1965 Chevrolet Corvette

Description

What's not to love about a 1965 Corvette roadster with a 327 cubic inch V8 and 4 speed manual transmission? Beautifully restored not too long ago, it remains in excellent condition, perfect for those summer drives in the country, or a long road trip to the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green.

Resplendent in its original code FF Nassau Blue color combination, this great-looking little roadster has clearly had a lot of money spent on the restoration. A lot of restorers aren't prepared for the special needs of Chevy's fiberglass sports car, but clearly experts were behind this restoration, and left original details intact instead of obliterating them in search of perfection. The panels are wave-free and this one is much, much nicer than these were when they were new. Gaps are good all around, and of course, using modern paints has resulted in a finish that's miles deep and glitters in the sunlight like a precious gem. The chrome, including the small front and rear bumpers, and all the Corvette emblems have been restored or replaced, leaving you with a clean, sophisticated sports car that has a ton of eyeball appeal.

Inside, the original color code was 414, blue vinyl, so that's what went back in during the restoration. The blue-on-blue combination is rather unusual, and we like the way it gives the 'Vette a sleek, upscale look that suits its personality just right. It's a combination of replacement and reproduction parts, but has a very consistent look overall. The vinyl is supple and undamaged, showing only what most folks would call comfort marks where someone has spent some time behind the wheel, probably grinning like crazy the entire time. Everything else inside looks great and ready to enjoy, from the door panels to the carpets, and all the gauges work properly. The wood grained steering wheel adds a European feel to the Corvette's upscale interior, and it carries that unique vertically-oriented AM/FM radio in the center stack. Overhead, there's a white vinyl top that stows into a nicely finished well behind the seats.

Power comes from a potent and reliable 327 cubic inch V8. Nicely detailed at the time of restoration, it's clear that someone has enjoyed driving this car lightly, and who can blame them? Still, all the correct details are there, from the original chrome air cleaner to the distinctive finned valve covers with 'Corvette' embossed on their faces. The original "ram's horn" exhaust manifolds were left as-cast, just as they were in 1965, which is what the judges at Corvette shows often look for. Underneath, it's clean and tidy, and like the engine compartment, it's clear that it was properly restored then they hit the road. The transmission is the original, numbers-matching 4-speed manual, which shifts beautifully and allows the high-revving 327 engine to stretch its legs. And nothing in the world sounds like a hot small block Chevy barking through a healthy dual exhaust system, so even though this car appears sophisticated on the outside, you know it has some serious hardware underneath. Wheels are original steelies with spinner hubcaps rolling on modern 205/75/15 whitewall radials.

These cars were made to be driven and are absolutely superb on the open road and it's almost a crime NOT to drive them. Fortunately, the hard work has already been done for you. All you have to do is call!