For Sale: 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle in Concord, North Carolina

You don't see many muscle cars look as slick as this 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu SS Tribute. Better yet, this one comes with a powerful 350 V8, a host of choice options, attention-grabbing Marina Blue paint, and an uber-comfortable and black bucket seat interior. In the early '60s, Chevy positioned Chevelle Malibus as the car that could do anything, and cars like this sporty 2-door hardtop draw a TON of admirers everywhere it goes.

A lot of these muscle cars are running around with modern colors on them, but we're big fans of the period-perfect Marina Blue this Chevelle wears. Perfect for the mid-1960s, it's a bit more low-key than most restomods we see on the streets today but contrasts nicely with the lowered stance and oversized rolling stock. The paint job is a few years old, but it's holding up reasonably well, offering a great shine and luster that's appropriate for a light blue color like this, and the good gaps and straight panels only help lift the curb appeal. There are a few blemishes and minor scratches here and there, which isn't surprising, but absolutely nothing will stop you from getting in this car and hitting the local cruise nights. And quite frankly, a cut-and-buff would easily eliminate most of these imperfections, kicking the overall driver-quality presentation back up a notch. The boxy and rather conservative looks of the '65 model have aged well, and this one has a timeless grace that will always be in fashion. You can still see the 'shoebox' underpinnings of old, although, with the long fenders, creased and bulging rear quarters, and a pillarless roof design, it's easy to see the beginnings of the full-blown Chevelle muscle car era styling of 1966-72. This brawler still exudes class and dignity, and with a nice rumble from the exhaust, it looks the part of a gentleman's express with a little added pop. There's minimal trim, although what is in place is in excellent condition, with nice chrome bumpers, a linear grille, wheel arch and rocker panel molding, and a set of shiny badges throughout.

The black vinyl interior is the right choice with the light blue bodywork, presenting a clean, welcoming overall look punctuated by a beautiful blend of new, aftermarket, and original components. Bucket seats make this big, comfortable car a lot sportier inside, yet there's still plenty of room for the whole family with the wide bench out back, and the vinyl upholstery looks great and shows minimal wear (if any). This wasn't a cheap restoration inside. The high quality of the upholstery speaks to that alone, and matching door panels, plush black carpets, and a taut headliner above show that nothing was overlooked in this build. The dash was painted to match the exterior, contrasted by gorgeous shiny, shiny metal that accents the glove box and makes up the gauge bezel. Inside that very bezel, you'll find a combination of original gauges, a Speedhut digital/analog speedometer, and a USB/AUX port. There's also an upgraded, retro-style AM/FM/AUX stereo in the factory slot, a duo of AutoGage auxiliary gauges, and a SunPro tachometer strapped to the steering column. R134a A/C blows cold through upgraded chrome vents in the dash, aftermarket speakers in the kick panels and package tray handle the tunes, and the sporty 3-spoke steering wheel at the helm is a welcomed addition that feels great in the hands of any driver. A B&M shifter splits the front seats and manages the automatic transmission below. Chevelle-scripted floormats protect the carpet, seatbelts up front protect the driver and passenger, and the spacious trunk out back shows off just how solid this Chevelle's sheet metal and pans are.

As a Code 36 Malibu V8, this A-Body is used to SBC power, although the 350 V8 under the hood today is an upgrade, and it's a welcome sight that fits inside the engine bay like it always belonged. Dressed like a factory piece with Chevy Orange on the block and finned valve covers, there are no surprises here, just a great-running Chevy small block that's been warmed over and well-maintained. The Edelbrock chrome air cleaner lives atop a Holley 4-barrel carburetor and Edelbrock intake manifold; there's an HEI ignition system to fire it all up, long-tube headers that help it breathe, and a thick radiator to keep everything nice and cool. A modern alternator, new plug wires, and those block-hugging headers ensure plenty of power without sacrificing its ability to be driven regularly. With power steering and power front disc brakes, it's easy to handle on modern roads. A TH350 3-speed automatic transmission shifts cleanly and delivers bulletproof reliability, while the 10-bolt rear end out back doesn't mind the added horsepower. Take a moment to examine the floors, which aren't overly detailed but certainly solid, and a big sway bar and coilovers up front and newer shocks all around help this muscle car handle like a dream. An X-pipe Pypes dual exhaust system gives it a great V8 voice but doesn't betray this car's low-key demeanor, and the low-slung stance is beautifully finished with flashy American Racing slotted alloys wrapped in 215/45/17 front and 235/50/17 rear BFGoodrich radials.

Just a tidy, no-nonsense Chevelle Malibu SS Tribute, albeit one with a great look and the hardware to back it up. Forget the later A-bodies. This one has the right look and plenty of performance. Call today!