65 rear sway bar

[Jeff D.]

My 65 has a rear sway bar. It's a 327 350HP original motor car. Was this sway bar an option or did someone add a big block rear sway bar to my car? I'm not sure if my car has any suspension option. Thanks, Jeff

[John S.]

Re: 65 rear sway bar

Jeff,

The rear stabilizer bar was only used on the big block cars in 1965.

[Wayne M.]

Here's an original on a 396

Don't believe it's ever been off. It should measure 9/16" in diameter and be straight (ie. no off-set) in the long dimension.

[Jeff D.]

Re: Here's an original on a 396

Thanks for the info! I'll take the rear sway bar off my car. I'm doing a body off restoration right now. I want it to be as correct as possible. Jeff

[William C.]

Re: Here's an original on a 396

Make sure the extra bolt holes disappear from the frame and trailing arms also.

[Matt Scheibe]

Re: 65 rear sway bar

Jeff:
Out of curiosity, is your front suspension HD or standard, sometimes easily spotted by measuring the front sway bar O.D.? And, how is the rear driveshaft U-joint attached, with steel straps typical on 327 cars, or a heavier looking cap? Just wondering if possibly your car had the wrong suspension installed due to an assembly line hick-up?

[James B.]

Re: 65 rear sway bar

Another point(s) to check. I believe original F41 (1966-67) had a 7 leaf rear spring vs 9 leaf for std suspension. Also, front coil springs had fewer turns but I cannot remember how many. If you have an original rear spring and it is 9 leaf then I am sure the sway bar was added. In 1965 heavy duty suspension was offered (F40) but that did not include a rear sway bar. Also, it looks like F40 may not have been offered with a 350.

[John H.]

Re: 65 rear sway bar

In '65, F40 was only available with L84 (fuelie) or L-78 (396/425).

[Jeff D.]

Re: 65 rear sway bar

The car has a 7 leaf rear spring. It may have been changed also. From the responses I have received so far I think this rear bar must have been added. Thanks to all who responded! Jeff

[Matt Scheibe]

Re: 65 rear sway bar

Forgive me for being a little slow. "Only available" meaning not an option for any other dealer order, and standard suspension on L84 and L78? Why have it listed as an option, if it was standard suspension for 2 engine options?

[John H.]

Re: 65 rear sway bar

Matt -

F40 wasn't standard equipment on any 1965 Corvette; it was available as an extra-cost option, but ONLY in combination with L78 or L84. If you didn't specify one of those two engine options, you couldn't order F40.

[Matt Scheibe]

Re: 65 rear sway bar

That's something I didn't know. Thanks for the info. I thought all options could be ordered at a dealer on any car.