Description
In 1965 the Corvette received the legendary 396ci 425 bhp Turbo Jet Big Block engine option coded L78. This engine was an upgraded descendant of the 'Mystery 427' racing engine that debuted in 1963 at Daytona 500. Its monstrous output necessitated immense structural integrity achieved via using a heavy bottom end with aircraft-grade rod bolts, reinforced bulkheads and 4-bolt main bearing caps. Despite its forged steel cross drilled crankshaft and heavy duty connecting rods, its solid lifter camshafts drove valves arranged in a ‘porcupine’s quills’ fashion that enhanced free-flow induction. Above its high-rise aluminum intake manifold, a traditional 4-barrel Holley carburettor managed air to fuels mixture. Despite being offered only for 1965 model year, this was the first time a Big Block was ever fitted in a Corvette. Notably. its enssuing performance and racing appeal forced General Motors executives to lift all displacement restrictions for engines fitted in sports cars.
The Corvette offered was specially ordered via Chevrolet Support program to feature racing-intended options including the 396 ci 425 bhp Turbo Jet engine, an M20 4 speed manual transmission, 3. 70 rear axle, wider track, special suspension and radio/ defroster delete options. In July of 1965 it was delivered to its first owner, a couple in Sunnyvale, California that decided to preserve instead of race the car amassing only 41000 miles in 30 years. In 1995 it was bought by its second set of owners who had the car preserved cosmetically and restored mechanically with mild tuning up to 435 bhp and 425 lb-ft output. Soon after the car entered the 1997 Steamboat Rocky Mountain Vintage Racing and later the 2002 Monterey Historic Automobile Race at Laguna Seca with distinctions. In 2007 it was acquired by a renowned race car driver in the UK who had the car carefully upgraded by specialist Nick Jesty to racing specifications by storing all original parts and without altering its patina or originality. The modifications included fitting a Tim Adams-prepared 396 ci engine of 474 bhp output, an M22 4-speed close ratio manual gearbox, a FiA approved roll cage, racing adjustable suspension and brakes. The car was subsequently invited to several prestigious racing events including the 2007 Silverstone Classic Festival and Goodwood RAC TT for 2007 and 2008 with the owner and a world renowned F1 team manager as guest driver who later commented on the Corvette stating “it allows you to get to all kinds of angles as long as you balance the throttle”. In 2009 the Corvette became part of a private race car collection to be preserved and displayed at a private museum. It is now offered fully serviced, in mostly original paint, with complete history and eligibility for any historic event including Goodwood, GTSCC, Gentleman Drivers, Spa 6 hrs, Nurburgring 500 km and Le Mans Classic. In addition 200 parts including racing specified spares as well as the original to the car engine, gearbox, interior and chrome are offered with the car.
Year: 1965
Make: Chevrolet
Model: Corvette
Version: Sport Coupe
Chassis number: 19437S121293
Engine number: TO6231F S121293
Engine type: 396 ci 425 bhp Turbo Jet Big Block, 6489 cc, 8 cyl in V config., single Holley 4-barrel carburetted, 11. 0: 1 comp. Ratio, 425 bhp at 6400 rpm, 415 lb-ft at 4000 rpm
Gearbox number: PO622
Gearbox type: 4 speed, manual
Axle number: FA0011W
Axle type: Positraction 3. 70 ratio
Exterior color, code: Glen Green, G-G
Interior color, trim, code: Saddle, vinyl, 420
Options:
L78: 396 ci 425 bhp Big Block Engine with special engine hood (single year option)
M20: Close ratio, 4-speed, manual transmission
G81: Positraction 3. 70 ratio rear axle
C48: Radio / defroster delete (fitted in only 39 units)
Racing upgrades by Nick Jesty Racing, Dorset UK:
Body: Full roll cage fitted
Interior: original stored, racing seat, safety gauges and fire extinquisher installed
Engine: original stored with Tim Adams Racing prepared 396 ci Turbo Jet Big Block fitted of 474 bhp at 5400 rpm output, oil supplied by special wet sump oil system, cooling achieved by aluminum radiator, fuel supplied by 190 lt tank fitted with original stored
Gearbox: original stored with M22 large spline short ratio fitted
Clutch: triple plate Tilton with concentric hydraulic release, magnesium bell housing
Suspension: F: up rated springs, antiroll bar and uniball upper wishbones, adjustable steel-bodied Koni shocks / R: fully modified with uniball fixings, adjustable steel-bodied Koni shocks
Documents:
- FIA Historic Technical Passport, issued July 2007
- 1965 Chevrolet Owner Protection Plan with Protect-O-Plate, original
- 1974 Certificate of Title to the 1st owner, original
Articles:
- Corvette Magazine, April 2008, p49-52
Registration history:
- RJE685, California, US, issued 1965
- 3PMN974, California, issued 1995
- EFX-239C, Hempstead, UK, issued 2007
Ownership history:
1st: Robert and Nancy Graham, Sunnyvale , CA, 1965-1995
2nd: Paige and Randy Jones, Tupper Robinson, San Mateo, CA, 1995-2007
3rd: Roger W., Hempstead, UK, 2007-2008
4th: Theodore Ch. & family, Athens, Greece, 2008-present
Race history:
USA:
1997 Steamboat Rocky Mountain Vintage Racing
2002 Monterey Historic Automobile Race at Laguna Seca
Belgium:
2007 Chimay
France:
2008 Grand Prix De L’ Age D’ Or, Dijon-Prenois
UK:
2007 Silverstone Classic Festival
2007 Goodwood RAC TT, 2-driver race (Roger Wills and Christian Horner)
2008 Goodwood RAC TT
2008 Masters Racing Series, Brands Hatch
Parts:
200 in total including:
- original to the car 396ci 427 bhp Turbo Jet Big Block engine, M20 gearbox, differential, fuel tank, - bumpers, headlight covers, fibreglass parts and complete interior
- additional M22 gearbox with numerous spares
- racing suspension kits
- racing brakes
- racing electric parts
- racing exhuast manifold and parts
- 2 sets od Big Block heads
- racing wheels
