My B-I-L pulled the bench seat out of his 65 Malibu and replaced it with bucket seats. My question is "has anyone ever seen a 65 Malibu (non SS) with factory installed bucket seats". I know that back then just about anything could have been ordered.

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc309/MalibuSeaS/Malibu%20SS/Interior02.jpg

Bucket seats were not unique to an SS. They could be ordered separately.

I'm not an early Chevelle expert, but I believe that the bucket seat interior was part of what made the SS package popular.
Don't think they were available as an option for the Malibu.

Dan

Bucket seats were not unique to an SS.

Don't think they were available as an option for the Malibu.
Anyone know for sure?

According to my Chevrolet parts manual that lists interior trim numbers, fabrics, and seat types the ONLY bucket seats found on any model other than the Malibu SS sport coupe or convertible are three listings for 13580/13680 El Caminos. Trims 717 (Fawn), 724 (Turquoise) and 726 (Red) are shown for 13580/13680 El Caminos only. Additionally, no bucket seat RPO codes are listed as reportedly sold by Chevrolet as an option on the 1965 Chevelle. The 724 buckets are shown on Chevrolets sold options list with 1,562 units sold (again limited to 13580/13680 El Caminos but 717 & 726 are not listed on the report. http://www.chevellestuff.com/1965/options_by_model.htm and photo of one set of 724 coded seats at http://www.chevellestuff.com/1965/chevelle/interiors/interior_bucket.htm.

Bucket seats were part of the Malibu SS packages but apparently, besides the 3 El Camino trim numbers, bucket seats were not offered as an option, even on the Malibu and no listing of any bucket seat is found in Chevrolet's annual report on Chevelle's options. :thumbsup:

...bucket seats were not offered as an option, even on the Malibu and no listing of any bucket seat is found in Chevrolet's annual report on Chevelle's options. :thumbsup:
I guess that's my answer! ;)

funny thing is that my '65 is a real SS and it has a bench and column shifter. it was a fairly unmolested car when i got it. i am the 3rd owner. i don't think you could get an SS with a bench and column shifter. they were the right color too. the pattern on the front seat does not match the back seat. other funny thing is that there is a hole in the floor where the shifter should be, covered up with an old shop sign or something and there are remnants of the brackets for the console as well as the center mounting points for the buckets that are not there. can't imagine who would have switched it or if they somehow convinced the dealer to do it or why, but that is what i have. not really sure what the donor was either. VIN and data plate confirm SS. so ????

65 SS malibus were available with bench and column shifter
I dont think you could go vice versa though with a bu that was not a SS

funny thing is that my '65 is a real SS and it has a bench and column shifter. it was a fairly unmolested car when i got it. i am the 3rd owner. i don't think you could get an SS with a bench and column shifter. they were the right color too. the pattern on the front seat does not match the back seat. other funny thing is that there is a hole in the floor where the shifter should be, covered up with an old shop sign or something and there are remnants of the brackets for the console as well as the center mounting points for the buckets that are not there. can't imagine who would have switched it or if they somehow convinced the dealer to do it or why, but that is what i have. not really sure what the donor was either. VIN and data plate confirm SS. so ????Hopefully Rich-L79 will stop by, he's the 65 guru. Seem to remember there was an instance or two where the bench seat could be opted over the buckets on the Malibu SS. I also seem to remember Rich talking about an instance of buckets with a column shift but wouldn't have the console. Been a while, could be wrong.

Can you see the original hole in the floor from the bottom side? Does it look neat (like the factory would be) or jagged like someone cut it out with a hacksaw? Or, maybe somebody wanted to keep the buckets, console & plain steering column and replaced them with a bench seat and a column shift column from a donor car. Just curious, what is the trim code on the trim tag?

Seem to remember there was an instance or two where the bench seat could be opted over the buckets on the Malibu SS. I also seem to remember Rich talking about an instance of buckets with a column shift but wouldn't have the console. Been a while, could be wrong.

Not wrong. Here ya go Dale! :thumbsup:
http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=199198

Well, I was going to pipe in but Frank's link above already does the trick. Bottom line: in 64/65 an SS got a console if an automatic or a 4-speed were ordred. Buckets were standard. HOWEVER, the console (and floor shift) and/or buckets could be deleted in favor of a column shift (auto or 3-speed only) and/or bench seat respectively.

From Sean's description it sounds like his car has had the bench seat installed either by a previous owner or a dealer.

That's the one, thanks Frank & Rich. :thumbsup:

Hopefully Rich-L79 will stop by, he's the 65 guru. Seem to remember there was an instance or two where the bench seat could be opted over the buckets on the Malibu SS. I also seem to remember Rich talking about an instance of buckets with a column shift but wouldn't have the console. Been a while, could be wrong.

Can you see the original hole in the floor from the bottom side? Does it look neat (like the factory would be) or jagged like someone cut it out with a hacksaw? Or, maybe somebody wanted to keep the buckets, console & plain steering column and replaced them with a bench seat and a column shift column from a donor car. Just curious, what is the trim code on the trim tag?

i never pulled the cover off the shifter hole to look. soon i will know as it is getting a TKO and it will be cut by me. I will do a clean job of it though. I do aircraft fabrication for a living, so I got a handle on doing clean sheetmetal work. yeah Rich filled me in several years ago when i originally posed the question about the bench and the column. i don't remember the outcome being that bench and column were an option for the SS, but my memory sucks. like i said it appeared to be all original except the engine when i got it in '86. even still had the original hubcaps and owner's manual. the engine was a later 350 with camel hump heads and a ton of trash in the intake valley (old style beer pull tabs, pine needles and other random trash... can't believe it made it home.) it is a black plate california car, but the interior is junk (but complete) and the floors are rusty (still) so it sat outside. probably without a hood and intake from the looks of the motor. didn't matter as i had a trans and motor and was looking for a car to put it in... many years later when i built this engine for the second time, i also brought that block to the builder only to find out that i kept it for 20 years and never noticed there was about a 5" crack along the side of the block a couple inches below the deck. it sat on a stand and i never cleaned it up. the heads turned out to be worth some $$$ in 2007 when i got rid of them. it is a 327/pg car and has a 12bolt. also a factory A/C car. that's about it for options though... i think tinted windows too. don't remember anymore. anyway, here's the cowl tag.

From Sean's description it sounds like his car has had the bench seat installed either by a previous owner or a dealer.

That is a thing I think a lot of younger people don't realize. That is how far a dealer would go to make a sale back then!:)

The 770 interior code is for Light Fawn Pattern Imitation Leather bucket seats.

Makes me wonder what trim code plants used on Malibu SS cars (that came standard with bucket seats) when a bench seat was ordered as a substitute. Did Fisher still stamp the tag with bucket seat trim code and then notate that the final assembly was to install a bench seat of the same color or was the corresponding color bench seat trim code used on the trim tag from Fisher? Did the change have to be approved by F&SO? Hmmm...another mystery :confused:

The 770 interior code is for Light Fawn Pattern Imitation Leather bucket seats.

Makes me wonder what trim code plants used on Malibu SS cars (that came standard with bucket seats) when a bench seat was ordered as a substitute. Did Fisher still stamp the tag with bucket seat trim code and then notate that the final assembly was to install a bench seat of the same color or was the corresponding color bench seat trim code used on the trim tag from Fisher? Did the change have to be approved by F&SO? Hmmm...another mystery :confused:

Yeah, I wish I'd gotten a photo of the trim tag of the couple bench seat/column shift SS cars I've seen. Never occurred to me at the time to get a photo.....

... in 64/65 an SS got a console if an automatic or a 4-speed were ordred. Buckets were standard. HOWEVER, the console (and floor shift) and/or buckets could be deleted in favor of a column shift (auto or 3-speed only) and/or bench seat respectively.
Just to throw a wrench into the gears: This guy claims this is a #s matching 65 SS 3-speed. The engine stamp suffix is DA (283 w/3 speed). The pictures clearly show mounting brackets for a console yet it was a 3-speed. I guess you could order a 64/5 SS with a 3 speed and a console. I'm confused.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevrolet-Chevelle-Malibu-SS-1965-Chevrolet-Malibu-SS-Chevelle_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6164QQihZ018QQ itemZ280308557486QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Just to throw a wrench into the gears: This guy claims this is a #s matching 65 SS 3-speed. The engine stamp suffix is DA (283 w/3 speed). The pictures clearly show mounting brackets for a console yet it was a 3-speed. I guess you could order a 64/5 SS with a 3 speed and a console. I'm confused.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevrolet-Chevelle-Malibu-SS-1965-Chevrolet-Malibu-SS-Chevelle_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6164QQihZ018QQ itemZ280308557486QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Well, there's a couple problems here. The DA engine code indicates 283/manual (shift) which could mean either a 3-speed or a 4-speed. Also, the "2L" on the trim tag indicates a 4-speed. So, either it has the wrong transmission or he doesn't know what transmission he's got. However, the 4-speed listed on the cowl tag explains the console. There was no console for the 3-speed since the auto console was entirely unique from the 4-speed version (at least the front half is unique) and the 4-speed version has the shift pattern cast into the console itself and would look out of place with a 3-speed. The Chevrolet AMA spec sheets clearly indicate the console is only available with Powerglide and 4-speed transmissions and only for Super Sports (not counting El Caminos for the moment).

My engine code resources show DA to be 3-speed and DB to be 4-speed. Like Rich stated, the "L" on the trim tag indicates a 4-speed. Engine date is October 4 (1964) and body date on trim tag is January 3rd week (1965). I realize there's an accepted time of up to 3 months for engine before car dates but this is on the outside of that; too much IMO for a relatively common engine.

Looks like the wrong radiator (outlet on wrong side), wrong thermostat housing, wrong intake (no oil fill tube) and wrong valve covers. I wonder what is "matching" except the red paint color?

The second digit is the letter I as in IndianaHuh?

My engine code resources show DA to be 3-speed and DB to be 4-speed.
Agreed

Like Rich stated, the "L" on the trim tag indicates a 4-speed.
If in 64/5 L= 4-speed and M= powerglide then what letter on the "trim tag" (if any) would indicate a 3-speed? Or could the assumption be made that the letter L= manual transmission?


Engine date is October 4 (1964) and body date on trim tag is January 3rd week (1965). I realize there's an accepted time of up to 3 months for engine before car dates but this is on the outside of that; too much IMO for a relatively common engine. Looks like the wrong radiator (outlet on wrong side), wrong thermostat housing, wrong intake (no oil fill tube) and wrong valve covers.
Agreed

... either it has the wrong transmission or he doesn't know what transmission he's got.
Agreed

If in 64/5 L= 4-speed and M= powerglide then what letter on the "trim tag" (if any) would indicate a 3-speed? Or could the assumption be made that the letter L= manual transmission?
My resources do show for 66 & 67 that "B" was used for the standard M13 H.D. 3-speed (floor shiftt) in SS396 cars and "O" was used for the M10 3-speed with O/D but no indications of any letter codes used for 64 or 65 for the standard 3-speed.

I assume that's the reason the group option codes would not have a code for a standard equipment item. Since the 4-speed was an optional transmission like the Powerglide and TH400 (1967), they would have group option codes. Even though the H.D. 3-speed (66/67) was standard equipment, since it was only available in a floor shift model it required a modification to the floor pan. The group codes generally meant that provisions were made for those options, eg., hole cut for rear antenna/defroster/speaker, mounting brackets for console/air conditioning equip/etc.

Other items coded such as optional tinted windshied or all tinted glass or something like deluxe seat belts is a mystery to me, I can't imagine what mods were needed to intall one of those two tinted glass options over standard glass or deluxe seat belts over standard seat belts.

It's a shame Fisher/Chevrolet in the U.S. didn't continue the practice through 72 like GM of Canada with certain RPO codes, sure would help identify SS cars. :yes:

....
Other items coded such as optional tinted windshied or all tinted glass or something like deluxe seat belts is a mystery to me, I can't imagine what mods were needed to intall one of those two tinted glass options over standard glass or deluxe seat belts over standard seat belts.....

The action required was the installation of the optional parts, instead of clear glass, tinted glass was installed, same with deluxe seat belt buckles.
Fisher did more than punch holes.

Dan

My B-I-L pulled the bench seat out of his 65 Malibu and replaced it with bucket seats. My question is "has anyone ever seen a 65 Malibu (non SS) with factory installed bucket seats". I know that back then just about anything could have been ordered.

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc309/MalibuSeaS/Malibu%20SS/Interior02.jpg

What build date is this car?
post trim tag date and VIN #

A few years ago I ran across an original owner 65 Malibu convertible with complete SS interior. The man was deceased so I was talking to the widow.

She showed me pictures of the car when new and it had the interior in it. I have lost my notes but remember the car was one of the last 65 Chevelles built.

My assumption was they were using up left over parts.

She would not sell the car and has moved since.

Black car with red interior, pretty rough condition but complete and drivable.

If in 64/5 L= 4-speed and M= powerglide then what letter on the "trim tag" (if any) would indicate a 3-speed? Or could the assumption be made that the letter L= manual transmission?


Codes were only placed on the cowl tag for optional equipment. The 3-speed manual was standard, thus no code would be used if it was a 3-speed.

Does anyone have a photo (Atlanta, Framingham or Kansas City) of a 65 "trim tag" with a factory installed
3 speed? Yes, this thread has taken a few turns, but I find it to be a very informative one, none the less. ;)
Frank

Does anyone have a photo (Atlanta, Framingham or Kansas City) of a 65 "trim tag" with a factory installed
3 speed? Yes, this thread has taken a few turns, but I find it to be a very informative one, none the less. ;)
Frank

A few years back I had a 4-door parts car with a factory 3-speed. I'll dig around and see if I have a photo of the cowl tag. It was a KC car if I remember correctly.

...I'll dig around and see if I have a photo of the cowl tag ....
Thanx Rich. That'd be great. :thumbsup:
Frank

Here's a KC tag on a 13411 300 Deluxe 2-dr sedan. Note VIN plate also indicates it's a 6-cyl (13311).

http://www.chevellestuff.com/1965/chevelle/tags/kan/tt_kan_06c_13411_3034_dd.jpg

http://www.chevellestuff.com/1965/chevelle/tags/kan/vin_133115k198645.jpg

Well, if I have a photo of the parts car's tag I can't find it. My wagon was a 3-speed but it is a Baltimore car and their tags don't typically have a lot of useful information.

Everyone, thanx for all of the postings. Learned alot from this thread! :thumbsup:
Frank