Cool ’65 396 4-speed Chevy Belair
 

I know this isn’t a Pontiac, but it’s too cool not to share as I think most Pontiac lovers will enjoy seeing this. Scott is doing a quick once-over of a 1965 Chevy Belair that hasn’t been on the road since 1972. What makes it really unique is it is owned by the original owner’s brother, who has owned it since 1967…and it’s a factory original 396 (325 hp L-35), M20 4-speed, 3.31 posi 12-bolt, (manual steering & drum brakes!), in its original dark blue (Fathom?) paint and light metallic blue Belair trim interior with the factory in-dash tach and AM radio. The brothers installed ’65 bucket seats a long time ago and tossed the original bench seat out. It has 59,600 miles and was pulled out of a barn (yes, another true barn-car) and was trailered to a local car show for display, where Scott saw the car and met the owner, and subsequently talked into giving it the thorough inspection before it goes back on the road.

Dennis

So much awesome right there.

One of the few out there optioned up like a muscle car and so untouched, really who wouldn’t love to own that beautiful car. :thumbup:

I’d buy that.

My first car was a 67 Bel Air, 283/glide/hubcaps...LOL 4 door. bought in 1975 when my family still lived in Iowa
I was fortunate to live in a town in S.E. Oklahoma that had a legit engine builder/drag racer. He is a Chevy guy. He built my 283, dyno'd it. He also built a lockup TH350 that easily took the place of the glide. I obtained a 12 diff from a 69 Impala, found a 2 series posi for it. He set up the rear end for me with 2.73:1 gears (too tall for a 283, but worked out)
I have a lot of knowledge of those cars. The 65-70's were the same platform.
I converted mine to power disc, power steering. added a larger front sway bar and added a rear sway bar.
I had it repainted stock color in 1978. In 1997 the body and frame were rusting away, again. I parted it out. Gave the suspension parts to a friend with a 65 Impala. Kept the engine, trans, rear end....

This '65 Belair is pretty nice, but a little crusty around the edges, like the bottom rears of the rear quarter wheel openings have minor rust-through, but only there. The floors (trunk & interior) are solid as are the lower front fenders. The deck lid's rear lower seam is splitting due to a huge mouse nest across the width, but it looked relatively fresh, so not a ton of mouse poop & pee to remove and didn't rust it through as it would have after a couple years of habitation. We're worried there is a mouse house up in the headliner as there is a small hole over the drivers seat, but we don't see 'lumps' in the surface. Hopefully, they didn't have time enough to really get settled in to cause more damage. All the stuffing the little buggers used appear to be from the seats.

It's a very honest original car and is going to be preserved in it's current original state...other than going through the brakes, suspension, and wiring to make it safe to drive again after being of the roads for 50 years!

Dennis

Beautiful car. One of the best colors for '65.

Picture #3 even has the famous flying engine retention strap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is a very cool car.

Tom V.

How about the GTO under the Tree??

It’s here, a barn find, search Dennis’ threads, another very cool story/car!!

Thanks,I missed that.I was wondering when they were going to tell the story.Still should go to MCACN tho.

I remember my father’s 1969 Impala being recalled for that cable to be installed. I recently had a survivor 69 SS Camaro in the shop with the cable intact. My 40 y.o. mechanic/employee was stunned when I explained what it was for.

Always loved the 65 Impala/Biscayne/BelAir 4 speed cars. Growing up one friend had a 327 4 speed Belair and another had a 65 Impala SS, 396 4 speed. Both were daily drivers but could run hard at the track.

I'd buy it too!

X3, I'd stuff that bench seat back in there as well.



Frank

Very cool car! Thanks for sharing!

Very cool!

Very cool.

I once saw a 65 Biscayne 4 door dark blue with 396/425hp 4 spd in floor from the factory. Sleeper that someone ordered.

Always cool to see something different.

Sent from my Moto Z3 Play using Tapatalk

What a great time capsule, glad it is being preserved. It’s hard to believe these great barn finds keep popping up.

In 1970, while still in high school I worked part time at a transmission shop. I replaced a lot of motor mounts on 65-70 Chevy’s. I can remember several times cars were towed in because they were dangerous. Under the right conditions cars with automatics could be started while in gear, even though the shift quadrant indicated it was in park. The engine could torque over because of the broken left mount, as the engine torqued the design of the throttle linkage would raise the engine rpm and sometimes simultaneously pull the vacuum line out of the power brake booster. Causing the car to leap forward with just the turn of a key. I personally witnessed this phenomenon twice, Very alarming the first time it happens because the car takes off with reduced braking ability. Fortunately the shop owners had a rule, to always start cars with one foot on the brake. My apologies for hijacking this thread.

It's been said a bunch already, but that is a super cool car...I love it! For some reason, I've been dreaming about a '62 Bel Air 2-door post lately, even with a 283 or something.

Very cool find Dennis!
My first car was a 65 Impala SS 396 4 speed, same color combo!
Had to sell it just after high school to pay for further schooling.
Brings back some fun memories!
Biggest problem with that car was the 4 wheel drum brakes..... Did the brake fade boogie quite a few times while showing off in front of the high school!