1965 Chevy Chevelle Malibu SS

It’s 1965 and things had begun to change. We were beginning to enter the muscle car era and while this Chevy Chevelle Malibu SS isn’t blessed with one of the biggest engines, its lighter body still means it packs a bit of a punch!

This Malibu has remained remarkably true to its original form. Keeping the configuration as it left the factory and the 283 V8 remains original when so many cars have ended up having a big block dropped in and the factory engine long gone.

Now in their second year, Chevelles received minor changes; an altered nose (with a more pronounced vee) and a new grille. The large rocker panel moldings were also unique to the Malibu SS cars.

Inside the SS cars enjoyed all-vinyl bucket seats, center console and special instrumentation (featuring; temperature, ammeter and oil pressure gauges) as standard.

The interior is code 741 – medium blue pattern imitation leather and one of our favorite combinations.

Both standard Chevelles and Super Sport models had exactly the same powertrain options meaning you do see some six cylinder SS cars. However, with the base V8, a 283 cubic inch, 195 horsepower Turbo-Fire costing just $53 extra, it was an obvious choice to get a V8 equipped car. Just 8,585 six-cylinder SS cars were sold compared to 72,527 with a V8.

This means a total of 81,112 Chevelle SS cars were sold for the 1965 model year with 64,532 V8 hardtops and 7,995 V8 convertibles.

The powerglide automatic transmission in this car would have cost an additional $199.

Another $86 was spent on power steering, $43 on power brakes and a massive $364 on air conditioning when the car was originally ordered.

If you wanted a Chevelle Malibu SS for 1965, prices started at $2,780 for the Sport Coupe and $3,040 for the convertible.

This ’65 Chevy Chevelle SS is currently for sale on eBay. (follow the link for lots more photos)