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 delineation trimmings.  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 the original 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.