[PICS] MCACN 2015 – 1965 Big Tank Corvette Barn Find Restored

One of our favorite Corvettes from last month’s Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals was a fabulous 1965 365 hp black on black 1965 big tank coupe. You may not recognize it now, but it’s the same black on black big tank car we first brought you last summer from Bloomington Gold.

Back then the car was shown in all of its unrestored glory. Years of rust, dirt, and grime covered every inch of the car. It wore big fat fender flares on all four corners and an interesting home center mount exhaust exited the car out back.

Haven’t seen a black / black big tank coupe before? That’s because this Corvette is 1 of 3 now known to exist in this combination.

Chevrolet manufactured 23,563 Corvettes in 1965. Of those, only 1,191 (5%) were painted black making it the lowest production hue that year. Under the hood, 5,011 (21%) cars got RPO L76 the 365hp 327ci mill. The 2nd rarest option in 1965 was RPO N03, the 36 gallon gas tank of which only 41 (0.17%) were made. Understandably, “big tank” cars as they’re referred to, have become highly prized by collectors.

In addition to the L76 and big tank, the car features a 3.70:1 rear end, 4-speed transmission, power windows, power brakes, tinted glass, telescopic steering column, off road exhaust and AM/FM radio.

This particular C2 was born on September 1st, 1964, was driven and raced for 10 years around Los Angeles, and then parked in 1974. Prior to its unearthing there were 2 other known black/black 1965 tankers known to exist. Now there are 3.

After its debut at Bloomington Gold last year the car was restored by super restorer Kevin Mackay and his crew at Corvette Repair, Inc. in Valley Stream, New York. Current owner, Doug Fortune, has campaigned the car heavily since the restoration and has claimed NCRS Top Flight, Bloomington Gold, and Triple Diamond accolades to date. That’s quite a feat considered the condition of the car just not much more than a year ago.

If you happen to have more information on this rare Corvette please contact owner Doug Fortune at 203-247-1004 or Kevin Mackay at 516-318-1486.

Meanwhile enjoy our gallery of the 3rd known 1965 365-hp black on black big tank coupe.

Related:
[PICS] The Corvette Legends Invitational at the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals
[PICS] The Corvettes of the 2015 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals
[GALLERY] Midyear Monday – Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals Edition