Vehicle Description
1965 Chevrolet Malibu SS
The storied Chevelle is one of those timeless designs that looks
good no matter how it's built. Stock, modified, race, pro-touring,
whatever; the clean lines and balanced stance on these tough
classics create a confident swagger that's universally admired.
That means, if you're looking to ride in style, you really can't go
wrong with a Chevrolet A-Body. Plus, when you factor in this ride's
drivetrain, tastefully restored interior and first rate,
all-American sheet metal, you get the picturesque profile of an
incredible muscle car!
Looking at this interesting version of the 1965 Chevrolet Malibu SS
I have shades of the Pacific Coast Highway, driving across the
Bixby Bridge, heading to point Lobos to do some Ansel Adams-esque
image capturing. Windows down, tickling the accelerator, headed
north from Big Sur, does life get any better? I answer adamantly
YES! Especially when said Malibu has been restored, has a 327ci V8
and it wears a respray in a beautiful deep black. I give you the
inspiration for this memory, the Chevy Malibu, right here on the
east coast at Classic Auto Mall
Exterior
A color change was done during the restoration, while originally
wearing Sierra Tan, the car is now sprayed in the deep end of the
pool menacing black paint. Some chips and inclusions are noted but
otherwise nothing remarkable. A nicely anodized, not painted,
original horizontal ribbed grille with Chevy badge in the center
has dual headlights and a shiny bumper below along with optional
bumper guards. As we work our way rearward, good gaps and britework
are noted throughout. This car is badged with the Chevrolet crossed
flags and 327 Turbo Jet designation, along with the Malibu SS
badges on the rear quarters. Wrapping the roof is a flawless black
vinyl top highlighted by chrome trim at its borders and around the
crystal clear glass. Bringing up the tail end are simple taillights
with chrome embellishments along with more trim and block CHEVROLET
letters across the tail panel. 15" American Racing Torque Thrust
wheels with polished lips on all 4 corners and are wrapped with
215/70R15 redline rubber all around. A shout out to the well done
trunk with its gray and black vinyl mat, full size spare tire and
jack assembly.
Interior
A swing of the doors and we greet 1960s styling with a black vinyl
panel with a body colored black steel upper section. This panel has
the power window actuator switches and window cranks as well as a
black vinyl covered pull/armrest and a bowtie within a bowtie
emblem. Inside we see the black vinyl low back bucket seats with
some chrome trimmings on the sides and black seat belts with the
driver's seat being power actuated. A split seam is showing on the
driver's lower cushion but all else seating wise is flawless. A
stylish thin center console runs through the buckets and houses the
chrome Hurst shift lever. Black carpeting surrounds the seats and
console and is very clean. In back is a black vinyl bench with some
armrests built into the sides. Fronting the dash is an original
drilled 2 spoke deluxe wood rimmed steering wheel. The inverted V
style aluminum dash drips of 60' bowtie styling, the original
center gauge cluster, which is flanked by the speedo on wheel left,
and a temp, oil, fuel and amp cluster to wheel right. A factory
tachometer is in the center. Original pull knobs function
perfectly, and the original AM/FM radio is in its factory location.
Mounted below the dash is a trio of SW gauges to monitor all engine
vitals. Above all of this is a clean tight black headliner.
Drivetrain
A big, bold, and beautiful 327ci orange/red blocked mill is resting
nicely within the restored engine bay. The engine is circa 1967 but
can be considered period correct. It is now topped with an aluminum
intake, and a 4-barrel carburetor. Also, on back a M20 Muncie
4-speed circa 1969 that replaces the original Powerglide
transmission for just a bit more excitement. Putting power to the
ground is a 12-bolt axle with a 3.31 Positraction gear ratio. All
is very nicely done with painstaking attention to all details under
this hood.
Undercarriage
A strong black frame provides the foundation for the clean black
floor pans and rockers. Only very minor surface rust is noted on a
few areas of the floors and suspension; however, we note a section
of the seat support has been cut out in the driveshaft tunnel.
Independent coil spring suspension is on the front and for the rear
a 4-link system with coil springs and tubular control arms provide
the ride. Disc brakes are for the front and drums on the rear as is
power steering, and headers with dual Flowmaster mufflers can take
you down the road safely and loudly.
Drive-Ability
A quick starter and on the test track it performed nicely with
great acceleration and smooth shifting. All functions were working
just swimmingly on our drive, and I enjoyed this real deal SS so
much I took an extra 3 laps around the track just to soak in that
muscle car sound and lopey idle.
A good example of the '65 Malibu SS with a few upgrades on the
performance front, tons of factory options including power windows,
remote trunk release, a full gauge package, and power driver's
seat, very few flaws on the body and paint front, and nice chrome
and brightwork. The interior is very clean and inviting and the
engine is looking great and performs as such. I'm California
Dreamin'.
VIN DECODE
138375G118591
1-Chevrolet
38-Malibu SS V8
37-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
5-1965
G-Framingham, MA Assy Plant
118591-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
ST 65 13837-1965 Malibu SS 2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
BDY FRA4480-Framingham Body #
TR 714-Black Imitation Leather Buckets
PNT SS-Sierra Tan
2M-Powerglide
P-Comfort & Convenience Group
4P-Right Hand Exterior Mirror
5L-Bumper Guards
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
