The Chevelle SS represented Chevrolet's entry into the muscle car battle. Early 1964 and 1965 Chevelles had a Malibu SS badge on the rear quarter panel (part of the Z16 option priced at US$1,501 in 1965,[1] had the emblem on the front fender, as well as distinct in-house style numbers, 737 for the hardtop, 767 for the convertible;The $162 Super Sport package was available on the upscale Malibu two-door hardtop and convertible models, the option added special exterior brightwork with SS emblems and the 14-inch full-disc wheel covers from the Impala SS. Inside was a vinyl bucket-seat interior that featured a floor console for models equipped with the optional Muncie aluminum four-speed-manual or Powerglide two-speed automatic instead of the standard three-speed manual. Malibu SS also got a four-gauge cluster in place of engine warning lights, and a dash-mounted tachometer was optional. The available 283-cubic-inch four-barrel V-8 engine rated at 220-horsepower was the same rating as the 1957 Chevy Power-Pak 283 engine.

While the 1964 Malibu SS may have recalled past glories, the future was available over at Pontiac. There, Chevelle’s Pontiac Tempest corporate cousin had a 389-cubic-inch V-8 to create the 325-horsepower Pontiac GTO, followed quickly by the 310-horse 330-cube-inch Oldsmobile Cutlass 442. That was all it took for Chevy to break GMs 326-cubic-inch ceiling for intermediate-car engines. Starting in mid-1964, the Chevelle could be ordered with the division’s 327-cubic-inch V-8, in either 250 or 300 hp (224 kW). Both used a four-barrel carb and 10.5:1 compression and could hold their own against 289 Ford Fairlanes and 273 Plymouth Barracudas. But muscle fans would demand more, and get it. For 1965, Chevrolet also offered the 350-hp 327 V8 as Regular Production Option (RPO) L79. Still, for those “sensible” buyers, the Chevelle was appealing and Chevy built 294,160 this first year, including 76,860 SS models. After 1965, the Malibu SS badging disappeared except for those sold in Canada. Only 201 Malibu SS396 big-block-equipped cars were produced in 1965.

1966 Chevelle SS396 ConvertibleThe Chevelle SS 396 became a regular series of its own in 1966.(style numbers 817 and 867 that year),[4] was the high performance version and had its own line of engines and performance equipment. SS 396 coupes and convertibles used Malibu bodies with reinforced frames and revised front suspension: higher-rate springs, recalibrated shocks, and thicker front stabilizer bar. They also had simulated hood scoops, red-stripe tires, and bright trim moldings. All SS transmissions were floor-shifted The performance engines available included 396 CID V8s – rated at 325 hp (242 kW), 350 hp (260 kW), and 375 hp (280 kW) respectively (the mid horsepower 396 was rated at 360 hp (270 kW) for 1966 only and 350 hp (260 kW) thereafter). The SS396 series lasted from 1966 through 1968 before being relegated to an option package. The 1966 and 1967 model years also saw the limited run of the 'strut back' two-door sport coupe with its own syle number, 17

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