1965 Corvette Resources

Equipment or products directly related to this car. Click to view:

Need New Springs or Shocks?
Get the Exact Springs for your Corvette

Click Here for

• Corvette

1965 Corvette Facts – Body Paint Color Mix Codes

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

1965 Corvette:

1965 Corvette Facts and Specifications

General Year Information – 1965 Corvette Facts

The 1965 Corvette Sting Ray was again cleaned up styling-wise and was improved in performance with the addition of the all-new disc brake system and larger and more powerful power plants. The styling changes were subtle: a smoothed-out hood now devoid of the original faux scoop indentations, a trio of working vertical exhaust vents in the front fenders replacing the 1963-64 non-functional horizontal openings. There was also restyled wheel covers and rocker-panel moldings, and some minor interior trim revisions.

Of course, the 1965 Corvette was now considered “ferocious” with the mid-year introduction of the 396 CID engine producing, 425 HP. There was an outcry from Corvette aficionados over installing this engine in their “sports car”, as they felt it was not going to handle well with this motor. Surprisingly, handling was little affected. Ultimately, this engine spelled the end for the Rochester fuel injection 327 CID unit as the new carbureted 396 CID option cost $292.70 versus the fuel injected 327 CID V-8 cost of $538.00. Aside from cost, the carbureted engine required much much less tuning and maintenance of the “Fuelie” – and few buyers found it hard to justify $245 more for 50 less HP. After only 771 fuel injected cars were built in 1965, Chevrolet discontinued the option.

1965 also added another 350 HP small block V-8 to the line, (Option L79) which used milder duration hydraulic cam, rather than the very radical solid lifter version. Other than the camshaft, the new 350 HP engine was mechanically identical to the L76 365 HP version. The 350 HP engine was available with optional power steering, something the 365 and F.I. engines could not have. Previously. power steering was only available with the 250 and 300 HP engines.

Significantly, four-wheel disc brakes were introduced in 1965. The brakes were of a four-piston design with two-piece calipers and cooling fins for the rotors. Total swept area for the new system was 461 square inches, a big improvement over the 328 square inches of the previous all-drum system. A dual master cylinder with separate fluid reservoirs was available on models with power brakes this year. Testers found that multiple stops from 100 MPH produced no deterioration in braking efficiency. The drum brake system was still available, however, with a $64.50 credit, but only 316 of the 23,562 Corvettes built that year came with drums. Side exhaust system was an option as well as a telescopic steering wheel.

1965 Corvette Facts – Powertrains

• Transmission Ratios
  
  • 250 HP Only – Three-Speed Manual Transmission – First: 2.58:1, Second: 1.48:1, Third 1.00:1. Reverse: 2.58:1.
  • 250-300 HP Four-Speed Manual Transmission – First: 2.56:1, Second: 1.91:1, Third 1.48:1, Fourth: 1.00:1. Reverse: 2.64:1.
  • 350-425 HP Four-Speed Manual Transmission – First: 2.20:1, Second: 1.64:1, Third 1.28:1, Fourth: 1.00:1. Reverse: 2.27:1.
  • 250-300 HP Only – Two-Speed Powerglide Transmission – Low: 1.76:1, Direct: 1:10. Reverse: 1.76:1.
• Rear Axle Ratios
  

Manual Transmissions –
– 250 HP Three Speed: 3.36:1.
– 250 HP and 300 HP 4-Speed: 3.36:1.
– 350-375  HP Four-speed: 3.70:1.
– 425 HP Four-speed: 3.36:1.

Powerglide Transmission
– 250 HP and 300 HP: 3.36:1.

Available rear axle gear ratios: 3.08:1, 3.36:1, 3.55:1, 3.70:1, 4.11:1, 4.56:1.

1965 Corvette Facts – Powertrain Options

Engines:

• • V-8 327 cubic inch 250 horsepower four-barrel carburetor engine (standard).
  • L75  V-8 327 cubic inch 300 horsepower four-barrel carburetor engine ($107.60).
  • L79 V-8 327 cubic inch 350 horsepower four-barrel carburetor engine ($129.15).
  • L76 V-8 327 cubic inch 365 horsepower four-barrel carburetor engine ($188.30).
  • L84 V-8 327 cubic inch 375 horsepower fuel-injection engine ( $538.00).
  • L78 V-8 396 cubic inch 425 horsepower four-barrel carburetor engine ($292.70).

Other:

• • Automatic transmission ($199.10).
  • Heavy Duty Suspension: ($37.70).
  • Four-speed Manual floor shift transmission ($188).
  • Four-speed Close-ratio Manual floor shift transmission ($237).
  • Off-road exhaust system ($37.70).
  • Positive traction rear axle ($43.05).
  • Transistor Ignition System ($75.35).

1965 Corvette Facts – Significant Options

• • Air conditioning ($421.80).
  • Back-up lights and inside rear view mirror ($16.15).
  • Detachable hardtop ($236.75).
  • Gold wall tires ($51.00).
  • Heater and defroster ($100.00).
  • Positraction Rear Axle, all ratios ($23.20)
  • Power brakes ($64.50).
  • Power steering ($96.85).
  • Power windows ($59.20).
  • Radio, AM/FM with power antenna ($203.00).
  • Saddle trim leather seats ($80.70).
  • Side mount exhaust system ($148.45)
  • Special 15 inch knock-off type wheels ($322.80).
  • Special 36-gallon fuel tank, coupe only ($202.30).
  • Special Highway Axle, 3.08:1 ratio ($43.05).
  • Special Suspension ($43.05).
  • Teakwood steering wheel ($48.15).
  • Telescopic steering column ($43.05).
  • Tinted glass ($16.15).
  • Tinted windshield ($10.80).
  • Transistor Ignition ($53.80).
  • Whitewall tires ($31.85).