1965 Chevrolet Impala Review
In 1965, that big car range included the Biscayne, Bel Air and Impala models, with the top-of-the-range Impala the top seller of the three that year. Sold in two separate variants - the base Impala and Impala Super Sport - over 1 million examples were produced for '65. All the full-size Chevrolets were redesigned for that year, with the boxy shape of 1964 replaced with more bevelled edges and angled lines across all facets. When seen in profile, a distinctive 'hip' in the body led to the 'Coke bottle' nickname for the profile wahich adopted by almost manufacturers to varying degrees.
Impalas were available in four-door sedan, four and two-door hardtops (the latter with a sweeping fastback-style roofline), two-door convertible and four-door station wagon bodystyles for 1965. The Impala Super Sport (SS) was only available as a two-door hardtop or two-door convertible body, reflecting its status as the more performance-oriented variant. Partway through 1965, a new addition to the Impala range was a specially-trimmed, luxury four-door hardtop option, badged as the 'Caprice' Sport Sedan. This used the same blacked-out grille and tail panel as the Impala SS, but added a slim chrome trim strip along the sills, Caprice badges on the front guards and bonnet, bodyside pinstripes and a fleur-de-lis badge on the rear roof pillars. A strengthened frame and softer suspension were also features of the luxuriously-appointed Caprice, while the optional vinyl roof trim appears to have been a popular option on this particular Impala variant.
Subtle differences in trim and badging identified the SS from the standard Impala. 'Chevrolet' badges adorned the (US) driver's side of the grille on regular Impalas, with the SS models carrying 'Impala SS' badges in the same position. On the front guards, a crossed flag badge (with the engine size on SS models) ahead of the wheelarches was common to all Impalas. Aft of the wheelarches, widely spaced 'IMPALA' lettering and a stylised Impala logo was used by all variants except the SS, which had a 'Super Sport' script-style badge instead. Chrome wheelarch mouldings were common to all models, with base Impalas also featuring chrome trim on the sills.
At the rear, the tail light treatment of three circular pods on each side, a feature of Impalas since 1960, was retained. A slim Chevrolet crest sat in the centre of the bootlid and below that, a brushed aluminium strip, with 'Chevrolet' script in the centre. This ran the length of the bootlid's bottom edge and continued around to the rear guards on each side, following the line of the rear bumper. On SS models, this strip was black with an 'Impala SS' badge added, as per the grille badge. Thin whitewall tyres were common across both Impala and Impala SS, with the latter using different 'Super Sport' wheelcovers from the base Impala. More than a dozen different paint options were available.
Engine options across both Impala series started with a 230ci six-cylinder, and continued on through a 327ci V8 in two different horsepower levels to the big 409ci V8 made famous by The Beach Boys song. Partway through the 1965 model year, the 409 was dropped, replaced by a 396ci V8 developed from a thumping 427ci race engine, available in two different power ratings. A 3-speed full synchro manual was the standard transmission, with options including a 2-speed Powerglide auto, "Rock Crusher" 4-speed manual, and GM's then new Turbo HydraMatic 3-speed auto. The latter two were options on cars equipped with the big V8s. Despite their size and weight, an Impala SS with a 409 V8 was still a very quick car, capable of a 0-100kph sprint time of eight seconds.
Inside, Impalas were better trimmed and optioned than Bel Airs or Biscaynes, reflecting their status as the premium full-size Chevrolet offering. This included things like floor carpeting, vinyl & carpet door trims, and an electric clock as standard. Deeper foam cushioning and vinyl upholstery was common across most Impala models, with the four-door sedans featuring combination cloth/vinyl trim. Impala SS models featured bucket front seats with a centre console as standard. Common across both Impala variants was a wide dash panel with two circular pods at each end, the left containing the fuel gauge, water temp, oil pressure and amps gauges, the right housing a clock. On the SS, the clock was moved to the centre console, with the right dash pod featuring a manifold vacuum gauge. Radios, when fitted, also sat in the wide dash panel, to the right of the strip-style 120mph speedo. Beneath the main panel were the heater controls and ashtray, with push-pull light and wiper switches to the left of the steering column, and ignition key and cigarette lighter to the right.
In a buoyant car market in the US, the '65 Impalas were well received, with sales of the SS versions in particular up by a staggering 45 percent over 1964. This was despite a softening of the performance credentials of the Super Sport package, as the smaller Chevelle and Nova were taking up the baton in that area. The overall styling of the 1965 Impalas makes them one of the most attractive of Chevy's big car offerings from the entire decade, and one that's still popular today. This was evidenced by Chevrolet PR in the US recently featuring a story on a '65 Impala SS for one of many 'culture' features celebrating Chevy's centenary.
The convertibles and two and four-door hardtop Impalas appear to be the most popular body styles, but softtops are much harder to come by, and consequently more expensive. SS models in general are highly prized, with the 425hp 396ci V8 and 4-speed manual combo arguably the most sought after power combination. That popularity comes at a price, too, with genuine SS Impalas generally going for more money than non-SS models. A real rarity, if you can find one, is a six-cylinder equipped Impala SS. Regardless of what they're running, 1965 Impalas make for great cruisers, as they're well appointed, comfortable, and for the most part, still affordable, too.
SPECIFICATIONS: 1965 Chevrolet Impala - with 327 V8
Engine: 327ci V8
Bore/Stroke: 4.00 inch x 3.25 inch
Compression: 8.75:1
Power/torque: 230bhp@4400rpm / 330lb/ft@2800rpm
Fuel system: Single four barrel downdraft carburettor
Cooling system: Liquid
Electrics: 12 Volt
Transmission: 3-speed manual (optional 2-speed auto, 4-speed manual, 3-speed auto)
Front Suspension: Independent, lower link, upper wishbone, coil springs
Rear Suspension: Four-link diagonal and trailing arm, coil springs
Steering: Recirculating ball, power assisted
Front brakes: 11" duo servo drum
Rear brakes: 11" duo servo drum
Wheels: 14" Fr/Rr
Tyres: 8.25 x 14 Fr/Rr
Wheelbase: 119" (3,022mm)
Length: 213" (5,410mm)
Width: 79.6" (2,021mm)
Weight: 3,750lb (1,701kg)
0-100 kph: 10.5 secs - approx.
Top Speed: 106 mph (170 kph) - approx
