Here’s yet another 1965 Chevrolet Impala two-door hardtop. I could bore you with statistics about how many were made, by model or trim line, etc. but that’s been covered here many times before. It’s safe to say that the bowtie assembled a gigantic number of full-size B-bodies in ’65 – it was an all-new design and well-styled. And there’s no denying the huge number that still exists – they turn up on Barn Finds all of the time. So, what’s special about this example? Probably not much, it may be an exercise in what not to do when selling a car more than the car itself. Please follow along and we’ll see, this Impala is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico and is available, here on craigslist for $18! (It’s probably supposed to be $18,000). Thanks to Larry D for this tip!
The first faux pax is under the hood. There is no under the hood image. We are told that a 283 CI V8 engine originally powered this Chevy so that would mean either a 195 HP version or the optional 220 HP variant that was made available at mid-year. It now has, what else, but a 350 CI V8 of unknown provenance, an engine that has been in continual production since 1967. Not exactly a ringing endorsement, it is claimed, “runs and drives“. It was originally a three-on-the-tree manually shifted car but has been converted to an automatic transmission and is still column shifted. What kind of an automatic gearbox is unstated.
The interior is a bucket seat/center console environment, standard equipment on an Impala SS, but this Impala doesn’t have SS badging. The VIN would set the story straight but it’s not offered. Digging further, the console appears as if the gateway for the shifter has been eliminated and there was a “shifterless” center console available in ’65 for a car just so equipped, an SS model with a three-on-the-tree setup. If that’s what this console is, it’s a rare piece, I have only seen two others and one was featured here. Anyway, the good? The seats and upholstery panels are in fantastic condition – they have to be redo’s. The not-so-good? The seller states, “some rust in the cab” which I take to mean the floors – they’re exposed, no carpeting, but a clear enough view is not provided.
The exterior, finished in what looks like Artesian Turquoise, shows pretty well. The paint is starting to peel off of the roof and the trunk lid, but what’s still there is OK. A lot of the trim is missing but there is no visual evidence of body panel rust, and boy, this Vintage B-body will rust given the right climatic conditions. I’d rate the chrome as being pretty fair.
Alright, faux pax number two, the seller states, “won’t answer a million questions“. Ok, how about three or four hundred thousand, would that be OK? Look, no one wants to get pestered to death with endless questions but when a listing is this laconic and sparse, and no engine image – arguably the most important part of the car, you’re going to get questions – deal with it. Especially with an $18, er, ah $18K ask for a car that doesn’t seem like an $18K car. So, would you ask questions, not a million of course, or just be inclined to take a pass and move along?
The seller mentions the number “350” while talking about the transmission, so I will assume it is a turbo 350 transmission.
If it is a factory 3 on the tree SS, that is a really rare car!
The way it’s worded, “an automatic with a 350”, I think he means a 350 CI engine.
JO
I went back after I saw your comment and looked at the ad again…I think you might be right. My fault.
Craigslist picture shows the clutch pedal missing, Break pedal is from A 3 pedal set up
Given its current state, I doubt much on this car is from production. steering columns/consoles are a common swap, and I’d be surprised if this one left the factory as is. At first I thought it had a fresh repaint, just missing some trim. Given the peeling paint, I would take it down to bare metal & start over. Nice new re-pop door panels/seat covers, so that’s in its favor, but not alot else. disappointing to hear of the 350; and no telling what shape that’s in. It would take a devoted `65 fan to say if it’s worth $18K; it’s only worth what someone is willing to pay. Me, I’d keep shoppin’.
Potentially a really cool car in those colors, and with that really unusual three in the tree, with buckets and console setup. Then you read the ad… Gee, I sure hope nobody inconveniences you by trying to buy your car. But for “18k” why would anyone have questions?? Sheesh…
He can keep it!
I am the proud owner of a 1965 Impala 4-door hardtop with a 283 and Powerglide, with 83,000 miles on it. All body panels are straight, having never needed rust or collision repair. I bought it in NC in 2008 (and drove it home to eastern Ontario, Canada) from a 55-year-old woman who was retired, and she bought it in 1989 from the elderly school teacher who bought it new. When the second owner bought it, she took it to a good body shop for a quality respray in the original Mist Blue Metallic, and that respray has held up well over the past 22 years. Except for incorrect wheel covers (the ones on it are for a ’66) it looks nearly new from more than 20 feet away. That said, Hagerty values it at only $8200.
I know that the 2-door hardtop body style is more desirable, and thus, worth more on the collector’s market in similar condition. Nevertheless, I’m pretty sure this car has to be at least numbers-matching to be worth more than mine, especially with the rough paint and missing trim. Now, correct me if I’m wrong, and I’m sure someone here will do so promptly, but I don’t think the car featured here is an SS as advertised. If it were, wouldn’t the trim strip across the rear end above the bumper be black?
The dash is an SS dash, and the black paint on the rear trim panel could just be worn away. It’s also a fact AC dash.
I was under the impression that there would be an “SS” badge somewhere close to the glove compartment, door panels and steering wheel center. Hopefully he won’t get mad when a potential buyer asks for the VIN! Nice, solid looking ’65 (best looking ’60’s Impala IMO).
Based on the wording of the listing, I think the only question that won’t make this seller mad is, “When can I come over and give you $18,000 cash?”