Sometimes an owner will find themselves with a desirable classic car in their workshop and grand plans to turn it into something genuinely special. However, plans can change, which appears to be the case with this 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible. The owner had intended to drop a big-block under the hood, but this will not happen. He has accumulated a few new parts for his project and includes them in the sale. If you want to pick up where he has left off, you will find the Corvette located in Modesto, California, and listed for sale here on eBay. He has set a BIN of $45,000 but leaves the option for interested parties to make an offer.
The owner doesn’t supply a lot of information on the history of this Corvette, and the provided photos are even less enlightening. It appears that the car wears Ermine White paint, but it isn’t clear whether it is original. The paint looks like it holds a reasonable shine, and it may be worth treating the car to a buff and polish to see if the buyer can lift it to a higher level. If not, a repaint will be on the agenda. He has fitted a different hood to the car, which would have been a preparatory step for the planned engine transplant. The fiberglass has no visible flaws or defects, although the photo quality wouldn’t see me betting my house on perfection. The ‘Vette rolls on a set of aftermarket knockoff wheels, and these, along with the glass, appear flawless. I believe that the wheels may be amongst the new parts the seller mentions, but it is unclear what the rest might be. We receive no information on the state of the frame, but if the car has spent its life in California, we could be quietly optimistic that it is structurally sound and rust-free. The black soft-top looks pretty good, and it appears that a cosmetic refresh on this classic would not be difficult or particularly expensive.
The seller had grand plans for this Corvette, and most of these revolved around what was happening under the hood. He intended slotting in a 396ci big-block V8, which would have made this car a potent package. This never happened, so it appears that the engine bay houses a 327ci unit. The mystery deepens because we are unsure whether this car is numbers-matching or which version of the small-block we are looking at. If we work on a worst-case scenario, it would produce 250hp. With the four-speed manual transmission bolted to the back of the V8, the ‘Vette would storm through the ¼ mile in 15.3 seconds. A more powerful version would see a sub-15-second ET there for the taking. There is no information on this classic’s mechanical state or when it last saw active duty. We need to hope the owner is approachable because I suspect they will have many questions to answer.
If the Corvette has a genuine highlight, that honor falls to its interior. It looks like something heavy has been resting on the passenger seat, but I suspect that the passage of time will see the depression in the Black leather upholstery disappear. The condition of the seatcovers makes me wonder whether they are new. There are no significant faults or issues, nothing is missing, and there are no aftermarket additions. It appears that the buyer won’t need to spend a dime inside this classic, and optional extras like the teakwood wheel and AM/FM radio add to the Corvette’s desirability.
This 1965 Corvette raises as many questions as it answers. It isn’t clear whether it is numbers-matching, but if it is, the buyer may be best served in the long term performing a faithful restoration. If completed to a high standard, that leaves the way clear for this car to threaten six-figure territory in today’s market. If the V8 hiding in the engine bay isn’t original, that allows scope for them to consider following the seller’s plans of slotting a big-block under the hood. If you were to buy this classic, which path would you choose?
This car does NOT have a teak wheel, that’s the base 65 wheel! Barnfinds writers need to learn the difference between the standard, plastic “walnut” grain steering wheel, and the optional, real teak wood wheel, instead of claiming almost every mid-year has a teak wheel. Or don’t comment on the wheels at all, instead of posting false information.
This car will need more than a “buff and polish”. The headlight and hood fit shows this car has poorly repaired nose damage. eBay’s zoom reveals a large crack in the right front fender and more cracks in the under hood drip gutter, further evidence of the poor condition of the nose. Zooming in shows plenty of scratches and possible cracks, in other areas too.
Considering the car needs a nose, the price seems pretty strong. An original engine would offset that a little, but since the seller planned a big block transplant, I doubt it’s the OEM 327. If the rest of it checks out, buy it for the mid to high $30’s, or walk.
Agree it’s not a teak wheel. That was a relatively rare option, only available from the factory in 1965 and 1966. The above teak wheel is in my ’66 coupe.
Mate it sounds like your more than an avierage Corvette admirer.
Could I please get your cel number or email address to talk more about this subject?
Cheers Ross
I bought my first Corvette 46 years ago. I’ve been dealing in Corvette parts for about 40 years, originally as a hobby, later as a full time business, and now part time again in semi retirement. I do pre-purchase inspections and I’m a National Corvette Restorers Society (NCRS) judge. I’d hardly call myself an expert though, but I probably know a little more about Corvettes than the average person.
I’m not real keen on posting my personal contact information on an open forum, but if you want to post yours, I’ll reach out to you.
I would love to own this
But
The temptation to sell it would continuously remind me that it takes less space in the bank !
$1000 a month of pocket change makes a difference, in this case the fun would last 45 months , that’s close to 4 years …
I guess my rv’ing passion has taken over the car passion …
Yolo
This car has been whacked in the front and VERY poorly repaired.
Looks like a giant project for too much money. Hood is ’67BB. Radiator is BB. And I am not sure a 350 hp used an AFB in ’65 so engine is suspect to me.
The 64-67 327/350 (and 64-65 365) came with a Holley. The only 65 Corvette engine using the AFB was the 300. I don’t think it’s an AFB though, but instead an Edelbrock carb. The hood’s not a regular 67 stinger either, it’s the one piece, SMC replacement hood GM came out with in the mid 80’s.
Somebody liked the car, it’s sold.