Saved from Neglect: 1965 Chevrolet Impala SS, Rescued After 30 Years, as Restoration Plans Were Put on Hold Due to Family Responsibilities.

The 1965 Impala is a legend. It’s not me saying it, but the yearly sales recorded by Chevrolet’s new superstar.

1965 was the year when Impala broke a massive record. It became the first nameplate in the United States after World War II to sell over 1 million units in one year. The achievement was impressive, considering Chevrolet launched the car eight years before.

Impala, therefore, needed less than a decade to conquer America, becoming (almost) everybody’s favorite car thanks to a clever mix of great looks, potent engines, and fair pricing.

The 1965 Impala you can see in the photo gallery checks the right boxes for an all-original restoration candidate, mainly because it spent 30 years in a garage without a human being getting close to it. The previous and only owner planned a restoration, but life got in the way. When their children came, the owner put their plans on hold, eventually abandoning the SS in a garage.


The car has been sitting ever since, with eBay seller mikeydege explaining that the initial owner purchased the vehicle from Cooley Chevrolet in New Haven, Connecticut. The seller transferred it to Milford, where it’s now waiting for a new destination.

It’s not hard to figure out the main selling points of this Impala. First of all, it’s an SS. All essential parts are still there, including the SuperSport tags and trim. Second, it’s a convertible, but it’ll require significant fixes. The decades of sitting have caused typical issues, including underside rust. Fortunately, the vehicle is still restorable, with original bucket seats and an overall decent interior.

The engine supposed to put the car in motion is a 283 (4.7-liter) V8. It’s not the best choice for an Impala SS, but considering its unknown condition, you could also upgrade and install a big-block unit. On the other hand, if you want to go for an all-original Impala restored to factory specifications, the 283 is potent enough – you should inspect the powertrain thoroughly, as a car that spent three decades in the same place could always come with a locked-up engine.

The auction has generated an incredible response from the Chevrolet fanboy community. It has already received 22 bids in just a few hours online, and the chances are the number of offers will grow in the coming days as the listing gains more exposure.

The top bid at the time of writing is $3,600, but the owner has also configured a reserve. It’s still in place, and I have no clue how high the bidding must go to unlock it. The auction will end in a little over five days, so it won’t take long before we figure out whether this Impala will ever return to the road.

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