1965 GTO 389 Tri-Power Close Ratio 4 Speed 3:90's

[1969z280]

It is my understanding that the only way to get a M21 Close Ratio in a 1965 GTO was to order the 3.90 gear. This follows given the way the dealer wrote the order with the 3.90 ratio and close ratio transmission on the same line with the same price. I don't think you could order that gear set with a wide ratio. However, many strange things happened at the plant back-in-the-day. Ed

[SUSQ]

Nice piece my friend! IMHO, the '65 was the zenith in GTO styling. Welcome to a great site.

[StealthBird]

VERY cool car!

This was my GTO back in the late 70's to mid-1980's. Bought it for $750 in 1977, had original paint (Blue Charcoal), but only a 4-bbl and 2-speed. Drove it to college almost daily.

By the mid-1980's, I dropped in a built 400, T400, 4.56 gears, and did some street racing, but I still kept it looking stock.

[Big Banger]

Thanks guys.

This is what John had to say about my car regarding the transmission,

"My interpretation is that the Order may have been in conflict with the mandatory options and ordering restrictions associated with the Close Ratio. Perhaps somebody was contacted to resolve it, with or without the retail customer's involvement, or else the Dealer/Salesman realized the discrepancy when he transcribed his Purchase Contract to the Order Forms.

The Close Ratio required the Metallic Brake linings. Sales Code 692 shows that the Order included the Metallic Brakes. It also required the 3.90 axle with Safe-T-Track. Sales Codes 703 and 71P indicate these options were included.

But the Purchase Contract also mentions "Alum Front Wheels" which I can only guess means the Aluminum Front Drums option was desired. Problem was, this option could not be ordered with the Metallic brakes.

The HD Rad was required, Sales Code 432. Listed on the Purchase Contract but not noted on the Billing History. I can't explain that, except that the HD Rad may have been included with Tri-Power, not considered a separate extra cost option.

Same for the HD Fan. Not clear if the correct HD Fan was indicated by Sales Code 644 or 534. No HD Fan is indicated on the Purchase Contract but the Sales Code 534 is coded on the Billing History Card (in combination with 531, Tinted Glass-All Windows).

So was the Close Ratio 4 spd deleted because of a failure to order the HD Rad at extra cost? Or did the Dealer simply order it incorrectly? Or did the order get coded wrong at order entry?

Assuming the Dealer did purposely order the Metallic Brakes, he certainly knew of the ASSE Order Form, this option also ordered on that Form. As was the Quick Ratio 20:1 Manual Steering Box option, also ordered.

I suspect that one reason this order got "confused" is that the Dealer may have attempted to order the Aluminum Drum brake option in combination with the 3.90 axle. That would have been kicked out. The Aluminum Drum brakes could NOT be ordered with the Close Ratio 4 spd because it required the Metallic Brake option. Perhaps by the time the order was sorted out, the Close Ratio was deleted?

My thinking would go like this. At order entry, they see the Aluminum Drum option. No problem. Then they see the Close Ratio. Oops, no go with the Alum Drums, so switch to Wide Ratio. Then they see the 3.90. Oops, no go with the Alum Drums, so delete the Alum Drums and add the Metallic Brakes. But order entry doesn't think to reverse the decision on the trans and the Wide Ratio gets specified for the build."



I think John is correct, it doesn't make sense that there would be two codes for the close ratio transmission (code 778) if it was only available with axle ratios 3:90 - 4:33. It does make sense that the wide ratio would have two codes because of the different speedometer gear, one for ratios 3:08-3:55 (code 77W) and the other for ratios 3:90-4:33 (code 779) the code my car has.

The original owner told me he figured out the car came with a wide ratio soon after he bought it. He took it back to the dealer and they put a close ratio in it for him. John mentioned the dealer might have changed the gear set rather than the whole transmission. I will have to check the numbers on the case to see if it is the original or not.
Mat

[Big Banger]

StealthBird - That is a good looking GTO, I like the color, I had a 65 Catalina that was Blue Charcoal.
Mat

[Svendsen]

Great find, cool car with a great color combination and excellent documentation, thanks for the pics!

Arvid Svendsen

[PeteLeathersac]

Cool car especially the originality and paperwork!.
Quite the herd o' Goats there on your farm!.

Not a Goat but I was looking at this '65 Post car ad yesterday..
Certainly the complete opposite end of the order spectrum to your cars!.
Goofed up some but looks like it may be a solid car for the dough!.

http://stirling-on.canadianlisted.com/ca...oor_297194.html

[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]
~ Pete

[Big Banger]

Thanks and you're welcome!

Pete, that is nice Tempest, minus the extras.

[Big Banger]

Since I posted my GTO, I have found the quick ratio manual steering box, 19 1/2&quot; clutch fan, am manual tune radio and an original steel 65 Ram Air pan.
Mat

[mockingbird812]

Well that is good news. Did you buy these are unearth them elsewhere?