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

V.I.N. 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

Position	Character	Description
1	1	Chevrolet Division
2 & 3	94	body series: Corvette
4 & 5	67	convertible
4 & 5	37	coupe
6	5	1965
7	S	Assembled in St. Louis, MO
8 to 13	100001 to 123562	production sequence

Engine serial number

1 to 7	0001001	sequential production number
8	F or T	Flint, MI or Tonawanda, NY
9 to 10	Carburetion & 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

Color	Vinyl Upholstery	Leather Upholstery
Red	407	408
Blue	414	415
Saddle	420	421
Silver	426	427
Green	430	431
White	437, 443, 450	438, 444, 451
Maroon	435	436
Black		402

IDENTIFICATION

Series No.	Body/Style No.	Body Type	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
194	37	1965 Corvette 2-dr. Fastback Coupe - 2 passenger	$3947	3570 lb	8,186
194	67	1965 Corvette 2-dr. Convertible - 2 passenger	$3212	3645 lb	15,376

ENGINE

Feature	Standard Engine	Optional Engine (RPO L75)	Optional Engine (RPO L76)	Optional Engine (RPO L79)	Optional Engine (RPO L84)	1965-1/2 Optional Engine (RPO L78)
Type	V-8, Overhead valve
Block	Cast iron block
Displacement	327 cid					396 cid
Bore & Stroke	4.00 x 3.25"					4.094 x 3.76"
Compression ratio	10.50:1		11.0:1
Brake horsepower	250 @ 4400 rpm	300 @ 5000 rpm	365 @ 6200 rpm	350 @ 5800 rpm	375 @ 6200 rpm	425 @ 6400 rpm
Torque	350 lb-ft @ 2800	360 lb-ft @ 3200	350 lb-ft @ 4000	360 lb-ft @ 4400	350 lb-ft @ 4400	415 lb-ft @ 4000
Main bearing	five
Valve lifters	hydraulic		Mechanical valve lifters & High-lift camshaft	Hydraulic valve lifters & High-lift camshaft
Fuel supply	Carter four-barrel Type WCFB Model 3846247	Carter aluminum Type AFB four-barrel	Holley four-barrel Model 4150	Holley 4150 four-barrel	Ram-Jet Fuel Injection	Holley 4150 four-barrel

TRANSMISSION

Standard Manual Transmission	Optional Manual Transmission	Optional Manual Transmission	Optional Automatic 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

Feature	Convertible	Coupe
Wheelbase	98 inches (2.489 m)	98 inches (2.489 m)
Overall length	175.2 inches (4.450 m)	175.3 inches (4.453 m)
Overall width	69.6 inches (1.768 m)	69.6 inches (1.768 m)
Overall height		49.8 inches (1.265 m)
Front tread	56.8 inches (1.443 m)	56.8 inches (1.443 m)
Rear tread	57.6 inches (1.463 m)	57.6 inches (1.463 m)
Frame	Full-length ladder type with five cross members and separate body
Ground Clearance	5 inches (12.7 cm)	5 inches (12.7 cm)
Front suspension	Independent; upper and lower A-arms; unequal-length wishbones; coil springs; anti-roll bar; tubular shocks
Rear suspension	Independent with fixed differential; nine leaf springs; lateral struts and universally-jointed axle shafts; radius arms and direct-acting shock absorbers
Steering	Saginaw recirculating ball, 17:1 ratio, 3.4 turns to lock
Rear axle type	Hypoid semi-floating
Brakes	Hydraulic, duo-servo, self-adjusting with sintered iron linings and cast iron drums
Front Drum diameter	11x2.75 inches
Rear Drum diameter	11x2.0 inches
Total swept area	134 square inches
Wheels	15" 5-lug steel disc
Standard rear axle ratio	3.36:1
Optional rear axle ratio	3.08:1, 3.55:1, 3.70:1, 4.11:1, 4.56:1

OPTIONS

RPO 898	Genuine leather seat trim	$80.70
RFO A01	Soft-Ray tinted glass, all windows	$16.15
RPO A02	Soft-Ray tinted glass, windshield	$10.80
RPO 431	Electric power windows	$59.20
RPO C07	Auxiliary hardtop for convertible	$236.75
RPO C48	Heater and defroster deletion	$100 credit
RPO C60	Air conditioning	$421.80
RPO F40	Special front and rear suspension	$37.70
RPO G81	Positraction rear axle, all ratios	$43.05
RPO G9l	Special 3.08:1 "highway" ratio rear axle	$2.20
RPO J50	Power brakes	$43.05
RPO J6l	Drum brake substitution	$64.50 credit
RPO K66	Transistor ignition system	$75.35
RPO L75	327-cid 300-hp V-8	$53.80
RPO L76	327-cid 365-hp V-8	$129.15
RPO L78	396-cid 425-hp V-8	$292.70
RPO L79	327-cid 350-hp V-8	$107.60
RPO L84	327-cid 375-hp fuel-injected V-8	$538.00
RPO M20	Four-speed manual transmission	$188.30
RPC M22	Close-ratio four-speed manual transmission	$236.95
RPO M35	Powerglide automatic transmission	$199.10
RPO N03	36-gallon fuel tank for coupe only	$202.30
RPO N1l	Off-road exhaust system	$37.70
RPO N14	Side Mount exhaust system	$184.50
RPO N32	Teakwood steering wheel	$48.45
RPO N36	Telescopic steering wheel	$43.05
RPO N40	Power steering	$96.85
RPO P48	Special cast-aluminum knock-off wheels	$322.80
RPO P92	7.75 x 15, white sidewall tires	$31.85
RPO T0l	7.75 x 15 gold sidewall tires	$50.05
RPO U69	AM-FM radio	$203.40
APO Z0l	Back-up lamps and inside Day/Night mirror	$16.15

1965 CORVETTE

V.I.N. NUMBERS

IDENTIFICATION

ENGINE

TRANSMISSION

CHASSIS

OPTIONS

HISTORICAL NOTES

1965 CORVETTE PHOTOS

LITERATURE & LINKS