I heard that 409's were available in '65 Impala's before the 396's came out, but have never actually seen one...I just came across a complete, but disassembled 409, that has the 1965 casting numbers...super rare?
It's true that they were only available for the first part of the '65 model year. The exhaust manifolds are a '65 only item.
One source shows 2,828 produced in '65 when in mid year it was replaced by the 396. The 425hp, dual quad would definitely be worth more than the 400 single carb version. "Super rare"? Eh............ When people get excited about those words they often think they're in for a big payday. Doesn't often work that way...........though not impossible.
I saw a '65 409 Impala at a show in Zurich Ontario about ten years ago,and the owner swore it was legit...It was pretty surprising to see the 'W' valve covers in a '65 car that everybody expected to contain a 396 though... Scott Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Right, I hear what you're sayin' about the "Super Rare" part Bob, but, at only 2,800 produced, still WAY less than the typical small block that was produced that year...I was able to pick it up for $100, I know the rebuild cost is going to be up there, but, I've wanted one for years, and just sorta fell into this one...
I think the only 409 available in 65 as the 340 horse. I saw a 65 Parisienne with one in it a few years ago.
A 400 horse version was an option but I have never seen one. I did have a 340 horse 4-speed '65 wagon about 25 years ago.
I believe their was a 400 HP option available in 65 for the 409. I have see spec sheets and advertisements representing this, although I think the majority of 65 409's were the milder 340 hp version. A friend represented his 65 Impala to have the 400 hp back in the day.
My grandfather owned a Chevrolet dealership, and in '65 he drove a 409 Impala for the first part of the model year, and its twin with the exception of a 396 for the second half. It'd be a nice pair to own today.
Yeah, absolutely! I wasn't going to pass it up! I already have a 6x2 setup, a mag, and a pair of finned, no-name, Moon valve covers for it that I've been saving...plans are to put it in my '55 2-dr. sedan with a 4-speed, set back about 15%, with a 4-bar-dropped tube axle-coil overs front suspension, 9-inch Ford rear on leaf springs, and 5-spokes...
Hard to believe, I had a 57 Corvette in 1968 with a 340 hp 409 in it. I was 18 at the time and sold it 2 years later for $ 850. That is all they were worth back then.( who Knew) If only we had the forsight. Then bought a brand new SS Camaro. Ago
I've seen one! My dad had one un-restored around 1995. It was rough, but cool, had the build sheet and everything. It was a legit 65 409!
The complete car is rare, the engine without the car isn't the whole package but $100 is stealing it!!lol JimV
I had a customer that had one back in the early 70's, I heard he still has it.I actually still have the brand new fan shroud I believe. We had ordered it for him back then and never put it in, it hung on the wall in my shop until 1996 and then I brought it home.I either gave it to the guy down the road from me with a 1961 409 (not real) or I still have it.
I worked at a gas station in H.S.,(71-73) a guy used to come in all the time in a '65 Impala 4dr. 409. Yellow w/white top. They were getting kind of rare to see, even by that time. You got a deal for $100
Not only are the exhaust manifolds a one year deal but so are the oil pans. They have an extra step in them required to clear the new frame design. I came across a complete 65 409 about ten years ago for 500 bucks. i sold the manifolds and oil pan for somewhere around $1,700. That made a nice dent in the rebuild cost.
Just out of curiosity, does it have the VIN numbers stamped on the pad on the front of the block? I'm sure they were still churning out 409 replacement parts in 1965.
A pal of mine in the air force had a '65 Impala SS convert 409, 340 HP, 4 speed at Clark Field in the Philippines in '67. He left it with me when he went stateside for 30 days on a compassionate leave. It made a good substitute for my '62 340 horse 327 Corvette back home. Charlie
We snagged a 65 409 out of a c80 Chevy truck a few years ago and have a 65 dated 409 well engine. Really good buy for $100 especially if it came out of a passenger car and has the one year only exhaust manifolds. The right guy would give enough for the manifolds to get you started on your rebuild!!!
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