1965 Chevrolet Impala SS

Description

Chevy's best-selling Impala got an all-new look in 1965, a bigger, bolder, sleeker car that was still unquestionably top-of-the-line. This subtle and restrained 1965 Chevrolet Impala SS offers a unique look, V8 power, and all the favorite features that make the Impala a perennial favorite, even today.

You probably already know that some of our favorite cars are those that stand out for being different, and while this SS is hardly radical, we like it every bit as much as its bright red and black siblings. It's code S Sierra Tan, which is gold to most of us, and that's this car's original color. It's been refinished and thanks to modern urethane paints, it has a depth and shine that just wasn't possible in 1965. As a result, the glistening gold color looks vivid and deep rather than ordinary, helping this car stand out without being too loud about it. Perfect it is not, but very presentable. The sleek semi-fastback Impala shape looks good no matter what color you paint it, but it's critical to get all the bodywork straight, because there's a lot of sheetmetal to work with. Fortunately, those giant quarters are in great shape, the gaps are quite good, and the whole car fits together well, indicating that someone invested plenty of time and money to make it look this good. A black vinyl top breaks up the tan wonderfully on this big body, giving it a more sophisticated look. Bright chrome sets off the gold paint rather well, and subtle 'Impala SS' emblems and 'Super Sport' script mean that this car has upgrades that make it a great cruiser.

In 1965, the Super Sport package still received standard bucket seats and a console, which give this conservative coupe a very sporting demeanor inside. Even better, it appears that the entire interior is original, strongly demonstrating just how well-maintained this car really is. The ornate upholstery is in great shape showing deeper details than most aftermarket seat covers and a bare minimum of wear. Sure, the bolster support wasn't great in the '60s, but who's going to complain when everything looks this good? The two-tone steering wheel is a pretty accent and frames the wide speedometer and symmetrical instrument panel. The SS's center console features a familiar shifter for the PowerGlide 2-speed automatic transmission and ornate clock, and a fully functional vacuum gauge is on the dash that's a lot of fun to watch when you're cruising. There's an aftermarket AM/FM/Cassette radio in the factory slot up top and yes, it works! The back seat looks almost new and if you want a massive trunk, few cars deliver more cubic feet than this big Imp and it's been finished with protective spatter paint.

The smooth-running, numbers matching 327 cubic inch V8 under the hood is plenty potent to make this Impala worthy of the SS moniker and a lot of fun to drive. For the most part, it's stock, but someone has added a Holley 4-barrel carburetor to add a bit of performance, an HEI ignition system, as well as that bright chrome Holley air cleaner. Ram's horn exhaust manifolds feed a burbling dual exhaust system with chambered mufflers that's exactly right for this semi-luxury coupe. The underside is original and in very good condition, with lightly undercoated floors that have nothing to hide. Newer shocks out back help with keeping things level and it's got highway-friendly gears in the 10-bolt rear end, making this an excellent long-distance cruiser. Staggered 225/45/18 front and 275/35/20 rear blackwall radials are wrapped around flashy Ridler chrome wheels to complete the killer look.

We love these big luxury/muscle coupes, and with a great color combination, lots of style, and V8 power, we're sure you'll love this one, too. Call today!