The 1965 model year was a major success for Chevrolet, starting with the sale of one million Impalas for the first time. And, the Corvette continued to be a hit in its own right at about 23,500 copies. They were helped with the introduction of the optional 396 cubic inch big block V8, giving “America’s Sports Car” a boost over the 327 which had been the primary engine since 1962. The seller has a ’65 convertible that comes with a removable hardtop and a 427 engine from 1966 or later. It’s a rough project that’s been in the same family for ages, but the passing of a family member means that it, too, has to move on.
C2 Corvettes are usually desirable collectibles, with the 1963 split-window coupe leading the pack. But this ’65 drop-top is going to take a lot of vision to return it to its former glory. Though it’s not numbers matching, the uninstalled (and unfinished) 427 V8 is said to come with aluminum “big port” heads with solid lifters. An aluminum 4-speed manual transmission is also in the vicinity that will go with the sale. At least part of the interior has survived, and we surmise this was a burgundy car throughout when it was first put together.
There is a also reference to this being a 1967 restoration project, but the VIN provided jives with what should be a 1965 ‘Vette. There are a lot of parts and pieces here to sort out, and you’ll have to start sourcing more to come close to having a viable sports car again. If this looks like the kind of project you’d like to sink your teeth into, the Chevrolet can be found in Cocoa, Florida. It’s available here on eBay as $10,600 is where the latest bid has landed.
Now l know where the word “grunge” came from. Hate to see stuff like this.
The seller doesn’t mention it, but the frame under this car is completely gone. In the picture showing the left door sill area, a portion of the frame, or what’s left of it can be seen under the sill. From the picture it almost looks like more of the frame is in a pile of rust under the car, than still part of the frame. The seat frames and other parts also appear to be severely rusted. This car has to have been sitting uncovered outside somewhere for years, and I’m betting the cowl, hinge pillars, lock pillars and other areas of the birdcage are also likely in bad shape, if not gone altogether.
At best, this poor old Corvette is nothing more than an over priced parts car.
That one photo of the frame below the door opening alone should serve to sober up even the most deluded “pie in the sky” type of wishful thinkers.
The heads mounted on that block certainly do appear to be of the maximum HP type. I didn’t see any ID casting marks for them in the photos, maybe I missed it? IF GM, the heads (and the engine block too) are the value here, IMO,
True about the engine and trans making it desirable. I can’t believe how many people are bidding on it. BTW it has a clean title, not salvage or rebuilt, that might be another reason it is so desirable.
Roll’er over.
Some cars just aren’t worth restoring, even if you got them for free. This may be one of those cars, you may not even need a calculator. Sad, this would have been a desirable car.
Don’t build an engine with too much horsepower or it will just rip itself out of this rust bucket and drive itself away
Too much $, too little time, and way too late. This thing is a parts car at best. Too bad also, my first Vette was a 65 350 horse roadster.
Money pit. Go through the 427. Installl Tremec T56, all new suspension, DeWitts radiator, better brakes and drive it. Too many C2s just sit in garages. Life too short for that. What’s the point of owning a beautiful car if you never drive it?
Why do so many people take their cars completely apart with the intention of restoring it only to give up? This could be a good find but the VIN thing is sketchy. My mantra has always been have all the parts needed for the resto in possession BEFORE removing one bolt. A lot of people jump in head first only to find out that resto parts AIN’T cheap!
Robert, I believe the seller’s reference to it being a 1967 project is just a typo. He says 1965 in the rest of the ad, and the VIN is for a ’65.
As far as value… well, the 427 and 4-speed might be good cores, the body is wreck damage free but has flares, and the title is allegedly “clean”. That’s not much to start with unless you’re building a Modo-Thingo.
You are right my friend! Selling because my knees are bad, very bad. I am getting alot of calls and bids. Honestly it surprised me how much people are willing to pay.
It’s a 45 year story if you have the time I would tell you how it came to be like this. I will only strat at the beginning. My friend got into trouble with some mobsters in a poker game. He came to me and asked me to lend him $5k. I told him sign the vette over to me and I lent him the money. I had it a few years and he was getting the money together but died before he paid me back. At his funeral his sister wanted the car. By that time my wife was holding it because we were going through a divorce. We had to kids, my son passed away recently and he wanted to restore it. So after he passed my ex wanted to sell it but no one would give her more than $500. She told me to come get it so I did and it’s back in my hands and will pay for my knees to get fixed.
Track car at best.
The body is really rough, (the cut out and flared wheel openings are not a quick fix) and the rusted frame is a huge problem. If someone wants an aluminum head big and a Muncie 4 speed without knowing the condition of either one, I am fairly certain that the old interweb would provide them for substantialy less than 10 K. This thing is a very definite NO!
I can guarantee the engine and trans are good! Clean title, plenty of interest by absolute corvette crazies. It surprised me the bidding and interest in this car. I have had it since 1980 and I could write a book on it’s history.