Everyone knows the Chevelle, which is most often seen in Malibu and Super Sport trim. However, few are aware of Chevelles of a lesser kind—those that sat underneath the Malibu. Our Pick of the Day is one of these unusual Bow Ties, a 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle 300 two-door sedan. It is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Prattville, Alabama.
When Chevrolet introduced the Chevelle in 1964, it was Chevrolet’s first mid-size car—a class pioneered by the 1962 Ford Fairlane. Interestingly, if you compare a Chevelle with a 1955 Chevy, they appear to be of a comparable size as they shared the same wheelbase length and were within an inch of each other; additionally, interior dimensions also didn’t separate the two by much. Nonetheless, the Chevelle featured a more compact footprint.
Looking at it pedantically, the 1964 Chevelle series started with the Chevelle 300, which was available as a two- and four-door sedan, and two- and four-door station wagon. Move up to the Chevelle Malibu and you’d find a two-door Sport Coupe (hardtop) and convertible, and four-door sedan and station wagon. The Chevelle Malibu Super Sport was only available as a Sport Coupe and a convertible.
Chevrolet expanded the lineup for 1965 by adding the 300 Deluxe trim level, situated between the Chevelle 300 and Chevelle Malibu. The body styles were shuffled too, as the Chevelle 300 lost its four-door wagon, which had migrated to the 300 Deluxe; the latter also featured a two-door sedan, and four-door sedan and wagon. Malibu and Malibu Super Sport basically remained the same. (The Canadian market featured a slightly different trim level/body style lineup, including a Chevelle 300 convertible.)
Engine choices spanned a cross section that was unrivaled for 1965. The base six-cylinder was a 194ci one-barrel with 120 horsepower; upgrade to the 230 I6 and you’d gain 20 more horses. V8s started with a 195-horsepower 283 with a two-barrel carb, which could achieve 220 horses with a four-barrel. All 327s were four-barrels, starting off with 250 horsepower and moving up to 300 or 350 horsepower, the latter option code L79. A mid-year L37 396 with 375 horsepower was the basis for the special Z16 Super Sport, of which 201 were built (rumor has it one was a convertible).
The last model year for this lineup was 1968, as the Chevelle 300 was discontinued for 1969 and the 300 Deluxe was discontinued for 1970 (though it continued in the Canadian market).
This Cameo Beige 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle 300 two-door sedan originally started as your average grocery-getter, but somewhere down the line, someone converted it to one of the rarer and more obscure Bow Tie muscle cars that we’ll dare you to find. “The car retains that sought after stock/sleeper look but has been tastefully upgraded performance and safety,” says the seller. “A 327/350HP engine with aluminum Edelbrock heads, rollers, Holley intake and Big 750 double pumper carburetor provide the motivation. A set of Hooker Jet Hot performance headers and performance dual exhaust assist with the rumble.” A Hurst-shifted Borg-Warner T10 four-speed with Positraction and 3.50 gears complete the picture. Front disc brakes and a dual master cylinder—things not originally available—help with modern traffic situations. There’s even an aftermarket air conditioning system.
Traditionally, past and present enthusiasts have gravitated to fancier trim levels. It took a special, calculating person to specify the cheapest model with the baddest engine available. To those folks, not only do we salute you, but we also present your next car. Get this for $32,500 (OBO) and sneak up on Goats.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com
