1965 muscle cars helped to prove to the world that muscle cars were not simply a passing fluke when 1964 muscle cars were first introduced.
Not only did sales of the 1964 muscle cars remain strong, but new cars were quickly entering the market.
The Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396, known simply as the SS 396, joined the fray and so did Buick with its Gran Sport.
1965 muscle cars made it clear that they were here to stay for the foreseeable future.
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The Buick Gran Sport is Born
Not to be outpaced by Chevrolet or Pontiac, Buick offered the third of General Motor’s four A-bodies in 1965.
Known as the Gran Sport, the new model was formed by dropping the full-size Wildcat engine into the Skylark that helped it become the fifth-fastest muscle car in 1965.
The GS package included a 3-speed manual or optional close-ratio 4-speed manual and 2-speed Super Turbine 300 automatic along with beefed suspension and brakes.
The Wildcat 445, also referred to as the “nailhead,” produced 445 lbs-ft of torque and featured the characteristic tiny valves for which it earned its nickname.
To compensate for valves that were not much larger than the head of a nail, engineers developed a cam with 0.431-inch lift, 302 degrees intake, and 295 exhaust.
Altogether, this combination created the well-known “rump-rump” Buick idle.
With soft touches such as air conditioning, power brakes, and power steering all being available, the fully loaded Gran Sport was considered by many to be the “gentleman’s hot rod” in 1965.
The SS 396 Makes a Star-Studded Appearance
At the time it was introduced in 1965, the SS 396 Chevelle was not meant for the common folk.
Rather, the top-of-the-line Z16 strategically found its way to members of the automotive press, celebrities, and other VIPs who could help give the car the greatest amount of exposure.
With a base price of $2,600 for the V-8 Malibu version of the car and an additional $1,501.05 for the Z16 package, the car was priced well out of reach of most consumers.
With a 14.60-second quarter-mile time, it was the second-fastest muscle car produced in 1965. In all, only 200 Z16 hardtops were produced in 1965 along with just one convertible.
Package features of the limited-edition Z16 Malibu, which was the most expensive muscle car yet, included a hydraulic-lifter L37 Turbo Jet 396 CID-V8 with 375 horsepower, an 11-inch clutch, a Muncie four-speed, and a dual-snorkel air cleaner.
All SS 396 Malibus also came with a 3.31:1 open differential at the time, while power brakes and steering were standard features.
Shelby Gives Enthusiasts What They Were Looking For
Despite offering its optional K-code small-block in 1964, Ford failed to spark much interest in enthusiasts when the Mustang first hit the market. To address this issue, the company offered two new option packages in 1965.
These included the “pony interior” with galloping-horse seat inserts and simulated walnut paneling, and the “GT Equipment Group” offering a Special Handling Package, 10-inch front disc brakes, and dual exhausts.
For those who were looking for something to rival Chevrolet’s Corvette, Ford turned to Carroll Shelby to further revolutionize the Mustang.
Officially unveiled on January 27, 1965, the Shelby GT-350 had no back seat, weighed in at 200 pounds lighter than its other pony car counterparts, and featured a hopped-up Hi-Po 289 offering 306 horsepower.
Finally, car enthusiasts were seeing more of the type of power they hoped to find. The 1965 Shelby GT350 was the third-fastest muscle care produced that year.
The Complete List of 1965 Muscle Cars
| Year | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Buick | Gran Sport |
| 1965 | Buick | Wildcat GS |
| 1965 | Buick | Riviera GS |
| 1965 | Buick | Skylark |
| 1965 | Chevrolet | Chevelle SS |
| 1965 | Chevrolet | Nova SS |
| 1965 | Chevrolet | Impala SS |
| 1965 | Dodge | Coronet |
| 1965 | Dodge | Monaco |
| 1965 | Ford | Mustang GT |
| 1965 | Ford | Fairlane |
| 1965 | Ford | Galaxie |
| 1965 | Ford | Falcon |
| 1965 | Mercury | Cyclone |
| 1965 | Mercury | Maraduer |
| 1965 | Mercury | Comet |
| 1965 | Oldsmobile | 442 |
| 1965 | Plymouth | Barracuda Formula S |
| 1965 | Plymouth | Sport Fury |
| 1965 | Plymouth | Belvedere |
| 1965 | Plymouth | Satellite |
| 1965 | Pontiac | GTO |
| 1965 | Pontiac | Bonneville |
| 1965 | Pontiac | Grand Prix |
| 1965 | Pontiac | 2+2 |
| 1965 | Shelby | GT350 |
| 1965 | Studebaker | Lark |
| 1965 | Studebaker | Daytona |
Well, there you have the complete list of 1965 muscle cars. If you liked this article, be sure to check out our list of 1966 muscle cars and subscribe!
Ryan Wheaton
Ryan has owned muscle cars since 1986 and currently owns a 1972 Dodge Charger Rallye. He combines passion and experience to create engaging content for fellow muscle car enthusiasts. In 2018, he founded Muscle Cars Illustrated, authoring hundreds of articles on tips, history, and trends in the muscle car industry. He attends national car shows, auctions, and museums to stay current with the latest developments in the muscle car industry.
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