1965 Pontiac Mid-Size Cars Fact Sheet

1965 Pontiac Mid-Size Cars Facts, Figures, and Specifications

1965 Pontiac Mid-Size Cars Facts Specifications Information Data

Mid-size Pontiac design changes for 1965 included vertically stacked headlamps, crisper
side body sculpturing, and more deeply recessed grilles. The car appeared slimmer
and more aggressive, though it sat on the same chassis as 1964.

Image Courtesy of the Automotive History Preservation Society – Contact them to purchase this print.

1965 Pontiac Mid-Size Cars – Refined in Styling

While still a Tempest Le Mans, the famous GTO option package was now accepted as a mid-size performance car at GM. Its formula of full-size V-8 in a mid-size car was mimicked by Chevrolet, Oldsmobile and Buick this year.

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General Year Information – 1965 Pontiac Mid-Size Cars

Design was changed for the Tempest lines for 1965. Vertically stacked headlamps with a similar look to the big brother full-size line, larger wheel openings, crisper side body sculpturing and more deeply recessed grilles. The car came off with an entirely different look from the previous year.

Series numbers changed:

- 233 = Tempest (base)
- 235 = Tempest Custom
- 237 = LeMans and LeMans GTO

Engine choices remained the same across the line, however horsepower ratings changed as follows:

- 326 CID 4-barrel V-8: 285 HP
- 389 CID 4-barrel GTO: 335 HP
- 389 CID Tri-Power GTO: 360 HP

1965 Pontiac Mid-Size Cars Factoids

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GTO Gets New Cylinder heads

For this year, Pontiac redesigned the performance cylinder head for the 389 and 421 CID V-8. The ports were raised and enlarged and the intake manifolds were also redone to take advantage of the new heads. They were marked with #77 and had the Casting Number 9778777.

1965 Pontiac Mid-Size Cars Facts – Models Offered

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Series 233: There were three lines in this series: 4-door sedan, 2-door sport coupe, and Safari wagon. Base models in the 233 Series were identified by the absence of upper belt-line moldings and plainer interior trims. Vinyl rubber floor mats were used.

Standard equipment included heater and defroster, electric wipers, seat belts. turn signals and five black tubeless tires. Safari station wagons came with 7.35 x 14 oversized tires as regular equipment. Cars with optional V-8 power were dressed with front fender badges displaying “326”.

Series 235: Tempest Custom models had the same general styling features as base the base Tempest, and had bright upper belt-line moldings to accent the wasp-waist shaped body styling. Standard extras included carpeting and Deluxe steering wheel. The Tempest Custom convertible had courtesy lamps as standard.

Cars with optional V-8 power were dressed with front fender badges displaying “326”.

SERIES 237: Special identifying features seen on the Tempest LeMans models included grilled-over tail lamps. “LeMans” on front fender nameplates, “LeMans” in block lettering on the sides of rear fenders, and simulated louvers behind front wheel cutouts on two-door models. All features found on the Tempest Custom were found as standard equipment, as well as vinyl interior trim, custom foam front seat cushions, front bucket seats on two-door styles and power-operated folding tops on LeMans convertibles.

Cars with optional V-8 power were dressed with front fender badges displaying “326”.

NOTE: The GTO option was part of the LeMans Series, but covered separately here.

SERIES 237:

The GTO was an option on the Series 237 Tempest LeMans Series. It was available on Models 2227 (Sports Coupe) 2237 (Hardtop Coupe) and 2267 (Convertible). It was not available on Safari station wagons. The GTO was not yet a separate series, it was merely an option group. Cars equipped with the GTO option had as standard 389 CID V-8 power.

Special identification features on GTO models replaced most items seen on LeMans Tempests. This included “GTO” lettering on the grille, rear fender sides and deck lid, a new streamlined hood scoop and V-shaped GTO badges behind the front wheel openings.

1965 Pontiac Mid-Size Cars Facts – Engines

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Tempest Base I-6 – All Transmissions: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 215 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 3.75 x 3.25 inches. Compression ratio: 8.6:1. Horsepower: 140 @ 4400 RPM. Torque: 206 @ 2200 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 252°, Exhaust 252°, Overlap 38°, Lift 0.334″. Carburetor: Rochester one-barrel model (manual transmission) 7025167 (Automatic) 7025168.

Tempest Base V-8 – All Transmissions: Cast Iron Block. Displacement: 326 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.72″ x 3.75″ Compression ratio: 9.2:1. Horsepower: 250 @ 4600 RPM. Torque: 333 @ 2800 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 269°, Exhaust 277°, Overlap 47°, Lift 0.370″. Carburetor: Rochester 2-barrel (manual transmission) 7025071 (automatic) 7025062.

Tempest Optional V-8 – All Transmissions: Cast Iron Block. Displacement: 326 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.72″ x 3.75″ Compression ratio: 10.5:1. Horsepower: 285 @ 5000 RPM. Torque: 359 @ 2900 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 269°, Exhaust 277°, Overlap 47°, Lift 0.370″. Carburetor: Carter AFB 4-barrel (manual transmission) 3899S, (automatic) 3900S.

GTO 335 Horsepower V-8 , All Transmissions: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 389 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.0625″ x 3.750″. Compression ratio: 10.75:1. Horsepower: 335 @ 5000 RPM. Torque: 431@ 3200 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 273°, Exhaust 289°, Overlap 54°, Lift 0.406″. Carburetor: Carter AFB Model 3895S (manual transmission) 3896S (Automatic).

GTO 360 Horsepower V-8 – All Models , All Transmissions: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 389 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.0625″ x 3.750″. Compression ratio: 10.75:1. Horsepower: 360 @ 5200 RPM. Torque: 424 @ 3600 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 288°, Exhaust 302°, Overlap 63°, Lift 0.406″ (intake) 0.408″ (exhaust). Carburetors: three 2-barrel Rochester carburetors: (front) 7024178, (center manual trans) 7025175, (center auto trans) 7025177, (rear) 7024179.

More detailed information on the 1965 I-6 and 326 and 389 CID V-8 engines may be found in the Library’s 1965 mid-size AMA Specifications Sheets. You may access the sheets HERE, or use the navigation on this page.

1965 Pontiac Mid-Size Cars Facts – Chassis Features

- Wheelbase: All Tempests: 115 inches.
- Overall length: (Tempest Safaris) 204.4 inches, (Tempest passenger cars) 206.2 inches
- Front track: All Tempests: 58 inches.
- Rear track: All Tempests: 58 inches.
- Standard tires: Standard Tempest: 6.95 x 14.
- Standard tires GTO: 7.75 x 14 Nylon cord red stripe tires mounted on 14 x 6JK rim wheels standard.
- Optional tires GTO: 7.75 x 14 rayon cord white wall

1965 Pontiac Mid-Size Cars Facts – Power Train Options

- Three-speed manual transmission was standard.
- Automatic transmission was optional.
- Four-speed manual transmission was optional.
- 250 HP 326 CID V-8 optional In Tempest, Tempest Custom and Tempest LeMans lines for cars without the GTO option.
- 280 HP 326 CID V-8 optional In Tempest, Tempest Custom and Tempest LeMans lines for cars without the GTO option.
- 335 HP 389 CID V-8 exclusive to the GTO.
- 360 HP 389 CID V-8 Tri-Power was optional on the GTO.
- Heavy-duty 3-speed manual gear box was optional on the GTO
- Close-ratio 4-speed manual box was optional on the GTO.

1965 Pontiac Mid-Size Cars Facts – Significant Options

- Air-conditioner ($349).
- Bucket seats ($145).
- Carpets ($19).
- Cordova tops ($72-86).
- Custom sports steering wheel ($39-43).
- Deluxe steering wheel with ring ($15).
- Electric clock ($19).
- GTO option
- Handling & Ride package ($16).
- LeMans console shift ($48).
- Padded dash ($16).
- Panel cluster and tachometer Rally Gage ($86).
- Parking brake signal ($3).
- Power brakes ($43).
- Power convertible top ($54).
- Power steering ($97).
- Power tailgate window ($54).
- Power tilt bucket seat L.H. ($67).
- Push button radio ($62).
- Push button radio – AM/FM ($137).
- Rally wheels ($36-53).
- Remote control deck lid ($11).
- Safari luggage carrier ($65).
- Safeguard speedometer ($16).
- Super-Life shock absorbers ($40).
- Tachometer ($54).
- Tilt steering wheel with power assist only ($43).
- Two-speed wipers and washers ($17)
- Wheel discs ($20-37).
- White wall tires ($39)
- Wire wheel discs ($54-71).

1965 Pontiac Mid-Size Cars Facts – Body Paint Color Codes

Click on the Paint Code Name to See the Mix Codes for the appropriate color:

1965 Pontiac Mid Size

	Tiger Gold
	A Starlight Black
	B Blue Charcoal
	C Cameo Ivory
	D Fontaine Blue
	E Nightwatch Blue
	H Palmetto Green
	K Reef Turquoise
	L Teal Turquoise
	N Burgundy Red
	P Iris Mist
	R Montero Red
	T Capri Gold
	V Mission Beige
	W Bluemist Slate
	Y Mayfair Maize

1965 Pontiac Mid-Size Cars Facts – Current Market Values

1965 Pontiac Mid-Size Cars Facts – The GTO option package included:

- The 389 cubic inch high-performance V-8
- Special GTO nameplates for the grille, fenders, deck lid and glove box door.
- Simulated engine-turned aluminum dash panel inserts.
- Single air scoops on the hood.
- Ride and handling package
- See Brochure for complete list – Click HERE

1965 Pontiac Mid-Size Cars Facts – Powertrain Information

Three Speed Manual Transmission Ratios
- I-6 1st – 2.94:1, 2nd – 1.68:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 2.94:1
- V-8: 1st – 2.58:1, 2nd – 1.48:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 2.58:1
- V-8 Heavy Duty: 1st – 2.42:1, 2nd – 1.61:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 2.33:1 (Synchromesh in all forward speeds)
Four Speed Manual Transmission Ratios
- V-8 All: 1st – 2.56:1, 2nd – 1.91:1, 3rd – 1.5:1, 4th 1:1, Reverse – 2.64:1
Automatic Transmission Ratios
- All: Low – 1.76:1, High – 1:1, Reverse – 2.49:1
Rear Gear Standard Ratios
- See Page 3 in the 1964 Pontiac Mid-Size AMA Specifications Sheet for all potential ratios
- See Page 17 in the 1964 Pontiac Mid-Size AMA Specifications Sheet for all standard/optional ratios