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 in 2009, has a
correct 283ci V8 and it wears a respray in a factory correct
beautiful gold. I give you the inspiration for this memory, the
Chevy Malibu SS, right here on the east coast at Classic Auto
Mall
Exterior
Keeping with the original exterior color during the restoration,
this car is wearing a very nice application of trim tag matching
Sierra Tan in base/clear form. Some chips and inclusions are noted
but otherwise nothing remarkable. A nicely anodized, not painted,
original horizontal ribbed grille with a blue bowtie badge in the
center has dual headlights and a shiny bumper below. As we work our
way rearward, good gaps and britework are noted throughout. This
car is badged with the Chevrolet crossed flags and 283 designation
along with the Malibu SS badges on the rear quarters. An expansive
Sierra Gold Roof is highlighted by chrome trim around the crystal
clear glass. Bringing up the tail end are simple tail lights with
chrome embellishments along with more trim and block CHEVROLET
letters across the tail panel. 15-inch polished chrome Cragar
wheels are on all 4 corners and are wrapped with 205/60R15's and
225/60R15 BF Goodrich Radial TA 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 medium
saddle vinyl panels with a body colored gold steel upper section.
These panels have the window cranks as well as a saddle vinyl
covered pull/armrest and some chrome delineationtrimmings. Inside
we see the medium saddle vinyl low back bucket seats with some
chrome trimmings on the sides and tan seat belts. These buckets and
the sprawling bench in the rear all present as nearly new. A
stylish thin center console runs through the buckets and houses the
chrome Hurst shift lever. Dark saddle carpeting surrounds the seats
and console and is very clean. Fronting the dash is an original
drilled 2 spoke gold plastic 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 within the tachometer to the
right. A factory clock is in the center. Original pull knobs
function perfectly, and the original AM radio is in its factory
location. A clean and crack free light saddle padded topper covers
the dash and above all of this is a clean tight medium saddle
headliner.
Drivetrain
A big, bold, and beautiful bored .030 over 283ci orange/red blocked
mill is resting nicely within the restored engine bay. The engine
is circa 1965 and based on the casting number, casting date, and
stamping code, this very well may be theoriginal engine. It is now
topped with an Edelbrock aluminum intake, and an Edelbrock 4-barrel
carburetor. Also, on back a Saginaw 4-speed manual circa 1974 that
replaces the original Powerglide transmission for just a bit more
excitement. Putting power to the ground is a correct and original
10-bolt axle with a 3.08 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 but nothing detrimental at
all. Independent coil spring suspension is on the front and for the
rear a 4-link system with coil springs provide the ride. Power disc
brakes are for the front and power drums are on the rear, as is
power steering, and headers with dual glasspack 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 wonderful exhaust note.
A good example of the '65 Malibu SS with a few upgrades on the
performance front, remaining true to its trim tag, a full gauge
package, 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'.
138375B178750
1-Chevrolet
38-Malibu SS V8
37-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
5-1965
B-Baltimore, MD Assy Plant
178750-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
07C-3rd Week July
ST 65 13837-1965 Malibu SS 2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
BDY BAL110381-Baltimore Body #
TR 710-Medium Saddle Imitation Leather Buckets
PNT SS-Sierra Tan
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 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.
