1965 Chevrolet Corvette

Description

Once in a while, a favorite car lands in our showroom and everyone sits up and takes notice. This gorgeous 1965 Corvette carries its original, numbers-matching L76 327/365hp engine, side pipes, and the undeniable appeal of a car that has been loved all its life. If you're looking for one to drive, this brilliant white roadster is the mid-year Corvette to own thanks the virtues of the lightweight small-block's handling.

Mid-year Corvettes are exploding in value, so finding one that's both affordable and well-sorted isn't all that easy. So many guys think that they need to have concours-quality 'Vettes to be happy are overlooking the true joy of a car with character like this one. The two-stage Ermine White paint shows well, offering just the right gloss and a few appropriate signs of use, but that only means that it's been enjoyed as intended, right? The fiberglass is in great shape overall, with good gaps and no evidence of issues aside from the usual stress cracks around the headlights. The paint was done a few years ago, but there's no doubt they knew what they were doing and we love that they kept the original code C Ermine White instead of going with Resale Red. In addition, the chrome is excellent, the badges are beautifully rendered, and overall look is what gets you noticed going down the road. Even after fifty years, there's still nothing like a Corvette roadster with side pipes to attract attention.

The unusual code 421 Saddle leather bucket seat interior is a wonderful contrast to the white bodywork, and presents in above-average condition with a mixture of original and restored components, plus a few upgrades along the way. The soft, inviting seats are surprisingly still original and show just the right kind of comfort marks today, and the door panels are of equal condition. Correct replacement carpets feature the proper texture and nap, while the original dash pad hugs the dual cockpit dashboard more tightly than when new and is still in very good condition. The gauges are original and the faces are still crisp and bright, with only a little fading on the L76- 6500 RPM redline tach and 80lb oil pressure gauge. Factory options include a rare N36 telescopic steering wheel, and recent upgrades include ice cold A/C with modern hardware behind it and an AM/FM/ stereo system in the original vertical slot. You couldn't get an automatic with the L76, so it's got a proper 4-speed and there's a nicely installed new tan convertible top that works well with the Ermine White paint.

The original, numbers-matching L76 327 cubic inch V8 under the hood runs superbly, offering the kind of unobtrusive performance that made the small block Chevy world famous. The L76 was tough to beat on the street, with the ability to humble some pretty serious machinery in the stop light grand prix, and this one is enhanced with an .030 overbore, roller rockers, a Crane roller cam, and hardened valve seats. Details under the hood include finned valve covers, the original chrome ignition shield and air cleaner, and correct blue stripe hoses and tower hose clamps. Modern accessories, including an alternator and a newer A/C compressor with R134a refrigerant inside ensure reliability and there's a big aluminum radiator up front. Proper "ram's horn" exhaust manifolds are in excellent condition, and dump into a fantastic sounding set of side pipes for an aural experience you'll never forget. Underneath, it's quite sanitary, and there are disc brakes at all four corners, because 1965 was the first year for standard 4-wheel discs on the Corvette. Bolt-on knock-off wheels wear correctly sized 205/70/15 whitewall radials for a traditional look and a modern feel.

With matching-numbers to back it up, this is a great opportunity to own a mid-year 'Vette you can actually use and enjoy. Call today!