Vehicle Description
If you look through our inventory, you'll see that Streetside
Classics is quickly becoming Sting Ray Central. We have a lot of
cars at all price points, but if you're looking for a great
mid-year coupe, please take a good, long look at this 1965 with a
thumping L78 396/425 under the hood and a high quality restoration
that was built to enjoy.
Refinished just a few years ago in lovely Nassau Blue, this
fantastic big block coupe has a long list of fresh components and
extensive restoration behind it and it shows. Using two-stage
urethane, they captured the original Nassau Blue quite well and it
shows off solid fiberglass bodywork, excellent gaps, and sharp
details. It's both aggressive and sophisticated, which is perhaps
where the Corvette is most comfortable, although with side pipes
it's hard to disguise the fact that this was one of the most potent
cars on the street in 1965. The list of new equipment includes all
the emblems, the rear bumpers and taillights, door handles, and the
flip-up gas cap, all of which remain in as-new condition.
The list of new gear inside is even more extensive, starting with
the bright blue seat covers, which replace the original stuff
exactly. New foam underneath makes them as comfortable as they
look, and with only gentle use since the work was completed, they
have that perfect lived-in look that makes old 'Vettes so
appealing. Of course, they didn't stop with just seat covers, this
car received new door panels and hardware, fresh carpets and
padding, and a new dash pad. All the knobs and handles, including
those on the original AM radio, were replaced, and the gauges show
bright markings including the tach with towering 6500 RPM redline.
To be honest, there's more that's new inside than old, and they
didn't miss anything, including the clock, which was rebuilt.
The L78 was a one-year-only engine that remains one of the real
miracles of GM performance engineering. Since GM didn't want
engines larger than 400 cubes in anything other than a full-sized
car, the L78 396/425 was developed using a lot of unique parts that
were never seen again. A 4-bolt main block, "porcupine" cylinder
heads, and a rather aggressive cam that permits that 6500 RPM
redline. This engine carries a correct IF suffix code, March 1965
casting date, and 3855962 block, strongly suggesting that it's the
car's original piece. It was rebuilt and beautifully tuned so it's
a runner, not just pretty, and thanks to the side pipes, this one
cackles and barks like a full-race piece. It also looks fantastic
with its round air cleaner, plain valve covers, and trick exhaust
manifolds that resemble a shorty header. Although it's tough to see
from above, all the little stuff is new, including the distributor,
radiator, alternator, master cylinder, and the windshield wiper
motor. Underneath, it's backed by a rebuilt Muncie 4-speed and a
correctly restored chassis with all the right parts. Correct
15-inch knock-offs now wear 215/75/15 whitewall radials, which
recreate the original look.
Fully sorted and with enough new components to open an auto parts
store, this is a Corvette you can drive anywhere with confidence.
It's also beautifully finished, making it a great choice if you
want to experience all that the Corvette hobby has to offer. Call
today!