With the success from the previous year, the GTO was an option available on the 1965 Pontiac Tempest LeMans.
1965 Pontiac Lemans GTO
Again for 1965 the GTO was an option available on the Tempest LeMans models of Pontiac. The GTO popularity had been growing and Pontiac Immediately started to add unique identifiers to GTO equipped cars. Front grills, rear fender sides and trunk were now marked with bold GTO letters. In addition to more noticeable markings the hood of the GTO equipped cars featured a very distinctive hood scoop, a feature that would follow GTO throughout its production years.
Horsepower actually increased over last year’s availability. A new LeMans GTO could be ordered with an optional 389, 360 Horsepower engine. Standard engine was 389 cubic inch rated at 335 horsepower. Additionally one could order a tri-power equipped 389 cubic inch motor that featured 3 - 2-barrel carbs.
1965 Pontiac Tempest Lemans GTO Specifications
Model Number
Body/Style Number
Body Type & Seating
Factory Price
Shipping Weight
Total Production
Tempest LeMans w/ GTO Option
237
27
2d Coupe - 5P
$2,787
3,478 lbs
8,319
237
37
2d Hardtop - 5P
$2,855
3,478 lbs
55,722
237
67
2d Convertible - 5P
$3,093
3,700 lbs
11,311
NOTES:
75,352 Tempest LeMans GTO's were built in 1965
56,378 had synchromesh & 18,974 had automatic
Model Series Identification
GTO 2d Coupe - 5P - 23727
GTO 2d Hardtop - 5P - 23737
GTO 2d Convertible - 5P - 32767
Chassis Data
Model
Wheelbase
Overall Length
Front Tread
Rear Tread
Tires
GTO
115 in
206.2 in
58 in
58 in
7.75 x 14
VIN Decoding
Serial Numbers were on the left front hinge pillar. Fisher body on cowl tells style number, body number, trim code, paint code, and other data.
First Symbol - Manufacturer
2 = Pontiac
Second & Third Symbol - Series
33 = Standard Tempest
54 = 2 + 2
35 = Custom Tempest
56 = Star Chief
37 = LeMans
62 = Bonneville
39 = Safari Station Wagon w/ wood grain
66 = Grand Prix
52 = Catalina & Ventura
Fourth & Fifth Symbol - Body Style
11 = two-door sedan
45 = station wagon three seat
27 = two-door sedan
57 = two-door hardtop
35 = station wagon two seat
67 = convertible
37 = two-door hardtop
69 = four-door sedan
39 = four-door hardtop
87 = two-door hardtop
Sixth Symbol - Last Digit Of The Model Year
5 = 1965
Seventh Symbol - Assembly Plant
(B) Baltimore, Maryland
(P) Pontiac, Michigan
(C) Southgate, California
(R) Arlington, Texas
(D) Doraville, Georgia
(U) Lordstown, Ohio
(E) Linden, New Jersey
(V) Bloomfield, Illinios
(G) Framingham, Massachusetts
(X) Kansas City, Kansas
(K) Kansas City, Missouri
(Z) Fremont, California
Last Six Symbols - Production Sequence
Started at 100001
1965 Pontiac Tempest Lemans GTO Engines
Location Of Engine Code: V-8 engine codes are found on front of block below right cylinder head.
Letter Code
Engine
Horsepower
Torque
Transmission
Carburetor
WS
8-389
360
424
Manual
3 - 2 BC
WT
8-389
335
431
Manual
4 BC
YR
8-389
360
424
Turbo Hydra-Matic
4 BC
YS
8-389
335
431
Turbo Hydra-Matic
3 - 2 BC
Transmission Codes
Transmission
Location
Turbo Hydra-Matic 350
Stamped on servo cover on right side of transmission.
Turbo Hydra-Matic 400
On metal tag fastened to right side of transmission case or on the left side of converter housing.
Powerglide
Stamped on a metal tag located on the right side of the transmission.
Super Turbine 300 (TempesTorque)
On metal tag fastened to right side of transmission case or stamped on lower servo cover.
Jetway
On metal tag fastened to right side of transmission case or stamped on lower servo cover.
3-Speed
Painted or stamped on the transmission case.
4-Speed
Painted or stamped on the transmission case.
Plant and Type Designation Prefix
Transmission Type
20
TempesTorque
30
TempesTorque
LA
TempesTorque
MA
TempesTorque
MB
TempesTorque
MC
TempesTorque
NA
TempesTorque
NB
TempesTorque
PA
Turbo Hydra-Matic 400
PB
Turbo Hydra-Matic 400
PC
Turbo Hydra-Matic 400
PE
Turbo Hydra-Matic
PH
Turbo Hydra-Matic 400
Axle Codes
Location Of Axle Codes: Letter codes are on the rear of right hand axle tube near carrier or on the left hand brake drum.
Codes - Non-Locking
Codes - Locking
Ratio
WB, XB
YB, ZB
2.56
WC
YC
2.78
WD, XD
YD, ZD
2.93
WE, XE
YE, ZE
3.08
WF, XF
YF, ZF
3.23
WG, XG
YG, ZG
3.36
WH, XH
YH, ZH
3.55
WK, XK
YK, ZK
3.90
WL, XL
YL, ZL
4.33
Codes beginning with "W" and "Y" are standard brake linings. Codes beginning with "X" and "Z" are metallic brake linnings.
Options and Accessories
Description
Price
Description
Price
Air Conditioning
$346.00
3-Speed Manual Transmission
$Not Available
Carpets
$Not Available
4-Speed Manual Transmission
$188.00
Electric Clock
$19.00
2-Speed Automatic Transmission (6-Cyl)
$188.00
Remote Control Deck Lid
$11.00
2-Speed Automatic Transmission (V-8)
$199.00
GTO Option (style numbers - 23727, 23737, 23767)
$296.00
Bucket Seats
Not Available
Console
$48.00
Transistor Ignition
$65.00
Ride & Handling Package
$16.00
Transistor Regulator
$11.00
Quick-Ratio Steering
$11.00
Tinted Glass (all windows)
$31.00
Parking Brake Signal
$3.00
Dual Exhaust
$31.00
Luggage Carrier (Safari)
$Not Available
Safe-T-Track Differential
$38.00
Seat Belt Set
$8.00
Heavy-Duty Battery
$4.00
Panel Cluster & Tachometer Rally Gauge
$86.00
326-cid/250-hp V-8
$108.00
AM/FM Push Button Radio
$65.00
326-cid/285-hp V-8
$173.00
Safeguard Speedometer
$16.00
389-cid/335-hp V-8
$296.00
Super-Lift Shock Absorbers
$40.00
389-cid/360-hp V-8 (Tri-Power)
$116.00
Custom Sport Steering Wheel
$Not Available
Cordova Top
$Not Available
Power Bucket Seat
$71.00
Rally Gauge Cluster w/ Tachometer
$86.00
Tilt Steering Wheel (power steering only)
$43.00
Wire Wheel Discs
$Not Available
Power Steering
$97.00
Custom Wheel Discs
$Not Available
Power Brakes
$43.00
Rally Wheels
$Not Available
Two-Speed Wipers & Washers
$17.00
Paint Codes - Exterior Colors
Color Name / Code
Color Image
Color Name / Code
Color Image
A - Starlight Black
Lucite® Code - 88
Dulux® Code - 93-005
N - Burgundy Red
Lucite® Code - 4624LH
Dulux® Code - 181-97213M
B - Blue Charcoal
Lucite® Code - 4622L
Dulux® Code - 181-97211
NOTES: The first letter of a two-letter paint code identifies the body color. The second letter identifies the roof color. (For example, the combination VC on a Pontiac would indicate the body finished in Mission Beige and the roof area in Cameo Ivory.) 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.
Medium Turquoise
Lucite® Code - 4628L (semi-gloss)
NOTE: Unpolished LUCITE® will generally produce a gloss comparable to original interior semi-gloss finishes. If lower gloss is required, use2 oz. DuPont #4528 flattening compound to a pint of unreduced color.
