[dhcarguy]

In 1965, what rear was put in a GTO if it was for dealer stock (not sold).
If it was a 3:90 rear, would it be a M20 or M21.

[Scarebird]

My 66 442 had a M21 and 3.90's stock for comparison.

[Bill Hanlon]

This doesn't answer your question (no "here is what you get if you don't specify"), but at least it is more information.

[jamesq]

From what my father told me, whoever was responsible for inventory at the dealer specked out the cars they wanted. This was a Ford dealership,

James Q

[Stuart]

This is a page from the 1965 performance brochure. It says the close ratio transmission came with the 3.90 rear axle ratio. The wide ratio came with 3.23 or 3.55, depending on whether you had the 335hp or 360hp engine. There were other ratios available as options of course. http://oldcarbrochures.org/United%20...rmance-16.html

[Goatracer1]

Back in the day my 1965 Tripower 4 speed came with a 3.55 limited slip.

[dhcarguy]

Thanks guys,

Dave

[John V.]

The standard release '65 GTO axle was not determined by whether the car was ordered for dealer stock or for a customer. The factory installed the pre-determined axle ratio depending on how the car was optioned UNLESS the order specified a permissible special order axle ratio for that particular set of build options. If the requested ratio was not permissible for that set of build options it would not be approved.

The 4 bbl GTO got the 3.23 axle as the standard release, the Tripower got the 3.55.

If the build included A/C and Auto Trans, the 4 bbl GTO got the 3.08 axle as the standard release, the Tripower got the 3.23.

You could special order the 3.90 axle for most any GTO build except with A/C.

But if you did specify the 3.90, there were a number of required additional options, starting with the Metallic Brake Lining option and Safe-T-Track.

The Close Ratio 4 spd was a special order option listed on the All Series Special Equipment Order Form.

If you wanted it, you were required to order additional options including the Tripower option, the Metallic Brake Lining option, and Safe-T-Track among other items.

The Close Ratio could not be ordered for a 4 bbl GTO.

Special Order Ratios could be requested for any GTO order. The range of available GTO ratios were 3.08, 3.23, 3.36, 3.55, and 3.90.

Refer to the Factory Axle Chart (a copy is in the '66 MPC) to determine what Special Order Ratios were permitted by Carburetion/Trans choice/Brake Lining Type/with or without A/C, and with or without Trailering Option.

Each combination could be checked to see if a specific ratio was allowed.

I have no evidence one way or the other, but I suspect that when GTOs were ordered for Dealer Stock, virtually none requested a Special Order Ratio.

Conceivably dealers like Royal would stock a GTO with the Close Ratio Trans (with the mandatory Tripower and 3.90 axle) but even performance oriented dealers likely mostly ordered GTOs with standard release axles for their stock.

[dhcarguy]

Thanks John

[Sloan66]

John thanks for taking the time to share this info!

[tallrandyb]

Great info, thanks!