It is a story almost as old as time itself. An enthusiast unearths a desirable classic hidden in a barn or a shed, and visions dance in their head as they imagine how it will look once returned to its former glory. Then life gets in the way, and they are forced to sell before the dream becomes reality. That is the backstory of this 1965 Corvette Coupe. It is a rock-solid vehicle requiring total restoration, but the factory options selected by the first owner lift its desirability to a higher plain. However, desirability doesn’t always produce intense action because this Corvette has received no bids since the seller listed it here on eBay in Rancho Cucamonga, California. They set the listing to open at $48,000, and it appears there is No Reserve that could prevent this classic from finding a new home.
The history of this Corvette is unclear, although it appears the seller is the car’s third owner. They located it in a barn, a spot it had occupied since 1985. They had bold restoration plans, but these stalled before they could really start. The first owner ordered the car in Nassau Blue, and it appears they weren’t afraid to splash their cash to create the vehicle of their dreams. One of the more expensive options offered in 1965 was the iconic knock-off wheels, which added $322.80 to the sticker price. Chevrolet produced 23,562 Corvettes that year, and only 1,116 buyers selected the knock-offs. This ‘Vette is one of those cars, and the listing images confirm they are genuine Kelsey-Hayes items. The paint has seen better days, and the fiberglass shows age in some spots, but there is no evidence of previous significant accident damage or repairs. I would love to say that returning this Corvette to its former glory would require a simple repaint, but it deserves more than a cursory approach. The underside shots reveal heavy but dry surface corrosion on the frame, and dismantling this classic would be the best way to do it justice. The process will be involved, but the finished product should justify the time and expense. The car retains its original trim and bumpers, and the glass looks pretty good.
The 1965 Corvette offered performance befitting a sports car, even in its most basic form. However, the options list provided scope for buyers to push the limits, which is the case with this classic. Its engine bay houses a numbers-matching 327ci V8 coupled to a four-speed manual transmission. This isn’t the entry-level powerplant delivering 250hp and 350 ft/lbs of torque. The first owner spent an additional $129.16 on the L76 version that churns out 365hp and 350 ft/lbs. Was the expense justified? The base engine would have allowed the Coupe to cover the ¼-mile in 15.3 seconds. This V8 makes the journey a memory in 14.2 seconds. I think the answer to that question is a resounding yes! The seller includes this YouTube video in their listing, which provides a comprehensive walkaround. Crucially, we catch a glimpse of the engine block stamps, confirming this is a genuine L76 and that it is numbers-matching. The car isn’t roadworthy, but a new radiator joins the new carburetor visible in the engine shots. The brakes need work, but the engine runs well and sounds strong in the YouTube video.
The first owner focused on outright performance with this Corvette, with the factory AM/FM radio the sole interior creature comfort. It doesn’t make a positive first impression, but looking closely reveals much to like. The door trims and dash are in good order, with virtually no wear or physical damage. The same can’t be said for the seatcovers, which have accumulated splits and seam separations. The carpet is gone, but the impression is that replacing those items and performing a deep clean might be all that is required to lift the interior to an acceptable standard for a driver-grade restoration.
The supplied images suggest that this 1965 Corvette Coupe has many positive points, and it is surprising that it hasn’t received any bids. It is undeniably desirable, and with No Reserve in play, it raises the tantalizing prospect that someone could become its new owner with a single bid. That makes the auction well worth watching.
Man, I don’t know about you, but a tear immediately, seeing this. This was every kids dream car, look what it’s been reduced to. Someone with deep pockets will take this car, sink another kidney into it, and hopefully break even upon resale, if the timing is right, that is. These are always #1 on the auction circuit, and some “kid” will finally get their ’65 ‘Vette they worked for all these years before they die, and I suppose nothing wrong with that.
These were just old cars by the first gas crisis…..at 10,000 a year that would be about the time it was parked.
Another example of the new normal “Barn Find” that is vastly overpriced given the current condition and work needed to make the car serviceable and worth what you SPEND on it.
You could easily spend $20+K on this car to make it “Nice”.
At $48K minimum bid price + the $20+K you will spend on this car you can easily buy a NICE AND DONE 65 350HP no option coupe and enjoy the car immediately.
Another neat to fantasize about restoring Barn Find that is vastly OVERPRICED!
I have learned some just like the process of restoration. A hobby.
I used to be like that, but spent waaaay too much in the process. Try restoring a ’68 Jag Coupe.
Now I just buy from those who did the work and save tens of thousands.
But I do admire those who do great restorations.
Or for 50,000 one can buy a new Mustang GT, get the standard 480 horse power, air,tilt, cruise, navigation, and heated/cooled seats. That package comes with a 3year/36000 mile warranty. This is the choice I faced last year and chose the Mustang with no regrets. And got a trunk to boot!
When i first glimpsed the ad my thought was, Why has Dennis Collins not already gotten it, Until i saw that minimum bid opening price, So now, I know!!! Lol.
The biggest problem is the price. It needs too much work for that much $$$. Around 35k and it’d be worth the effort. Outside of that I guess fools and their money really are parted quickly.
Very, very sad.
Numbers or not, regardless of the popularity of this series, the price seems absurdly high considering the investment needed to bring it to even driver status.
That is my favorite color combo.
Back in The Day, Dad CB was a Chevy dealer. Corvettes were not delivered by truck, a dealer had to go to St. Louis to pick one up. In our case, it was often my mom’s job, and on a couple of occasions, I went with her. I recall picking up a sister ‘Vette, the same color combo, and driving it from MO to GA. The speedo was disconnected, so she never knew her speed. We got stopped once in TN by a cop who just wanted a closer look at a cool car driven by a pretty lady. He was surprised a 12 y.o. boy was with her.
Huh, never knew that. Can’t find any evidence to support that, but will take your word for it. Speedometer cable disconnected? I wonder how many Corvettes took the “long way home”, or never got to the dealer at all.
The problem was that the fiberglass bodies suffered damage when trucked (maybe getting them on and off, maybe tieing them down, I don’t know), and the cosmoline, usually used on cars back then to protect the paint, had issues with the paint on the fiberglass. I don’t know why.
I did three deliveries with my mom, two to Atlanta, one to Daytona Beach (a yellow ’65 convertible, black top, he sold to a Daytona dealer. ) Not every dealer got a large allotment of ‘Vettes, and often a dealer didn’t know what they were getting except for expensive special orders, and then many buyers opted to pick up the car themselves at the factory. Smaller dealers would often buy from larger dealers. The factory had a full customer delivery system set up. I don’t know if that continued in Bowling Green.
Many forget just how massively exotic those cars were back then. The years make us forget.
In ’64, we took a nice silver-blue coupe with a black interior. That was my mom’s fave because it had an auto tranny.
Good times. A southern pre-teen boy around cars of that era? Hog Heaven, and the addiction is with me today.
Reminded me of a 911 I sold to a guy in Phoenix … his driver flew into Baton Rouge to drive the car back … he just raised some carpet and opened a door in the drive tunnel and disconnected the speedometer (does anyone know about this – I didn’t) … we drove to New Orleans as he wanted to experience the food there … we ate and drank for hours – he paid for everything; he drove me back to the dealership and the last thing I remember is him burning runner and winding out the gears as he sped down Florida Blvd for the drive back to Phoenix …
This is complete BS!
Corvettes were transported by rail from St Louis to a distribution center and then delivered to dealers on standard car carriers. In the 50’s they were transported in box cars but by the 60’s they were sent on regular open rail cars. The first picture in the link below is of a load of either 63 or 64 Corvettes traveling by rail and post number 13 in the link shows a rail car loaded with 69’s. The second link shows a 67 Corvette and a couple 67 Camaro’s on a rail car.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c1-and-c2-corvettes/4341960-train-car-of-c-2-s-pic.html
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/208995238944558696/
Then like now, factory delivery was available if a customer wished, but it was not required and no dealer had to pick up new Corvettes and personally drive then to their dealership.
We never got one delivered by carrier, not one. This was for ’63-’65. I do not know after ’65.
The dealership had a whole series of folks who would fly to St. Louis and drive them to Atlanta.
I personally did three (above.) My mom did two more with an older sister.
I agree this is overpriced but what would be a good and fair purchase number for this car?
I don’t think the price is that far out of line, maybe 5 to 7 k on the outside. The wheels and the motor are ultra desirable and not overly common. The L76 was in my opinion was, along with the DZ302, the best small blocks produced during the 60s. My second Corvette was a 64 fueler that I pulled the injection off of because of all the problems with it. Sold the injection for $150, (this was in ’67) and put the aluminum high rise and Holley off a 365 on it. Loved that little screamer. If I didn’t already have the last Vette I ever intend to own, I would take a shot at this one in a heartbeat.
A buddy in San Diego has this almost exact car color and all. He’s retired Navy and has had it 30+ years? I have 1st dibs on it when ever he seriously thinks about selling it.
The asking price might be more in line with a #3 car; this one is a mid-#4 that needs $20K in work. Lower the reserve to $30K and the seller might see a bidding war.
It’s interesting that this $50,000 Vette is sitting in the driveway, with a flat, and a brick keeping it from rolling into the street. Like an old beater Kia. I was amazed that there weren’t old shopping bags and newspapers piled up inside.
Upgraded w/a dual master cylinder……sound move.
65s had disc brakes standard – including a dual circuit system if they had power assist. That is a factory 65 power brake master cylinder, shared with 66 power brake equiped cars. The master cylinder is a 2 year only item and is expensive to replace
Brick and flat tire calls for a $10,000 price reduction
I gotta say, I like it as is. Get it running, cleaned up (carpets) and drive.
The console and the interior knobs and controls are sure pitted. I don’t think they can be tumbled in a vibra-bowl.
That cost alone!
I’ve restored two Corvettes and it is not cheap. The 365 hp 327 is a great performer, but not all that rare. GM built more of them than the 350 hp engine. In 1965, 8,186 coupes were built and 15,378 convertibles. 5,011 of the total had the 365 hp engine. Paint today is $15,000 minimum. This car is overpriced, and the collector car market is experiencing a mild downturn, so we shall see. It has some nice option, pb and pw, but no a/c, which with fat old guys is a must. Personally, I like old Corvettes without a/c. Where I live we don’ need it and if you’ve ever replaced a heater core on an a/c Corvette, well, you can do it for me.
L 76 . all you need to say !!
I had one ( 65 convertible) in the late 60s .
12.9 , 105. never lost a street or road race. I’m poor , otherwise this is sold
california dreamin’
Right? Grow your hair long, bleach it blond, grab your board and head to the beach!