From its debut in 1964, the intermediate 'A-Body' Chevy Chevelle and upscale Malibu sub-series were very successful, thanks (in part) to its attractive styling, excellent proportions, value for the money, and their long options list. At first, they were powered by economical inline sixes and reasonably powerful small-block V8 engines. Later, a wide list of high-performance engines was offered. The topline trim option for the Chevelle was the Malibu, offering a number of amenities such as a deluxe steering wheel, patterned upholstery in cloth or vinyl, and deep-twist carpeting. Additionally, customers were able to specify a number of options and accessories to make their Chevelle Malibu uniquely their own, from engines and transmissions to colors, power options, and more.
SS Sport Coupe
View info and historyThe 1965 Chevelle Malibu was available as a sedan, hardtop, convertible, and station wagon. Around 56,400 were fitted with a six-cylinder engine and approximately 95,800 were powered by V8s, not including the station wagons which were included in different totals. It was positioned between the diminutive Chevy II and the full-size Chevrolet, and resembled a scaled-down Chevrolet but established its own identity with distinctive styling cues and well-designed and roomy interiors. Styling was mildly updated for its second year of production, with changes to the front end that included an outwardly vee'd nose and a new grille. There were changes to the taillamps and new body sill moldings. Trim levels within the Chevelle line included the 'base' Chevelle 300, priced from $2,160 to $2,450 with six-cylinder power, and from $2,220 to $2,500 with the V8. The Chevelle 300 Deluxe added additional brightwork and nicer interiors, and prices ranged from $2,160 to $2,510 (with the six). The Chevelle Malibus were next within the price scheme, with prices that ranged from $2,300 to $2,590 with six-cylinder engines. The V8 versions were priced from $2,430 to $2,700. The Malibu models had color-accented bodyside moldings and bright wheelhouse moldings. The Malibu name could be found on the rear fender script. They had ribbed upper and lower cove trim panels, ribbed tailgate lower trim panel on station wagons, hood wind split moldings, and back-up lights located in the rear bumper. The interiors had pattern cloth and vinyl trims. They had an electric clock, a glove box light, a dual-spoke steering wheel, and a foam-cushioned rear seat.
SedanThe Malibu Super Sport returned in 1965 with few revisions, identifiable by its blacked-out trim, Impala spinner wheel covers, extra bright exterior trim, and SS badges inside and out. The Super Sport package established Chevelle's performance image at the outset of the classic muscle-car era, one that would remain undisputed to the end. They wore wide bright body sill moldings, Malibu SS rear fender script, deck lid SS emblems, and rear lower fender moldings. In the front was a black-accented grille and rear cove, and unique Super Sport full wheel covers were placed at all four corners. The interior housed bucket seats with bright trim ends, a center console with a four-speed manual or automatic transmissions, and all-vinyl interiors. Additional amenities included a special instrument panel with an ammeter, oil pressure gauges, and temperature. The two-door hardtop coupe had a base price of $2,480 and the convertible listed for $2,690 (with the six). Chevrolet debuted the Chevelle in 1964 and the largest engine offered was the 327 CID V8. Comparatively, the Oldsmobile could be acquired with a 400, while Pontiac's GTO 'Goat' had a 389. The 327 powering the Chevelle was sourced from the Corvette, delivering a rather impressive 340 horsepower. However, as the old saying goes, 'there's no substitute for cubic inches ' The 396 big-block 'Z16' Mark IV V8 was a rare option and is considered the first 'true' high-performance Chevelle model. Z16 was the RPO (Regular Production Option) code given to the 396 engine option in the 1965 Chevelle and was used internally by Chevrolet, having almost never been referred to by the Z16 RPO number except in a few non-public Chevrolet documents. It was introduced mid-year and came with the 396 CID V8 rated at 375 horsepower, dual exhaust, a Muncie shifted wide-ratio four-speed transmission, 15-inch wide simulated mag style wheel covers, and upgraded shocks and suspension. Along with handling items, the 396 V8 specified for the Z16 was RPO code L37 that featured both a forged crank and pistons, 4-bolt main bearing caps, large port heads, an aluminum intake manifold with a Holley carburetor, and a hydraulic camshaft.
Convertible
Chassis #: 513567056066
View info and history
Auction entries : 3The Z16 was offered in just three colors: Tuxedo Black, Regal Red, and Crocus Yellow. Additional standard features for the Z16 include power brakes and power steering, rear seat belts, deluxe front seat belts with retractors, a padded dash, a tachometer, an AM/FM radio with multiplex stereo and remote control outside mirror.The Chevelle SS-396 wore chrome accents, Malibu SS emblems mounted on the front fenders, '396 Turbo Jet' front fender emblems, and a special rear cove panel. The interior featured a 160-mph speedometer, an AM/FM stereo multiplex radio, and SS 396 emblem mounted in the dash. Available body styles included the hardtop, priced at $4,090, and the convertible at $4,300. Since the Z16 was in limited production, not every Chevrolet received one, as they were strategically distributed around the country, focusing on a few dealers whose hose clientèle were known to be performance-oriented aspirations. During its introductory year, just 201 examples were built. While the 396 big-block Z16 was the paragon of performance within the Chevrolet line, savvy buyers gravitated to the RPO L-79 327 high-performance V-8, arbitrarily rated by the factory at 325 horsepower, a mere 25 fewer hp than as advertised with the Corvette. While it delivered less horsepower, it weighed considerably less than its heavier big-block sibling. The lighter overall package offered outstanding weight distribution, handling, and balance, a combination that often resulted in better performance than many of its big-block competitors. It was renowned for its high-revving nature, low-end torque, useful power curve, and smooth idle. Along with strong performance and ease of maintenance, the L-79 option was an outstanding value, adding just over $100 to the Chevelle's pricing.
Convertible
Chassis #: 513567056066
View info and history
Auction entries : 3The PRO L-79 327 was a high-winding and reliable power unit that was available only with a four-speed manual transmission. It featured free-breathing cylinder heads with 2.02-inch intake/1.60-inch exhaust valves, 11:1 compression, low-restriction exhaust manifolds, an aluminum intake mounting a 600-CFM Holley four-barrel carburetor and chromed twin-snorkel air cleaner, and a maintenance-free high-performance hydraulic cam – the first of its kind offered by an American auto manufacturer. The standard Chevelle engine was the 194 CID inline-six with seven main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, overhead valves, a Rochester one-barrel carburetor, and delivering 120 horsepower at 4,400 RPM. The 283 CID V8 used a Rochester two-barrel carburetor, hydraulic valve lifters, overhead valves, and produced 195 horsepower at 4,800 RPM. A three-speed manual transmission was standard, with optional overdrive and automatics available. There was a four-speed manual, Powerglide automatic, and Turbo-Hydramatic options. Among the optional performance upgrades included a heavy-duty clutch, positive traction rear axle, various rear axle gear ratios, and a heavy-duty air cleaner.
by Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2017
SS Sport Coupe
View info and history
Sedan
Convertible
Chassis #: 513567056066
View info and history
Auction entries : 3
Convertible
Chassis #: 513567056066
View info and history
Auction entries : 3
by Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2017
Related Reading : Chevrolet Malibu History
Named for Malibu, California, the Malibu name has had a distinct history that began in 1963 and continued for nearly 20 years. Following a thirteen-year break, the Chevy Malibu name once again appeared in 1996, and again in 2003 as the latest generation was presented. The name Malibu was originally utilized as the description for Chevrolets top series models in the Chevelle line in 1964. This....
Continue Reading >>
Continue Reading >>
Chevrolet Marks 50Th Anniversary Of First Malibu
– In 1964, a gallon of gas cost 30 cents and a movie ticket cost %241.25. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the year at 874 and The Beatles made their historic appearance on the Ed Sullivan show. It was also the year Chevrolet introduced the Malibu. What a difference half a century makes. The 2014 Malibu is a technologically advanced midsize sedan delivering efficiency, comfort and connectivity....
Continue Reading >>
Continue Reading >>
Similarly Sized Vehicles
from 1965
Similarly Priced Vehicles
Chevrolet Monthly Sales Volume
March 2023
398,141
1965 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu Vehicle Profiles
Recent Vehicle Additions
Performance and Specification Comparison
Price Comparison
$2,000 - $2,460
$2,005 - $2,060
$2,025 - $2,600
$2,100 - $4,300
$2,270 - $2,460
$2,295 - $2,440
$2,360 - $2,420
$2,500 - $2,600
$2,700 - $3,200
$2,947 - $3,210
Malibu Specification Comparison by Year
Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
119.00 in.
6 cyl., 194.40 CID., 120.00hp
8 cyl., 283.00 CID., 220.00hp
8 cyl., 327.00 CID., 250.00hp
8 cyl., 327.00 CID., 300.00hp
8 cyl., 283.00 CID., 220.00hp
8 cyl., 327.00 CID., 250.00hp
8 cyl., 327.00 CID., 300.00hp
$2,400 - $2,900
152,200
115.00 in.
6 cyl., 193.99 CID., 120.00hp
6 cyl., 230.00 CID., 140.00hp
8 cyl., 283.00 CID., 195.00hp
8 cyl., 283.00 CID., 220.00hp
8 cyl., 327.00 CID., 250.00hp
8 cyl., 327.00 CID., 300.00hp
6 cyl., 230.00 CID., 140.00hp
8 cyl., 283.00 CID., 195.00hp
8 cyl., 283.00 CID., 220.00hp
8 cyl., 327.00 CID., 250.00hp
8 cyl., 327.00 CID., 300.00hp
$2,300 - $4,300
227,800
115.00 in.
6 cyl., 230.00 CID., 140.00hp
6 cyl., 250.00 CID., 155.00hp
8 cyl., 263.00 CID., 195.00hp
8 cyl., 327.00 CID., 275.00hp
8 cyl., 327.00 CID., 325.00hp
6 cyl., 250.00 CID., 155.00hp
8 cyl., 263.00 CID., 195.00hp
8 cyl., 327.00 CID., 275.00hp
8 cyl., 327.00 CID., 325.00hp
$2,400 - $2,800
290,100
122.00 in., 125.00 in.
6 cyl., 250.00 CID., 110.00hp
8 cyl., 307.00 CID., 130.00hp
8 cyl., 307.00 CID., 130.00hp
$2,800 - $3,540
Related Automotive News
SUBARU ANNOUNCES PRICING ON LIMITED EDITION 2016 SERIES.HYPERBLUE BRZ AND WRX STI MODELS
Production limited to 700 WRX STI %26 500 BRZ
BRZ receives upgraded SUBARU STARLINK® Multimedia
Rear Vision Camera now standard on BRZ
Exclusive Hyper Blue exterior paint and interior trims
Cherry Hill, N.J. - Subaru of America, Inc. has an...
SUBARU TO OFFER LIMITED EDITION SERIES.HYPERBLUE BRZ AND WRX STI MODELS
Limited to 700 WRX STI %26 500 BRZ
BRZ receives upgraded SUBARU STARLINK® Multimedia
Rear Vision Camera now standard on BRZ
Exclusive Hyper Blue exterior paint and interior trims
Cherry Hill, N.J. - Subaru of America, Inc. has announced t...
SUBARU ANNOUNCES PRICING ON ALL NEW 2015 WRX AND WRX STI SEDANS
New platform offers stiffer, more agile chassis of Subaru performance icons
Upgraded suspension tuning and new Active Torque Vectoring
Roomier cabin with upgraded comfort and materials and wide array of user technologies
Rear camera standard
WR...
Low Mileage Collectables offered at Fort Lauderdale Auction
Auctions America kicks off its 2014 collector car calendar March 14-16 in Fort Lauderdale
Leading recent entries are fantastic low mileage examples including a 2005 Ford GT, a 2006 Ford GT Heritage Edition, a 1954 Chevrolet Corvette and a 1967 Ch...
Holden Celebrates 35 Years of Commodore
Holden is celebrating the 35th anniversary of its most iconic nameplate, Commodore.
For over three decades, the Holden Commodore has delivered significant advances in vehicle performance, safety and comfort on the way to becoming Holdens longest-standing...