I need clarification on 65 FI option availability

[Tom P.]

I have always understood that the FI option for 65 was available for the full year. Right? Even though the 425hp-396 became available mid-year, and was cheaper than FI, was FI still available all the way to the end of 65 production? Thus, if so, then the 396 option was in ADDITION to FI, not a replacement for FI. Right?

[Don H.]

Re: I need clarification on 65 FI option availability

I thought it was a replacement and when the Fuel Injection units were gone they were done. I certainly could be wrong. Don H.

[Joe L.]

Re: I need clarification on 65 FI option availability

I have always understood that the FI option for 65 was available for the full year. Right? Even though the 425hp-396 became available mid-year, and was cheaper than FI, was FI still available all the way to the end of 65 production? Thus, if so, then the 396 option was in ADDITION to FI, not a replacement for FI. Right?

Tom------



The L-84 remained available after the L-78 was introduced. I don't know if they were being built the very last day of the model year in August, 1965, but they were being built at least as late as July, 1965.

[Ted S.]

Re: I need clarification on 65 FI option availability

Good question! I searched my file and this is what I found. In the 65 Corvette Sting ray (copyright 1964) there is no mention of the 396, in a ad by GM titled "try this on the old psyche" it states "you can order up to 375 hp", in another I read about the leather seat trim, wood rimmed steering wheel, power brakes, telescopic steering column, but no mention of a 396. In Corvette News Vol 8 No. 4 on the cover it boasts about the new 425hp 396 and side-mounted exhaust system. I was advised by a "fuelie expert" when I listed my 65 on ebay that GM had many fuelie units left over in 65 and were sold thru dealerships. If you search the 65 registry you will see the vin# of fuelies and big blocks blend at (if I remember correctly) at late spring early summer. I think 65 was a remarkable year for the corvette and in my humble opinion is world class for its time. Oh boy would my wife be mad if I brought home a 396!

[Donald T.]

Re: I need clarification on 65 FI option availability

FI was still available after the introduction of the 396. You just won't find many late 65 FI examples. First, because it was a pretty rare option to begin with. Second, because once the 396 was available you could get more horsepower cheaper, so demand for the FI plummeted. Third, the mechanical FI system did not have the best reputation for reliability and serviceability.

[Wayne M.]

Re: I need clarification on 65 FI option availability

I have always understood that the FI option for 65 was available for the full year. Right? Even though the 425hp-396 became available mid-year, and was cheaper than FI, was FI still available all the way to the end of 65 production? Thus, if so, then the 396 option was in ADDITION to FI, not a replacement for FI. Right?

Tom -- this sez it all. Taken at Bloomington in the late '80s. The car still exists and I understand the owner can't locate this unit to unite with the car .

[Wayne M.]

Re: I need clarification on 65 FI option availability

.....I don't know if they (L84's) were being built the very last day of the model year in August, 1965, but they were being built at least as late as July, 1965.

The last day of production, (Monday 2nd August, 1965) they completed assembly of two cars; a 300hp maroon convert followed by a 396 yellow convert (mine ). So that #23074 (FI unit above) was done the week prior.

[Tom P.]

Re: I need clarification on 65 FI option availability

Thanks.
That was always my clear understanding (that FI was an option for all of 65). And it only makes sense that once the 396 became available, the demand for FI would drop------------------well, maybe for some, not for me!
Unfortunately, I never had the level of income that would allow me to buy up all the free or dirt cheap FI units back in the 50s-60s-70s.