1965 Chevrolet Impala

Description

The 1965 Chevy Impala was longer, wider, and lower, and it paid off with bigger sales and one of the most handsome full-sized performance cars of the era. This bright red hardtop brings all the goodies to the party, including a freshly rebuilt V8, eye-searing red paint, and a gorgeous interior that epitomizes luxury in the mid-60s.

The paint on this big Imp was done a few years ago, but that only helps with the honest look. A big part of the equation is the straight bodywork, which reflects light like a mirror. Getting a car this big to look this good is no easy task, so the guys who did the work were clearly professionals with a ton of talent, and judging from the undercarriage, this was never a rusty car anyway. It's kind of nice to see that it hasn't been dressed up like a fake SS, and instead clings to its roots as Chevy's top-of-the-line coupe, a luxury machine that was at home anywhere it went. From the rear, Impalas are easy to recognize with their trademark triple taillights, and all the chrome is in good condition, with much of it having been restored at some point. Compare this sleek hardtop with one of the earlier Impalas in our inventory, and you'll really see how far the design evolved in '65.

The red and black theme continues inside with restored red seats, a bright red dash and steering wheel, and contrasting black floor mats. The cloth and vinyl upholstery is ornate and well-finished, showing only modest signs of use and age, the big back seat is spacious enough for at least three passengers. The steering wheel should look familiar to Impala fans and the symmetrical dashboard puts everything right in front of the driver. The original gauges remain largely as they were when it was new, with eyeball vents for the factory A/C and a cool clock right in the middle. The original radio remains in the dash, but there's an AM/FM stereo head unit hidden under the seat to preserve the original look. As you'd expect, the trunk is truly massive and includes a reproduction mat and a correct bias-ply spare tire tucked way up there in front where it belongs.

In 1965, the 327 cubic inch V8 was a very popular choice, offering a good balance of performance and economy. Rebuilt about 800 miles ago, the engine bay is highly detailed and almost completely stock, from the air cleaner to the Chevy Orange paint on the block. The block itself was in such good condition that it didn't need anything more than a light hone to be back in spec, and the rotating assembly was balanced for extra smoothness. Proper decals and reproduction hoses make it look very OEM, and the A/C was converted to R134a refrigerant for easy servicing in the future. A 2-speed PowerGlide automatic transmission was the usual choice behind the small block V8 and it powers a 12-bolt rear that was required equipment with a big cruiser like this. As I mentioned, the underside is really quite tidy for an original car, and the newer dual exhaust system sounds suitably muscular without being too loud. Stock wheels with full wheel covers and 205/75/14 whitewalls complete the factory stock look.

Restrained yet fun to drive, this pretty Impala delivers on the promise of full-sized Chevy performance. Call today.