1965 Pontiac Mid-Size Cars Fact Sheet

This GTO image is available as a 17 x 11 inch poster from the Automotive History Preservation Society.
Click HERE to purchase this print.

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

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.

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

Engine choices remained the same across the line.

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.

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: [email protected] 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.

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

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.

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).
  •  

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
Current Market Values

 

GTO – 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

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

NOTE: For more powertrain information, access the 1965 Pontiac mid-size AMA Specifications Sheets HERE

Related Document
Downloads

Files directly related to the 1965 Pontiac Mid-Size Line will appear below. Click to Download:

1965 Pontiac  Deluxe Brochure

1965 Pontiac  Regular Brochure

1965 Pontiac Performance Brochure

1965 Pontiac Tempest Print Ads

1965 Pontiac GTO Print Ads

1965 Pontiac Mid-Size AMA Specifications Sheets

1965 Pontiac GTO Road Test – Motor Trend Magazine

1965 Pontiac GTO Road Test – Car Life Magazine

1965 Pontiac GTO Road Test – Hot Rod Magazine

1965 Pontiac Production Figures

Related Images

Related Images to the 1965 Pontiac Mid-Size Line will appear below

1965 Pontiac GTO Convertible

The 1965 Pontiac GTO Convertible was the sexiest of the Tigers, and 11,311 went to hungry buyers,

1965 Pontiac GTO Hardtop Coupe

Easily the most popular GTO, the 1965 Hardtop Coupe was only a short second to the Tempest LeMans with 55,722 sold.

1965 Pontiac GTO Sports Coupe

The 1965 Pontiac GTO Sports Coupe was the most sparse GTO, and was a favorite among racers, but not the streeters. Only 8,319 were delivered.

1965 Pontiac LeMans Convertible

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1965 Pontiac LeMans Hardtop Coupe

The 1965 Pontiac LeMans Hardtop Coupe was hugely popular with 60.548 finding customers.

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The 1965 Pontiac LeMans 4-door Sedan was the most upscale 4-door sedan in the mid-size line. As such 14,227 were delivered.

1965 Pontiac LeMans Sports Coupe

The 1965 Pontiac LeMans Sports Coupe was quite popular and 18,881 were delivered.

1965 Pontiac Tempest Custom Convertible

The 1965 Pontiac Tempest Custom Convertible was the entry-level drop-top with only 8,346 sold.

1965 Pontiac Tempest Custom Hardtop Coupe

The 1965 Pontiac Tempest Custom Hardtop Coupe was the entry level hardtop, but its austere trim resulted in only 21,906 produced.

1965 Pontiac Tempest Custom Sports Coupe

The 1965 Pontiac Tempest Custom Sports Coupe had a bit more flash than its lesser sibling, but sold in equal numbers with 18,367 delivered.

1965 Pontiac Tempest Custom 4-door Sedan

1965 Pontiac Tempest Custom 4-door Sedan was reasonably popular with 25,242 delivered.

1965 Pontiac Tempest Custom Safari

The 1965 Pontiac Tempest Custom Safari was the upscale station wagon in the mid-size line. 10,792 were produced.

1965 Pontiac Tempest 4-door Sedan

the 1965 Pontiac Tempest 4-door Sedan sat second to the Tempest Custom version with 15,705 produced.

1965 Pontiac Tempest Sports Coupe

The 1965 Pontiac Tempest Sports Coupe was a good-looking base tw0-door and 18,198 were sold.

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The 1965 Pontiac Tempest Safari Wagon was the base mid-size offering. 5,622 were sold.

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