1965 Chevrolet Corvette Project
Sadly some cars slated for restoration, but never make it across the finish line, like this 1965 Corvette convertible. After body work and primer, this corvette appears to have been needing only a paint spray and assembly to have been a semi-restored driver. Sadly the barn this ‘Vette lived in suffered a damaged roof, which collapsed, and led this poor Chevy to its current state. Fairly complete, and with some positive aspects, this Corvette has been bid up to $15,800.00. Take a look at it here on eBay out of Westmont, Illinois.
Packing a 365hp 327 V8 with a 4 speed, it is thought that this is a numbers matching machine. The engine was a runner as of 3 years ago, but has not been started since. The seller claims that he has been turned the engine over regularly during storage, and that the engine does still turn over now. Based on the condition of the frame, and most of the engine bay parts, it would seem that this Corvette was exposed to a lot of moisture for quite a while. This is a factory A/C car as well, but the compressor, as well as the alternator are missing.
some of the interior is useful, but I am guessing there could be some hidden damage or fade. Brilliantly white, the convertible top looks to be potentially useful, but I don’t know that it would suffice as an everyday water tight top.
It is clear to see that the building’s collapsed roof did a real number on this corvette. The damage appears to be “superficial” meaning only the fiberglass appears to have suffered from that mishap. Per the seller’s suggestion, “a front clip” could be enough to fix this Chevy. The rest of the body will need attention, and the frame and brake components appear rather rusty as well. Optimistic, the seller thinks that the frame is in good shape with no pitting. While I don’t deny that the frame appears structurally solid, I still think that this Corvette was exposed to moisture for a very long time before being pulled indoors once again. For the right person, this ‘Vette is fairly complete, and could be a decent project to restore due to it’s level of completeness. Would you invest the time to revive this corvette?
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Comments
Poor storage to the 3rd power, too bad. I don’t know why but I like the color combination.
Looks like mostly surface rust on the frame but the body should come off to properly clean and paint it. Good bit of work needed here but could be a good car if done right.
if true 365hp with AC car it’s pretty rare.
i like the color combo too, classic for the time period.
still looks like way too much work for this lazy butt
if you are over 35 years old, move on. You would not have enough years left to get this back on the road.
Geez, what a shame. Had to be a bad feeling to open the barn door and see that kind of damage.
Worth restoring and parts are available, but it will take some time and money to make it right.
I didn’t think Chevy ever offered any solid lifter motor with AC. Concern was it would throw the belts at high RPM. Some high performance engines came with a larger diameter compressor clutch and pulley to reduce compressor speed. This was the case with a Stage 1 Buick GS with AC.
Chevy did offer it for Corvettes, in the 1965 small block with solids (but not the fuelie), not sure about 1964, and also the 1970 to 1972 LT1 small block.
1970 thru 1972 LT1’s only had A/C on 212 1972 models. It was not available at all on 1970 and 1971 LT1 s. I can’t say for certain on the mid-years cars, but I’ve never seen one with a solid lifter engine and A/C that came that way from St. Louis.
Bid to $70,000???
A.C. was not offered for the 1970 & ’71 LT-1 cars, it was available in 1972 tho. This ’65 is rare and desirable, but how desirable is up to somebody with deep pockets willing to ante up the price of a new nose complete and missing A.C. parts, I wish it could be me.
The new owner, if found, will either have spilling pockets or be easily hypnotized.
Go to the bank with a wheelbarrow fill it full of money and now you have a good start.
Don’t forget to dump the wheelbarrow full of money into a deep, dark hole.
I have the same 1965 Corvette L76 327 in my ‘64 El Camino and for what I understand it is a rare and desirable engine for Corvette enthusiasts. If anything, the motor is worth an acceptable price to restore for a project.
I guess the sellers opinion of an “easy restoration” differs from mine.
I wonder if the ultimate buyer of this Corvette, when finally restored, will ever be shown these “before” pictures?
Any bets on full disclosure?
I know, I know…stop laughing.
The “HK” suffix code indicates that this is a true 65 327/365 air conditioned car.
There were 424 65 365 air cars built, 39 with transistor ignition, 385 with breaker points, and there were 872 65 air convertibles built. I don’t have a breakdown of how many air convertibles were 365’s, but since there were about twice as many air coupes built, as convertibles, I’d guess the number of air, 365 convertibles to be less than 200.
This is a rare car, and is probably worth restoring, but the cost could be staggering. A correct press molded nose is about $6000, and a hood will be another $1200. I don’t agree with the seller’s claim that the “body was close to paint & in primer, then the roof damage”. It looks to me that the primer was just shot right over the old paint, so there’s probably a few coats of paint on the car, and who knows what the body’s like under that paint and primer. I own a Corvette parts business, and I’m familiar with restoring Corvettes. I’d say this car needs $20K worth of paint and bodywork, plus the nose, hood, whatever it’s going to cost to repair the windshield frame, and a ton of parts. From what I see though, the frame looks pretty good, and actually better than most.
Nassau Blue is a plus is, since it’s one of the prettiest and most popular colors on 65-66 Corvettes.
This car should be restored, but it won’t be cheap or easy, though when done it will be a rare and desirable car.
Wow!! It’s hard to look at with the body destroyed in such a manner!! It looks like most of the parts are there!! Lots of elbow grease on this one but in the end you have a magnificent car!!!
This makes me sad
Absolutely a rare combo with AC and 365 hp. This car is a ton of work and $$$$$$. Amateurs need not apply. That windshield frame is probably rotted. I have restored two old Corvettes. The pile of receipts is mind boggling. To remove the swing arms off my coupe, I had to use a Sawzall and about 6 blades. And that was for a car that sat in very dry storage. You probably are saying why didn’t I just torch them off. Ever see a Corvette burn. No thanks. Good luck to the new owner. C2s will always bring money. Too bad nobody ever drives them. I do every chance I get.
Junk. !!!!!!!!!
Bid to 22 grand.
Thats silly.
I am not sure this can be restored properly .
I am with Dave. Parts car