While it isn’t perfect, this 1965 Corvette Coupe has plenty to offer a new owner. It presents well as a driver-grade classic, although lifting it to a higher level would not be complicated or expensive. Its upgraded drivetrain configuration should provide a relaxed driving experience with plenty of power under the right foot. If you are wavering, perhaps the seller’s decision to offer it for sale with No Reserve could tip the scales. The Corvette is listed here on eBay in Brooksville, Florida. Spirited bidding has pushed the price to $38,400, and with No Reserve in play, a new home is mere days away for this classic.

The color palette for the 1965 Corvette featured no bad shades, but buyers showed a strong preference for Nassau Blue as we see gracing this car’s panels. From a sales total of 23,562 vehicles during that model year, Nassau Blue was favored by 6,022 buyers. That represents a take-up rate of more than 25%, well ahead of second-placed Glen Green, which found its way onto 3,782 Corvettes. The seller describes this car’s paint as looking good from five feet but would require blocking, sanding, or a repaint to present at its best. If it looks okay in the flesh, the buyer may elect to leave it untouched. While a pristine classic will always attract attention and favorable comments, an imperfect car can prove attractive for those seeking a more relaxed ownership experience. Whenever an owner wheels a spotless vehicle out of their garage, they will harbor feelings of dread that an errant stone may add a chip that will mar their car’s perfect appearance. Owners of driver-grade vehicles usually don’t feel that stress level because stone chips and minor marks don’t have the same impact. That is why the classic world is full of driver-grade vehicles that owners enjoy as their creators intended. The seller supplies no information on the state of the frame or birdcage, but the lack of visible corrosion across various aspects of this Corvette gives cause for quiet optimism. The trim and glass look good, and the aftermarket side exhaust suggests there may be more to this classic than meets the eye.

The Corvette isn’t numbers-matching, and while that will negatively impact its potential value, it isn’t the end of the world for those seeking a driver-grade classic. The engine bay houses a 350ci V8 backed by a Turbo 350 automatic transmission. With power assistance for the steering and brakes part of this package, it should offer its new owner an effortless driving experience. The specifications of the small-block are unclear, but it would be safe to expect more than 300hp available under the driver’s foot. The headers and side exhaust should allow it to sound tough, and I believe it should have no trouble producing a sub-15-seconds  ¼-mile ET. The seller recently replaced the master cylinder, brake calipers, starter, flex plate, and fuel tank. They say the engine is strong and refer to the Corvette as a running, driving project. That should allow the buyer to enjoy this classic immediately while contemplating if they intend to perform any cosmetic work.

The interior shots supplied by the seller are pretty ordinary and don’t reveal much. The dash wears a cover, and it looks like this may hide some warping or other issues. The seats sport slipcovers, while a few hardware items like handles and the radio could be missing. The interior may need some TLC, but only an in-person inspection will determine how extensive this could be. The saving grace is that parts are readily available, allowing the buyer to return the inside of this ‘Vette to showroom condition. The process won’t be cheap, but it is worth remembering that it should represent a one-off expense if the buyer continues treating this classic with respect.

For a buyer seeking an original and unmolested C2 Corvette, this 1965 edition would not be a strong contender. However, for someone who craves the C2 ownership experience at a fraction of the cost of a numbers-matching survivor, this could be the car of their dreams. It has attracted plenty of interest, with thirty-six bids submitted at the time of writing. It has taken just over three days for that to occur, and there’s plenty of time left on the auction for interested parties to throw their hat into the ring. Are you tempted, or will you sit back as an interested observer?