1965 Impala SS Convertible L78 396/425 Production?

**quick-bowtie** · #1 10-28-2016, 03:34 PM

Just curious if anyone has a close break down or estimate on how many 1965 Impala SS L78 396/425hp 4speed Convertibles were produced? I've seen the numbers that say around 1800 +/- full size of all Chevrolets were produced but really cant find anything on Impala Convertibles. Is there a registry? or guesstimate on production? I can only seem to find a couple different ones when googling them. Thanks for the help, Andy

Verne_Frantz · #2 10-28-2016, 04:25 PM

1,838 across all models. Nothing by individual model has surfaced yet. Of course, there are a lot of guesstimates.

Verne

novadude · #3 10-28-2016, 05:34 PM

I have never actually seen a factory 425hp '65 in all the years of going to shows, etc. Of the 1,838 built, I wonder how many actually survived? Wonder if anyone campaigned one of these cars in NHRA stock eliminator back in the day? For some reason I have a fascination with 61-69 hi-po full size Chevys.

**quick-bowtie** · #4 10-28-2016, 06:20 PM

Verne what would be your guesstimate? not holding you to it lol.. I just cant seem to find much online anywhere about the convertibles and have only found a couple documented cars

**SeattleCarGuy** · #5 10-28-2016, 07:50 PM

I was at a show in the Seattle area about 6 years ago and a guy had a '65 Bel Air L78. Car was out of Canada and was unrestored. A very cool car and I left him my card in case he ever wanted to sell. Have not seen or heard from him since.

**69L78** · #6 10-28-2016, 08:44 PM

I believe this car was sold to a guy in Harrisburg, PA, I saw it at a local show this year.

**Charley Lillard** · #7 10-28-2016, 09:09 PM

Neat one sold at Barrett Las Vegas.
http://barrett-jackson.com/Events/Ev...ERTIBLE-198439

Verne_Frantz · #8 10-28-2016, 09:28 PM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: quick-bowtie</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Verne what would be your guesstimate? not holding you to it lol.. I just cant seem to find much online anywhere about the convertibles and have only found a couple documented cars </div></div>

If I had to guess (and I'm usually wrong) I'd say around 200 SS convertibles. I think most of those 425hp engines were split between cheaper bodies and the SS hardtops.

Verne

**John Brown** · #9 10-28-2016, 09:59 PM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: novadude</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have never actually seen a factory 425hp '65 in all the years of going to shows, etc. Of the 1,838 built, I wonder how many actually survived? Wonder if anyone campaigned one of these cars in NHRA stock eliminator back in the day? For some reason I have a fascination with 61-69 hi-po full size Chevys. </div></div>

Pete Russell, of Elkhart Indiana, raced a black 425 horse 65 Biscayne two door post back when it was new. Along with Osceola Dragway, he also ran NHRA and AHRA tracks around the area. Far as I know, he still lives in the Elkhart area. Car of course is ancient history.

marxjunk · #10 10-28-2016, 10:17 PM

i have/had a friend that bought a brand new 65 425 horse impala. Bench seat 4 speed, 2 door hardtop..white with red/orange-ish metallic looking cloth interior, i saw pics from 65..unfortunately he passed, and possessed a window sticker and some other documentation...including doodles as they worked the deal..

he was a Galaxy 427 freak..but said he test drove the 65 and never looked back..traded a 427 500 XLT in on it...decades later he bought the 427 back, but lost track of the Impala...he talked about it aaall the time..