The 1964 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu SS was Chevrolet’s answer to a size gap between the compact Nova and the full-size Impala, and it became the first-year foundation of a nameplate that would define an era. Buyers could option into a 327 cubic-inch V8 rated as high as 300 horsepower, paired with a four-speed Muncie manual and bucket seats. Chevrolet built roughly 330,000 first-year Chevelles, an instant success that set the stage for the SS legend to come.