Description
This was a great era for the Corvette and this example, a mid ‘65 Convertible finished in Nassau Blue with the 327 engine in higher output form at 365HP and four speed manual transmission is as good as it gets. Furthermore, it also had optioned the side exhausts which look and sound great and both hard and soft tops along with the radio option. It must also be one of the finest out there having been awarded a Top Flight Award for restoration and preservation excellence by the US National Corvette Restorers Society. This highly rated award requires a Corvette to score 94% of 4, 500 total points available and the score sheets on file along with the certificate awarded shows this car passed with flying colours.
This Corvette was produced on the 3 November 1965 and delivered to the dealer Dominion Chevrolet in Richmond, Virginia. The first owner retained the car for just six months, it then sold to a long-term owner who then passed it on to his son, this family retained the Corvette until around ten years ago. A further enthusiast owned it for a couple of years before it passed into the hands of a self-confessed Corvette anorak. At this point the car was very original and running with just one repaint from new and no accidents, all confirmed in correspondence on file. A full frame of restoration was commissioned by the acknowledged C2 experts.
The amazing originality became further evident as the car was assembled, all of the correct factory markings remained on the body and serial numbers on the componentry. The great order of the body became evident upon removal and stripping with no sign of accident damage. The restoration took two years to complete and is documented in photography, invoicing and correspondence in the extensive history file.
Following completion the Corvette was presented at the NCRS (National Corvette Restorers Society) Meet in Bedford, Pennsylvania on the 4 September 2017 at which point it achieved Top Flight Award status, the marking sheets and certificate are on file.
Shortly after this the car was purchased by an English Corvette enthusiast who had been looking for a ‘65 Stingray with a great specification and matching numbers in perfect order for some time. As detailed on file following much research he agreed to by the car and it arrived on these shores in 2017.
A couple of years ago the Corvette sold to the last owner, a regular Hairpin customer who has the highest standards as reflected in his stable of motoring perfection. He had similarly been looking for a great Corvette for many years and had almost given up hope having viewed so many sub-prime examples before this one popped up. It met his desire for an ultimate model and its condition met his high standards.
Today the Stingray presents superbly in all respects having covered only 3, 000 dry summer miles since the award-winning restoration. It comes with a pleasingly extensive history file that documents the life of the car and confirms its matching number status, there is even the original handbook and sales brochure on file.
A great Corvette that presents and drives exceptionally well.
