1965 · Chrysler · United States
The Last Letter Car
The last letter car: a slab-sided restyle on a 124-inch wheelbase, one 360 hp 413, no cross-ram, and an illuminated grille medallion; 2,405 hardtops and 440 convertibles.
United States · researched through 2026-09-22
The 300L, series AC3-M, was the last of the traditional letter cars, though the Chrysler 300 Club notes the non-letter 300 line itself continued past it. A completely restyled, slab-sided body rode a new 124-inch wheelbase, and the cross-ram induction that had defined earlier letter cars was gone entirely, leaving the 1964 base 413, a single Carter four-barrel rated 360 hp and 470 lb-ft at 3,200 rpm, as the only engine offered. A one-year-only styling touch lit a running light inside the center grille medallion whenever the engine ran.1,2,3
Production totaled 2,845 cars, 2,405 hardtops and 440 convertibles, a figure two independent lineages agree on without dispute; Over-Drive's own compiled production table mislabels its 300L section as "Chrysler 300K," a typographical error this record notes without treating it as a competing claim about the car's actual identity. No transmission split between the standard TorqueFlite and the no-cost optional four-speed manual with Hurst linkage was found in the sources consulted.1,2,4,5
Two points are disputed between Over-Drive's fact sheet and Motor Trend's own test. The fact sheet's own options list states heavy-duty springs, shocks, sway bar, and brakes were standard on the 300L, while Motor Trend's test explicitly calls that same heavy-duty brakes and suspension package "an optional extra" and lists it among the equipment fitted to its own test car; this record carries both descriptions rather than assuming the compiled fact sheet over the magazine's direct statement. The hardtop's base price is likewise given two ways, $4,251 as a factory price in a compiled production table against $4,153 as printed in Motor Trend's own data panel.2,6,5
Motor Trend's test car, at a 4,660-lb curb weight with air conditioning, leather, power seats and windows, a vinyl roof, the heavy-duty brakes and suspension option, and 9.00 x 14 tires, ran 0-60 mph in 8.8 seconds and the standing quarter-mile in 17.3 seconds at 82 mph, observing 106 mph in third gear and stopping from 60 mph in 176 ft. As tested with that full option list, the car came to $5,931.15 including tax and license, well above its $4,153 base price. A Sure-Grip limited-slip differential was fitted to the test car, and the same test separately noted an inside trunk-lid release relocated into the glove compartment as a further equipment detail worth its own mention in the road test's own text.6
Twenty-two exterior colors were charted for the year, several carrying their own documented mid-cycle history: the Chrysler 300 Club's color research notes that Moss Gold, Nassau Blue, Peacock Turquoise, and Granite Gray were each used only before December 22, 1964 and then cancelled, while Daffodil Yellow was instead released March 1, 1965 specifically for the 300L, after the model year was already underway. Series designation ran AC3-M, on a 124.0-inch wheelbase, 218.2-inch length, and 79.5-inch width, with standard 8.55 x 14 tires and an optional 8.85 x 14 size, and dealer-installed axle ratios running as wide as 2.76 to 6.17 beyond the 3.23:1 factory standard shared by both the automatic and the four-speed. Overall height ran 55.3 in for the hardtop against 56.3 in for the convertible, and front and rear tread measured 62.0 in and 60.7 in respectively across both bodies.7,2
Fact sheet · 1965 · United States
The numbers
1965 Chrysler 300L — The last letter car: a slab-sided restyle on a 124-inch wheelbase, one 360 hp 413, no cross-ram, and an illuminated grille medallion; 2,405 hardtops and 440 convertibles.
Coverage: Partial — researched sections are shown; missing ones are not yet sourced. Researched through 2026-09-22.
Every figure is labeled with how sure we are. Reported means a manufacturer, registry, or reference figure we cite but have not reconciled against factory records ourselves. Disputed means credible sources disagree and both are shown. Rows are separately scoped; don't add them together unless the note says they make up a total.
Key facts
Production
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chrysler 300L, two-door hardtop1,2 300L · 2-door hardtop · 413 4-bbl (360 hp) · not stated | 2,405 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Chrysler 300L, convertible1,2 300L · convertible · 413 4-bbl (360 hp) · not stated | 440 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chrysler 300L, all bodies4,5 300L · 413 4-bbl (360 hp) · not stated Two independent lineages agree on 2,845 (2,405 hardtop + 440 convertible); not disputed. | 2,845 | built, model-year | Reported |
No transmission split (TorqueFlite vs four-speed) was found.
Over-Drive's 1965 production table prints 2,405 (body C23) and 440 (body C27), total 2,845, within 206,189 Chryslers (the section is mislabelled 'Chrysler 300K' in that table); same Over-Drive lineage.
Prices when new
| Model | Price | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Factory price, 300L two-door hardtop5 | $4,251 | 'Factory Price' column of a compiled production table (basis not further stated), 1965 model year |
| Factory price, 300L convertible5 | $4,716 | 'Factory Price' column of a compiled production table (basis not further stated), 1965 model year |
| Base price, 300L two-door hardtop (Motor Trend)6 | $4,153 | base price as printed in a period road test, 1965-03 |
| Price as tested, Motor Trend 300L hardtop6 | $5,931.15 | price as tested, plus tax and license, 1965-03 |
Prices are the nominal dollars of the day, not adjusted for inflation.
Engines
| Engine | Factory rating | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| 413 wedge V8, 4-bbl, 360 hp2,1 413 cu in · 4-barrel (Carter AFB 3859S manual, 3860S automatic) | 360 hp, 470 lb-ft @ 3,200 (manufacturer published (basis not stated)) | standard (only engine) | Not yet sourced |
Ratings are the manufacturer's advertised figures under the standard shown (SAE gross before 1972, SAE net after). They are not dyno results, and gross and net ratings can't be compared directly.
Transmissions
| Transmission | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|
| TorqueFlite three-speed automatic (2.45 / 1.45 / 1.00)2 | standard | Not yet sourced |
| Four-speed manual with Hurst linkage (2.66 / 1.91 / 1.39 / 1.00)2,1 | optional, no cost | Not yet sourced |
Options and packages
| Code | Option | Price | Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Air conditioner (dual unit on all except convertible)2 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Heater and defroster2 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Power door locks2 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Power seat2 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Power windows2 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
AM-FM radio2 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Golden Tone radio2 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Golden Touch tuner2 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Inside day-night rear-view mirror2 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Outside remote-control mirror2 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Reclining bucket seats2 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Seat belts2 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Rear seat speaker2 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Adjustable steering wheel2 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Tinted glass2 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Undercoating2 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Leather upholstery6 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Heavy-duty brakes and suspension package (stiffer suspension, flared front drums)6 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Auto-Pilot speed control6 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Vinyl roof6 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Inside trunk-lid release (in glove compartment)6 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Head rests6 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
9.00 x 14 whitewall tires6 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Sure-Grip limited-slip differential6 | — | Not yet sourced |
Paint
| Code | Color | Built |
|---|---|---|
22-1 |
Sage Green2,7 | Not yet sourced |
33-1 |
Pink Silver2,7 | Not yet sourced |
44-1 |
Moss Gold2,7 | Not yet sourced |
88-1 |
Daffodil Yellow2,7 | Not yet sourced |
AA-1 |
Regal Gold2,7 | Not yet sourced |
BB-1 |
Formal Black2,7 | Not yet sourced |
CC-1 |
Ice Blue2,7 | Not yet sourced |
DD-1 |
Nassau Blue2,7 | Not yet sourced |
EE-1 |
Navy Blue2,7 | Not yet sourced |
FF-1 |
Mist Blue2,7 | Not yet sourced |
GG-1 |
Sequoia Green2,7 | Not yet sourced |
KK-1 |
Peacock Turquoise2,7 | Not yet sourced |
LL-1 |
Royal Turquoise2,7 | Not yet sourced |
MM-1 |
Granite Gray2,7 | Not yet sourced |
NN-1 |
Silver Mist2,7 | Not yet sourced |
SS-1 |
French Ivory2,7 | Not yet sourced |
TT-1 |
Spanish Red2,7 | Not yet sourced |
VV-1 |
Cordovan2,7 | Not yet sourced |
WW-1 |
Persian White2,7 | Not yet sourced |
XX-1 |
Sand Dune Beige2,7 | Not yet sourced |
YY-1 |
Sable Tan2,7 | Not yet sourced |
ZZ-1 |
Frost Turquoise2,7 | Not yet sourced |
Color names are the factory's. We don't show color swatches, because a screen color is no guide for a restoration.
Interiors
| Code | Trim | Built |
|---|---|---|
|
Standard interior upgraded over the non-letter 300, with console standard2 | Not yet sourced |
|
Interior painted-trim colors (Gil Cunningham, 300L Interior Colors): gloss white, black, medium turquoise, medium blue, medium tan, light gold and dark red metallics; low-gloss and suede finishes in matching colors, implying interior color choices in those families7 | Not yet sourced |
Specifications
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase2,3 | 124 in | all bodies |
| Overall length2,3 | 218.2 in | all bodies |
| Overall width2,3 | 79.5 in | all bodies |
| Overall height2 | 55.3 (hardtop) / 56.3 (convertible) in | by body |
| Tread, front / rear2 | 62.0 / 60.7 in | all bodies |
| Tires2 | 8.55 x 14; optional 8.85 x 14 | 300L |
| Rear axle ratio2 | 3.23:1 standard (automatic and four-speed); dealer ratios 2.76 to 6.17 | all |
Period road tests
| Test | Car tested | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Motor Trend, 1965-0360-60 mph | 300L two-door hardtop, 413 360 hp 4-bbl, TorqueFlite, 3.23 Sure-Grip; air conditioning, leather, power seats and windows, vinyl roof, H-D brakes and suspension, 9.00 x 14 tires; curb weight 4,660 lb; 2,275 miles at startTwo aboard; also printed: 0-30 3.2 s, 0-45 5.5 s; 40-60 4.2 s, 50-70 4.8 s; observed 106 mph in third; stopping from 60 mph 176 ft | 8.8 s |
| Motor Trend, 1965-036Standing quarter mile | 300L hardtop, 360 hp, TorqueFlite, 3.23 | 17.3 s at 82 mph |
A road test result belongs to the one car that was tested, with its engine, gearing, tires, and conditions. It is not a figure for every car of the year.
Identification
- Series
- Series AC3-M; a club decoding table lists the 300L under serial model digit 4 for 1965.2,8
- Grille medallion lamp
- Center grille medallion with a running light lit whenever the engine ran; one year only.3
Where the sources disagree
Heavy-duty suspension and brakes on the 300L
Both shown; the contemporary road test is listed as an option row with this note.
Identification
Read a 1965 Chrysler VIN
The VIN decoder runs in your browser and never sends the VIN anywhere. How the factory numbered this year's cars:
Same model year
Also in 1965
- Buick Riviera The Gran Sport arrived with the dual-quad Super Wildcat 425 and a 3.42 axle; 3,354 of 34,586 Rivieras had it.
- Buick Skylark Gran Sport, GS and GSX Buick's first Gran Sport was a Skylark option with the 401 'Wildcat' V-8 rated at 325 hp; a production tabulation counts 15,780.
- Buick Wildcat Second-generation B-body Wildcat on a 126-inch wheelbase in standard, Deluxe and Custom series; the 1965 total is disputed between published lineages.
- Chevrolet Chevelle and Malibu SS The Malibu SS continued with 327 options, and late in the year RPO Z16 put a 375 hp 396 into 201 Chevelles.
- Chevrolet Chevy II and Nova The 327 V8 appears in the source engine table; several body-style counts are unavailable. Enthusiast-compiled production: 122,800 cars; Super Sport 9,100.
- Chevrolet El Camino SS No factory Super Sport El Camino is documented for this year; the record carries the host El Camino production as context.
- Chevrolet Impala SS The record Super Sport year: 243,114 built, as the 409 gave way to the 396 mid-year.
- Dodge Coronet R/T and Super Bee The 1965 performance Coronets were competition-only Race Hemi lightweights, not showroom muscle cars, and even their number is published two ways.
- Ford Fairlane A restyled small-block Fairlane whose performance ceiling was the 271-hp K-code 289 High Performance V8, offered with the Sports Coupe.
- Ford Falcon Sprint The last Sprint moved to the 289 V8 and a new V8 front suspension; the club records 2,806 hardtops and 300 convertibles.
- Ford Galaxie A new full-size body with the LTD added above the Galaxie 500 XL; the 427 continued in Q-code (410 hp) and R-code (425 hp) form.
- Ford Thunderbird A mild update of the 1964 body kept the 300-hp 390 as the standard engine; production fell to 74,972.
- Mercury Comet and Cyclone The Cyclone was the performance Comet hardtop: vinyl roof, chrome wheels, bucket seats and console, tachometer and a 225-hp 289 as standard.
- Mercury Marauder and S-55 The last year of the first Marauder generation: 74,590 Marauder-roof cars across Monterey, Montclair and Park Lane, per mercurystuff.com.
- Oldsmobile Cutlass, 4-4-2 and Hurst/Olds The 4-4-2 package moved to a 400 cu in V-8 rated at 345 hp, the name was reread as 400 cubes, 4-barrel, 2 exhausts, and production rose to 25,003.
- Oldsmobile Starfire A 425 V-8, Turbo Hydra-Matic and a rarely ordered four-speed; 15,260 built.
- Plymouth Barracuda and 'Cuda The first full-year Barracuda introduced the Formula S package and the 235-hp 273 Commando, and production reached 64,596.
- Plymouth GTX, Belvedere and Satellite The Belvedere became Plymouth's intermediate line, with the bucket-seat, V-8-only Satellite hardtop and convertible at the top and the 426 Street wedge as its hottest regular-production engine.
- Pontiac Catalina 2+2 and Super Duty The 2+2 gained a standard 338 hp 421 and reached 11,521 cars, its best year.
- Pontiac GTO Ratings up to 335 and 360 hp, and GTO production more than doubling to 75,352.
- Pontiac Grand Prix New 121-inch body and a 333 hp standard 389; 57,881 built.
- Pontiac Tempest and LeMans The LeMans adds a four-door sedan and the four-barrel 326 is rated at 285 hp.
- Rambler and AMC Marlin AMC's six-passenger fastback, introduced in February 1965. Its best year was 10,327 cars.