Featured in this article is Chevrolet’s full sized 1965 Impala SS. The Chevy Impala was and is a popular automobile. The Chevy Impalas are some of the more classic Chevys of the 1960′s. The 65 Impala SS was the top of the line for this model and the Impala model with the most sporty look.
The Chevrolet Impala
The Chevy Impala was first introduced in 1958. It was the top of the line Chevrolet. That 58 model year car remains a very popular collector car.
The 1958 Impala was a completely new car for Chevrolet from the ground up. The main designer for the 58 Impala was Clare MacKichan, chief designer for Chevrolet. Interestingly enough, the 58 Chevrolet Impala had a design that lasted only for the 1958 model year. The cars were also noted for their dual headlights and triple tail lights. The 59’s would have a completely different design. The 1958 Impala was available in two styles. These were the Impala Sport Coupe and the Impala Convertible.
The 1958 Impala, being the first year for this new Chevy model, was promoted very heavily by GM. Some of the tag lines used by Chevy for the ALL new Impala included…”Your Pride Will Perk Up Whenever You Are Seen In Your ’58 Chevrolet.” Also, “You’ll Get That Chevy Feeling – Fast.” Advertising also included the words…”One look at the low wind whisked lines and you know you’re bound to be noticed. You’ll find still more to be proud of in the quick sure way Chevy responds to your touch.”
The 1965 Chevy Impala
The 1965 Chevrolet Impala received an entirely new design. The car was both elegant and sporty. All new sheet metal construction was combines with curved glass, a sharper angles windshield and a new tempered glass rear window to give this car it’s new look.
The design proved to be a winner as the sale numbers illustrate. Chevrolet had a terrific year for it’s 1965 models selling over 2.4 million vehicles. That set a record to date. The Chevy Impala itself set a record in 1965 with one million units sold.
The year 1965 was also a record year for Chevrolet. It was in June of 1965 that the 56 millionth Chevrolet was produced.
The Chevrolet Impala SS
The Super Sport Impala was a high performance version of the Impala with custom trim such as bucket seats, exterior trim like the SS emblem, a V8 engine and custom side trim. The SS badge was to become Chevrolet’s signature of performance on many models although over the years the SS designation wasn’t necessarily Chevrolet’s top performance vehicle. The SS Impala ran from 1961 through 1969. As a side note, an Impala Caprice was offered for 1965 before the Caprice became it’s own model in 1966. In 65 the Impala Caprice was only offered as a four door hardtop.
1965 Chevrolet Impala SS Specifications
If you were in the market for a 1965 Chevy Impala you had no less than ten engine choices. The most talked about engine at the time was the powerful “409“. The SS had two 409 Cubic Inch engines that put out 340 and 400 HP respectively. The 409’s were replaced in 1965 with the 396 big blocks.
In 1965 these 409’s were rare in as much as only a few hundred were produced in the SS models. These were named Turbo-Fire 409’s. Claimed 0-60 MPH time for the 409 was 6.3 seconds.
Transmissions available for the 65 Impala was a Powerglide automatic and a three and four speed Synchromesh manaual.
Dimensions for the 65 Chevy Impala SS included a wheelbase of 119.0 inches and an overall length of 213.2 inches. Average weight was 3,570 lbs.
New car price in 1965 was about $3,100 for the base engine.
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Excellent reference sources for the Chevy Impala Super Sport includes…Chevy SS : 50 Years of Super Sport by author Robert Genat. Also, The Complete Book of Collectible Cars by the Editors of Consumer Guide.
1965 Chevrolet Impala Collector Cars
While the SS Impala model first appeared in 1961, there is still a bit more collector interest in the pre 1965 Impala’s. The first year 1958 Impala being a good example although not being an SS.
The 1965 Chevy Impala did provide high performance for the mid 1960’s. The 1966 Impala 427 might be the most popular during the 1965-1969 production run. As mentioned above, the SS Impala ran from 1961 through 1969.
As valuation goes, the convertible Impala SS models will top the list as is the case with most auto models.
As of this writing, current price guides value the 1965 Chevrolet Impala SS Convertible on the high side at about $35,000. The 2 door hardtop at about $30,000. These are show quality valuations. Those models in need of restoration might be found in the $5,000-$9,000 range.
(Article and photos copyright 2015 Auto Museum Online)