• 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 optionai 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

• 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
  	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

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

TRANSMISSION

• Standard Manual Transmission: three-speed manual all-synchromesh transmission with floor-mounted gear shifter
• Optional Manual Transmission: High-performance four-speed manual all-synchromesh transmission with floor-mounted gear shifter
• Optional Manual Transmission: Special high-performance four-speed manual all-synchromesh close-ratio transmission with floor-mounted gear shifter
• Automatic Transmission: 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 recirulating 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)

• 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.

		Click here for Corvette books	Books on other automobiles
		Dictionary of over 15,000 Automotive Terms	Cadillac History

Sign My Guestbook View My Guestbook

a@motorera.com

1958-62 overview	1958	1959	1960	1961	1962	1963-67 overview	1963	1964	1966	1967	1968	1969	1970	1971	1972	1973