1965

Original 1965 Corvette promos were manufactured by AMT (Aluminum Model Toys, Inc.). Two body styles were made this year (Coupes and Convertibles). The bodies were molded as one piece of plastic and were unique to 1965. The notable coupe and convertible body changes from the 1964s include: the fuel door was redesigned, the two wide recessed areas in the hood were made flat, the lower front fenders (behind the front wheels) were redesigned with 3 vertical vents, the "Crossed Flags" emblems on the fenders were removed and a redesigned "Fuel Injection" emblem took their place. The seat detail was very wide horizontal pleats (these seats were unique to 1965). The interior tubs for the coupes and convertibles were slightly different; the convertible door panels were slightly longer and the coupes had a small post on top of each rear inner fender well in the cargo area. The interior tub, seats, dash and steering wheel were all separate pieces and not painted. These interior parts were glued together to make the interior assembly. The interior assembly and clear plastic windows were inserted underneath the body over 2 plastic pins. These plastic pins were then melted to hold the interior and windows in place. The bodies were molded in various colors. The metallic cars were painted while the non-metallic cars were left unpainted. The promos had chrome rear bumpers, front bumper/grille, hubcaps, rear license plate, tail light bezels and exhaust tips. The front grille was detailed with horizontal bars (this style grille was used from 1963 to 1965). The tail lights were translucent red plastic. The rear license plate read "1965". The promos came with spinner style hubcaps that were unique to 1965. The tires had narrow whitewalls (1962 to 1967 and 1969 Corvette promos had the same style tire). The chassis was nearly identical to the 1963-1964 models. The notable difference was the addition of 2 holes at the rear. The chassis was attached to the body with 2 black straight head screws at the rear.

Boxes: The 1965 Corvette promos were packaged in plain white boxes. Most came in boxes that were stamped with the body color, interior color followed by "INT" and either "CORVETTE HT" or "CORVETTE CONV.". The boxes for the silver and maroon cars did not specify the interior color (otherwise they were the same).

Note: 1965-1967 Corvette promo boxes sometimes get mixed up. The 1965 boxes have larger type and (except for the silver and maroon cars) make note of the interior color. The 1966 boxes have smaller type and a 4 digit number. The 1967 boxes have larger type, no numbers and no mention of the interior color.

Dealer Promos

1965-01

1965-02

1965-03

1965-04

1965-05

1965-06

1965-07

AMT also made slot car bodies that were nearly identical to the promo bodies. These slot car bodies were molded in 2 shades of turquoise plastic and did not show a hinge on the fuel door.

AMT Slot Car Bodies

1965-L1

1965-L2

Note: Memory Lane (an independent company) made some 1965 Corvette "Big Block" promo-like models. They're located in the "Memory Lane" section of this website.