1965 CORVETTE

  • Three functional, vertical front, slanting louvers on the sides of the front fenders; a blacked-out, horizontal-bars grille and different rocker panel moldings were the main styling changes for 1965 Corvettes.
  • A new hood without indentations was standard, but Corvettes with a newly optional 396-cid "big-block" V-8 used a special hood with a funnel-shaped "power blister" air scoop.
  • Inside the car the instruments were changed to a flat-dial, straight-needle design with an aircraft-type influence.
  • The seats had improved support and one-piece molded inside door panels were introduced.
  • Standard equipment included: tachometer; safety belts; heater and defroster; windshield washer; outside rearview mirror; dual exhaust; electric clock; carpeting; manually-operated top (convertible) and sun visors.
  • A four-wheel disc-brake system was standard, although drum brakes could be substituted for a $64.50 credit.
  • Fuel injection was phased out at the end of the 1965 model year.
  • New options included a nasty-looking side exhaust system and telescoping steering wheel.
  • Eight exterior colors were available:
    • Tuxedo Black
    • Ermine White
    • Nassau Blue
    • Glen Green
    • Milano Maroon
    • Silver Pearl
    • Rally Red
    • Goldwood Yellow
  • All convertibles came with a choice of a Black, White or Beige soft top.
  • Interior colors were
    • Black
    • Red
    • Blue
    • Saddle
    • Silver
    • White
    • Green
    • Maroon

I.D. NUMBERS

  • The serial number [Vehicle Identification Number -- VIN] was located on a stainless steel plate welded to the right side hinge pillar cross-brace under the glove box
  • Convertible Serial numbers ranged from 194675S100001 to 194675S123562
  • Coupe Serial numbers ranged from 194375S100001 to 194375S123562
    PositionCharacterDescription
    11Chevrolet Division
    2 & 394body series: Corvette
    4 & 567convertible
    37coupe
    651965
    7SAssembled in St. Louis, MO
    8 to 13100001 to 123562production sequence
  • Engine serial number
    1 to 70001001sequential production number
    8F or TFlint, MI or Tonawanda, NY
    9 to 10Carburetion & transmission
    • HE = 327-cid 250-hp V-8 with 10.5:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, and four-barrel carburetor
    • HF = 327-cid 300-hp V-8 with 10.5:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, and four-barrel carburetor
    • HG = 327-cid 375-hp V-8 with 11.0:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, and fuel injection
    • HH = 327-cid 365-hp V-8 with 11.0:1 compression ratio, manual transmission or special high-performance manual transmission, and four barrel carburetor
    • HI = 327-cid 250-hp V-8 with 10.5:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, four-barrel carburetor
    • HJ = 327-cid 300-hp V-8 with 10.5:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, four-barrel carburetor, and air conditioning
    • HK = 327-cid 365-hp V-8 with 11.0:1 compression ratio, manual transmission or special high-performance manual transmission, four-barrel carburetor, and air conditioning
    • HL = 327-cid 365-hp V-8 with 11.0:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, and four-barrel carburetor
    • HM = 327-cid 365-hp V-8 with 11.0:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, four-barrel carburetor, and air conditioning
    • HN = 327-cid 375-hp V-8 with 11.0:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, and fuel injection
    • HO = 327-cid 250-hp V-8 with 10.5:1 compression ratio, Powerglide automatic transmission and fuel injection
    • HP = 327-cid 300-hp V-8 with 10.5:1 compression ratio, Powerglide automatic transmission and fuel injection
    • HQ = 327-cid 250-hp V-8 with 10.5:1 compression ratio, Powerglide automatic transmission, fuel injection, and air conditioning
    • HR = 327-cid 300-hp V-8 with 10.5:1 compression ratio, Powerglide automatic transmission, fuel injection, and air conditioning
    • HT = 327-cid 350-hp V-8 with 11.0:1 compression ratio, manual transmission or special high-performance manual transmission, and fuel injection
    • HU = 327-cid 350-hp V-8 with 11.0:1 compression ratio, manual transmission or special high-performance manual transmission, air conditioning, and fuel injection
    • HV = 327-cid 350-hp V-8 with 11.0:1 compression ratio, manual transmission or special high-performance manual transmission, and four-barrel carburetor
    • HW = 327-cid 350-hp V-8 with 11.0:1 compression ratio, manual transmission or special high-performance manual transmission, four-barrel carburetor, and air conditioning
    • IF = 396-cid 425-hp V-8 with 11.0:1 compression ratio, manual transmission or special high-performance manual transmission, four-barrel carburetor
  • Corvette engines have the last six digits of the VIN stamped on the block next to the engine number
  • The body number plate was located on the engine side of the cowl.
  • The Fisher Body Style Number 65-0867 identifies a Corvette Sting Ray convertible
  • The Fisher Body Style Number 65-0867 identifies a Corvette Sting Ray coupe
  • The body number is the production serial number of the body.
  • The trim number indicates the interior trim color and material.
  • The eight 1965 Corvette exterior colors were:
    • AA = Tuxedo Black
    • CC = Ermine White
    • FF = Nassau Blue
    • GG = Glen Green
    • MM = Milano Maroon
    • QQ = Silver Pearl
    • UU = Rally Red
    • XX = Goldwood Yellow
  • Upholstery Codes
    ColorVinyl UpholsteryLeather Upholstery
    Red407408
    Blue414415
    Saddle420421
    Silver426427
    Green430431
    White437, 443, 450438, 444, 451
    Maroon435436
    Black 402

IDENTIFICATION

Series No.Body/Style No.Body TypeFactory PriceShipping WeightProduction Total
19437yellow 65 vet
2-dr. FstBk Coupe - 2 passenger
$39473570 lb8,186
19467blue 65 vet
2-dr. Conv - 2 passenger
$32123645 lb15,376

ENGINE

FeatureStandard EngineOptional Engine (RPO L75)Optional Engine (RPO L76)Optional Engine (RPO L79)Optional Engine (RPO L84)1965-1/2 Optional Engine (RPO L78)
TypeV-8, Overhead valve
BlockCast iron block
Displacement327 cid396 cid
Bore & Stroke4.00 x 3.25"4.094 x 3.76"
Compression ratio10.50:111.0:1
Brake horsepower250 @ 4400300@5000365@6200350@5800375@6200425@6400
Torque350 lb-ft @ 2800360 lb-ft @ 3200350 lb-ft @ 4000360 lb-ft @ 4400350 lb-ft @ 4400415 lb-ft @ 4000
Main bearingfive
Valve liftershydraulicMechanical valve lifters & High-lift camshaftHydraulic valve lifters & High-lift camshaft
Fuel supplyCarter four-barrel Type WCFB Model 3846247Carter aluminum Type AFB four-barrelHolley four-barrel Model 4150Holley 4150 four-barrelRam-Jet Fuel InjectionHolley 4150 four-barrel

TRANSMISSION

Standard Manual Transmission Optional Manual Transmission Optional Manual Transmission
three-speed manual all-synchromesh transmission with floor-mounted gear shifter High-performance four-speed manual all-synchromesh transmission with floor-mounted gear shifter Special high-performance four-speed manual all-synchromesh close-ratio transmission with floor-mounted gear shifter Two-speed Powerglide transmission (optional)

CHASSIS

FeatureConvertibleCoupe
Wheelbase98 inches (2.489 m)98 inches (2.489 m)
Overall length175.2 inches (4.450 m)175.3 inches (4.453 m)
Overall width69.6 inches (1.768 m)69.6 inches (1.768 m)
Overall height 49.8 inches (1.265 m)
Front tread56.8 inches (1.443 m)56.8 inches (1.443 m)
Rear tread57.6 inches (1.463 m)57.6 inches (1.463 m)
FrameFull-length ladder type with five cross members and separate body
Ground Clearance5 inches (12.7 cm)5 inches (12.7 cm)
Front suspensionIndependent; upper and lower A-arms; unequal-length wishbones; coil springs; anti-roll bar; tubular shocks
Rear suspensionIndependent with fixed differential; nine leaf springs; lateral struts and universally-jointed axle shafts; radius arms and direct-acting shock absorbers
SteeringSaginaw recirculating ball, 17:1 ratio, 3.4 turns to lock
Rear axle typeHypoid semi-floating
BrakesHydraulic, duo-servo, self-adjusting with sintered iron linings and cast iron drums
Front Drum diameter11x2.75 inches
Rear Drum diameter11x2.0 inches
Total swept area134 square inches
Wheels15" 5-lug steel disc
Standard rear axle ratio3.36:1
Optional rear axle ratio3.08:1, 3.55:1, 3.70:1, 4.11:1, 4.56:1

OPTIONS

RPO 898Genuine leather seat trim$80.70
RFO A01Soft-Ray tinted glass, all windows$16.15
RPO A02Soft-Ray tinted glass, windshield$10.80
RPO 431Electric power windows$59.20
RPO C07Auxiliary hardtop for convertible$236.75
RPO C48Heater and defroster deletion$100 credit
RPO C60Air conditioning$421.80
RPO F40Special front and rear suspension$37.70
RPO G81Positraction rear axle, all ratios$43.05
RPO G9lSpecial 3.08:1 "highway" ratio rear axle$2.20
RPO J50Power brakes$43.05
RPO J6lDrum brake substitution$64.50 credit
RPO K66Transistor ignition system$75.35
RPO L75327-cid 300-hp V-8$53.80
RPO L76327-cid 365-hp V-8$129.15
RPO L78396-cid 425-hp V-8$292.70
RPO L79327-cid 350-hp V-8$107.60
RPO L84327-cid 375-hp fuel-injected V-8$538.00
RPO M20Four-speed manual transmission$188.30
RPC M22Close-ratio four-speed manual transmission$236.95
RPO M35Powerglide automatic transmission$199.10
RPO N0336-gallon fuel tank for coupe only$202.30
RPO N1lOff-road exhaust system$37.70
RPO N14Side Mount exhaust system$184.50
RPO N32Teakwood steering wheel$48.45
RPO N36Telescopic steering wheel$43.05
RPO N40Power steering$96.85
RPO P48Special cast-aluminum knock-off wheels$322.80
RPO P927.75 x 15, white sidewall tires$31.85
RPO T0l7.75 x 15 gold sidewall tires$50.05
RPO U69AM-FM radio$203.40
APO Z0lBack-up lamps and inside Day/Night mirror$16.15

HISTORICAL NOTES


  • Most 1965 Corvettes (89.6 percent) were sold with a four-speed manual transmission
  • 8.6 percent had Powerglide automatic transmission
  • 69.5 percent had tinted glass
  • 10.3 percent had air conditioning
  • 13.7 percent had power steering.
  • An L78-powered 1965 Corvette could go from 0-to-60 mph in 5.7 seconds; from 0-to-100 mph in 13.4 seconds.

1965 CORVETTE PHOTOS


1965 Corvette

1965 Corvette

1965 Corvette

1965 Corvette

1965 Corvette

1965 Corvette

1965 Corvette

1965 Corvette

1965 Corvette

1965 Corvette

1965 Corvette

1965 Corvette

1965 Corvette

1965 Corvette

1965 Corvette

1965 Corvette

1965 Corvette

1965 Corvette

1965 Corvette

1965 Corvette

1965 Corvette

1965 Corvette


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