First introduced in September of 1963, the Chevelle nameplate was Chevy’s answer to the growing demand for midsize models, offering everything from sensible family sedans to performance-oriented street machines. By 1965, the Malibu trim had become the upscale face of the Chevelle line, with the Super Sport (SS) package providing a nice boost to performance. Now, we’re watching as a 1965 Chevy Malibu SS lines up with a 1969 Chevy Chevelle SS396 for some straight-line action.
Once again coming to us from the Cars And Zebras YouTube channel, the video serves up some specs and history behind each of these vehicles, followed by several rounds of racing.
Kicking it off is the 1965 Chevy Malibu SS, which is cradling the 327-cubic-inch small-block V8. This particular 327 was rated at 300 horsepower and 360 pound-feet of torque when new, with highlights like a compression ratio of 10.5:1.
Meanwhile, the 1969 Chevelle SS was only available with a big-block engine, namely the 396 V8. This particular 396 is the high-performance L78 variant, throwing down with a factory-rated 375 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. While impressive, GM more than likely underrated this engine for the 1969 model year, and the actual power number is probably closer to that of Corvette, which was rated at 425 horsepower. Engine highlights include four-bolt mains, a forged crankshaft and forged rods, mechanical lifters, and a Holley 780 carburetor.
Placing these two classics side by side, the ’65 is has less power, but is lighter by about 400 pounds, while the ’69 is also heavier up front, making it harder to launch cleanly. Additionally, the ’65 uses a two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission with 4.10 gears, which is simple but lightweight and efficient for drag racing. By contrast, the ’69 has a four-speed manual and 4.56 gears, making it fun but potentially harder to launch smoothly.
Which machine do you think takes the win in this matchup? Hit play to see for yourself:
No Comments yet