The Chevy Corvette Sting Ray received a number of aesthetic changes for the 1965 model year, both inside and out. The indentations on the leading edge of the hood were eliminated, faux horizontal front fender vents were replaced with functional vertical slots for engine cooling, the grille was finished in a matte black with a polished surround, and the optional Cast Aluminum Knock-Off Wheels, RPO P48, had a dark gray finish between the fins.
Inside, the Chevy Corvette got new gauges with flat faces finished in matte black with white markings. The dash cascade that surrounded the radio, speaker bezel, and clock was painted a coordinating color rather than covered in vinyl as it had been the previous year. Redesigned seats had larger seating surface segments that provided better support, and seatbacks had hard plastic shells. Door panels featured integrated armrests.
The 1965 Chevy Corvette also benefitted from a number of mechanical changes. It was the first year for standard four-wheel disc brakes, although a $64.50 credit could be had for opting for drum brakes, as 316 buyers did. 1965 was the first year Big Block power was available for the Corvette, with the 396 cubic-inch Mark IV Big Block (RPO L78) producing 425 horsepower. The 396 came with its own unique hood with a power bulge to accommodate the increased profile. The 396 would last a single year, as the 427 would replace it in 1966. With the advent of Big Block power, 1965 would be the final year for Rochester mechanical fuel injection. Fuel injection would not return to the Corvette until Cross Fire Injection bowed in 1982.
The 1965 Chevy Corvette came standard with a 250-horsepower 327 cube Small Block V8, a three-speed manual gearbox, a vinyl interior, and a power antenna. Convertibles were equipped with a standard soft top, although an auxiliary hard top could be specified instead of the soft top for no additional charge. 1,277 buyers opted for the hard top in lieu of the soft top.
Optional engines available for the 1965 Chevy Corvette included the L75 300-horsepower 327, the L79 350-horsepower 327, the L76 365-horsepower 327, the L84 375-horsepower fuel-injected 327, and the aforementioned L78 425-horsepower 396 Big Block. RPO C60 Air Conditioning was not available with either RPOs L78 or L84. RPO L78 required RPO K66 Transistorized Ignition.
Available transmissions for the 1965 Chevy Corvette included the base three-speed manual transmission, the Muncie M20 close-ratio four-speed gearbox, the M22 close-ratio heavy-duty manual transmission, and the M35 Powerglide two-speed automatic transmission. Production of the M22 heavy-duty manual transmission was limited to 30 units. M35 Powerglide production was split 663 with the 250-horsepower 327, 1,358 with the 300-horsepower Small Block.
Chevy Corvette production for the 1965 model year totaled 23,564 units, with 8,186 coupes and 15,378 convertibles leaving the St. Louis factory.
Our feature 1965 Chevy Corvette convertible is one of 771 fuel-injected models built that year. Listed in the 1965 Fuel Injected Corvette Survey, it is finished in Nassau Blue over a white and blue leather interior. The Corvette is powered by its numbers-matching fuel-injected 327 producing 375 horsepower. It is equipped with knock-off wheels, Goldline tires, factory side-mount exhaust, a Delco AM-FM radio, both soft and hard tops, teakwood steering wheel, telescopic steering, transistorized ignition, a four-speed manual transmission, and a 4.11 Positraction rear end. The sale includes the Protect-O-Plate, the owner’s manual, the NCRS Shipping Data Report, and an extra set of wheels and tires.
Comments
If only I had a six car garage.
I can relate. I’m stuck with a 5 car garage too.
Whoever ordered this car new really had his head on right.
One just like it was seized by a local repair shop many years ago when the owner could not pay for the extensive repairs. I rode in it one night with the shop owner’s son with the side pipes open. Needless to say it was loud and rode like a Flintstone car. I often wonder what happened to it.
These were heady days for the Corvette and must have been a joy to live through. Fuel injection, four wheel disc breaks, hard or soft top, choice of transmissions, and various engine options. Fantastic!
MNSteve…You are so right. They were the best of times. Until the Vietnam years came along and took a bunch of my graduating class with it. The sadist thing in my life was seeing a brand new SS Malibu 396 rotting away where a guy I was in school with left it never to return. He was so proud of that car.