Recent purchase 65 El Camino very solid body, chassis and frame no rust but suspension needs some work.

Paint needs redone. Minimal body work mostly straight no dings one area lead. Interior needs refinishing altho all original pieces there. Some chrome needs redone for show.

Have original 283 but 307 with original powerglide in car. Runs but needs carb redone and some work.

Do you guys feel it would be better to restore the car or would it be better to nice it up and drop 327/350 or 365hp or BB or another SB.

Altho there are no SS that year (newbie at this so correct me when I'm wrong), I would love to make it a 327/350 "clone" with all ss emblems.

However, is stock 283 best way to go? Thanks for helping someone just getting into this business.

Did I say something wrong?

Actually there were 65 SS cars. Go to http://www.chevelles.com , scroll down and click on "1965" in the left side columns. On the next scroll down and on the right side click on "reference", next screen click on "VIN Information" and you'll see the different VIN codes for SS cars, 6 and 8 cylinder. Have Fun :)

Do the best with what your income will allow. Since your car already runs, after the carb work and such, you can still use it while deciding what to do. Whatever you do, just do a good job :).

Do the best with what your income will allow. Since your car already runs, after the carb work and such, you can still use it while deciding what to do. Whatever you do, just do a good job :).

To the best of my knowledge and even according to your chart there were no SS El Camino's in 1965. I've never seen a six cylinder SS but I guess they made them. Most of the SS Chevelles in my time were of the 327/350 variety and would smoke.

However they look so kool I wouldn't mind making one anyway.

Do the best with what your income will allow. Since your car already runs, after the carb work and such, you can still use it while deciding what to do. Whatever you do, just do a good job :).

I was just wondering if it was more cost effective to restore it to original or make it a more lively.

well jobber if you think there is any "effectivenes" in spending your money on an old truck, then kick it in the rear and enjoy it. I have an 80, 229 v6 stick. sounds lame? .060 over, t-5 5 speed, edelbrock intake/cam & holley 4160 4 bbl, accel igniton, etc. One off from the rest and a ball to drive. Not married so know only it was a small pile of money.
lol Jim

chevy did not make el camino ss until 1968

Chevy built 2 copies of a '65 supersport el camino,both prototypes,one of which had a removable hardtop. 283,327,and 350's will all bolt up identically.
When the stock 327 in my '65 blew up,I picked up a 350 with a 4 bolt main out of a '77 3/4 ton chevy p.u.($400) and it dropped right in. I'm running it with a 'small' 2 barrel carb,headers with 2 1/4' pipes and cherry bomb glass packs.It goes through a saginaw 4 speed that was pulled from a '77 camaro in the wrecking yard ($100) with the stock 10 bolt posi rearend.I get 22+ mpg all around driving, living in a mountain community in the Sierras.I do not know how fast it is ,as the speedo only goes up to 120mph.Shop around and go with what you can afford.Parts can be found for a good price.With a little patience,you shouldn't have to settle for less than you want.I'm very happy with mine as described'though i would like to convert to front disc brakes.I have plenty of pulling power and can get around just about anything in front of me.

crew is right the first ss was in 68 for the el camino

To save a little money, and you already have the 283, use it. You can build that motor to pull the front end off the ground if want to. The 283 bored is 301, add a set of small chambered head with 2.02 valves either cast or aluminum a very large cam and high rise manifold and carb to match. Also still available are Corvette cast iron ram horn exhaust with 2" openings. With this combo your Elco will fly!