409 Impala Wagon: Can You Get Down With The Longroof?

The year 1965 was the last for Chevrolet’s fabled 409 W-motor. It was replaced midyear by the now even more legendary Mark IV 396 big-block, but people are still building, racing and enjoying the old 409 today. This 1965 409 Impala wagon is an unrestored example of the last of the breed. Can you get down with the long roof?

Those three numbers (4-0-9) are so special Chevy built its new LS6 small-block to displace 409 cubic inches. But while the modern 409 promises to be a fantastic engine, with infinite swap possibilities and 535 horsepower stock, for some, nothing will ever be more magical than the original. Speaking of the original, we are hung up on this 409 Impala wagon.

Those people (and most others) will dig this ’65 Chevy Impala station wagon. It is a real-deal 409 car — so authentic it still has its original 340-horsepower engine and tons of paperwork to prove its provenance. How much paperwork? Five build sheets. If that isn’t enough, the original Protect-O-Plate is included, too.

This unrestored classic is going across the block at the Mecum Spring Classic auction in Indianapolis on May 14. It is believed to be one of 82 produced in that farewell season. 

All the solid-lifter 409s were gone after 1964; this is more a torque monster, with 420 lbs-ft, designed to haul a family of 15 or so while hauling a boat or trailer. There was a more robust W-engine in ‘65, a single four-barrel example with 400 hp and 425 lb-ft.

In addition to power steering and automatic transmission, this Impala has factory air conditioning and (unusual at the time) AM-FM radio. The car was purchased new by Raymond Plociniak at Bus Kelly Chevrolet in Moscow, Pennsylvania. 

According to Mecum, the carburetor, distributor, alternator, A/C compressor, water pump, radiator, clutch fan, brake booster and power steering assembly are original to the car, and the carb has been rebuilt.
The car was last registered in 1983. Plociniak died in June 1982, after which the wagon was parked in the family barn, where it sat for the next 22 years. The odometer has only rolled up an extra 300 miles since emerging from hibernation. To make it road worthy, a new fuel pump, master cylinder, gas tank, battery, exhaust system, brakes and rubber lines were added. 

What do you think —are you a wagon master or would you prefer the hardtop or convertible? No question, the ‘65 is one of the high-water marks for full-size Chevrolet styling.