1965 · Plymouth · United States
Formula S Arrives
The first full-year Barracuda introduced the Formula S package and the 235-hp 273 Commando, and production reached 64,596.
United States · researched through 2026-09-23
The Formula S package was new for 1965, making the 273 Commando four-barrel V8 standard equipment and adding heavy-duty torsion bars and rear springs, firm shocks, a sway bar, rally stripes, wider rims, Goodyear Blue Streak tires, a tachometer, and Formula S medallions. Production for the year is printed as 64,596 in most references, including the Over-Drive fact sheet's linked model table, while Sessler and Zazarine's production appendix instead print 60,168; this record shows both figures rather than reconciling them, since neither is a factory record and the two totals come from entirely separate reference lineages.1,2,3
Three engines were catalogued: the 225 six rated 145 hp at 4,000 rpm and 215 lb-ft at 2,400 rpm as standard equipment, a 273 two-barrel V8 rated 180 hp at 4,200 rpm and 260 lb-ft at 1,600 rpm as an option, and the 273 Commando four-barrel rated 235 hp at 5,200 rpm, standard with Formula S and optional otherwise. The Commando's torque rating carries its own dispute: the Over-Drive fact sheet's engine table gives 200 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm, while the factory brochure and Car Life's road test both give 280 lb-ft at the same rpm; this record leads with the brochure's 280 lb-ft figure, repeated independently by Car Life, and treats Over-Drive's 200 as a likely keying error rather than a genuine third rating.1,4
A second dispute concerns the V8's base price: the Over-Drive production table lists $2,535 for the AV2-P V89 series, while Motor Trend and Car Life both print a base or list price of $2,571 for their Commando Formula S test cars. Neither magazine states what that figure includes or what price date it reflects, so this record shows both prices rather than assuming which basis is correct. As tested, Motor Trend's Commando car with a four-speed, Sure-Grip, heavy-duty suspension, power brakes, radio, and whitewalls ran to $3,344.40 including tax and license, while Car Life's Formula S test car with a four-speed, radio, and other options came to $3,228.1,5,4
Formula S buyers could add a Performance Group bundling the suspension package, Commando four-barrel V8, and power brakes for $156, or a separate Sure-Grip rear axle for $39. Further factory options ran from a Basic Group of mirror, washer, wipers, and radio at $84 and a Sport Group of wood-grain steering wheel, wheel covers, and whitewalls at $80, down to small items like a $5 crankcase vent system mandatory on California cars, a $7 retractable front seat belt charge, and a $12 remote-control outside mirror. Air conditioning was not available with the Commando V8 per Over-Drive, while front disc brakes, a rear-window defogger, undercoating, and a day/nite mirror were dealer-installed rather than factory options.1
In period testing, Motor Trend's Commando-equipped fastback ran 0-60 mph in 8.0 seconds and the standing quarter-mile in 16.1 seconds at 87 mph, reaching an observed 110 mph in fourth gear at 5,500 rpm and stopping from 60 mph in 164.5 ft. Car Life's Formula S test car, at a heavier 3,560 lb test weight, ran 0-60 mph in 8.2 seconds and the quarter-mile in 15.9 seconds at 85 mph, with a 118 mph top speed at 5,200 rpm and fuel consumption of 14 to 17 mpg. Both cars shared the 106-inch wheelbase and the 273 Commando four-speed combination, so the roughly two-tenths of a second gap between their 0-60 times sits within the ordinary spread expected between two independently conducted road tests of nominally similar cars rather than pointing to any documented mechanical difference between them.5,4
Fact sheet · 1965 · United States
The numbers
1965 Plymouth Barracuda — The first full-year Barracuda introduced the Formula S package and the 235-hp 273 Commando, and production reached 64,596.
Coverage: Partial — researched sections are shown; missing ones are not yet sourced. Researched through 2026-09-23.
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
- Formula S was new for 1965, with the 273 Commando V8 standard in the package.1
Production
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| All 1965 Barracudas1,6,7 2-door sports hardtop (fastback), body V89 · not stated | 64,596 | built, model-year | Disputed |
| All 1965 Barracudas (Sessler)2,3 fastback · not stated | 60,168 | built, model-year | Disputed |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Six-cylinder (Sessler)2 fastback · 6-cyl · not stated | 18,567 | built, model-year | Reported |
| V8 (Sessler)2 fastback · 8-cyl · not stated | 41,601 | built, model-year | Reported |
Rows are separately scoped; do not add them. No Formula S installation count was found.
Prices when new
| Model | Price | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Barracuda sports hardtop, six1 | $2,453 | factory price as reported, 1965 model year |
| Barracuda sports hardtop, V81 | $2,535 | factory price as reported, 1965 model year |
| Barracuda V8 fastback, base price as printed by the road-test magazines5,4 | $2,571 | base / list price as printed in period road tests (Commando Formula S test cars), 1965 (tests of January and June 1965) |
| Motor Trend test car as tested (Commando V8, 4-speed, Sure-Grip, heavy-duty suspension, power brakes, radio, whitewalls)5 | $3,344.40 | price as tested, plus tax and license, per Motor Trend, 1965-01 |
| Car Life test car as tested (Formula S, 4-speed, radio and other options)4 | $3,228 | price as tested, per Car Life, 1965-06 |
Prices are the nominal dollars of the day, not adjusted for inflation.
Engines
| Engine | Factory rating | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| 225 Six1 225 cu in · 1-barrel | 145 hp @ 4,000, 215 lb-ft @ 2,400 (as listed by Over-Drive (standard not stated)) | standard (US) | Not yet sourced |
| 273 V8 2-bbl1 273 cu in · 2-barrel | 180 hp @ 4,200, 260 lb-ft @ 1,600 (as listed by Over-Drive (standard not stated)) | optional | Not yet sourced |
| 273 Commando V8 4-bbl1,4 273 cu in · 4-barrel | 235 hp @ 5,200 (as listed by Over-Drive (standard not stated)); 235 hp @ 5,200, 280 lb-ft @ 4,000 (factory brochure specification (10.5:1 compression)) | optional; standard with Formula S | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 4-speed manual, floor shift1 | optional ($179 with V8; $186 with six, as listed); Hurst linkage, with 225 or 273 | Not yet sourced |
| 3-speed manual1 | standard | Not yet sourced |
| TorqueFlite automatic1 | optional ($172 six, $181 V8) | Not yet sourced |
Options and packages
| Code | Option | Price | Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Formula S1 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Sure-Grip rear axle1 | $39 | Not yet sourced |
|
Performance Group: suspension package, 273 Commando 4-bbl V8 and power brakes1 | $156 | Not yet sourced |
|
Rallye Pack suspension (heavy-duty springs and sway bar) with heavy-duty shocks | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Heavy-duty shock absorbers and suspension package1 | $17 | Not yet sourced |
|
Basic Group: left outside mirror, windshield washer, variable-speed wipers, radio1 | $84 | Not yet sourced |
|
Sport Group: simulated wood-grain three-spoke steering wheel, bolt-on-design wheel covers, whitewalls1 | $80 | Not yet sourced |
|
Barracuda racing stripes1 | $31 | Not yet sourced |
|
Buffed paint1 | $17 | Not yet sourced |
|
Custom spinner wheel covers1 | $13 | Not yet sourced |
|
Sports wheel covers, bolt-on design1 | $34 | Not yet sourced |
|
Power brakes1 | $43 | Not yet sourced |
|
Power steering1 | $82 | Not yet sourced |
|
AM radio (Transaudio)1 | $59 | Not yet sourced |
|
Remote-control outside rear-view mirror1 | $12 | Not yet sourced |
|
Retractable front seat belts1 | $7 | Not yet sourced |
|
Safety padded instrument panel1 | $16 | Not yet sourced |
|
Three-spoke steering wheel1 | $17 | Not yet sourced |
|
Tinted glass, all windows1 | $29 | Not yet sourced |
|
Tinted glass, windshield only1 | $14 | Not yet sourced |
|
Variable-speed wipers and washers1 | $17 | Not yet sourced |
|
Crankcase vent system (mandatory on California cars)1 | $5 | Not yet sourced |
|
Air conditioning (not with the Commando V8, per Over-Drive)1 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Front disc brakes | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Rear-window defogger | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Undercoating | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Day/nite inside rear-view mirror | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Back-up lights | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Tachometer (included in Formula S) | — | Not yet sourced |
Paint
| Code | Color | Built |
|---|---|---|
3 |
Pink Silver1 | Not yet sourced |
A |
Gold1 | Not yet sourced |
B |
Black1 | Not yet sourced |
C |
Light Blue1 | Not yet sourced |
D |
Medium Blue1 | Not yet sourced |
J |
Light Turquoise1 | Not yet sourced |
K |
Medium Turquoise1 | Not yet sourced |
L |
Dark Turquoise1 | Not yet sourced |
N |
Barracuda Silver1 | Not yet sourced |
P |
Ruby1 | Not yet sourced |
S |
Ivory1 | Not yet sourced |
T |
Medium Red1 | Not yet sourced |
W |
White1 | Not yet sourced |
X |
Light Tan1 | 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Vinyl bucket-seat interior, gold | Not yet sourced |
|
Vinyl bucket-seat interior, red | Not yet sourced |
|
Vinyl bucket-seat interior, blue | Not yet sourced |
|
Vinyl bucket-seat interior, black | Not yet sourced |
Specifications
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase1 | 106 in | all |
| Shipping weight, V81 | 2,930 lb | V89 V8 |
| Overall length | 188.2 in | all |
| Overall width | 70.1 in | all |
| Overall height (5-pass. load) | 53.5 V8 / 53.8 six in | by engine |
| Fuel tank | 18 US gal | all |
| Tires1 | 6.50 x 13 six; 7.00 x 13 V8; 6.95 x 14 Blue Streak with Formula S | by engine/package |
| Standard axle ratio | 3.23 with six and manual, and with Commando V8 (all transmissions); 2.93 with six automatic and standard V8 | by powertrain |
| Curb weight, Formula S 4-speed test car4 | 3,200 lb | Car Life test car |
Period road tests
| Test | Car tested | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Motor Trend, 1965-0150-60 mph | Barracuda fastback, 273 Commando 4-bbl (235 hp), 4-speed with Hurst linkage, Sure-Grip 3.55:1, heavy-duty suspension, power brakesTwo aboard | 8 s |
| Motor Trend, 1965-015standing quarter-mile | Barracuda fastback, Commando 273, 4-speed, 3.55:187 mph | 16.1 s |
| Motor Trend, 1965-015top speed (observed) | Barracuda fastback, Commando 273, 4-speed, 3.55:14th gear at 5,500 rpm | 110 mph |
| Motor Trend, 1965-015stopping distance from 60 mph | Barracuda fastback, Commando 273, 4-speed, 3.55:1, power brakes34.5 ft from 30 mph | 164.5 ft |
| Car Life, 1965-0640-60 mph | Barracuda Formula S: 273 Commando 4-bbl (235 bhp), 4-speed, 3.23:1 axle, 6.95-14 tires; 3,560 lb test weightTest weight 3,560 lb | 8.2 s |
| Car Life, 1965-064standing quarter-mile | Barracuda Formula S, Commando 273, 4-speed, 3.23:185 mph at end | 15.9 s |
| Car Life, 1965-064top speed | Barracuda Formula S, Commando 273, 4-speed, 3.23:1at 5,200 rpm | 118 mph |
| Car Life, 1965-064fuel consumption, normal range | Barracuda Formula S, Commando 273, 4-speed, 3.23:1 | 14-17 mpg |
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 and body (as reported)
- Series AV1-P (six) and AV2-P (V8), body V89 two-door sports hardtop.1
Where the sources disagree
Base price of the V8 Barracuda
Show both. The magazines' figure may reflect a different price date or basis; neither says what is included, so no reconciliation is made.
Identification
Read a 1965 Plymouth 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.
- Chrysler 300 letter series 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.
- 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 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.