1965 Impala

The Impala was completely redesigned for 1965 and featured a more streamlined look rather than the boxy look of previous years. The new Impala was advertised as having ?foam-cushioned seats deep twist carpeting new engines and transmissions and Wide-stance handling?. The Sport Coupe had a new fastback roofline. (Impala SS engine options included the 230ci 140hp I-6 283ci 195hp V-8 327ci 250 V-8 327ci 300 V-8 396ci 4 bbl 325 V-8 396ci 4 bbl 425 V-8 409ci 4 bbl 340hp V-8 and the 409ci 4 bbl 400hp V-8.) In February the mighty 409 was phased out and was replaced by the Mark IV 396 cid V8 which would power Chevrolets for the rest of the '60s. The new 396 could be mated to a new automatic transmission the Turbo Hydra-matic 350. The 396 was a direct descendant of the "Daytona Mystery Engine" The 409s and 396s were available in all Impalas including four door sedans and station wagons but the Impala SS continued as a separate series. 1965 also saw the introduction of the Caprice option on the Impala and came standard with a V8. The '65 model also featured round triple taillights - a classic Impala styling cue. The frame was changed from the old X-member to a new ?full-perimeter? type that supported the new larger bodies provided superior strength and enhanced quietness and ride comfort. Full-size SS sales would never again be so high. Gasoline was still relatively cheap and the rate of passenger car travel continued to grow with statistics showing a 21 percent increase from 1960 to 1965. The boom of the '50s continued into the '60s with the Chevrolet Impala leading the way. Prices ranged from $2672-$3212. Weights were approximately 3385-4005 lbs. IMPALA'S LANDMARK YEAR WAS 1965 -CHEVROLET SOLD MORE THAN ONE MILLION IMPALAS THAT YEAR ALONE - A RECORD NO OTHER NAMEPLATE HAS EVER TOPPED.