You could choose from 12 different models in the Pontiac Tempest line-up for 1965 (not including the Tempest Lemans GTO). Outward appearances featured stacked headlights and split grille with wrap-around tail lamps. Inside, standard accessories included a heater and defroster, seat belts, turn signals, electric windshiel wipers and more.
1965 Pontiac Tempest Specifications
Model Number
Body/Style Number
Body Type & Seating
Factory Price
Shipping Weight
Total Production
Tempest Series 233
233
69
4 dr Sedan - 6P
$2,263
2,963 lbs
15,705
233
27
2 dr Coupe - 5P
$2,211
2,943 lbs
18,198
233
35
4 dr Station Wagon - 6P
$2,549
3,237 lbs
5,622
Tempest Custom Series 235
235
69
4 dr Sedan - 6P
$2,496
3,021 lbs
25,242
235
27
2 dr Coupe - 5P
$2,295
2,965 lbs
18,367
235
37
2 dr Hardtop - 5P
$2,359
2,983 lbs
21,906
235
67
2 dr Convertible - 5P
$2,584
3,064 lbs
8,346
235
35
4 dr Station Wagon - 6P
$2,633
3,250 lbs
10,792
Tempest LeMans Series 237
237
69
4 dr Sedan - 6P
$2,496
3,021 lbs
14,227
237
27
2d Coupe - 5P
$2,437
2,996 lbs
18,881
237
37
2d Hardtop - 5P
$2,501
3,014 lbs
60,548
237
67
2d Convertible - 5P
$2,736
3,107 lbs
13,897
Chassis Data
Model
Wheelbase
Overall Length
Front Tread
Rear Tread
Tires
Tempest
115 in
206.2 in
58 in
58 in
6.95 x 14
Station Wagon
121 in
204.4 in
Not Available
Not Available
7.35 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 Engine Options
Location Of Engine Code: V-8 engine codes are found on front of block below right cylinder head.
eng.
hp
disp.
carb
Bonneville
Star Chief
Grand Prix
Catalina
Tempest
6
140
215
2-bbl
*
*
*
*
std.
V-8
250
326
2-bbl
*
*
*
*
$108
V-8
285
326
4-bbl
*
*
*
*
$173
V-8
335
389-GTO
4-bbl
*
*
*
*
$296
V-8
360
389
3 2-bbl
*
*
*
*
$116 on
GTO
V-8
256 (economy V-8 available on all Pontiacs w/Turbo Hydra-matic)
389
2-bbl
*
std.
*
std.
*
V-8
290
389
2-bbl
*
std.
H-M
*
std.
H-M
*
V-8
325
389
4-bbl
std.
H-M
$35
std.
H-M
$35
*
V-8
333
389
4-bbl
std.
$45
std.
$45
*
V-8
338
389
3
2-bbl
$133
$178
$133
$178
*
V-8
338
421
4-bbl.
$138
$174
$108
$174
*
V-8
V-8
356
376
421
421HO
3 2-bbl
$272
$376
$307
$410
$241
$344
$307
$410
*
Notes:
* - Info Not Available at this time
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.
1965 Pontiac Options and Accessories
Description
Bonneville
Star Chief
Grand Prix
Catalina
Tempest
Superlift shocks
$40
$40
$40
$40
$40
Quick-ratio steering
*
*
*
*
$11
Tach
$54
$54
$54
$54
*
Transistor ignition w/ AC
$75
$75
$75
$75
$75
Transistor ignition w/ out AC
$65
$65
$65
$65
$65
Turbo hydra-matic transmission
$231
$231
$231
$231
*
Two-speed automatic w/ 6
*
*
*
*
$188
Two-speed automatic w/ V-8
*
*
*
*
$199
Tri-comfort AC
$430
$430
$430
$430
$346
Tinted glass, all windows
$43
$43
$43
$43
$31
Seat belt sets
$8
$8
$8
$8
$8
Heavy-duty battery
$5
$5
$5
$5
$4
Electro Cruise and fuel warning
$86
$86
$86
$86
*
Brougham option
$161
*
*
*
*
Console
$108
$108
$108
$108
$48
Auto temperature control
$65
$65
$65
$65
*
Bucket seats
$116
*
std.
opt.
opt.
Power left bucket seat
$71
$71
$71
$71
$71
Ride and handeling package
$16
$16
$16
$16
$16
Rally gauge cluster and tach
*
*
*
*
$86
Aluminum wheels/hubs/drums
$121
$121
$121
$138
*
Catalina 2+2 package, convertible
*
*
*
$397
*
Catalina 2+2 package, coupe
*
*
*
$419
*
GTO option package
*
*
*
*
$296
dual exhausts on V-8s
$31
$31
$31
$31
$31
Saf-T-Track differential
$43
$43
$43
$43
$38
Four-speed
$231
$231
$231
$231
$188
Power steering
$108
$108
$108
$97
$97
Power brakes
$43
$43
$43
$43
$43
Transistorized voltage regulator
$11
$11
$11
$11
$11
Notes:
* - Info Not Available at this time
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.
