1965 was a year of big changes for the Impala because it was “out with the old and in with the new” for the Chevy flagship.
The brand-new body style on the ’65 Impala paved the way for the Chevy model design over the next few years.
Jim Sutherland
Jerry Schroeder became only the third owner of a 1965 Chevy Impala SS 327 two-door hardtop back in 1981 and still owns the car after 44 years. He told MyStarCollectorCar the second owner did not have it for very long before he sold the Impala to Jerry, so he has been the car’s owner for an exceptionally long time.
The ’65 Chevy Impala SS left the factory with a 327 cubic inch small block engine bolted to a 4-speed Muncie “rock crusher” manual transmission, but Jerry beefed his Impala up in a major way when he replaced the original powertrain with a 383 stroker engine mated to an aftermarket 5-speed manual transmission with an overdrive feature. He added the ’65 Impala still has its posi rear end.
The 60-year-old Chevy has a plaque from a 1976 World of Wheels car show where it won 1st place in the Conservative Hardtop category, an honor Jerry believed should stay with the car, so the plaque is mounted to the console. The first owner won the award and now it’s part of the car’s legacy.
Jerry mentioned the car’s hood and trunk were damaged in a storm and regrets the fact that he chose to replace them rather than fix them. In all fairness, Jerry’s decision was made many years ago and was likely the wise decision at the time for him.
The Impala’s resto mod process began in the late 90s from 1997 until 1999 and was ready in time for the dawn of the 21st century. It was originally a blue car but now sports a very cool red paint scheme.
The choice for a different color was a good one because it enhances the overall style of Jerry’s ’65 Impala’s curves and lines.
The car’s changes in a visual sense were very evident but Jerry also paid attention to original details like its tach, clock, gauges and steering wheel because they represent some of the cooler elements found in sportier cars during the mid-1960s.
The ’65 Chevy has power brakes with a front disc and rear drum system but does not have power steering, according to Jerry, so he gets a workout every time he uses the steering wheel.
He was unimpressed with the aftermarket sound system wedged into his Impala, so Jerry removed it and now has the factory system with AM radio, front speaker, and a rear speaker mounted between the seats.
Jerry added 15-inch wheels to his Impala because he wanted a better ride and his career as a mechanic made the speedometer gear change for accuracy a very simple procedure for him.
He describes his Impala’s ride on the road as “beautiful” and added his changes “made it driveable”, in his words.
Jerry’s 44-year relationship with his 60-year-old Impala shows no signs of ending any time soon and that makes it a great car guy story for us here at MyStarCollectorCar.
Jim Sutherland
BY: Jim Sutherland
Jim Sutherland is a veteran automotive writer whose work has been published by many major print and online publications. The list includes Calgary Herald, The Truth About Cars, Red Deer Advocate, RPM Magazine, Edmonton Journal, Montreal Gazette, Windsor Star, Vancouver Province, and Post Media Wheels Section.
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