1965 Pontiac GTO Hardtop

Description

After the runaway success of the 1964 car, Pontiac made sure the GTO would not be a one hit wonder. Advertising guru Jim Wangers, the “Godfather of the GTO,” wrote in his autobiography: “For the GTO, all the things that should have been done to the 1964 cars were done to the 1965. These included new front and rearend styling, full instrumentation, a new camshaft, better cylinder heads, a new intake manifold, and a little more sophistication in the suspension.” 

The “tiger” theme that GTO advertising began using in 1964 became the dominant theme throughout 1965. There was more growl under the hood, the standard 389-cubic-inch V-8 now rated at 335 hp. Options included the 360 hp Tri-Power option, adding three two-barrel carburetors and a special long-duration hydraulic-lifter cam, a bargain at $115.78. Combined with the Safe-T-Track differential ($37.66) and four-speed manual transmission with Hurst shifter ($188.30), the GTO had all the performance most buyers would want. Doubling sales from ’64 only increased the GTO’s legend. 

About the new 1965 GTO, GM’s vice president of design, Bill Mitchell, explained to Motor Trend: “The car has more of a look of motion. Even standing still it seems poised for action.” 

Highlights 

• Offered from The Carolina Collection 

• Iconic matching-numbers second-year Pontiac GTO 

• Finished in Montero Red over Black Expanded Morrokide bucket seat interior 

• Rebuilt 389 cu-in V8 with Tri-Carbs rated at 360 hp 

• Optional Muncie four-speed manual transmission with Hurst shifter 

• Cragar S/S alloy wheels mounted with Redline tires 

• The Body by Fisher tag decodes as: 

  • Style: 65-23737 – 1965 Tempest LeMans (including GTO) Two-Door Hardtop 

  • BF – Fremont, California, assembly plant 

  • Body: 10453 – Fisher Body sequence number 

  • Trim: 213-30 – Black vinyl interior 

  • Paint: RR A – Montero Red paint 

  • Acc: A49 – front and rear seat belts 

  • 3E – Third week of May production date 

• The chassis number (237375Z119334) decodes as: 

  • 2 – Pontiac division 

  • 37 – Tempest LeMans (including GTO) 

  • 37 – Two-door coupe 

  • 5 – 1965 model year 

  • Z – Fremont, California, final assembly plant 

  • 119334 – Sequential production number starting at 100001 

Features 

• Factory options include: 

  • Deluxe steering wheel 

  • Dual horns 

  • Dual exhaust with extension tips 

  • Delco AM push-button radio 

  • Padded dash,  

  • WonderTouch power steering 

  • Tachometer and rally gauges 

  • Soft-Ray front windshield 

  • Driver-side rear view mirror,  

  • Positive crankcase ventilation 

  • Custom retractable seat belts 

Known Imperfections 

• This 1965 Pontiac GTO Hardtop is presented as a finely restored example and is said to be free from substantial imperfections  

Ownership History 

This 1965 Pontiac GTO was built at the Fremont, California plant, sold at Wayne Pontiac Inc. in San Francisco, and remained in Northern California for over 40 years. It was manufactured with a standard 389 four-barrel V8 but soon after it was purchased it was upfitted with a tri-power system. The Rochester carburetors were rebuilt during the restoration in the early 2000s by the Old Carb Doctor. The numbers-matching engine was rebuilt by Pontiac expert, Greg Merrick. As part of the restoration, the exterior was resprayed in a high quality, two stage, factory-correct Montero Red. 

Additional Notes 

A Broad Arrow Auctions Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle. Broad Arrow Auctions is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hagerty. 

Contact: Donnie Gould   Phone: 954.647.0779    email: dgould@hagerty.com