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1965 Corvette Performance & Specifications

Powertrain, Steering, Brakes, Dimensions, & Suspension

1965 chevrolet corvette

While this small-block engine was an impressive powerhouse in its own right, Chevrolet had definitely recognized that the direction of the powerplant for the Corvettes would center around engine displacement, and so it was decided that all other, smaller engines would ultimately be abandoned in the Corvette line at the end of the 1965 model year. Interestingly, the retirement of the 327ci engine also brought with it the end of the use of fuel injection in Corvettes for the next twenty years.

Read More: 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Research Center.

1965 Corvette Technical Specifications

MODEL: 1965 Chevrolet Corvette
BODY STYLE: Two-door convertible/coupe, front engine, rear wheel drive
MANUFACTURING LOCATION: St. Louis, Missouri
CONSTRUCTION: Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP or “fiberglass”) body, all welded, full length, ladder construction frame with 5 cross-members. Front section flat;rear section contoured over rear axle. Side-rails and intermediate cross members box construction. Rear crossmember “C” shaped; front crossmember concave for engine clearance.
VEHICLE NUMBERS (VIN): 194375S100001 – 194375S123564
ENGINE SUFFIX: HE: 327 CUBIC INCH, 250 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL TRANSMISSION
HF: 327 CUBIC INCH, 300 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL TRANSMISSION
HT: 327 CUBIC INCH, 350 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL TRANSMISSION
HH: 327 CUBIC INCH, 365 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL TRANSMISSION
HG: 327 CUBIC INCH, 375 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL TRANSMISSION
HO: 327 CUBIC INCH, 250 HORSEPOWER, POWERGLIDE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
HP: 327 CUBIC INCH, 300 HORSEPOWER, POWERGLIDE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
IF: 396 CUBIC INCH, 425 HORSEPOWER, 4-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION
ENGINE BLOCK NUMBER:
3782870, 327 CUBIC INCH
3855962, 396 CUBIC INCH
3858180, 327 CUBIC INCH
HEAD NUMBER:
3782461: 327 CUBIC INCH
3856208: 396 CUBIC INCH
CARBURETOR NUMBERS:
CARTER 3696S #3846246: 327 CUBIC INCH, 250HP, AUTO TRANS
CARTER 3697S #3846247: 327 CUBIC INCH, 250HP, MANUAL TRANS
CARTER 3720SB #3851762: 327 CUBIC INCH, 300HP, AUTO TRANS
CARTER 3721SB #3851761: 327 CUBIC INCH, 300HP MANUAL TRANS
HOLLEY R2818A #3849804: 327 CUBIC INCH, 350HP, 365HP
HOLLEY R3124A #3868826: 396 CUBIC INCH, 425HP
FUEL INJECTION NUMBER: ROCHESTER 7017380
DISTRIBUTOR NUMBER:
1111060: 327 CUBIC INCH, 365HP, TRANSISTOR IGNITION
1111064: 327 CUBIC INCH, 375HP, TRANSISTOR IGNITION
1111069: 327 CUBIC INCH, 365HP
1111070: 327 CUBIC INCH, 375HP
1111076: 327 CUBIC INCH, 250HP, 300HP
1111087: 327 CUBIC INCH, 350HP
1111088: 327 CUBIC INCH, 350HP, TRANSISTOR IGNITION
1111093: 396 CUBIC INCH, 425HP
ALTERNATOR NUMBER:
1100693: 327 CUBIC INCH
1100694: 327 CUBIC INCH, AIR CONDITION
1100696: 327 CUBIC INCH, 396 CUBIC INCH, TRANSISTOR IGNITION
1100697: 327 CUBIC INCH, 350HP, 365HP, AIRCON, TRANSISTOR IGNITION
AXLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
AK:  3.36:1 RATIO, 327ci
AL:  3.08:1 RATIO, 327ci, 4-SPEED
AN:  3.55:1 RATIO, 327ci, 4-SPEED
AR:  3.08:1 RATIO, 327ci, WIDE-RATIO 4-SPEED
AS:  3.70:1 RATIO, 327ci, CLOSE RATIO 4-SPEED
AM:  3.36:1 RATIO, 327ci, 3-SPEED
AO:  3.70:1 RATIO, 327ci, 4-SPEED
AP:  4.11:1 RATIO, 327ci, 4-SPEED
AQ:  4.56:1 RATIO, 327ci, 4-SPEED
AT:  3.08:1 RATIO, 396ci, 4-SPEED
AU:  3.36:1 RATIO, 396ci, 4-SPEED
AZ:  3.55:1 RATIO, 396ci, 4-SPEED
FA:  3.70:1 RATIO, 396ci, 4-SPEED
FB:  4.11:1 RATIO, 396ci, 4-SPEED
FC:  4.56:1 RATIO, 396ci, 4-SPEED
POSITRACTION AXLE:
1100693: 327 CUBIC INCH
1100694: 327 CUBIC INCH, AIR CONDITION
1100696: 327 CUBIC INCH, 396 CUBIC INCH, TRANSISTOR IGNITION
1100697: 327 CUBIC INCH, 350HP, 365HP, AIRCON, TRANSISTOR IGNITION
ALTERNATOR:
3782870, 327 CUBIC INCH
3855962, 396 CUBIC INCH
3858180, 327 CUBIC INCH
PRODUCTION ENDING VEHICLE: AUG. 1964: 100227, SEP. 1964: 101425, NOV. 1964: 103347, DEC. 1964:105754, JAN. 1965: 108442, FEB. 1965: 111059, MAR. 1965: 113936, APR. 1965: 116516, MAY 1965: 118753, JUN. 1965: 121216, JUL. 1965: 123562, AUG. 1965: 123564

1965 Corvette Powertrain Specifications

Order Code Standard L75 L79
Manufacturing Location Flint, Michigan Flint, Michigan Flint, Michigan
Type 90 degree V, Valve-In-Head 90 degree V, Valve-In-Head 90 degree V, Valve-In-Head
Cylinders 8 8 8
Displacement (cid) 327 327 327
Fuel Induction System Carburetor Carburetor Carburetor
Horsepower 250 @ 4,400 300 @ 5,000 350 @ 5,800
Torque 350 @ 2,800 360 @ 3,200 360 @ 3,800
Bore x Stroke (in.) 4.00 x 3.26 4.00 x 3.26 4.00 x 3.26
Compression Ratio 10.5:1 10.5:1
Firing Order 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Cylinder Number System (Left) 1-3-5-7 1-3-5-7 1-3-5-7
Cylinder Number System (Right) 2-4-6-8 2-4-6-8 2-4-6-8
Recommended Fuel Premium Premium Premium
Order Code L76 L84 L78
Manufacturing Location Flint, Michigan Flint, Michigan Flint, Michigan
Type 90 degree V, Valve-In-Head 90 degree V, Valve-In-Head 90 degree V, Valve-In-Head
Cylinders 8 8 8
Displacement (cid) 327 327 396
Fuel Induction System Carburetor Carburetor Carburetor
Horsepower 365 @ 6,200 375 @ 6,200 425 @ 6,400
Torque 350 @ 4,000 350 @ 4,400 415 @ 4,000
Bore x Stroke (in.) 4.00 x 3.26 4.00 x 3.26 4.00 x 3.26
Compression Ratio 11.0:1 11.0:1
Firing Order 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Cylinder Number System (Left) 1-3-5-7 1-3-5-7 1-3-5-7
Cylinder Number System (Right) 2-4-6-8 2-4-6-8 2-4-6-8
Recommended Fuel Premium Premium Premium

1965 Corvette Manual Transmission/Gear Ratios

Manual Transmission

Gear Ratios  3-Speed
4-Speed (RPO M20)
4-Speed Close Ratio (RPO M20)
Standard
for 250HP and 300HP engines
for 365HP and 375HP engines
1st Gear:
2.58:1
2.56:1
2.20:1
2nd Gear:
1.48:1
1.91:1
1.64:1
3rd Gear:
1.00:1
1.48:1
1.28:1
4th Gear:
N/A
1.00:1
1.00:1
Reverse:
2.58:1
2.64:1
2.27:1

Clutch

Clutch Stats
Type Chevrolet, single disk, dry plate, centrifugally assisted
Spring Pressure (lbs) 2100 – 2300 (2300 – 2600 with RPO L78)
Lining area (sq. in.) 90.7

Powerglide Automatic Transmission RPO M35/ Gear Ratios

Drive 1.76 to 1.00:1
Low 1.76:1
Reverse 1.76:1

1965 Corvette Wheels, Suspension & Brakes

Suspension – Front

Type and Description: Independent, SLA type with coil spring and concentric shock absorber, and spherically-jointed steering knuckle, for each wheel.

Front Coil Springs
Make & Type Right-hand Helix Variable rate
Material AISI A-5160, heat-treated
Part Number 3851100
Spring Rate (lb. per in.) 195 lb. per in.
Rate at Wheel (lb. per in.) 80 lb. per in.
Design Load 1340 lb. @ 8.56 in.
Front Shock Absorbers
Make & Type Direct, double-acting, hydraulic; freon filled envelope in reservoir
Piston diameter 1.00
Piston travel 5.25
Front Stabilizer Bar
Type Link
Material Hot rolled steel
Diameter 0.750

Suspension – Back

Type and Description: Full independant with frame-anchored differential. Locus of each wheel established by 3 links: universally-jointed axle drive shaft and adjacent strut, and torque control arm pivoted at frame side rail. Vertical suspension loads taken by shock absorbers and transversely-positioned leaf spring. Built-in camber adjustment at struts.
Rear Leaf Springs
Number of Leaves 9
Material Chrome carbon steel
Length, width, height 46.36 x 2.25 x 2.121
Rear Strut
Material Forged Steel
Diameter 0.75

Brakes

Brake Specs
Type:
– Standard Caliper Disk – 4 Wheel Hydraulic
– J50 Powered Brakes
Drum diameter, front (in.): 11.75
Drum diameter, rear (in.): 11.75
Swept Drum Area Effective area: 461.2

Wheels & Tires

Wheels & Tires Specs
Wheel Type:
– Standard Short spoke spider, steel
– P48 Ribbed integral casting, aluminum, quick take-off
Wheels, size:
– Standard 15″ x 5.5K
– P48 15″ x 6L
Tire, size:
– Standard 7.75 x 15 — 4 PR. 4-Ply Tubeless Rayon
– P91 7.75 x 15 — 4 PR. 4-Ply Blackwall Nylon
– P92 7.75 x 15 — 4 PR. 4-Ply Whitewall Rayon
– T01 7.75 x 15 — 4 PR. 4-Ply Goldwall Nylon
Inflation (cold)
– Front 24 lbs.
– Rear 24 lbs.

Steering

Steering Specs
Type Semi-reversible, recirculating ball and nut steering gear with three-inch axial column adjustment
Make Saginaw
Ratio (Gear) 16.0:1
Wheel Diameter (in.) 16
Turns, Stop to Stop
– Standard 3.4
– Power 2.92
Turning Diameter (curb to curb) 39.9 ft. (outside front), 41.6 ft. (outside front)

 

1965 C2 Corvette

1965 Corvette Exterior Dimensions

Hard Top Dimensions

1965 Corvette Dimensions - Hardtop

Exterior Dimensions (Hardtop) Interior Dimensions (Hardtop)
Wheelbase: 98.0 Inches Headroom: 38.5 Inches
Overall Length: 175.3 Inches Shoulder Room: 48.4 Inches
Total Body Width: 69.6 Inches Hip Room: 50.9 Inches
Overall Height: 49.3 Inches Leg Room: 42.7 Inches
Front Track Width: 56.3 Inches
Rear Track Width: 57.0 Inches
Min. Ground Clearance 5.0 Inches

Soft Top Dimensions

1965 Corvette Dimensions - Soft Top

Exterior Dimensions (Soft Top) Interior Dimensions (Soft Top)
Wheelbase: 98.0 Inches Headroom: 38.5 Inches
Overall Length: 175.1 Inches Shoulder Room: 48.4 Inches
Total Body Width: 69.6 Inches Hip Room: 50.9 Inches
Overall Height: 49.8 Inches Leg Room: 42.7 Inches
Front Track Width: 56.8 Inches
Rear Track Width: 57.6 Inches
Min. Ground Clearance 5.0 Inches

Coupe Dimensions

1965 Corvette Dimensions - Coupe

Exterior Dimensions (Coupe) Interior Dimensions (Coupe)
Wheelbase: 98.0 Inches Headroom: 37.0 Inches
Overall Length: 175.1 Inches Shoulder Room: 48.4 Inches
Total Body Width: 69.6 Inches Hip Room: 50.9 Inches
Overall Height: 49.6 Inches Leg Room: 42.7 Inches
Front Track Width: 56.8 Inches
Rear Track Width: 57.6 Inches
Min. Ground Clearance 5.0 Inches

Capacities

Capacities
Passenger Capacity 2 – Driver & Passenger
Curb Weight (lbs) 3,145
– Convertible 3,153
– Convertible (with hardtop) 3,135
Interior Passenger Volume (cu. ft)
Interior Trunk Volume (cu. ft)
– Convertible 8.1
– Coupe 10.6
Engine Oil Capacity (qts.): 20 (36 with RPO N03)
– Standard and L75 engines 4 (capacity of crankcase less filter – refill)
– L76, L78, L79, and L84 engines 5 (capacity of crankcase less filter – refill)
Coolant capacity without heater (qts.) 19.0 (22.0 with L78 engine)
Battery: 12 volt, 61AH

1965 C2 Corvette

1965 Corvette Performance Results

Performance Results Standard L75 L79
(3.36 Axle) (3.36 Axle) (3.70 Axle)
3-Speed Transmission
Performance weight (lbs.) 3439 3440 3436
Pounds/gross horsepower 13.76 11.47 9.82
Pounds/cu.in. piston displacement 10.52 10.52 10.51
 Gross horsepower/cu.in. displacement .765 .917 1.070
 Power displacement (cu.ft./mile) 241.62 241.62 266.07
Displacement factor (cu.ft./mile) 140.52 140.47 154.87
 0 – 60 mph (seconds)
 Top Speed (mph)
4-Speed Transmission
 Performance weight (lbs.) 3441 3442 3438
 Pounds/gross horsepower 13.64 11.47 9.82
 Pounds/cu.in. piston displacement 10.52 10.53 10.51
 Gross horsepower/cu.in. displacement .765 .917 1.070
 Power displacement (cu.ft./mile) 241.62 241.62 266.07
 Displacement factor (cu.ft./mile) 140.43 140.39 154.78
 0 – 60 mph (seconds) 7.8 6.2
 Top Speed (mph) 124 130
Powerglide Transmission
Performance weight (lbs.) 3463 3463
Pounds/gross horsepower 13.85 11.54
Pounds/cu.in. piston displacement 10.59 10.59
Gross horsepower/cu.in. displacement .765 .917
Power displacement (cu.ft./mile) 241.62 241.62
 Displacement factor (cu.ft./mile) 139.58 139.58
 0 – 60 mph (seconds)
Top Speed (mph)
Performance Results L76 L84 L78
(3.70 Axle) (3.70 Axle) (3.70 Axle)
4-Speed Transmission
Performance weight (lbs.) 3431 3448 3706
Pounds/gross horsepower 9.40 9.19 8.72
Pounds/cu.in. piston displacement 10.49 10.54 9.36
 Gross horsepower/cu.in. displacement 1.162 1.15 1.07
 Power displacement (cu.ft./mile) 266.07 266.07 301.32
Displacement factor (cu.ft./mile) 155.14 154.33 162.61
 0 – 60 mph (seconds) 5.4
 Top Speed (mph) 152.5