Vehicle Description
Blue chip investments don't get much more interesting than a
mid-year Corvette. This 1965 roadster carries a great-running small
block V8, a 4-speed gearbox, and single-family ownership for the
past 40 years. As far as investments go, it's hard to beat an
investment you can drive.
This isn't one of those trailer-queen 'Vettes that you're afraid to
drive, either. Refinished a few years ago, it was switched from its
original code F Nassau Blue to bright code U Rally Red, once again
proving the old adage that there's nothing quite like a bright red
Corvette. The Sting Ray was one of the most influential designs of
the decade, and even forty-five years later, it remains instantly
recognizable and still resonates with hobbyists. This '65 hits the
sweet spot, with a nice patina that shows well and looks great for
the car's age, without the hassles that come from trying to
maintain a show car's finish. At any Corvette show, you can spot
the guys who drive their cars pretty easily: they're the ones with
the giant grins on their faces, and you could join them without
worries in this one. It's not perfect, but a perfect Corvette is
kind of an oxymoron. No, Corvette are blue jeans and plain white
T-shirts, and perfect just isn't part of the legend.
The body tag says the interior is "standard," but the lovely and
comfortable black buckets are anything but ordinary. They have a
lovely patina and signs of gentle use that make it ever so inviting
to slide behind that woodgrained wheel. Of course, there's no
damage, no split seams, no scuffs on the seating surfaces, so if
you want to show it, you'll have nothing to be ashamed of, that's
for sure! The gauges are in good shape, although the original tach
is supplanted by a column-mounted unit that was necessary due to
the upgrade to an HEI distributor (the original tach is
cable-driven). Overhead there's a white convertible top that's in
good order, while the carpets show almost no wear thanks to
matching Corvette-logo floor mats protecting them. There's an
original AM radio in the center with its unusual vertical
orientation, and there's just nothing cooler than that bright
chrome shifter for the 4-speed underneath.
This 'Vette carries a replacement 350 cubic inch V8, which is a
neat fit thanks to the ubiquity of the small block Chevy. It's not
the car's original engine, of course, but during the restoration,
it was rebuilt and now shows just about 5500 miles. Finished in
correct Chevy Orange with a stock-looking air cleaner and finned
cast aluminum valve covers, it has a functional look. As I
mentioned, there's a modern HEI ignition system and a dual
reservoir master cylinder on the power brake system, which appear
to be the lone visible upgrades. The 4-speed shifts with typical
Muncie precision, and the four wheel disc brakes that became
standard equipment give this car impressive stopping power. There's
a recent chambered exhaust system with polished tips, and the
chassis is extremely clean. Refreshingly, this one also carries
stock Rally wheels with 205/70/15 whitewall radials.
Coming out of long-term ownership where it's been with the same
family for decades, this is a beloved car. If you've been dreaming
of a C2 Corvette roadster, this one is a fine choice that will
appreciate as you enjoy it. Call today!
