Corvettes for Sale: 1965 Corvette Convertible on Bring a Trailer

After staying with the same owner for 38 years, this 1965 Corvette Sting Ray convertible is back on the market again less than a year after being acquired on Bring a Trailer last December.

With five days left in the new Bring a Trailer auction, the high bid has hit $20,000.

We think this beautiful metallic green Corvette looks great with its contrasting white vinyl top and black vinyl interior, along with the very sharp aftermarket 15-inch Cragar S/S wheels that we prefer over the factory look. But not so great that a new owner wouldn’t be afraid of climbing behind the wheel to put some miles – and smiles – on it.

As one person commented on the BaT site: “I’m one of those guys with a nearly perfect, shiny one that I rarely drive. When I see one like this I say, that is the one to have. Unlike many antique automobiles that look cool, are worth a lot of money and are awarded ribbon after trophy, a C2 Corvette in good shape is an absolute hoot to drive. They need not be pretty or dressed to NCRS standards. They need only be safe and in good tune. If this is both, it’s as much fun as an adult can have with clothes on.”

Some enthusiasts may be leery of the minor wear and tear visible in the paint and the interior, and the fact that the original engine no longer sits under the replacement stinger-style hood. Instead, that powerplant has been replaced with a 327 V8 outfitted with a chrome air cleaner, Moroso valve covers, replacement wiring harness, and long-tube exhaust headers.

The good news is that it’s connected to a four-speed manual transmission that was rebuilt in May by Cumming Performance Transmissions in Georgia. A new fuel tank was installed last month, too. The seller also has repaired the motors for the flip-up headlights and power antenna, had part of the car repainted after repairs to the right rear-quarter panel, and also replaced the door panels and floor mats.

The car also includes a matching green hardtop, though the bolts are missing to attach it to the body. Other minor items that might need to be addressed by a new owner are re-connecting the heater core and repairing the analog clock in the center stack. Also, though disc brakes were standard on the Corvette for the first time in ’65, this car actually has the old-style drum brakes (that were available as a $64.50 credit while supplies lasted).

Another area of concern for some might be the Connecticut-assigned identification number that was issued in November 1984, but the current owner has an explanation for that “to ensure full transparency for all potential bidders,” commenting:

“In 1984, it was discovered that the ID tag, which should have been located under the glove box door, was missing. This was identified during an inspection by the Connecticut DMV, which initially posed a challenge for registration. However, with the help of the CT State Police, the correct VIN was confirmed through a stamp on the frame, and the car was legally registered in Connecticut. The reason for the missing ID tag is unknown, and there was no further information uncovered about its whereabouts.

Source:
Bring a Trailer

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