What we were driving 50 years ago: cars of 1965

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | March 11, 2015

[artichokegrower]

From the mundane to the exotic, these are some of the new cars we were diving in 1965.

[Mom MD]

My first car was my great grandmothers 1965 olds F-85. Sweet car, I still miss it. V8 engine ran like a top. No catalytic converter or other crap on the engine. I could change the spark plugs and wires myself. And when going down the highway at 55 (or so) you could step on it and that thing would run away like it had been stung!

I wish they would make them like that again....

[Joe Boucher]

Ford Falcoon.
Slant six.
Just keep oil and water in it.
And drive full out at 32 miles per hour.

[ROCKLOBSTER]

the cookie cutter cars today.

They all look like Nissans...whatever brand. I hate those front turn signals, integrated into the headlight modules. Can't see them.

[ROCKLOBSTER]

My more mundane 66 Chevelle (image 9) 196 cu. in. 6 cyl 3 spd stick.

That could be easily remedied.

[Let's Roll]

Did I miss the 1965 Impala - 2 door (did it come with 4?), HT, silver, black vinyl? top. Better looking than the GM cars they did show - sfgate, eh.

[ROCKLOBSTER]

Ford Falcoon. Slant six.

Actually it was either the 144" I6, or the "racing" 170.

The slant six was MOPAR.

[Flick Lives]

'65 Stingray. 'Nuff said.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

” but I loved my cramped 1972 Opel GT too.”

I was just to tall and long-legged for the GT. I did get a Manta in’74, and I loved it! Out-handled all the other cars in it’s class. But I started souping it up right after I bought it. There was a place called Mantapart down around Kenosha that had everything, and I bought most everything except fairings, spoilers, etc.. Car was a BMW killer!

[ROCKLOBSTER]

I wish they would make them like that again....

"They" do. Only "they" isn't Detroit...it's the garaged-American gear-head down the street.

[who knows what evil?]

My roommate had a ‘beater’ of a Volkswagen Beetle convertible back in the early 70’s (?). It was junk, but she loved it. We were driving on the NY State Thruway after partaking of a nice brunch at a B&B...she hit a bump, and the whole damn passenger seat floor (badly rusted) dropped out from beneath my feet. Looked at each other; then laughed our *sses off all the way home.

[ansel12]

I’ve crawled out of a few totaled cars.

The government should not have taken over cars, nor made us wear helmets.

[Leaning Right]

Actually, they have an ugly steel bumper that looks similar to a chunk of guardrail, with a molded flexible plastic cover hiding it.

Right you are. I guess my beef is with the plastic that covers it. Hit something going just a few mph and that plastic gets crunched and cracked, necessitating big money repairs.

On the other hand, I remember those old steel bumpers to be pretty much indestructible. (But nostalgia might be coloring those old memories.)

[fso301]

Not better cars than those available today but a better time to live in America than today.

Agreed about the cars. Modern automobiles are vastly more complex AND reliable than 1960's era vehicles.

Disagree about it being a better time to live in America. Decisions of voters then are the reason we have the situation at present.

[ROCKLOBSTER]

I guess you could take them off and put them up in the rafters of the garage till you sell it.

It would look pretty ugly, but then again...

[TXnMA]

Just a few days over 50 years ago, I took delivery of one like #8 (including the "Commando" V8, as shown) -- special ordered as a "Formula 'S'" -- less tach and Blue Streak racing tires. (Red, without the "cop bait" stripes...)

Most enjoyable car I ever owned -- and I still have it!

[FreeReign]

SUVs I can-not-stand...not to mention the lovely way they block the view of traffic. In the past you would have the view ahead blocked occasionally by trucks or vans. Now it's block pretty much ALL the time

Looking at the picture that you posted....

The height of the 1957 chevy in your picture is 68".

The height of the two SUV's in my driveway are 65" and 70".

LOL.

[Oldhunk]

My father bought a 1956 Bel Aire, but it was a sedan. He wouldn’t go for the hardtop I pushed hard for. Was yours a sedan or hardtop?

[Oldhunk]

I had a 67 Mercury Cougar. Still my favorite of all I owned.

[mikrofon]

What we were supposed to be driving by now ....

[Star Traveler]

I think all those older cars are cool! ... :-) ...