The 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle line introduced the rare Chevelle Malibu SS 396 pictured here. Only 201 of these muscle cars were built.

The 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle got a mild but crisp facelift for its second year on the market. A new vee-shaped grille and larger taillights were highlights. Bodies were 2.7 inches longer and 1.3 inches lower. Wheelbases remained at 115 inches. A restyled instrument panel had deeper shrouds to eliminate windshield reflections.

Four 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle series went on sale: 300, 300 DeLuxe, Malibu, and Malibu SS, with Malibu the top seller at 152,200 cars. Engine choices started with a Hi-Thrift 120-horsepower 194-cubic-inch six, stepping up to a 140-horsepower 230-cubic-inch six, a 195-horsepower Turbo-Fire 283 V-8, and a trio of 327-cubic-inch V-8s (250, 300, or 350 horsepower).

A new fully synchronized three-speed column-shift transmission became available, but many Chevelles had Powerglide or a four-speed manual gearbox instead.

Super Sport coupes and convertibles wore less brightwork than in '64 and came with any powertrain. Their interiors held front bucket seats in new textured vinyl, a console, and round gauges in a bright metal panel. The new grille with SS treatment and black accents helped lead the trend toward black accents in sport-oriented cars.

Rarest of the 101,577 SS Chevelles issued in '65 was the SS 396, with crossed-flag emblems on its fenders and a new 375-horsepower 396-cubic-inch "porcupine" V-8 underhood. No wonder only 201 were built, because that Z16 package added an eye-popping $1,501 to the car's price.

Changes to Chevelle were slight for 1965, but the model year did produce a genuine rarity: a Malibu SS 396 (V-8) created to pro-mote 1966 models. With a four-speed and 375 horsepower, the SS 396 was a beast; only 201 were built. Included among the year's other Chevelles was the Malibu SS convertible: this one has a 195-horse 283 with automatic.

The 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle included this Malibu SS convertible powered by a 195-horsepower 283-cubic-inch V-8.

For more picture-packed articles about Chevys and other great cars, see:

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• Consumer Guide Used Car Search: In the market for a used Chevy or virtually any other pre-owned vehicle? Check out these reports, which include safety recalls and trouble spots.
• All Chevrolet Malibus: The Chevrolet Malibu nameplate didn't die with the 1983 model. Get the lowdown on the new-age Malibu that launched for 1997 and continues today.
• How Chevrolet Works: Get the inside story of one of America’s greatest automotive marques in this lavishly illustrated history of Chevrolet, beginning with its founding in 1911.