a nice car but not sure on the price point.
Pictures people, many in the shadows. Plenty of bubbles and interior issues. I love these cars. Seems like a lot of money for this car
Even if this was well-presented, the price is probably too high in 2026.
I have to agree with you on that perspective. To start with today the price is way too high. Secondly we have no idea how much it will cost to get this convertible back in the condition it deserves. And my last thought is from everything I’ve read and heard prices will drop like a rock before long.
Just wishful thinking. Values aren’t going down.
Checks out on the cowl tag as a genuine SS with correct colors/trim… so for once it’s not the usual “resale red” we see so often. With the rust-through spots, bubbling paint and “repaired” trunk pan there’s probably more cancer to be found.
It’s very restorable, but 30K is a lofty ask for a car that needs a lot of work.
In 73 my brother had a 65 ss 327 4 sp he was putting a clutch in it and he told me to hit the key well I did a little to much I don’t no what happen but a piece of the bell housing broke off and went through the concrete inches by his face he was so mad he junked the car.
Every toolbag with a worn out car thinks its worth 30K.
I had a shot at a fully restored 63 Charger SE 440/727 4 33K.
Wonder who this cat buys his weed from. Strong stuff.
Its a 5K piece in present condition and thats a gift.
Couch taters do a bong and watch Mecum on TV and get all wet, thinking that all kinds of people pay all kinds of money for all kinds of car crap. So they try selling the heap for what a pristine big block might go for.
No harm no foul, since nobody is going to pay anywhere close to the ask here. Even your price of $5k is stretching it nowadays, as most hobbyists just want a well-presented driver to go to cars and coffee.
Almost nobody is “fixing up cars” anymore. Even ones like this, with solid bones but all kinds of other issues. No time, no money, no place to do it, and no apettite for it in 2026.
This is way overpriced. I have a totally restored ’65 SS coupe, 327/300, 4 speed, 12 bolt, positraction, matching numbers, white/white, Coker red stripe tires, that I would be ecstatic to get $35,000 – $40,000 for.
solid 10-15k convert. start at 40k+ if you redo it.
Anyone that thinks they can buy a 1960’s to early ’70’s convertible for less than 15k needs a dose of reality. Yes, this car is not worth the buy it now price. But for all those commentating, do you own a convertible? Especially a sought after one like a 1965 SS? Hell, most of you weren’t probably born yet. Armchair critics. By the way, I own both a 1966 Ford Galaxy 500 390 cid convertible and a 1972 Ford LTD convertible. And as for this era Chevies, I own a 1966 Impala 283 coupe, a 1966 Impala 396 4dr sedan, and a 1966 4dr Caprice 283 hardtop.
Nothing I can add about that price!
1964, it seems to me , was the last year for full size Chevs to have a drastic change in appearance.
Back in the day when you waited for the new models to come out.
I mean , think of the body styles from ‘56 , ‘57’ ‘58 , ‘59 ‘ then up to ‘64.
After that , from ‘65 to ‘ 70 and even beyond, not much difference really.
‘65’s were nice enough, but I’d go for the ‘64 model any day, the last true automotive art form for Chevy.
The seller will own this car for a long, long time unless he gets the price down to about $12,000. Bad shape with all the wrong options.
People in Hell want ice water
Jesse, asking prices are still holding up. Sellers haven’t gotten the email.
Car after car on ebay are not making anything near the reserve or BIN price.
The auctions created the false concept that hobbyist cars are investment class assets, based on top tier muscle prices. They’re not.
The cars guys are aging, not buying anymore, and going into forced liquidation situations.
Younger guys now live in subdivisions with garages full of everything but cars.
Country boys want 4 wheel drive everything. They’ll consider a jacked up mudder truck long before a muscle car.
The property needed to work on cars is rapidly deteriorating as the owners age and fail to maintain it. So younger guys and their wives want no part of it and the endless punch list of problems. As well, in a lot of places, the property taxes soar if a sale takes place, as senior discounts expire at sale.
Younger guys never used a torch. Never welded anything. Have no clue how to turn on a lathe or paint with a gun.
The buyer pool is drying up very quickly.
The exception is for decently presented drivers, which do get offers. Guys buy them for a price that they think they can get back in 5 years, drive them to cars and coffee and cruises, and don’t want any hassles.
Prices have already crashed for prewar, and 1950s stuff, as interested buyers are too old to act.
Muscle prices are next. Theyre already soft. This is reflected in the actual bid prices on ebay.
The “cars as investment” is now over, with the exception of extreme rarity. The hemi cuda convertibles and similar. Those are now art, and the owners are mega-millionaires, many with “museums” for tax purposes.
The demographic winds are blowing hard on the auction-era prices.
Again, wishful thinking. Most sellers do want more than their cars are worth but that doesn’t mean the actual selling prices are going down. I’ve been watching the market everyday for the past 15 years and I’m not seeing the slowdown that a few of you claim is happening. Sure, prices have corrected since COVID but muscle cars are not crashing and the buyer pool hasn’t dried up. I know we all want to finally be able to buy our dream car for next to nothing but that’s not going to happen. If you can’t afford the car you like, you should either figure out how to make more money or change the type of car you like. Everyone likes the same 10 cars but there’s a ton of underrated and affordable options out there.