If you’ve ever wanted a mid year Corvette with a backstage pass baked into its history, here’s your shot. A Silver Pearl 1965 Corvette convertible—ordered new with both soft top delete and radio delete—is now listed on Craigslist for $66,900, and its last caretaker wasn’t just any enthusiast. This Sting Ray spent the past 30 years in the hands of Jason Newsted, former bassist for Metallica during the band’s most seismic era.
The listing doesn’t promise front row seats at the next show, but the bragging rights alone might be worth the price of admission.
The car itself is a standout. Finished in Silver Pearl over Silver, it carries its numbers matching 327/250 horsepower V8 and automatic transmission with the kind of understated elegance that made the mid years icons. It’s equipped with power steering, an auxiliary hardtop, and one of the most striking interiors you’ll find in a C2—a shimmering silver cockpit that feels more art deco lounge than muscle car.
But what this Corvette doesn’t have is just as interesting. The original buyer ordered it without a soft top and without a radio, creating a minimalist spec that’s rare even among mid years. Whoever checked those boxes clearly wanted a Corvette focused on driving, not creature comforts. And Newsted—who spent decades touring the world playing some of the loudest music ever recorded—apparently preferred listening to the sounds of the small-block V8.
The seller, JLD Auto Group in Stuart, Florida, calls the car “exceptional,” noting its originality, matching drivetrain, and rare factory deletes. They also highlight the smooth, effortless character that made the mid years legends—even if this one was ordered without the amenities most buyers wanted in 1965.
Celebrity ownership doesn’t automatically turn a Corvette into a blue chip collectible, but in this case, it adds a layer of cultural history that’s hard to duplicate. Newsted joined Metallica in 1986 and played through the band’s defining run—from …And Justice for All to S&M. Owning a car he kept for three decades—longer than many rock careers—gives this Sting Ray a story that stretches far beyond its build sheet.
And that build sheet is strong:
• Numbers matching engine
• Correct Silver Pearl/Silver combination
• Soft top delete
• Radio delete
• Auxiliary hardtop
• Power steering
• Documented ownership history
• Signed sun visor
It’s a clean, understated Corvette that stands out precisely because it isn’t trying to. Whether the next owner is a Corvette purist, a Metallica fan, or someone who simply appreciates a beautifully preserved C2 with a twist, this ’65 offers something rare: a mid year Corvette with a soundtrack woven into its past.
Just don’t expect the radio to play it.
Source:
jldauto.net via Craigslist.org
Related:
Corvettes for Sale: Real or Tribute? A-Team 1984 Corvette Offered on eBay
Corvettes for Sale: World Series Champ’s 1966 Corvette Offered on Hagerty Marketplace
Corvettes for Sale: Ex-Burt Bacharach 1966 Corvette with 427/6-Speed on BaT
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Very interesting spec — I do not ever recall seeing radio delete on a base engine and Powerglide-equipped C2!
How does a rock star buy a radio delete Corbin?
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