Hayden Proffitt grew up in...
Hayden Proffitt grew up in Texas and won thousands of races in Chevys from 1956 to early 1963, including SS/S Eliminator at the '62 U.S. Nationals. Fellow Texan Delmer McAfee constructed this clone back in 1988 for Proffitt to drive down the Texas Motorplex dragstrip after being inducted into the SUPER CHEVY Magazine Hall of Fame.
The "Super Sport" Impala became a model code in 1964 instead of just an option. The "1847" hardtop sold a staggering 257,208, and the "1867" convertible sold 50,279. Overall 409 sales dropped about 50 percent, but tilt steering sales almost tripled. Air-conditioning sales were also up about 50 percent over the previous year.
The awesome Chevelle made its introduction in 1964, and it certainly cut into potential big car sales. Enthusiasts gravitated to it because of its smaller dimensions, sportiness, V-8/four-speed availability, and price. Most of us had grown up with Chevy big cars and Corvettes. Now there was a new, affordable player-the Chevelle.
Most of Chevrolet-America did not drag race, so the AMA antiracing edicts of 1957 and 1963 meant nothing to them. Neither did the oncoming demise of the 409. Chevrolet-America was given a brand-new love in 1964, the Chevelle. It was well-built, did not wheelhop on launch, looked great, and was affordable to the working person. Chevrolet's enthusiast base was growing by leaps and bounds every day.
The New Rpo L65 365HP 327
Chevy engineers continued to develop the Corvette 327 throughout 1962 and 1963. In 1964, a screaming RPO L76, 365hp 327 was offered in the Corvette and almost in the Chevelle. It cost $129.15 extra. Its camshaft was the new Duntov "30-30" (0.480-inch lift, 300 degrees duration). The big port heads featured 2.02- and 1.60-inch-diameter valves. The intake manifold was more top end oriented, and the carb was a puny 585-cfm Holley four-barrel with a single fuel inlet.
When the '63 Z-11 427/409...
When the '63 Z-11 427/409 Impala came out in early 1963, it and its engine sure didn't look like much. That cowl induction air cleaner completely covered up a pair of Carter AFB carbs and a tall two-piece intake manifold. The Z-11 put out in excess of 500 horsepower. By year-end, '63 Z-11 Impalas ran mid-to-high 11s at 120-125 mph. It was Chevrolet's first and last full-size drag car.
Even with this small carb, the engine was a terror. With the big-box Rochester fuel injection (RPO L8 /$538), the engine was rated at 375 horsepower-the most ever in a small-block Chevy. It made big power to 7,000 rpm. Sales in '64 Corvettes were 7,171 and 1,325, respectively. In '65 Corvettes, they were 5,011 and 771. Nothing on the street could touch either engine-until th e L78, 425hp 396 big-block engine arrived. Then it was a toss-up.
Why no L65 in the Chevelle? It was a "go" right up to seemingly the last day. Then it was cancelled. Why? Many reasons: It would have been a huge hit and wiped the GTO off the performance map. The engine plant may not have been able to keep up. It could have easily given "Corvette-like" straight-line performance. We also kept hearing that Chevrolet did not want any of its other models to rival the Corvette in performance.
The factory was also planning a new 396 Super Sport for model year 1965, so why worry about an even faster '64 327 Chevelle? Yikes. Guys from coast to coast were pissed for about a week. When they regained their senses, they realized they could order a 283/four-speed Chevelle. The transmission and rear end were the same. They could then buy a new L65 crate engine for $239 and get headers, a blowup-proof clutch assembly, and a bigger Holley carb for a few hundred dollars more. With 283 flags on the front fenders, look out!
In 1965, about five miles from where I lived, there was a white '64 Chevelle two-door post 327 street racer. A cat named Tony Christian was involved. Man did he ever have a good-looking sister! Tony went on to become one of America's most storied Chevy drag racers. I was undefeated at Union Grove in 1965 in my C/S 409, and in 1966 in my C/S L79 Chevy II. Tony was undefeated at Union Grove in 1968 in his black '57 C/Gas Bel Air. His car was the very first there to pull the front wheels off the ground on launch. Great guy.
1965
The 409 was in production less than five months, and on February 1, it was replaced with the Mark IV, semi-Hemi, 396 big-block. Total 409 production was 2,828 (2,086 L33, 340hp and 742 L31, 400 hp). The RPO L78, 425hp 396 was ordered in 1,838 big cars and 2,157 Corvettes. The fuelie Corvette sales totaled only 771, and it was also replaced by the potent 396.