The L84 was the most powerful 327 availble for the 1965 Corvette thanks to its Ram-Jet Fuel Injection which was an expensive $538 option.
For competition, race customers had a range of options available to them including the N03 36-Gallon Fuel Tank, closer rear axle ratios and the C48 Heater/Defroster Delete (-100). Most cars equipped like this came with either L78 or the L84 with Ram-Jet Fuel Injection.
All 1965 cars received new rocker panels, a blacked out grill with horizontal bars, a function vertical louvers behind the front wheels. Minor upgrades to the 1965 model year included a power antenna, redesigned seats, standard disc brakes, a telescoping steering wheel, new dashboard gauges and optional side exhausts.
Standard colors for the year were Tuxedo Black, Ermine White, Nassau Blue, Glen Green, Milano Maroon, Silver Pearl, Rally Red, Goldwood Yellow and Crocus Yellow.
Major options included Genuine Leather Seats ($80.70), Auxiliary Hardtop ($236.75), Air Conditioning ($421.80), Powerglide Automatic Transmission ($199.10), M20 4-speed Manual Transmission ($188.30), Side Mount Exhaust System ($134.50), Cast Aluminum Knock-Off Wheels ($322.80) and an AM/FM Radio ($203.40).
Story by Richard Michael Owen
1965 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray Coupe L78 396/425 HP Gallery
See full 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray Coupe L78 396/425 HP Gallery
In Detail
| type | Series Production Car |
| built at | St. Louis, Missouri, USA |
| engine | V8 |
| position | Front Longitudinal |
| aspiration | Natural |
| block material | Cast Iron |
| valvetrain | Pushrod OHV, 2 Valves per Cyl |
| fuel feed | Ram-Jet Fuel Injection |
| displacement | 5359 cc / 327 in³ |
| bore | 103.99 mm / 4.094 in |
| stroke | 95.5 mm / 3.76 in |
| power | 279.6 kw / 375 bhp @ 6200 rpm |
| specific output | 69.98 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 262.42 bhp per tonne |
| torque | 474.5 nm / 350 ft lbs @ 4400 rpm |
| body / frame | Ladder-Type Frame |
| driven wheels | RWD |
| wheel type | Steel Discs |
| front tires | 6.70×15 |
| rear tires | 6.70×15 |
| front brakes | Drums |
| f brake size | 69.85 x 279 mm / 2.75 x 11 in |
| rear brakes | Drums |
| r brake size | 50.80 x 279 mm / 2.0 x 11 in |
| steering | Saginaw Recirculating Ball |
| f suspension | A-Arms w/Coil Springs, Anti-Roll Bar, Tubular Shock Absorbers |
| r suspension | Half Shafts w/Lateral Struts, Radius Rods, Transverse Leaf Springs, Hydrualic Shock Absorbers |
| curb weight | 1429 kg / 3150 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2489 mm / 98 in |
| front track | 1443 mm / 56.8 in |
| rear track | 1463 mm / 57.6 in |
| length | 4453 mm / 175.3 in |
| width | 1768 mm / 69.6 in |
| height | 1265 mm / 49.8 in |
| transmission | 3-Speed Manual |
| final drive | 3.36:1 |
| top speed | ~229 kph / 142.3 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | ~5.7 seconds |
| 0 – 100 mph | ~13.4 seconds |
| 0 – 1/4 mile | ~14.1 seconds |
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