1965 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu

Description

Is "tasteful custom" an oxymoron? Not when you're looking at this sleek 1965 Chevrolet Malibu. Instead of over-the-top graphics and flash, this two-tone hardtop goes for a more sophisticated look that neatly updates the Malibu's look. It also includes an inviting interior and plenty of horsepower, so it's more than just a pretty face.

In truth, this car really isn't radical, it's simply refined. The Malibu's sheetmetal seems to lend itself perfectly to the two-tone treatment, with a neat break point along the creased edge of the fenders and quarter panels. The silver and white paint scheme has a timeless look that updates the Malibu's shape without diluting its basic goodness. A cool custom hood was added just to make it more interesting, but otherwise it's pretty much the way the factory did it. Of course, the badges were shaved save for the crossed-flags emblem on the front fenders, but other details like the bright insert on the trunk lid and big chrome bumpers remain in place and in excellent condition. The paint is in good condition and the workmanship is impressive, with good gaps all around and a great shine on the Malibu's flat surfaces.

The interior got a pretty serious makeover that doesn't even pretend that it's 1965 anymore. Sculpted black leather buckets grab you and hold you in place, and flank a custom center console. The door panels are reproductions that look fairly new and the carpets were replaced during the build. Factory instruments work with a Sun tachometer neatly nestled into the dashboard, all surrounded by a billet steering wheel on a modern tilt column. As a result, settling in behind the wheel of this car feels quite modern. A trio of auxiliary gauges were built into the dash where the original AM radio used to live, but that's OK because it's been supplanted by an AM/FM/CD stereo head unit that's beautifully built into the center console. That console also houses a Hurst shifter with cue ball knob for the 4-speed manual transmission, making this car a blast to drive. The back seat is stock and the trunk is big enough for a long road trip and fully finished with more black carpet.

The badges on the fenders say '327,' but it's actually a 350 cubic inch V8 living under the hood today. The bright red engine practically glows inside the silver engine bay, and with a few well-chosen chrome dress-up parts, it still shows quite well. Practical upgrades include a serpentine belt system for the accessories and a big aluminum radiator, and most of the wiring has been hidden out of sight behind the wheel wells for a smooth look. An Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor and Performer intake manifold handle the induction duties, while a set of long-tube headers pour into a custom dual exhaust system with Flowmaster mufflers. The 4-speed transmission will feel familiar to anyone who's driven a vintage Chevy and there's a sturdy 10-bolt rear end hanging on coils out back. The suspension isn't aggressively modified, so it rides well and doesn't beat you up on long drives, and the Weld Pro-Star wheels carry right-sized 215/60/15 blackwalls for a low-key look.

A very usable custom with a timeless look, this cool Malibu puts a slightly different spin on one of the world's favorite muscle cars. Call today!