Update May 19, 2018 – This Corvette has now popped up here on eBay. It’s still listed on craigslist with the same asking price. Current bidding on eBay is at $26,100 though, so be sure to keep an eye on this one!
From April 10, 2018 – Variation in this 1965 Corvette convertible’s copper paint (shot in the 1980s) stands as a testament to the difficulty of spraying metallics. The nearest factory color, Sierra Tan, lacks the punch of this copper hue, and (based on a few visible chips) I suspect this classic began life wearing rich Milano Maroon. Thanks to reader Patrick S. who spied this largely original Corvette in New Castle, Delaware listed here on craigslist with an asking price of $35,000.
If you’re a fan of Boston College or the Arizona Wildcats, this may be the perfect car for you! Thankfully these C2 Corvettes look great in any color, though most collectors favor a return to the original. Few cars emerge from a twenty-five year hiatus and start up with minimal pre-work, but this one did! The seller notes “it fired up on the third crank and purred like a kitten.”
As befits “America’s Sports Car,” the cockpit blends European styling with an array of instruments and controls reminiscent of a fighter-jet. The seller plans a full restoration if no-one pays a suitable as-is” price. Recent work includes a boat-load of brake parts, fuel tank and sender, and a battery. Potential buyers who inhabit cooler climates, or who enjoy long trips, may rejoice that both hard and soft tops come with the sale.
It retains its correct numbers matching 327 cid V8 engine, though the seller has yet to validate originality of other parts. The seller also says “I have all of the original parts,” but they may or may not be included. While I’m sure the car’s future includes new footwear, the menacing black steelies and blackwalls suggest that something illegal could occur at any moment. Considering it needs (at least) a host of cosmetic work, what do you think of the $35,000 asking price?
Looks to be all there, & unless the paint is hiding a multitude of sins, in reasonable fair condition. I would love to have a 65, & this one checks all the boxes, small block, 4 speed, convertible. From what I have been seeing other 65’s going for, I think this one is priced pretty fairly. Nice find!
Where is the car??
New Castle, Delaware
Interesting car, and would be even more so with correct numbers.
Looks like it’s dual bail master cylinder as well, so likely power brakes. Good buy for someone.
It has manual brakes. The ad says it’s been converted to a dual reservoir master cylinder. That’s a 67-82 master cylinder, which is what’s usually included in the dual reservoir conversion kits.
Preserved it on the CL Ad Saver http://www.craigslistadsaver.com/view.php?name=BARNFIND1965CorvetteConvertible-$35000(NewCastle)
Other than the hood, paint, master cylinder, headers and valve covers, it looks like a pretty original and un-messed with mid year. It’s nice to see the stock shifter, radio and wheel covers still with it. The intake, air cleaner and tach redline, indicate it is (or was) either a 327/250 or 327/300 originally. If the oil cap is the original one, it’s a 300, the 250 had a black cap.
I wish sellers would include pictures of the trim tag and engine stamp pad, especially when they’re claiming “matching numbers”.
From the ad, the price seems fair to me, but that can always change when you see a car in person. Still, the average person could probably buy a done car, for less than they’ll have tied up in this one, after restoring it.
Right – done by who though – and how well “done” – I trust nobody anymore.
Doggone if I don’t agree with you! Trust is one of my biggest issues these days. I’ve been messed over too often on too many things
I thought 300 was the base motor in ’65, i have a 250 hp 4 speed 64 and it has a chrome cap. I know it’s right, my grandfahter bought the car new
Hi Just purchased a 63 on an impulse buy at an estate sale. Where can I find the trim tag? Under the glove box?
Thanks!
Nice body color and a good choice for the racing stripe!
It looks good!
Nice it started but sitting hurts a car with seals and water pumps to brakes
Looks like summer fun awaits!
If there are no fiber repairs it is a deal at 30k. The
Worth restoring.(duh)
I’d go with a Navy paint / White interior/brushed aluminum throwback Cragars.
Sierra Tan was not a 65, or any other year Corvette color.
In 65, the available colors were Tuxedo Black, Ermine White, Nassau Blue, Glen Green, Milano Maroon, Silver Pearl, Rally Red and Goodwood Yellow.
The trim tag will identify the original color, but it wasn’t Sierra Tan.
Hello gbvette62. Interesting! I’m sure you know your stuff, so I’ll ask how you interpret the PPG color card I linked showing “Sierra Tan Poly?” I guess it only proves that PPG thought Sierra Tan Poly. was available in ’65, or perhaps on other Chevrolet cars but not the Corvette. http://corvette-information.com/1965-corvette-paint-color-chip-sheets-a-185.html Thanks!
gbvette is right as usual (except for the typo- it’s Goldwood Yellow, not Goodwood Yellow). Todd, your guess is correct- Sierra Tan Poly was used on several ’65 Chevy passenger cars, but not Corvettes.
Sierra Tan is a ’65 color but not Corvette. It was used on fullsized Chevys and I think Novas and Chevelles. My parents had an Impala SS that was Sierra Tan with a Cameo Beige roof.
I am not a Corvette fan except for the early cars, so go to it and put your hands on it. Lift it and look at its bones. If it’s all there, jump on it. You won;’t miss.
Hits all the right buttons. Could stand paint and likely will need to got through everything and change all the seals in it. Convertible, SBC, stick, removable hardtop, if the bones are there, great starting point.
Gotta love C2 vettes, especially the coupe
But people should NEVER dry start an engine that has sat for a long time. Guarrantee this will need an engine rebuild SOON, even if it seems okay now.
Still a great find.
Priced to High, But will be GONE soon! Joe K.
Arizona State Sun Devils maybe, but not the Arizona Wildcats, not now, not ever.
That ‘vette has got some serious attitude going for it! I don’t know if it’s the black rims, the color, the scoop or all of it together but it looks like a real street terrorizer to me. Like it.
I am sure like most of us, I go out of my way to give at least the critical details before listing a car especially something this special. Didn’t have time to look at the numbers yet?……….
This car has had a very light restoration over the year’s,as well as some interchange of parts, based on what they are saying, and the pics, although this is sometimes, good and bad. I believe that the hood is original to to
the car,assuming the car is 327/300hp.,or possibly could be more assuming, all the vin number’s check out. So 30-40k no way people, remember, not a big block, no factory side pipes.Good thing is 4speed,hardtop convt.,more desirable, and one thing plain black wheels special order, could be,but probably came with hubcaps, knockoff’s, and or corvette style Rallys, maybe this is not included with sale,and or missing, and who knows maybe special order paint, and or dealer special, back in the day,next to nothing was impossible. So if it were me l would give 2-15k just to take a chance to see if things check out, but hopefully whoever buys this car can restore it back like it should be.
Hood is aftermarket. Black wheels are standard, would have come with hubcaps.
Appears that the engine has been reworked. It has the “angle plug” GM Performance Parts heads. Who knows what else as indicated by the headers.
I see headers but no “angle plug” heads.