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Topic starter
14/08/2025 12:21 pm
When the new A body Chevelle appeared in 1965, I didn't care for its boxy shape. It looked like a smaller '64 Impala whereas the new Impala that year had morphed into that beautiful coke bottle curvy body. Engine choices were underwhelming, starting with a 120 eco 6. You could special order one of 3 327s with 250,300 or 350. These cars weren't exactly GTO killers. With zero advertising, dealers were told of the availability of the Malibu SS Z16 hardtop coupe featuring a new 375 HP, 420 ft/lbs of torque 396 V8 as part of the package along with beefed up suspension, power steering and brakes, and strengthened frame. A 160 mph speedometer,all the possible interior trim and special black and chrome bracketing the tail lamps. The package did come with a significant price tag of $1501. How secret was this package? Only 201 were ever built making it one of the rarest muscle cars ever made with perfect examples hitting $250,000 at auction. The Z16 came in only 3 colors: Regal Red, Crocus Yellow and Tuxedo Black.
This model was done by the defunct Lane Exact Detail.
14/08/2025 1:26 pm
"Only 201 were ever built making it one of the rarest muscle cars ever made."
It's a great model - nice pics too Rich, but I had no idea the 1:1 was that rare. I have a few of these Lane Chevelles... their nicely replicated "glass" washer fluid jar ALWAYS makes me smile! 😎 😀 😎
David Green and Jack Dodds reacted
14/08/2025 1:28 pm
...good timing too. I was just in my friends '65 last night. 😎
Rich Sufficool and Jack Dodds reacted
14/08/2025 4:55 pm
@rich-sufficool ...oh no, no... It's just a 1965 Chevelle/Malibu 396 4-speed; you can just barely see it next to another friend's beautiful resto-mod 1953 Studebaker.
Topic starter
14/08/2025 6:01 pm
@chris Was the guy's engine a transplant? The 396 wasn't even available on the Impala until the last part of the production year. (my buddy got his with the 409.) Two 396 Chevelle prototypes were built to see what upgrades to the suspension and frame were needed to handle the torque. Also it would have to have the Malibu SS package along with all the Z16 stuff. BTW: what's in the Studebaker?
14/08/2025 6:09 pm
@rich-sufficool Yes, very much so. It's an assembled hotrod/muscle car, all beefed up to handle the added weight & hp. It's "stock" in appearance only.
- That '53 Stude has a '56 Stude 289 (bored ) with a Paxton super charger all mated to a 4 speed & narrowed Ford 9" rear, stainless exhaust, cross-drilled rotors on all 4. Interior pieces were cobbled together from various year Studes, including a Grand Turismo Hawk. Paint is Covette Torch Red. He owns several cars, but just finished this '53 - it was an off/on project for 20 years.
Topic starter
14/08/2025 7:12 pm
@chris It's really cool he left the proper 289 with the period correct Paxton supercharger (now McCullough). The fun thing about Studebakers is from '53 to '64 the body panels are all interchangeable. The '53 deck lids were so popular to replace the later lids with the vertical facia. It made the tails fins on the later Golden Hawks really stand out,
14/08/2025 7:15 pm
Super interesting conversation you guys! Thanks.
