1964 Malibu SS
“NEW STYLE, NEW SIZE, NEW SPIRIT, NEW NAME - A NEW LINE OF CARS!” and “NEW NAME, NEW SIZE, NEW STYLE, NEW COMFORT” were just two of several tag lines used by Chevrolet to introduce the new Chevelle for 1964.
The Chevelle was officially introduced to the American public on September 26, 1963 by General Motors’ Chevrolet Motor Division general manager, Semon “Bunkie” Knudsen.
The 1964 model year was the only year Chevelles built in the United States used a 12-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) with the model year being the first digit, next a 2-digit number for the particular engine type (inline 6 or V8) and series, next a 2-digit number for the particular body style (sport coupe, convertible, etc.), a single letter for the final assembly plant and, finally, a 6-digit production sequence number for that plant. A typical 1964 VIN would look like 45837A123456.
The production sequence number for each of the five U.S. assembly plants (Atlanta, GA., Baltimore, MD., Fremont, CA., Kansas City, MO., and Van Nuys, CA.) started with 100001 for the first production Chevelle and continued sequentially regardless of body style or series until that plant ended production of the model year. The 1964 Chevelle was the only year the Chevelle would use the model year as the first digit of the VIN for U.S. plants and have the model year as the first character in the VIN.