This 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray isn’t merely a pretty face. The first owner’s decision to order it with the L75 version of the 327ci V8 under the hood gives it undeniable performance credentials. Its presentation is first-rate, and the interior features enough creature comforts to make life on the road very pleasant. It is ready for action with a new owner behind the wheel. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting this beauty listed here on Craigslist on Fox Island, Washington. The seller set their price at $69,000 for this turnkey classic.
The seller provides comprehensive information about this Corvette, including that it was repainted in its original Rally Red approximately fifteen years ago. The lack of deterioration suggests the shop focused on quality, because it still presents extremely well. It shines beautifully, and any blemishes are too minor to show in the seller’s image gallery. The car’s front end is the most prone to chips, but this Corvette looks remarkably clean. The fiberglass is free from stress cracks and other problems, while the underside shots reveal a complete absence of rust. The seller lists most of the factory options, but doesn’t mention the knock-off wheels. That is surprising, considering their desirability, suggesting that the ones on this car might be spotless reproductions. The glass is clear, and the trim is comfortably acceptable for a driver-grade classic.
The first owner ticked plenty of boxes on their Order Form, ensuring that this Corvette provided a rewarding driving experience. They selected the L75 version of the 327ci V8. It should send a factory-claimed 300hp and 360 ft/lbs of torque to the road via a four-speed manual transmission. By equipping the car with power steering and power brakes, they ensured that the driver doesn’t require a bodybuilder’s physique to maneuver this classic. The seller indicates that while the motor sports an upgraded carburetor and intake, it is numbers-matching. They recently invested a considerable amount below the skin, replacing the fuel tank, shocks, ball joints, lifters, clutch, and most of the braking system. The car runs and drives perfectly, with the seller suggesting it is as impressive now as it was in 1965.
The first owner continued to tick boxes on their Order Form while configuring this Corvette’s interior. They didn’t go overboard, although the power windows, AM/FM radio, and power antenna are all desirable options. Trimmed in Red vinyl, the seller recently replaced the seatcovers, door panels, center cushion, and installed sound deadener under the carpet. They rebuilt the clock and state that the only inoperative items are the speedometer and odometer. Otherwise, everything is spotless, and the features work as they should. Considering the recent work, the lack of wear is unsurprising, and you can be sure that this Sting Ray would receive compliments at any Cars & Coffee for its overall appearance.
I’ve always believed that there is no better angle to shoot any Corvette than from near the ground. That approach accentuates the aggressive styling, as demonstrated above. This 1965 Sting Ray may not be completely original, but its overall condition and recent work justify the seller’s price. It has been on the market for under a week, and I believe that it will find a new home fairly quickly. The big question is whether that new home will be yours. Are you tempted?
Odd the speedo and odometer aren’t functional on a car of this caliber.
Love these 4sp, 327 vettes. They can really fly. 🏁
70k and the odo’s dont work. My guess it’s a flipper.
I reconditioned the dash on my 66 coupe several years ago. Don’t know about now, but at that time the speedo was not available in reproduction. You could send it out to a specialty shop, but that took time and left the car undrivable. I had old Chevrolet parts books and looked up replacement parts. I found a couple of the nylon gears in the speedo/odo had the same part # going back to 1953. In my youth I spent untold hours in an old gravel pit that was the dumping ground for all the local old cars. I loved taking things apart, especially dashes. I remembered taking out a couple of 53 – 54 Chevy instrument clusters out and squirreling them away about 55 years ago. I dug one cluster out and took it apart and found the gears to replace the apple cored gears in my 66. I don’t have the equipment to calibrate the speeds, but it works smoothly and I got a lot of satisfaction out of FIXING it!
Those old catalogs can be a life saver. They are great reference material that is overlooked in favor of trying to find part numbers online.
Nice story about fixing your speedometer.
Steve R
This one’s about as nice as they get, it isn’t 100% but would the perfect daily driver (if that’s what the buyer wants to do), as for the asking, I guess this is the price for a C2 these days. GLWS
Just for fun whenever I’m at a car show I always look for the power antenna on ’65-’66 Vettes. I was rewarded at the all-GM show yesterday when I saw a ’65 convertible with a 427 under the hood. Seems to be priced right with all of the options. GLWTS!
I had this same car back in the 70s, except mine had side pipes. Put 450K miles on it, rebuilt the engine twice. Had to sell it to buy a house. If I had the spare cash I’d be all over this one. Somebody will get a wonderful car!
The speedo and odo problem may be something as simple as the cable from the trans is broken. That would be the first thing I would check. Also check the gear drive in the trans. If it is not that then it is in the speedometer.
Seems like something as cheap and easy to fix would have been addressed, if they want top dollar.
Why is a car like this on Craigslist? I get the free factor but if it’s a legit car I’d be selling it here or eBay minimum 🤔. I’ll pass but love those cars.
there is as charge of 5.00 to list a car on C/L. you are right that is not the place for this car. better off in Hemmings
I don’t know if it is listed on Hemmings, but I found the same car on Hagerty for the same price.
https://www.hagerty.com/marketplace/classified/1965-Chevrolet-Corvette/7b3cc713-2c8d-4bbc-b417-d343d7d495b9
My girlfriend in the early 80’s had one very similar, red, knockoffs, except it was an automatic, with factory side exhausts and teak wheel. It was a NCRS Top Flight car back in the day.