Chevrolet introduced the mid-size Chevelle in 1964 to compete with the Ford Fairlane that had been resized in 1962. It joined the other GM divisions (except Cadillac) that had rolled out their own A-body entries. The Super Sport was offered as an option on the Malibu and was available with any inline-6 or V8 available in the Chevelle (before the SS 396 became a series in 1966). The seller has a 1965 Malibu SS project and it may not be complete (per the photos), but it is said to be numbers-matching. Located in Lexington, Kentucky, this primer grey Chevy is offered here on craigslist for $11,850. Let’s give Tony Primo an attaboy for another cool tip.
Because the Chevelle was all new in 1964, changes to the 1965 editions were cosmetic and minor (grille and taillights). The Super Sport option set you back just $162 and got you special SS trim, wheel covers from the Impala SS, bucket seats with a console, and an SS gauge package. The 283 cubic inch V8, like the one in the seller’s car, was the first 8-cylinder on the list (with a 2 or 4-barrel carburetor; we don’t know which applies to this Chevelle). At 69,000 miles, this SS has a 3-speed automatic (wouldn’t a 2-speed Powerglide have been the only one offered with a 283?).
Both the Chevelle and the Malibu SS were hot properties in 1965. 378,619 Chevelles left the factory, of which 64,352 were Super Sports with V8 power (coupes). We don’t know when the seller acquired this Chevy, but we’re told it’s been a garage dweller on his/her watch. Whatever bodywork was needed seems to have been completed with “a lot” spent by the seller. We see no glass, so perhaps it’s somewhere in that garage, along with all the interior pieces that we don’t see either.
Perhaps the time has come for someone else to take the bull by the horns and finish this project. The seller does not refer to this Chevelle’s mechanical health, so you should factor that into your decision to bring this car back to life. While you see a fair number of 1966-72 Chevelle SS cars around today, the 1964-65s are more elusive.
My first car was a 65 Mailibu 327, 4spd. I rebuilt the motor and I loved that car. This car definitely takes me back.
Seems a lot of money for a 283 Chevelle that needs so much.
A lot of money here but I do see new floors/sheetmetal work done. Not sure but the valve covers do not look stock with a breather cap like that. and yes a powerglide trans would be an automatic that year unless someone did a swap to a turbo 350 and even an engine swap years ago , and that is were a undercarraige inspection would be needed. 8k to 9k tops for the price.
not really seeing all the money spent. body in primer and you don’t know what’s under it. today’s market i would not spend more than 4500 for it. it needs at least another 30k dumped in it. that was a brutal 69000 miles put on it. good luck with that
Nice shell. A bit pricey.