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Well Optioned 1965 Corvette Project

1965 Corvette Convertible

Admittedly, I struggle to understand why options can impact the desirability of a car so much. Don’t get me wrong, I can see why big options that impact performance can make such a difference in value, but I don’t see why things like power steering, paint color, and A/C make any difference, at least on project cars. Take this ’65 Corvette, which can be found here on eBay, it is a stalled project in need of just about everything, yet the seller makes a big deal about it being optioned with A/C. While it would be a wonderful option to have I don’t see any of the A/C components in the photos and the seller admits after 37+ years of storage some stuff is missing. I can understand paying extra for an original car that came with all the right options, but when the car is in this kind of condition do small options really matter? What do you think? This Corvette definitely deserves to be saved, but would you pay extra for a car that was well optioned even if those options are all missing? Special thanks to Jim S for this tip!

Comments

  1. Avatar BradL

    There were 15,376 Corvette Convertibles built for 1965. You can nitpick about options, or combinations of options all day, but when it comes down to it, there were 15,376. Unless this has all the original, date coded parts, the value is just not there.

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  2. Avatar SoCal Car Guy

    Needs a PPI by a knowledgeable Corvette person to determine if what’s there of the engine, trans, etc are correct for that specific car. If all of the basics are there , and the seller’s reserve isn’t ridiculously high, it could be a good restoration project. If not, well, it’s another old Corvette hulk with a VIN and title; more of a resto-mod candidate, where things like factory air don’t mean much, especially if all the “correct” A/C are not there and intact.

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  3. Avatar cory

    Cars are like women. Yes, you can take them in and have all the best features added, but I prefer them to be nicely optioned from the factory.

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  4. Avatar Mike D

    It would be a nice project for those who know their shit. a lot is ” missing” or as he states, he ” may” find some missing pieces even if I had the $$, don’t know if I would tackle this one It will be a looker once finished.. but not me

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  5. Avatar Dolphin Member

    With a car like this you are paying up big…Very BIG….for some A/C parts.

    No thanks.

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  6. Avatar St. Ramone de V8

    How can stalled projects like these command such prices? Yes, it’s a Corvette, but…

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  7. Avatar Don

    I tend to agree with the other comments…the final price on eBay ($22K) seems a bit high for even a mid-year Corvette in this condition…restorable “yes”…but with a price that would obviously exceed it’s final value when completed…condition is important….having the correct “matching numbers & date codes” is even more important….and to bring “big money” at resale, the car better meet NCRS or Bloomington standards…”BOTTOM LINE”: It would take a team of professional restorers at least 250 man-hours ($60-$85/hour) and another $15-$20K for paint, glass, interior, trim work chrome-plating, tires, electrics, etc, to bring this car to “local car show quality”! I find it hard to believe that anyone who acquired this car when it was only 5 or 6 years old, could have left it deteriorate to it’s present condition. I have personally owned and restored several vintage Corvettes and other Chevy classics…but wouldn’t have considered this Corvette even at $5,000. I hope the buyer realizes what lies ahead. GOOD LUCK!

    Like 0

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