1965 Chevrolet Chevelle 300 Series 2-Door Wagon

The story begins in 1955, when Chevrolet designers decided that the market needed a flashy station wagon for  upscale families. The Chevrolet Nomad was the answer: a 2 door wagon with styling that attracted buyers of all ages.

Flash forward 10 years later, the 2-door wagon idea hung on but now as tradesman's delivery vehicle. The 1964 Chevelle was Chevrolet's venture into the mid sized car market. It had great success with models available from the bottom of the line 300 series to the highly desired Super Sport. Many more 300 and 300 Deluxe series cars were sold to families on a budget than the Super Sport.

The 1965 300 Deluxe was available as a common 4 door station wagon, but the "lowly" 300 series wagon came only as an unusual and rarely ordered 2 door. About 620 of this model were produced for 1964 and 1965. Approximately 200 were equipped with V8 engines, either Chevrolet's trustworthy 283, or the more desirable 327. The rest came equipped with one of 2 in line six cylinders. The interiors were sparse with surprisingly stylish vinyl covered seating and just a rubber floor covering.

Today, these very rarely seen cars are prized by hot rodders who remove the stock engines and replace them with giant V8's for drag racing and shows. Although there are some owners that choose to restore the cars as they were to new, or stock condition.

The graceful lower "Coke bottle" shaped body lines are complimented by the unique window styling which hark back to the days of the 1955-1957 Nomads. The side sliding windows copy that forward slanted style of a General Motors transit bus. This sets the car apart from any other Chevelle model wagon. This feature makes the 300 wagon much sought after and expensive to buy these days...even as a rusted out wreck, if you can find one.

As of late, the idea to make a "draggin wagon" gets stronger every year. My cousin had a '65 Chevelle 300 2 door wagon for a short while, and after adding a mildly tweeked 350, Muncie 4 speed and posi rear...I thought it was just a very cool street rod. When it comes to the mid or smaller sized wagons, most are of the 4 door variety, but coming across an original 2 door wagon...that makes it extra special. Sure, while technically it's not called a Nomad, to me it always will be. The 1965 Chevrolet 300 Series ("Nomad") 2 door wagon is on my personal "bucket list" of must have cars.....I love it!