Top 9 Fastest Muscle Cars of 1965

Looking for a list of the fastest muscle cars of 1965?

You’re in the right place!

In this article, you’re going to learn all the details including rank order, make, model, engine, horsepower, torque, quarter-mile time, and quarter-mile speed for all top nine contenders.

You’ll also discover which one was the fastest as well as production figures for each muscle car that made it to this list.

Let’s take a look at the fastest muscle cars of 1965 in rank order, shall we?

Top 9 Fastest 1965 Muscle Cars

1965 Pontiac GTO 389 Tri-Power

The fastest 1965 muscle car is the Tri-Powered GTO powered by a 389 CID V8 with 360 horsepower and 424 lb-ft of torque.

The GTO was first introduced in 1964 and is known as the very first muscle car of the muscle car era. The Pontiac GTO is a two-time back-to-back winner, having also been crowned the fastest muscle car of 1964.

The GTOs exterior was refreshed in 1965 with vertically stacked headlights, dual-nostril hood scoops, recessed grille, updated taillights, and Rally I wheels.

In the May 1965 issue of Car Life magazine, a Tri-Powered GTO ran a best of 14.5 seconds traveling at 100 miles per hour earning it top honors in the fastest muscle cars of 1965 line up.

Pontiac produced 75,352 GTO muscle cars in 1965, with 20,547 being equipped with the top performing optional Tri-Power V8.

1965 Chevrolet Malibu SS 396

In second place was the Malibu SS powered by a 396 CID V8 with 375 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. In the second year of the Malibu SS, the exterior was refreshed with different front fenders, hood, grille, chrome trim, and backup lights in the rear bumper.

In the October 1965 issue of Popular Hot Rodder magazine, it ran a best of 14.6-seconds in the quarter-mile time traveling at 100 miles per hour.

Chevrolet produced a scant 206 Malibu SS 396s in 1965 with 200 hardtops and only 1 convertible. Overall U.S. production numbers for the Malibu SS included 7,234 sport coupes and 1,119 convertibles.

1965 Shelby Mustang GT350 289

In third place was the 1965 Shelby GT350 powered by a 289 CID V8 with 306 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque.

In the May 1965 issue of Road & Track magazine, it ran a best of 14.7-seconds in the quarter-mile time traveling at 90 miles per hour.

Shelby only produced 504 production-ready GT350s that year with an additional 22 prototypes and 36 competition GT350R models.

1965 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 400

In fourth place was the 4-4-2 powered by a 400 CID V8 with 345 horsepower and 440 lb-ft of torque.

In the May 1965 issue of Car & Driver magazine, it ran a best of 15-seconds in the quarter-mile traveling at 98 miles per hour.

Oldsmobile produced 25,003 4-4-2s that year and breaks down to 14,735 Cutlass hardtops, 5,713 Cutlass sport coupes, 3,468 convertibles, and 1,087 club coupes.

1965 Buick Gran Sport 401

The fifth-fastest muscle car of 1965 was the Buick Gran Sport powered by a 401 CID V8 with 325 horsepower and 445 lb-ft of torque.

In the May 1965 issue of Car Life magazine, it ran a best of 15.3-seconds in the quarter-mile traveling at 88 miles per hour.

Buick produced a total of 15,780 Gran Sports that year and includes 11,351 hardtops, 2,282 sedans, and 2,147 convertibles.

1965 Dodge Coronet 500 426-S

In sixth place was the ultra-sleeper Dodge Coronet 500 426S powered by a 426 CID V8 with 365 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque.

Many unsuspecting street racers were taken by surprise by its nondescript exterior because there weren’t any markings on the exterior that indicated what monster engine was lurking under the hood. It looked like a family car; especially the 4-door models.

In the May 1965 issue of Car Life magazine, it ran a best of 15.4-seconds traveling at 89 miles per hour.

Dodge produced a total of 2,117 Coronet 426-S models that year with 1,169 being Coronet 500 2-door hardtops like the one that made this list.

1965 Ford Mustang 2+2 Hi-Po 289

In seventh place was the Ford Mustang 2+2 “Hi-Po” 289 CID V8 with 235 horsepower and 290 lb-ft of torque. All fastback models were called 2+2 because they had two seats in the front with a folding seat in the back.

In 1965, you had three options with the 289 CID V8. The first was 2-barrel rated at 200 horsepower, second was a 4-barrel rated at 225 horsepower, and third was the mighty 4-barrel “Hi Po” rated at 271 horsepower.

In the January 1965 issue of Motor Trend magazine, it ran a best of 15.9-seconds traveling at 89 miles per hour in a 289 Hi Po equipped fastback.

Ford produced a total of 71,303 Mustang 2+2 fastbacks in 1965.

1965 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S

In eighth place was the 1965 Barracuda Formula S powered by a Commando 273 CID V8 with 235 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. The Formula S was built as a road racer and rally performance package.

The sleek fastback model came out two weeks prior to the Mustang 2+2 but never received the accolades or acclaim of the sensational debut of the fastback Mustang that took the World by storm.

In the June 1965 issue of Car Life magazine, it ran a best of 15.9-seconds in the quarter-mile traveling at 89 miles per hour.

Plymouth didn’t record how many Formula S models were produced that year, however, 9,379 Barracudas equipped with the Commando 273 CID V8 engine were recorded.

1965 Mercury Comet Cyclone 289

In ninth and final place was the Comet Cyclone powered by a 289 CID V8 with 225 horsepower and 305 lb-ft of torque. The sporty Mercury Cyclone was the top-of-the-line Comet model and offered the same 289 engine found in the Ford Mustang.

In the May 1965 issue of Motor Trend magazine, it ran a best of 17.1-seconds in the quarter-mile traveling at 82 miles per hour. It was not a “Hi Po” 289 CID V8 but was equipped with a 4-speed manual transmission gearbox.

Mercury produced 12,347 Comet Cyclones in 1965, with 90 being the 271 horsepower version. All were hardtop models.

Take Our Poll!

Well, there you have the fastest muscle cars of 1965. Up next are the fastest muscle cars from 1966 where you can also vote on your favorite. Be sure to subscribe if you enjoyed this article!

Ryan

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.

Fuel Your Obsession with Muscle Cars!

Get exclusive muscle car content, giveaways, and a FREE Report on 10 of the most powerful muscle cars ever made right to your inbox—absolutely free!

SEND REPORT

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.