Evening Orchid 1965 Malibu SS Convertible

Welcome to my website. It's mostly dedicated to the three year restoration of my 1965 Malibu SS convertible.  There are a few other subjects as well. Just click on the link you would like to see.  Thanks and enjoy!  Todd

The Restoration Part 1

TheRestoration Part 2

Finshed Photos

The Lane Exact Detail Malibu SS    Convertible

Find Parts

Another Evening Orchid convertible owners restoration page

Following up an outstanding introductory showroom performance the previous year, the 1965 Chevelle was destined to be a sales leader. Convertibles, however, remained a rare comodity as only 9,128 were built that year. Of that total convertible production, an overwhelming majority - 7,995 to be exact - were top end Malibu SS models. By the end of the second year of production, it was obvious to everyone that Chevrolet had yet another success story in the making. Because it was a conventional, and more traditionally engineered car than the earlier Corvair and Chevy II lines, the Chevelle was an imediate hit. The first generation Chevelles have frequently been refered to as a reinvention of the ever so popular 1955-1957 Chevrolets which in the early 60s were already enjoying icon status in automotive enthusiast circles.  The Chevelle not only matched its predecessor in size and popularity of design, but relied upon the same dependable drive trains based on the revolutionary Chevrolet small block V8. The 327 cubic inch Chevy V8, introduced in 1962, was not imediately available in the Chevelle, but by the end of the inaugural 1964 run it had been integrated into the Chevelle line. By the begining of the 1965 model year, the 327 was right at the top of the performance option list. The 250, and 300 horse versions were available right away, and an impressive 350 horse version was introduced later. Even more exciting news, concerning the brand new Mark IV 396 cubic inch big block engine, would arrive still deeper into the 1965 model year. The Chevrolet Division considered all 327 engines to be high performance options, and they were, compared to the base 283 V8. The L74 300 horse 327 was a particularly stout performer, with bigger cylinder heads, and a stiffer camshaft supplementing the 250 horse versions 4-barrel carburetor, and dual exhausts. While certainly not a wild engine, the 300 horse 327 did propel the welterweight Chevelle in an impressive manner while remaining docile enough for the luxury touring set. Coupled with the reliable Powerglide transmission, the 300 horse option offered the Chevelle owner a powerful, and pleasant driving combination. An available 4-speed option could stir things up further for the owner who didn't mind "stirring" his own gears. The extra clean lines of the Malibu SS convertible quite commonly housed the 327 engine option in either 250 or 300 horsepower versions. The Super Sport package, with standard bucket seats, a center console ( for 4-speed or Powerglide equipped cars) a full gauge package and unique trim transformed the Chevelle into a luxury cruising machine. Depending on how the option list was manipulated, the car could be a serious street contender too.  With Super Sport colors only, like Evening Orchid, Glacier Gray, and Crocus Yellow, a Super Sport, especially the convertible, could be made distinctive indeed. Uniqueness aside, almost everyone of the era remembers owning or at least riding in one of these early Chevelles.  Among the most popular cars of thier day, the early Chevelles have maintained that popularity to this day. ( Text by Richard Cummings)

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