In those early muscle car days, most companies just took the big block V8 from their full sized car and crammed it into their intermediate body 2 door. Only in 1965, the 2nd year of its 1st generation did Chevy go all out (almost) to create a real high performance car, the Malibu SS 396 375 hp L37 in their Z16 performance package. The package included a special 4 speed manual with a 3.31 differential, heavy duty rear axle, upgraded suspension and larger brakes making the best performing muscle car of that era. Chevy never advertised the package relying on the individual dealers to promote it to interested customers. It was, of course, more expensive to build than its contemporaries costing $200 more than their Corvette. Hence, only 201 Z16 equipped Malibu SS 396s were built including a handful of convertibles. The following year's 2nd generation Malibu SS396 didn't offer the performance upgrades to keep costs competitive, leaving that 1 year option the best performing Chevelle of that whole era.
Wow! As a diehard Ford Fan, I've never been an advocate for the crosstown bowtie contingent. However, this is an impressive model. I have only one Lane in my collection (Mustang Shelby Hertz), and it isn't as nice as this Malibu. This is very nice, indeed!
Lane & Authentics replicated these mid 60's Malibus ("Malibi?" 😏 🤔 🙄) nicely. They are really good models! That Lane under-the-hood-solvent bottle (sans the bracket ) and spare wheel are faithfully reproduced. 😎
It's a great looking 1/18 Lane model and back then a great performing Chevrolet ! I happily have two of these 1/18 by Ertl Authentics in red and black .... also fine diecast replicas.
Now you just need one in yellow. Those are the three colors the Z16 came in.
It would also look fantastic in yellow ! I had understood (NBC-TV) Bonanza star Dan Blocker had a Z-16 Chevelle back then. In any case, it is a superb looking and performing automobile and fine diecast model.
In those early muscle car days, most companies just took the big block V8 from their full sized car and crammed it into their intermediate body 2 door. Only in 1965, the 2nd year of its 1st generation did Chevy go all out (almost) to create a real high performance car, the Malibu SS 396 375 hp L37 in their Z16 performance package. The package included a special 4 speed manual with a 3.31 differential, heavy duty rear axle, upgraded suspension and larger brakes making the best performing muscle car of that era. Chevy never advertised the package relying on the individual dealers to promote it to interested customers. It was, of course, more expensive to build than its contemporaries costing $200 more than their Corvette. Hence, only 201 Z16 equipped Malibu SS 396s were built including a handful of convertibles. The following year's 2nd generation Malibu SS396 didn't offer the performance upgrades to keep costs competitive, leaving that 1 year option the best performing Chevelle of that whole era.
Model by Lane Exact Detail:
Dayum, in all my years of model collecting that's one I missed out on. Spank my butt !!!
