A parking lot is a parking lot—unless it’s the Summit Racing parking lot. On any given day or time, the lot outside a Summit Racing store can turn into an impromptu mini car show, depending on who’s stopped by the store. On Wednesday, we often share a notable parking lot find—another benefit of being powered by Summit Racing Equipment.

1965-Chevy-Impala-Feature
(All Images/OnAllCylinders)

When Chevy introduced a completely redesigned Impala in 1965, it had a hit on its hands. The new full-size Chevy would go on to be GM’s sales leader that year, selling more than 1 million (not a typo) Impalas in the U.S. alone—a record that still stands today.

It’s easy to see why.

1965-Chevy-Impala-Front-Driver-Side1965-Chevy-Impala-Front-Driver-Side
(Image/OnAllCylinders)

There was an Impala for seemingly every driver out there. You could get an Impala as a hardtop, convertible, coupe, sedan, or wagon. Better still, you could option it with anything from an inline-six and Powerglide, all the way up to a big-block V8 and four-speed.

Fun fact: Early production 1965 Impalas could still be equipped with the legendary 409, marking the final appearance of the W-series big block. By the close of the initial model year, the 396 Mark IV big block had appeared.

1965-Chevy-Impala-Rear-Seat
(Image/OnAllCylinders)

The 1965 Chevy Impala also introduced the world to the “Caprice” trim, which would ultimately eclipse the Impala and become a standalone marque in the 1980s.

This particular Impala pulled into Summit Racing’s Tallmadge, OH retail store parking lot back in the fall, and we quickly rushed out to bask in its Cypress Green paint.

It’s easy to differentiate the 1965 models from the later fourth-generation (1965-70) Impalas thanks to its unique round taillights.

1965-Chevy-Impala-Rear-Pass-Side
(Image/OnAllCylinders)

We’re positively giddy that this particular Impala boasts both a V8 and a manual transmissiontry finding that combo in a modern family car.

Gleaming bumpers, a set of later-style Chevy Rally wheels, and a clean interior really set this car off.

It’s tough to picture a million-plus Impalas rolling out of the GM factory in 1965, but we’re glad they did.

1965-Chevy-Impala-Rear-Driver-Side
(Image/OnAllCylinders)
1965-Chevy-Impala-Interior
(Image/OnAllCylinders)
1965-Chevy-Impala-Grille
(Image/OnAllCylinders)
1965-Chevy-Impala-Driver-Side
(Image/OnAllCylinders)
Keywords
Share this Article
Author: Paul Sakalas

Paul is the editor of OnAllCylinders. When he's not writing, you'll probably find him fixing oil leaks in a Jeep CJ-5 or roof leaks in an old Corvette ragtop. Thanks to a penchant for vintage Honda motorcycles, he spends the rest of his time fiddling with carburetors and cleaning chain lube off his left pant leg.