Nassau Blue ‘65 GTO
 

This year at 2025 MCACN.
Marvin scores again.

No doubt this ‘65 GTO is a one of one, built with “special paint” Nassau Blue paint code 97344.
Personally I’ve never heard of a Nassau Blue GTO …. Crazy what you could get back then. This color on a ‘65 Corvette has always been one of my favorites.

Then look at the Powertrain …. High performance throughout.
Special large aluminum fan and clutch with the notched blades that was mandatory on a 3.90 rear axle.
Plus metallic brakes that required power brakes - wonder touch.

This one is a diamond in the rough. I love cars like this!
Sorry as the screen grabs aren’t the best.

My good buddy Grant Baber sent this video over to me and I’ll share it so others that weren’t able to attend the show can have a look.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2wg8UVa8ho

Super cool!!

Yes. Very cool!!!

I was looking at this car and noticed the notched fan blades. I thought that was a Corvette feature and someone had added it to the GTO for some extra cooling. Is that a Corvette fan and clutch that is the HD option ?
Very solid car to start with, compared to most of the rust bombs that were left for dead.

I saw it at the show and wondered if it ever had a 421 in it due to the fender emblems but that didn't appear to be the case. Definitely a neat project that deserves a restoration.

No - the notched fan was available on GTO.

Mine is HD cooling, tripower, 3.90 gear.

The notch was (of course) to clear the hub on the power steering pump, but the fans were used on manual steering vehicles too (to avoid part proliferation).

K

A deeper dive into the “one year only” 1965 GTO notched fan.

There were various types of cooling fans used on GTO’s throughout the years.

In 1965 only two aluminum blade fans were used on the GTO.

1) A 17 inch curved blade was used on 3.55, 3.36, 3.23 etc. axles, plus non air condition cars.

2) A 19 inch notched blade was used on the high performance 3.90, 4.33 axles, plus all Air Condition GTO’s for extra cooling. Also a fan shroud was used in addition on the AC cars.
The notch in the blades were made to clear the shaft/nut on the power steering pump in case the car was ordered with that PS option.

Another note about 1965 fans.
Early fans used round head rivets.
Late fans used flat head rivets.

Below are several examples I have showing the 17’’ and 19’’ with the different rivets.

----Wow,,, I knew Marvin back when Classic Motors was in Joliet Il. Back then he had a gorgeous 65 Iris Mist 2+2 convert. I had a 69 GP SJ (big surprise, huh) and he had a factory original black leather set of front and rear seats that I bought. I never knew till years later that there was more to a deluxe interior 69 GP than just leather seats. Cut pile carpet and more, and I didn't have a clue that even the interior side panels behind the rear side windows were wrapped in leather. He's been at MCACN before and always busy so we never talked. Maybe next year?....Bill S