Vehicle Description
1965 Chevrolet Malibu Chevelle Convertible
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
convertible 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. Top down, tickling the accelerator,
headed north from Big Sur, does life get any better? I answer
adamantly YES! Especially when said Chevelle was fully restored,
has a transplanted in 350ci V8, comes with power steering, a new
top, a rebuilt TH350 automatic, and it wears a respray in a
beautiful shade of Artesian Turquoise. I give you the inspiration
for this memory, the Chevy Malibu, right here on the east coast at
Classic Auto Mall
Exterior
A respray was done during the restoration leaving this Malibu
wearing a very close to factoryhue of Artesian Turquoise. Some
chips and areas of light body filler are noted but otherwise there
is nothing remarkable on this rust free Texas example. A nicely
restored horizontal ribbed grille with Chevy bowtie badge in the
center has dual headlights and a shiny bumper below. As we work our
way rearward, good gaps are noted throughout and up high over the
passengers is a new black canvas convertible top. This top comes
with a clean and clear plastic rear window and is power actuated so
you can let the sun shine in with the flip of a switch. This car
has been shaved of allbrightwork on the sides but does still show
with the Malibu Chevelle badges on the rear quarters. Out backis
another mirror-like rear bumper with small square tail lights
hovering above and some fancy stainless brightwork dressing the
trunk lid. 15" deep dish Chevrolet rally wheels with polished trim
rings on all 4 corners and are wrapped with deeply treaded
staggered width blackwall rubber all around.
Interior
A swing of the doors and we greet 1960s styling with a white vinyl
panel with a body colored turquoise steel upper section and black
carpet below. This panel has the door actuators and window cranks
as well as a white vinyl covered pull/armrest within a chrome
bezel. Inside we see the white vinyl low back bucket seats with
some chrome trimmings on the sides and black seat belts. Black
carpeting is surrounding the seats and is very clean. In back is a
white vinyl bench with some armrests built into the sides. Fronting
the dash is an original black rimmed steering wheel with its bowtie
logoed 3 spoke center. The inverted V style aluminum dash drips of
60' bowtie styling and 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 fronts the steering wheel. Also, a clock is
in the center of this cluster. The original pull knobs function
perfectly and the original AM radio is in its factory location. A
shout out to the trunk with clean speckle paint and gray plaid
vinyl liner.
Drivetrain
Inside the fully restored engine bay is a 350ci engine in V8 form.
This nicely painted orange/red block is now topped with an
Edelbrock intake and 4-barrel carburetor. Also, on the back is a
rebuilt TH350 3-speed automatic transmission sending power back to
a 10 bolt rear axle. All is very nicely done under this hood with a
big shout to the chrome dress up on the valve covers and air
cleaner lid along with the new aluminum radiator to keep the
temperature in check.
Undercarriage
A slightly patinedblack/gray finish coats the frame which provides
the foundation for the clean floor pans and rocker. Only very minor
surface rust is noted on a few areas of the floors and suspension.
Independent coil spring suspension is on the front and for the rear
a 4-link system with coil springs provide the ride. Drum brakes are
on all 4 corners and we see power steering with a new pump. Headers
with dual Turbo mufflers make up the dual exhaust which 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 save for the clock, radio and heater
blower all not functioning as designed. I enjoyed the top down
cruise so much I took an extra 3 laps around the track just to soak
in that muscle car sound and throaty idle.
A good example of the '65 Malibu Chevelle convertible with a few
upgrades on the performance front, 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'.
135675K170502
1-Chevrolet
35-Malibu I6
67-Convertible
5-1965
K-Kansas City, MO Assy Plant
170502-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
03D-4th Week March
ST 65 13567-1965 Malibu Convertible
BODY KAN1915-Kansas City Body #
TR 743-Medium Turquoise Vinyl Bench
PAINT K1-Artesian Turquoise, White Top
D-Power Top
2M-Powerglide Auto
S=Rear Antenna
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.
