One Owner: 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu SS
1965 was the second year for the Chevelle and also for the Malibu SS as the Bow-Tie guys jumped into the mid-size muscle car wars. The Chevelle was a practical car that filled a gap between the full-size Biscayne/Bel Air/Impala and the compact Chevy II/Nova. The Malibu SS could be powered by most anything Chevrolet offered from mild to wild, including this ’65 edition that the seller describes as both restored and running as a one owner vehicle. It can be found in Hayward, California and here on craigslist for $30,000.
The Chevelle and later Malibu were produced by Chevy from 1964-78 on GM’s A-body platform that the other division’s intermediates also used. For the first two years, the Super Sport edition had a Malibu SS badge on the rear quarter panels; later, they would become simply the Chevelle SS. The $162 Super Sport package could be ordered on the upscale Malibu 2-door hardtop and convertible models and added special exterior brightwork and 14-inch full-disc wheel covers like those on the Impala SS.
Inside the passenger cabin of the SS, vinyl bucket-seats included a floor console for either a Muncie 4-speed-manual or a Powerglide 2-speed automatic transmission. The Malibu SS also came with a 4-gauge cluster in place of engine warning lights. Typical engine choices would be the 283 cubic-inch V8 with a 4-barrel carburetor rated at 220 hp or the Chevy 327 in either 250, 300 or 350 hp set-ups. Given the aftermarket valve covers and air cleaner on the seller’s car, we don’t know what engine for sure is under the hood and the seller doesn’t tell us.
What we are told is this Malibu SS has stayed in California with its original owner all its life. It’s been garage-kept since being full restored, but we don’t know how recently that work was. It’s a running car, but we don’t see it leaving the garage in any of the photos. It’s a beautiful machine with Artesian Turquoise paint that may have some marks on the left rear quarter by the SS badge. The seller’s ad says the car is a manual, but the pedals under the dash say it’s an automatic. The mileage on the odometer is reported as 42,800.
Chevrolet built 378,618 Chevelle’s for 1965, with 63,532 being V8 coupe models as the seller’s car appears to be. For verifying authenticity, a ‘65 Malibu SS can be identified by its VIN, where the 2nd and 3rd numbers should be “38” for an SS with a V-8. Hagerty pegs one of these cars to be worth $31,800 in Excellent condition, which may be close to the condition of the seller’s car. If we only knew for sure what is under the hood.
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Comments
Anyone else think this ad seems kinda fishy? Great looking car, though…
What makes you think that?
The firewall doesn’t look original and looks like the vin tag has been added. Inner fenderwells and heater cover weren’t painted body color. Nice looking Chevelle, but why no pics of the passenger side or underside for $30k?
The marks on the left rear quarter by the SS badge appear to match the color of the beltline pinstriping, so I’m guessing they are artistic flourishes.
Pretty nice looking car overall, depending on powertrain confirmation.
Based on the wheels, valve covers, air cleaner, “steel braid” hose coverings and firewall insert I’d say this was done in the mid to late-90’s.
There is no reason given in the ad to believe the mileage claim of that the original owner is still in possession of the car. That is the sort of thing flippers do. I live a few towns away from the seller, The weather in this area is mild so cars are driven year round, public transportation isn’t great, low mileage cars tend to belong to house wives and the elderly, those that didn’t need to drive every day.
The car looks nice, but unless documentation can be provided, it should stand or fall based on its condition, not the story in the ad.
Steve R
No 350HP 327 in ’64 Chevelles!
What about the 65’s, like this one?
350hp 327 introduced for the ’65 model year.
https://www.chevyhardcore.com/news/chevelle-engine-options-1965/
When the Chevelle was introduced for the ’64 model year 283 was only available V8; 327 in 250 or 300hp configs available from mid year on
Correct only 1737 1964 chevelle where made with the 300hp 327.
And I have a number matching one.
A lot to like here.
Upgraded master cylinder, disc brakes?
My Dad bought a 65 Malibu SS with 327 with camel humps on the heads , 2 speed automatic, bad machine
I bought and repainted a ’65 convertible in original red/white top/black interior. Cleaned up the 283″ engine compartment and lived with the Powerglide. Hardest and most expensive parts to find were the stock wheel covers. It saw a couple shows before it was sold. Another one I wish I could have kept!
A original L-79 65 Chevell would be twice the asking price of this car. Not many made.
Bought a new 65 non SS Malibu,2dr.hdtp. 327/300 hp, bench seat, 4 spd. AC,ps,pb. Honduras Maroon,tan interior. A really nice car. My then wife left it parked on busy street where a drunk hit and totaled it !
It’s a great looking Chevelle, a definite show and cruiser machine. Probably has a 350 in it, maybe even a turbo 350 transmission, one things for certain it’s not a manual by any means as advertised.
Not that its relevant to this car but just how many L79 powered Chevelles were built in ’65 anyways? That was as strong as it got for Chevelles in that year,,, unless of course you were fortunate enough to obtain a Z16, one of several hundred. Nice driver up there.
Printed guess of L-79 production is 6000
I don’t see how this is a barn find. A well-cared for $30,000 is hardly an undiscovered gem. Was it a slow day?
Love the car !!! Hate the after market Crager wheel. The original ss Hub caps are beautiful
I don’t mind the wheels much, but that engine compartment. What a mess!! I have a hard time believing that the original owner would have dorked it up like that. I’m calling BS on this one..
Last time I checked, doesn’t restored mean back to factory?
No…..
Where does it say restored? I read “original”….
Yes, Frank, I agree…and the ad does say “fully restored”.
Did anybody notice that the bucket seats are not original ?
Tear everything out of the engine bay and drop most of it in the trash. Hideous fake braided hose, gawdawful piece of tin screwed to the firewall, never liked those Edelbrock air cleaners and valve covers, body color paint on plastic parts…YUCK!
Why all the negative commits? Just like looking at a house and saying that is the wrong color for it. If we were all the same it would be one boring world. This is one nice 65 Chevelle and everybody should say that and not give such negative remarks.
Fake braided hoses? How can you tell? And I think the engine compartment looks lots better than some others I’ve seen here that are bragged on. As stated elsewhere, to each his (or her – God forbid I should be a male chauvinist.) own.
It’s easy to tell fake braided hose covering from real braided hose. For those that can’t, look at the fittings, they are a dead giveaway, fake coverings use worm clamps with a collar, real braided hoses use compression fittings which look completely different.
Steve R
The sellers add on Craigslist states automatic Not manual. Not sure where you got that from?
Nice car but 30 g’s ??
My father bought me a 65 chevelle for $575.00 It had 117000 miles on it.
It had a 327 motor with a Muncie 4 speed trans. Car ran great. I was the second owner. Sorry I ever sold that car. Orginal owner was a friend from
church. He used to tease me, he would say Ed I will leave you the car when
Jesus comes back. I would laugh and say gee, thanks Ron.