1965 Chevrolet Corvette

The big news for the Corvette in 1965 was the addition of standard four-wheel disc brakes and the optional new big-block 396. Styling changes were minimal with optional new standard side exhaust pipes, functional front fender louvers, new wheel covers, and a restyled grille. The hood had no depressions or trim, and thus was not interchangeable with the '63 or '64 Corvettes. The inside now sported newly styled bucket seats and real leather was optional. Options included power steering, power brakes, power windows, AM-FM radio, air conditioning, telescopic steering column, and a wood-rimmed steering wheel. Under the hood, the Corvette offered a wide range of engines. Standard was the tried-and-true Chevrolet 327 Turbo Fire V8 rated at 250 hp, just a step up was the 300 hp version of the 327 and new for 1965 was the precursor to the famous LT1, a 327 rated at 350 hp. Then came the most powerful carbureted 327, rated at 365 hp and for true performance the Ram-Jet Fuel-Injected 327, made its last appearance in 1965 with 375 horsepower. “The ultimate small block powerhouse” for $538.00. In April of 1965, the 396 big-block marked the beginning of a new era for the Corvette. Rated at 425 hp and priced at just $292.70, the 396 V8 big block dominated NASCAR in 1963. This would be the only year for the 396 V8. Although the 327 "fuelie" was still available through the 1965 model year, it was quietly dropped when the 1966 Corvettes were introduced. 1965 was a unique and memorable year for the Corvette. It was the only year that you could buy a fuel-injected, disc-braked Sting Ray and it was the first year for the big block and side-mounted exhausts. With prices starting at $4,106, the 1965 Corvette Sting Ray packed quite a bargain, and it’s no wonder that sales reached a record 23,652 units.

1965 Chevrolet Corvette Production Numbers

Model Number	Body/Style Number	Body Type & Seating	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Total Production
Corvette
94	37	2 Dr Fastback Coupe	$3,947	3,570 lbs	8,187
94	67	2 Dr Convertible	$3,212	3,645 lbs	15,377

Chassis Data

Model	Wheelbase	Overall Lenght	Width	Front Tread	Rear Tread	Tires
Corvette	98 in	175.3 in	69.6 in	56.8 in	57.6 in	7.75 x 15

VIN Numbers

Serial Numbers were stamped on a plate on the left front door hinge pillar (center pillar on Corvair). The Fisher Body number plate on the right-hand side of the cowl gives additional information such as the body style number, the production sequence number, the trim (upholstery) number code and the paint number code.

First Symbol - Manufacturer 1 = Chevrolet

Second & Third Symbol - Series 01 = Corvair 500 six-cylinder 33 = Chevelle 300 Deluxe/Std. El Camino six-cylinder 05 = Corvair Monza six-cylinder 34 = Chevelle 300 Deluxe/Std. El Camino V-8 07 = Corvair Corsa six-cylinder 35 = Chevelle Malibu/Custom El Camino six-cylinder 11 = Chevy II 100 four-cylinder 36 = Chevelle Malibu/Custom El Camino V-8 R12 = Corvir Forward Control six-cylinder 37 = Chevelle Concours six-cylinder 13 = Chevy II 100 six-cylinder 38 = Chevelle Concours/Super Sport V-8 14 = Chevy II 100 V-8 53 = Biscayne six-cylinder 15 = Chevy II Nova exc. Super Sport six-cylinder 54 = Biscayne V-8 16 = Chevy II Nova exc. Super Sport V-8 55 = Bel Air six cylinder 17 = Chevy II Nova Super Sport 56 = Bel Air V-8 18 = Chevy II Nova Super Sport 63 = Impala six-cylinder 23 = Camaro six-cylinder 64 = Impala V-8 24 = Camaro V-8 66 = Caprice 25 = Deluxe Camaro six-cylinder 67 = Impala Super Sport six-cylinder 26 = Deluxe Camaro V-8 68 = Impala Super Sport V-8 31 = Chevelle 300 six-cylinder 94 = Corvette 32 = Chevelle 300 V-8

Fourth & Fifth Symbol - Body Style 11 = two-door sedan 39 = four-door hardtop or sport sedan 15 = two-door station wagon 6p 45 = four-door station wagon 9p 17 = two-door hardtop 47 = two-door hardtop 27 = two-door sedan 67 = convertible 35 = four-door station wagon 6p 69 = four-door sedan 37 = two-door hardtop or sport coupe 87 = two-door hardtop

Sixth Symbol - Last Digit Of The Model Year 5 = 1965

Seventh Symbol - Assembly Plant (A) Atlanta, Georgia (P) Pontiac, Michigan (B) Baltimore, Maryland (R) Arlington, Texas (C) Southgate, California (S) St. Louis, Missouri (D) Doraville, Wisconsin (T) Tarrytown, New York (F) Flint, Michigan (U) Lordstown, Ohio (G) Framingham, Massachusetts (W) Willow Run, Michigan (J) Janesville, Wisconsin (Y) Wilmington, Delaware (K) Kansas City, Missouri (Z) Fremont, California (L) Los Angeles, California (1) Oshawa, Ontario, Canada (N) Norwood, Ohio (2) St. Therese, Quebec, Canada

Last Six Symbols - Production Sequence Started at 100001

1965 Chevrolet Corvette Options

Code	Description	Price
898	Genuine Leather Seats	$80.70
A01	Soft-Ray Tinted Windows (all glass)	$16.15
A02	Soft-Ray Tinted Windshield	$10.80
A31	Power Windows	$59.20
C07	Auxiliary Hardtop	$236.75
C48	Heater & Defroster Deletion (credit)	$100.00
C60	Air Conditioning	$421.80
F40	Special Front & Rear Suspension	$37.70
G80	Positraction Rear Axle	$43.05
G91	Special Highway Axle 3.08:1 Ratio	$2.20
J50	Power Brakes	$43.05
J61	Drum Brakes (substitution credit)	$64.50
K66	Transistor Ingnition System	$75.35
L75	327-cid/300-hp V8	$53.80
L76	327-cid/365-hp V8	$129.15
L78	396-cid/425-hp V8	$292.70
L79	327-cid/350-hp V8	$107.60
L84	327-cid/375-hp V8	$538.40
M20	4-Speed Manual Transmission	$188.30
M22	4-Speed Close-Ratio Manual Transmission	$236.95
M35	Powerglide Automatic Transmission	$199.10
N03	36-Gallon Fuel Tank	$202.30
N11	Off Road Exhaust System	$37.70
N14	Side Mount Exhaust System	$134.50
N32	Teakwood Steering Wheel	$48.45
N36	Telescopic Steering Column	$43.05
N40	Power Steering	$96.85
P48	Cast Aluminum Knock-Off Wheels	$322.80
P91	7.75 x 15 Nylon Black Sidewall Tires	$15.70
P92	7.75 x 15 Rayon White Sidewall Tires	$31.85
T01	7.75 x 15 Nylon Gold Sidewall Tires	$50.05
U69	AM-FM Radio	$203.40
Z01	Comfort & Convenience Group	$16.15

1965 Chevrolet Corvette Engine Options

Location Of Engine Code: Stamped on the block in front of the right hand cylinder head.

Letter Code	Engine	Horsepower	Torque	Transmission	Carburetor
HE	8-327	250	350	3 & 4-Speed Manual	4 BC
HF	8-327 *	300	360	4-Speed Manual	4 BC
HG	8-327 +	375	350	4-Speed Manual	Fuel Injection
HH	8-327 + #	365	350	4-Speed Manual	4 BC
HI	8-327	250	350	3 & 4-Speed Manual	4 BC
HJ	8-327 *	300	360	4-Speed Manual	4 BC
HK	8-327 + #	365	350	4-Speed Manual	4 BC
HL	8-327 + #	365	350	4-Speed Manual	4 BC
HM	8-327 + #	365	350	4-Speed Manual	4 BC
HN	8-327 +	375	350	4-Speed Manual	Fuel Injection
HO	8-327	250	350	Powerglide	4 BC
HP	8-327 *	300	360	Powerglide	4 BC
HQ	8-327	250	350	Powerglide	4 BC
HR	8-327 *	300	360	Powerglide	4 BC
HT	8-327 #	350	360	4-Speed Manual	4 BC
HU	8-327 #	350	360	4-Speed Manual	4 BC
HV	8-327 #	350	360	4-Speed Manual	4 BC
HW	8-327 #	350	360	4-Speed Manual	4 BC
IF	8-396 + #	425	425	4-Speed Manual	2 - 4BC

+ High Lift Camshaft * High Performance # Special High Performance

Transmission Codes

Transmission	Location
3-Speed Manual	Stamped on rear face of upper right corner
4-Speed Manual	On the top right flat of the case assembly
Turbo Hydra-Matic	Right hand vertical surface of transmission case
Powerglide	Stamped on the bottom of oil pan, immediately behind right hand machining lug with the bottom of the sticker parallel to mold flash, stamped on right side of transmission oil pan

Plant and Type Designation Prefix	Plant	Transmission Type
N	Muncie	4-Speed
W	Warner Gear	3 and 4-Speed
P	Muncie	4-Speed
R	Saginaw	4-Speed
S	Saginaw	3-Speed
M	Muncie	3-Speed, Overdrive*
C	Cleveland	Powerglide
T	Toledo	Powerglide
CA	Hydra-Matic	3-Speed, Automatic Turbo Hydra-Matic
D	Saginaw	Overdrive
K	McKinnon	3-Speed
E	McKinnon	Powerglide
O	Saginaw	Overdrive
X	Cleveland	Turbo Hydra-Matic 350
B	Cleveland	Turbo Hydra-Matic 350
Y	Toledo	Turbo Hydra-Matic 350
A	Cleveland	2-Speed, Manual Powerglide

*Overdrive distinguished from 3-Speed by physical appearance only. The above transmissions (exc. Warner Gear) will carry a production code number such as: C1116N (C = Cleveland Powerglide, 11 = November, 16 = 16th, N = Night Shift). The Warner Gear transmissions will carry a production code number such as: WG1031 (W = Warner Gear 4-Spd., G = July, 10 = 10th, 7 = 1967, 1 = First Shift).

1965 Chevrolet Corvette Exterior Paint Codes

Color Name / Code	Color Image	Color Name / Code	Color Image
A - Tuxedo Black Lucite® Code - 88 Dulux® Code - 93-005		M - Milano Maroon Lucite® Code - 4689L Dulux® Code - 181-97343
C - Ermine White Lucite® Code - 4024L Dulux® Code - 93-93774		Q - Silver Pearl Lucite® Code - 4621L Dulux® Code - 181-97221
F - Nassau Blue Lucite® Code - 4690L Dulux® Code - 181-97344		U - Rally Red Lucite® Code - 4688LH Dulux® Code - 93-97541H
G - Glen Green Lucite® Code - 4691L Dulux® Code - 181-97345		X - Goldwood Yellow Lucite® Code - 4530LH Dulux® Code - 93-96863
NOTES: General Motors paint code plate for all models except Corvair and Corvette is located under the hood at the top of the firewall on the left or right of the upper shroud. Corvair paint code plate is on the left rear wheel housing. Corvette paint code plate is under the dash, below the glove compartment.

1965 Chevrolet Corvette Interior Paint Codes

Color Name / Code	Color Image	Color Name / Code	Color Image
White Lucite® Code - 9184L (flat)		Medium Blue Lucite® Code - 9223LH (flat)
Medium Saddle Lucite® Code - 9222LH (flat)		Medium Dark Blue Lucite® Code - 9189LH (flat)
Medium Dark Saddle Lucite® Code - 9190LH (flat)		Red Lucite® Code - 9188LM (flat)
Silver Lucite® Code - 9185 (flat)		Maroon Lucite® Code - 9186LM (flat)
Dark Green Lucite® Code - 9187LH (flat)		Black Lucite® Code - 4466L (flat)
NOTE: Unpolished LUCITE® will generally produce a gloss comparable to original interior semi-gloss finishes. If lower gloss is required, use DuPont #4528 flattening compound to reduce gloss.

Trunk Colors (spatter finish)

Gray 389-195

Axle Codes

Location Of Axle Codes: The axles for Chevrolet will be built by Chevrolet Buffalo, Chevrolet Gear and Axle, Buick, Oldsmobile, and McKinnon. Divisional Manufacturer code letters will be metal stamped on the axle tube adjacent to the carrier for identification. Metal stamp on left rear axle tube on the rear side, letters and numerals 3/16 in. high, 3 in. outboard of carrier.

Codes - Non-Locking	Codes - Locking	Ratio	Inspection Cover
AR	AL, AT	3.08	10 Bolt
AK	AM, AU	3.36	10 Bolt
	AN, AZ	3.55	12 Bolt
AS	AO, FA	3.70	12 Bolt
	AP, FB	4.11	12 Bolt
	AQ, FC	4.56	12 Bolt