1965 Chevrolet Chevelle 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 Chevelle was restored in 2012, has a transplanted in 396ci V8 and it wears a respray in a beautiful shade of red. 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 Mist Blue the car is now sprayed in the deep end of the pool Viper Red paint. Some chips and touched up scratches are noted but otherwise nothing remarkable. A nicely restored horizontal ribbed grille with Chevy 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 396 Turbo Jet designation, along with the Malibu SS badges on the rear quarters. 15" deep dish Chevrolet rally wheels with polished trim rings on all 4 corners and are wrapped with 245/60R14 redline rubber all around.

Interior
A swing of the doors and we greet 1960s styling with a black vinyl panel with a body colored red steel upper section. This panel has the door actuators 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. A stylish thin center console runs through the buckets and houses the chromed 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 red plastic rimmed steering wheel with its bowtie logoed 2 spoke chrome trim and half round horn ring. 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 clock is in the center. Original pull knobs function perfectly, and the original AM radio is in it's factory location. A note about the radio, while the original unit does not work, an aftermarket AM/FM/CD player has cleverly been hidden in the glovebox to sate your listening needs. Mounted below the dash is a trio of Mooneyes gauges to monitor all engine vitals. Above all of this is a clean black headliner showing only minor wrinkling.

Drivetrain
Inside the fully restored engine bay is a circa 1969 396ci in V8 form. Nice orange/red block is now topped with an Edelbrock intake and 4bbl carburetor. Also, on back is the Muncie M20 4-speed transmission sending power back to a 12-bolt axle with a 3.31 gear ratio courtesy of a 1967 Chevelle. All is very nicely done under this hood with a big shout out to the serpentine accessory belt drive system mounted to the front along with the black painted aluminum radiator to keep the temperature in check.

Undercarriage
A strong gray powder coated frame provides the foundation for the clean black 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. Power Kelsey Hayes disc brakes front and power drums on the rear, 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. I'm inclined to agree with our consignor that the mill makes more than the rated 375hp based on the sounds and seat of the pants dyno.

A good example of the '65 Malibu SS 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'.

VIN DECODE
138375A118730
1-Chevrolet
38-Maibu SS V8
37-2 Door Sport Coupe
5-1965
A-Atlanta, GA Assy Plant
118730-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG
01D-4th Week January Build
ST 65 13837-1965 Malibu SS 2 Door Sport Coupe
BDY ATL8392-Atlanta Body #5392
TR 714-Black Pattern Imitation Leather Buckets
PNT DD-Mist Blue
W-Tinted Windshield
2K-AC
L-4 Speed M20
P-Comfort & Convenience Group

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.