1965 Chevrolet Corvette

Description

I'm quite sure you've already glanced at the price, so you now know this car is a serious piece. It was originally an L78, but now it carries an L88-spec 427 under the hood, so you're not likely to find many mid-years that look this stock and go this fast, and with show-quality paint, it's the kind of car that will get even Corvette guys buzzing when it pulls into a show.

Nassau Blue is the car's original color, and if you're looking to keep a (relatively) low profile in a Corvette, it's an awesome choice. The fiberglass is ultra-straight, done not just to show standards, but beyond, with great gaps, no signs of the bonding strips, and a crease running around the perimeter that's sharp enough to give you a paper cut. A black stinger on the hood definitely suggests that there's something special under the hood, and with the 396 being the top dog in 1965, nobody will suspect there's actually 550 horsepower lurking underneath. As part of its disguise, it wears correct emblems, including '396 Turbo Jet' crossed flags on the front fenders, because there's really no need to give away ALL your secrets. There are also beautifully chromed bumpers, shiny side pipes that sound like an angry god is chasing you, and brightly polished stainless that looks factory-fresh. If a Corvette roadster can be a sleeper, maybe this is it.

The stock theme continues inside with a beautifully restored interior featuring black buckets. Showing only a few signs of use since the car was restored, they're just as comfortable today as they were in 1965, and you'll discover that this is a very easy place to spend a lot of time. With a woodgrained steering wheel, Hurst cue ball atop the 4-speed Muncie, and gorgeous instruments that include a 6500-RPM tach, it definitely looks the part of a high-end Corvette. Just for safety (after all, there's a pretty hefty investment under the hood), an aftermarket oil pressure gauge hangs under the dash and a trick switch that turns off the clock, which acknowledges that we don't drive our collector cars every day. The seats, carpets, and black convertible top are recent, and this car also includes its original factory hardtop that has been restored to the same high standards.

We have documentation that proves this is a real L78, but the story today is the thundering L88 that's taken up residence. Complete with correct aluminum heads and a massive Edelbrock 850 CFM four-barrel, it belts out more than 550 horsepower despite the paltry factory rating of 430. Comp Cams supplied the solid lifter camshaft, and there are Crane Gold race rockers to keep the valves alive at high speeds. A Pertronix ignition lights the fires, but of note, it still carries its original big block surge tank, L78 exhaust manifolds, and big block radiator. It's backed by a Muncie 4-speed and spins 3.36 gears, but with all that torque, more gear would just make expensive tire smoke. Speaking of tires, those are reproduction gold-line radials on lovely aluminum knock-offs, giving it the ideal look.

Fully documented and sorted, this is a Corvette you can drive every day, but you'll savor those times when you can exercise it to its fullest. Call today!