Prepare to be astonished by an incredible piece of automotive trivia: in 1965, the Chevrolet Impala outsold the ever-popular Ford Mustang! With an impressive 803,400 deliveries compared to the Mustang’s 680,500 (including the “1964 ½” Mustangs built as 1965 models in 1964), the Chevrolet Impala dominated the sales charts. Surprisingly, a significant number of these big Chevies were equipped with six-cylinder engines, totaling 56,600 units. Now, an intriguing find in Sacramento, California, awaits the attention of car enthusiasts on craigslist. This 1965 Impala combines the stunning aesthetics of the Sport Coupe with the practicality of a Biscayne taxicab, featuring a six-banger engine and a “3-on-the-tree” manual transmission. The asking price for this vintage Chevy, complete with its charming patina, is $18,000.
Unraveling the exact number of six-cylinder motors that found their way into the 1965 Chevy Impala Sport Coupe is no easy task. Considering that over 423,000 Sport Coupes were assembled that year, with the Impala being the sole model offered in this body style, the calculations become complex. However, it’s plausible that more four-door Impala sedans were equipped with the six-cylinder engine, while the sport coupe model was often associated with the high-performance Super Sport variant, a true gem in 1965.
Beneath the hood of this Impala, one should expect to find the Chevy “Turbo-Thrift” straight-six, which remained in production from 1962 to 2001. During the 1963 to 1965 period, the engine boasted a displacement of 230 cubic inches, later increasing to 250 in 1966. Notably, this powerplant featured seven main bearings, a significant improvement over its predecessor, the “Stovebolt” engine, and was notably smaller and lighter.
According to the seller, this Chevy Impala remains in its original, unrestored condition and proudly exhibits its vintage character. While there is no visible rust, the light green paint showcases a charming patina on the upward-facing surfaces. The interior, overall acceptable, will require attention to the stained and tattered front bench seat cover. Remarkably, this budget-conscious Impala runs well, with the odometer indicating a reading of 10,000 miles (possibly 100,000?). This car presents a perfect opportunity for restoration enthusiasts to clean it up without repainting, adding to its authenticity. Imagine the surprise on faces at Cars & Coffee when you reveal the unexpected six-cylinder powerplant under the hood!
