In the U.S. the 1965 Chevelle L-79 could be had with a 3-speed manual with column shift (not so in Canada) or optional close or wide-ratio 4-speeds as an option. In Canada just the M20 4-speed on Chevelles or Beaumonts with L-79 power.

The L-79 switched to the Chevy II / Acadian platform for 1966. They could be had with 3-speed column-shift or 4-speed manual floor shift (close or wide ratio).

In 1967/68 the Chevelle offered the L-79 again. At that time the h.d. 3-speed with floor shift was a minimum required option unless a close or wide ratio 4-speed was optionally spec'd.

NO auto trans L79s

ROSIES CAR wrote:

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Aw poop! Yes thats correct 65 Beaumont. Now I am going to have to get the build document to know for sure what was installed. I guess it will be another interesting document to have with the cars history. Thanks again

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 Lawrence, did you not find a paper ribbon attached to the top of the speedo cluster with the option codes? My one 65 Beaumont is an L74 300hp 327 12 bolt rear 2 speed auto car

Well I will take a crack at some of the codes

73837   Beaumont SD two door hardtop 8 cylinder  ( one of 798 produced )

B70  Padded dash

C08 vinyl roof

C14 two speed wiper

D99 Vinyl roof or two tone paint molding

K05 block heater

M35 Powerglide trany

P62 7.75x14 tires

U63 AM radio

top 27 I think may be vinyl roof colour

So the base V8 is a 283, and would not appear on the option sheet.  that must be what this car had originally

Any upgraded V8 engine would have a "L" option code, such as any of the available 327s.

I would say this car was born a 283.

No,  if it is a 6cyl car(that is with a 6cyl model number).   the base 6cyl car would have a 194, in which case an engine "L" code would not show on the option list,  but if it had a upgrade 230 then it would show on the option list.

A base V8 car with a 283 will not have a engine code on the option list.

This is also true of transmissions,  all 3 speed column shifts show no transmission "M" code.  But if its an upgraded powerglide or 4 speed, then the M35 or M20, 21 would show up.

I will have to look at the few 6 cyl. Cars I had paper work to see if they had an optional larger 6

That is the 1st C08 vinyl roof I have seen documented on a Canadian Chevelle or Beaumont.

Indeed it appears to be a 283 car due to the lack of "L-code" option as noted before. On an inline six car the 194 was base and L26 would be for the 230, in '65 & '66. L61 was the chromed 230 in '64. For '67 the 230 was base & the L22 250 was optional.