1965 Chevelle Malibu SS 396

 

In addition to the 201 production units, two engineering mules were modified at the GM's Engineering facility. One 'mule' was fitted with the convertible frame, 11-inch big Chevrolet brakes along with the RPO L37 396-cid 375hp engine. The second 'mule' was primarily used to fit the special trim used on the body. These two test mules are not included in the 201 production figure. These two started life at the Baltimore assembly plant and were 327-cid powered Malibu sport coupes. Of the 200 production run, 175 were to be sold to selected dealers around the country and 25 were assigned to Public Relations for test driving in 12 cities.

 

It is not known how many of the original 200 have survived. An old Z16 website showed 68 known survivors and I'm sure a few more have turn up since.

 

RPO z16 public relations documents: Page 1 - Page 2 - Page 3 - Page 4 - Page 5

 

All 201 production Malibu SS 396 Chevelles were built at the Kansas City, MO. assembly plant beginning in March of 1965 and running through at least the end of April of 1965.

 

All Malibu SS 396 Chevelles included the following "mandatory" options:

Black vinyl tops were offered and only Black, Red, or White interior colors were available.

Mandatory Options Included:
RPO A01 ~ Tinted windows (all)
RPO A31 ~ Electric windows
RPO A47 ~ Rear seat belts
RPO A49 ~ Custom deluxe front seat belts w/retractors
RPO B70 ~ Instrument panel pad
RPO U50 ~ Vacuum power brakes
RPO L37 ~ Turbo-Jet 396, 375hp engine
RPO M20 ~ 4-speed transmission, 2.56:1 low gear
RPO N34 ~ Wood grained plastic steering wheel
RPO N40 ~ Hydraulic steering
RPO U16 ~ Tachometer
RPO U69/U79 ~ Stereo adapter with AM/FM radio
RPO Z13 ~ Remote control outside mirror

 

Other options available but not mandatory include:
RPO C08 ~ Vinyl top
Colors limited to Regal Red, Crocus Yellow, and Tuxedo Black

 

RPO Z16 Trivia:
→ The Mark IV engine was essentially the 396-325 HP version found un full-size Chevrolets with the exception of a toned-down camshaft with hydraulic lifters.
→ The speedometer used was a Z16-only 160 MPH unit.
→ Only three colors were available; Regal Red, Tuxedo Black, and Crocus Yellow. Vinyl tops were optional.
→ Only three bucket seat interior colors were available; Red, Black, and White. Crocus Yellow Z126s were limited to black or white interiors.
→ The "Maverick" nickname was kicked around for a while but later dropped.
→ The power steering pump was unique with the pump located below the alternator and the reservoir attached to the inner fender. This would later be used on all 1966 through 1968 SS 396 Chevelles.
→ Spark plug shields were used this year only although the 1966 SS 396 cylinder heads were drilled for the shields they were never used on a Chevelle again.
→ Larger 11-inch brakes from the full-size Chevrolet were used.
→ The production models used a convertible frame; only one of the two mules had the convertible frame.
→ Special 7.75x14 gold-stripe nylon cord tires (either Goodyear or Firestone) and 14x6 wheels with simulated mag-style wheel covers were used.
→ The Z16 option added $1501.05 (love the 0.05 portion) to the sticker price of a standard V8 Malibu SS.

 

One of the two prototypes from the Baltimore assembly plant.

 

Compare the prototype Fisher Body Number plate from Baltimore to a production plate from Kansas City. With the exception of the trim code and vinyl top, all will have the same options coded on the last line shown here.

 

Some of the unique Malibu SS 396 trim included crossed-flag Turbo-Jet emblems on the front fenders, the Malibu SS badging moved from the rear quarter panels to behind the front wheel well, special trim on the rear tail panel, and Chevelle 300 tail lamps.

 

The RPO L37 375hp engine powering the 1965 Malibu SS 396 was kind of unique in that it has hydraulic valve lifters and was not an optional engine in any other 1965 Chevrolet. The engine's suffix code included a hand-stamped "X" letter. (The engine's partial VIN, also hand-stamped) is blurred out here. The engines were essentially the same as the 396-425hp engines but with a toned-down hydraulic camshaft.

 

The Z16-optioned Malibu SS 396s have a 160 MPH speedometer.

 

The center-dah Z16 tachometer redlined at 5700 RPM.

 

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