The Impala was already a money-making machine for Chevrolet in 1965, and everybody in the States loved it. Unveiled in 1958 as a Bel Air version and rapidly promoted to a stand-alone series, the Impala was now selling like hotcakes, becoming the best-selling car in the domestic market only a few years after its launch.
The car was now ready for another big achievement. With a new generation released in 1965, the Impala also introduced the Caprice, a model that became a separate series a year later, just like the Impala did in 1959.
Sales went through the roof again, so Impala became the first car in the United States to sell more than 1 million units in one year.
This historical achievement makes the 1965 Impala a highly desirable car, especially in tip-top shape. The Super Sport in these pics is nowhere close to this point, but this is where it’s aiming for, as it’s now online searching for a new home.
The car landed on Craigslist after the owner decided to sell it as a restoration project alongside a long list of extra parts. The Impala seems to be sitting in a yard where it’s dealing with the typical issues, including rust in all the typical places, including the floors. The trunk has surface rust, but considering the car has likely been sitting for a long time, the best way to determine how much work it’ll need is to put it on a trailer and inspect the undersides thoroughly.
The Super Sport still has its original powertrain – a 327 fitted with a Powerglide transmission, but you don’t have to be a diehard restorer to tell they probably don’t run. The owner doesn’t share specifics on Craigslist, but the engine can’t be in a perfect shape after this adventure under the clear sky. Fingers crossed that the V8 is not locked up, but it’ll certainly require a rebuild.
The interior also seems wrecked, so the total restoration must include much work in all key places. It’s not an easy project, but considering the owner sells the car with many extras, bringing this Impala SS to a better shape shouldn’t be that hard.
An in-person inspection is mandatory for anyone interested in a complete restoration, and you should contact the owner to discuss all the details and ask more questions. The Super Sport is parked in Kennewick, Washington, and you’ll need transportation to take it home, as it’s far from road-worthy.
The SS can be yours for $5,500, which seems to be a fair expectation considering this Impala sells with so many extras, but it won’t be an easy project. It’s unclear if the car sells with a title and whether it’s still 100% original.