What cars did Chevrolet make in 1965?

In the 1965 model year, Chevrolet’s U.S. passenger-car lineup included the full-size Biscayne, Bel Air, Impala and Impala SS; the mid-size Chevelle 300, 300 Deluxe, Malibu and Malibu SS (including the limited-run Malibu SS 396 Z16); the compact Chevy II (100, 300, Nova 400 with Nova SS); the rear-engine Corvair (500, Monza, Corsa); the Corvette Sting Ray; and the car-based El Camino. Together, these models spanned everything from economy sedans and wagons to performance coupes and a true sports car.

Full-size lineup: B-body sedans, hardtops, wagons and the Impala SS

Chevrolet’s full-size cars were all-new for 1965 with sleek styling on GM’s redesigned B-body platform. The range stretched from the value-focused Biscayne to the popular Bel Air and top-trim Impala, with the Impala SS serving as the performance-oriented variant. Full-size wagons were trimmed as Biscayne, Bel Air, and Impala, and Chevrolet also introduced the upscale Caprice Custom Sedan as an Impala option package late in the model year.

• Biscayne — base full-size: 2-door and 4-door sedans, select wagons
• Bel Air — mid-level full-size: 2-door and 4-door sedans, wagons
• Impala — premium full-size: 2-door hardtop “Sport Coupe,” 4-door sedan and hardtop, convertible, wagons
• Impala SS — sport-oriented trim with bucket seats and performance options, in coupe and convertible forms
• Caprice Custom Sedan (option package) — luxury interior/exterior package on the Impala 4-door hardtop, introduced mid-year

This mix delivered Chevrolet’s hallmark breadth: practical sedans and wagons for families, plus stylish hardtops and convertibles with increasingly robust V8 options in a landmark restyle year.

Mid-size Chevelle family

Chevrolet’s A-body Chevelle continued into 1965 with a broad roster aimed at mainstream buyers and enthusiasts alike. Trims ranged from the austere 300 up through the Malibu and Malibu SS. Notably, Chevrolet built a very limited run of Malibu SS 396 “Z16” cars (approximately 201 produced), seeding the brand’s big-block mid-size muscle formula.

• Chevelle 300 — entry-level mid-size in sedan and wagon forms
• Chevelle 300 Deluxe — added amenities; sedans, hardtops, and wagons
• Chevelle Malibu — volume trim; 2-door hardtop, 4-door, convertible, wagons
• Chevelle Malibu SS — sporty appearance and handling; hardtop and convertible
• Malibu SS 396 (Z16) — limited-production 396-ci big-block performance model

With multiple body styles and trims—and the rare Z16—the 1965 Chevelle lineup covered family duty and spirited driving, foreshadowing the SS 396 series that would arrive the following year.

Compact conventional: Chevy II / Nova

For buyers wanting a conventional compact, the Chevy II lineup offered simple mechanics and a smaller footprint than Chevelle. The Nova 400 sat at the top of the Chevy II range, and the Nova SS package brought sportier styling and interior touches to the hardtop Sport Coupe.

• Chevy II 100 — base compact: 2-door sedan, 4-door sedan, and 4-door wagon
• Chevy II 300 — mid-trim: 2-door and 4-door sedans, and wagons
• Chevy II Nova 400 — premium compact: Sport Coupe (hardtop), 4-door sedan, wagon
• Nova SS (option package on Nova 400 Sport Coupe) — bucket seats and exterior trim; performance-oriented appearance

The Chevy II/Nova lineup delivered affordable transportation with a touch of style in Nova trims, while the SS package added flair to the compact end of Chevrolet’s showroom.

Rear-engine compact: Corvair

1965 marked a major redesign for the Corvair, featuring new styling and improved suspension. The lineup spanned the basic 500 and sporty Monza to the new, high-performance Corsa, which introduced available multi-carbureted and turbocharged engines. Corvair body styles included 2-door and 4-door hardtops, plus a convertible in upper trims.

• Corvair 500 — base: 2-door hardtop coupe and 4-door hardtop sedan
• Corvair Monza — popular sporty trim: 2-door hardtop, 4-door hardtop, convertible
• Corvair Corsa — new high-performance trim: 2-door hardtop and convertible

The 1965 Corvair lineup broadened Chevrolet’s compact appeal with distinctive engineering and, in Corsa form, genuine enthusiast credibility.

Sports car: Corvette Sting Ray (C2)

The 1965 Corvette Sting Ray solidified its sports-car status with standard four-wheel disc brakes and the mid-year debut of a big-block V8 option. Available as a fastback coupe or convertible, it remained Chevrolet’s performance flagship.

• Corvette Sting Ray Coupe
• Corvette Sting Ray Convertible

With notable chassis and powertrain upgrades, the 1965 Corvette balanced race-bred engineering with showroom sophistication.

Car-based utility: El Camino (Chevelle-based)

Although a car-based pickup rather than a traditional passenger car, the El Camino shared Chevelle underpinnings and interiors, making it a familiar sight alongside Chevy’s mid-size sedans and coupes. Trims broadly aligned with Chevelle content levels.

• El Camino — base car-based pickup with Chevelle-style options
• El Camino Custom — upgraded trim comparable to Malibu content

For buyers wanting passenger-car driving manners with open-bed utility, the 1965 El Camino provided a versatile bridge between cars and trucks.

Key notes and context

The 1965 Chevrolet portfolio reflected a pivotal year: a complete full-size restyle; the Corvair’s second generation; growing performance emphasis in Malibu SS and Nova SS trims; and the Corvette’s leap with disc brakes and a big-block option. Additionally, Chevrolet introduced the Caprice name as a luxury package on the Impala four-door hardtop, foreshadowing a stand-alone Caprice series for 1966.

Summary

Chevrolet’s 1965 cars ranged from the full-size Biscayne, Bel Air, Impala and Impala SS to the mid-size Chevelle 300/300 Deluxe/Malibu/Malibu SS (including the rare Malibu SS 396 Z16), the compact Chevy II 100/300/Nova 400 with Nova SS, the rear-engine Corvair 500/Monza/Corsa, and the Corvette Sting Ray. Rounding out the car-based offerings, the El Camino delivered utility on Chevelle underpinnings. It was a watershed year that combined new designs with a sharper performance edge across the lineup.