The '64-65 365hp 327 was a...
The '64-65 365hp 327 was a Corvette-only engine. But it came within an eyelash of being offered in the '64 Chevelle. With 2.02 heads, a solid-lifter 30-30 cam, and 11.0:1 compression, the engine ran strong to 7,000 rpm. Few could run with one on the street or strip.
This was also the inaugural year for the RPO L79, 350hp 327 in the Chevelle, El Camino, and Corvette. Sales ultimately totaled 6,021 in the Chevelle and El Camino and 4,716 in the Corvette. Another 5,011 Corvettes were sold with the torrid RPO L76, 365-horsepower 327 V-8.
Lastly, late in the year, 319 '65 Chevy IIs were ordered and sold with the RPO L74, 300hp 327 V-8. Add another 324 with the 250hp 327. Finally, let us never forget the 201 limited-production RPO Z16 Malibu SS powered by the new L78 375hp 396. In a word: unbeatable. Was there anything that could run with any or all of these performance Chevys in 1965? Zip.
For the record, the total number of '61-'65 409-powered cars sold was 43,629. This was outstanding for the times. Divide that total by 4.2 years of production, and 10,388 were sold annually on average. Compare this figure to any other yearly engine run from 1956-1970. Total '63-'65 Corvette fuelie car production was 4,706.
In 1965, the total number of Chevrolet Muncie four-speed transmissions in new cars, including the Chevy II, Chevelle, and Corvette, was 124,700. Wish you were there!