1965 Chevrolet Biscayne, Bel Air, and Impala
 The 1965 Chevrolet Impala SS and other full-size cars got rounded bodysides, a higher beltline, and an aggressive rear-quarter bulge that year. |
Chevrolet also promoted the cars' Wide-Stance design, adhesively bonded windshield, and improved full-coil suspension. Sport Coupes wore a sleek semi-fastback roofline, and wheel well moldings were revised. A two-tone instrument panel put gauges in a recessed area ahead of the driver.
Turbo Hydra-Matic was offered for the first time, the column-shift three-speed could have full synchronization, and a new 250-cubic-inch six-cylinder engine satisfied a fair number of buyers. A 396-cubic-inch Turbo-Jet V-8 became available midway through the model year, packing 325 or 425 horsepower -- the latter with 11:1 compression and solid lifters. The legendary dual-carb 409 was dropped, leaving only 340- and 400-horsepower renditions.
Super Sports differed slightly from regular Impalas, retaining bright windshield moldings but not the rocker panel or lower fender trim. A total of 243,114 Impala SS coupes and convertibles were built. Their new center console housed a rally-type electric clock, and full instrumentation now included a vacuum gauge.
For $200, an Impala Sport Sedan could be transformed into a Caprice Custom Sedan, establishing a name destined for decades of life. The Caprice option group included a black-out grille, vinyl top with fleur de lis emblems, unique wheel covers, and narrow sill moldings.
They also got suspension changes and a stiffer frame -- plus the most luxurious interior ever seen in a Chevrolet, and an array of comfort/convenience features. Specially stitched cloth door panels were accented with simulated walnut, and contour-padded seats wore a combination of fabric and vinyl. All of this aimed to give Chevy buyers a "one-of-a-kind" taste of Cadillac's look and ride. Its sales success prompted Chevrolet to make the V-8-only Caprice a full series for '66.
 This 1965 Chevrolet Impala SS convertible is shown in the color Evening Orchid. |
| Model | Weight range (lbs.) | Price range (new) | Number built |
| Biscayne | 3,305-3,900 | $2,363-$2,871 | 145,300 (approx.) |
| Bel Air | 3,310-3,950 | $2,465-$3,039 | 271,400 (approx.) |
| Impala | 3,385-4,005 | $2,672-$3,181 | 803,400 (approx.) |
| Impala SS | 3,435-3,655 | $2,839-$3,212 | 243,114 |
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- How Chevrolet Works:
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