There are few greater honors for Corvette owners than receiving Bloomington Gold Certification. It recognizes their car as the best of the best and was accorded this 1965 Corvette Convertible. Adding to its appeal is its original L76 version of the 327ci V8, giving this classic the power to match its looks. The seller’s price doesn’t make this an affordable alternative for enthusiasts, although history suggests this low-mile survivor could be a solid long-term investment. The seller has listed this Corvette here on Craigslist in Henderson, Nevada. It could be yours for $98,500, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting this stunning classic.

When Chevrolet introduced a Coupe version upon the release of the C2 Corvette in 1963, sales between it and the Convertible were almost identical. However, the gap grew during subsequent years, with the drop-top outselling the Coupe by a ratio of almost 2:1 in 1965. The first owner chose the wind-in-the-hair motoring experience when ordering this ‘Vette, selecting stunning Rally Red to cloak its panels. The Bloomington Gold Survivor Certification attests to its originality, and the overall condition suggests it has been treated respectfully since Day One. The paint retains a mirror shine, and if there are any imperfections, they are too minor to reveal themselves in the supplied photos. There are no visible fiberglass failings, and with this classic being a dry-climate survivor, I would be surprised if there are any rust issues. The Black soft-top fits as tight as a drum, while the buyer also receives a factory Hardtop. The trim and glass are in good order, and the factory side exhaust provides a hint that this Corvette might be something special.

The biggest change for the 1965 model year was Chevrolet’s decision to shoehorn the 396ci big-block V8 under the hood of the Corvette. It offered significantly better acceleration than the fuel-injected 327ci powerplant, and cost buyers 45% less than the Fuelie. However, some enthusiasts found that the big-block’s additional weight negatively impacted the handling, which is where the V8 hiding under this Corvette’s hood rode to the rescue. It is the L76 version of the 327, which cost buyers less than half the price of the 396. It generates an impressive 365hp and 350 ft/lbs of torque. Buyers could only order this motor with a four-speed manual transmission, but the combination allowed the Convertible to storm the ¼-mile in 14.2 seconds on its way to 145mph. The seller claims that this numbers-matching classic has a genuine 48,000 miles on its odometer, a claim which seems plausible because there is a long list of documentation included in the sale. The car runs and drives perfectly, with no mechanical needs or shortcomings.

This Corvette’s interior demonstrates the first owner’s focus on performance because it is a radio-delete classic. There are no other creature comforts like power windows, leaving the driver to extract the best from this car’s drivetrain combination. Finding anything to criticize is virtually impossible, with the Black upholstered surfaces in as-new condition. There is no carpet fading, the plastic is in good order, and the wheel shows no evidence of wear. It is another aspect of this Corvette that provides visual support for the odometer reading.

This 1965 Corvette Convertible ticks the right boxes for enthusiasts on many fronts. The Bloomington Gold Certification confirms its originality, while its condition is stunning for a classic of this vintage. The odometer reading is extremely low, and the desirable L76 engine increases its desirability. Is it worth the asking price? Values have softened during the past year, but that trend appears to be starting to reverse. Therefore, if you have the available funds, now could be the right time to strike if you wish to park one of these classics in your garage. This Convertible has only been on the market for around a day, and I won’t be surprised if someone snaps it up fairly quickly.