This 1965 Chevrolet Corvette convertible was delivered new to Stadium Chevrolet in Pontiac, Michigan, in April 1965, and underwent a body-off refurbishment in 1998 that involved a repaint in the factory Milano Maroon and an interior re-trim in black leather. A black convertible top is fitted along with a big-block hood, a side-exit exhaust system, 15″ knock-off wheels, a teak-rimmed steering wheel, an analog clock, an AM/FM radio, and a heater. Power is supplied by a 327ci L76 V8 fitted with a single four-barrel carburetor, while shifting is through a four-speed manual transmission linked with a Positraction differential. The car was acquired by the seller in 2003, and subsequent work is noted to have involved replacing the clutch assembly and flywheel, re-sleeving the brake calipers, and refurbishing the power steering box, rear suspension, and differential. This C2 is now offered in Westport, Connecticut, with an NCRS Shipping Data report, an owner’s manual, copies of prior titles back to 1981, documentation of the 1998 refurbishment, accessories, spare parts, and duplicate Connecticut registration in the seller’s name.
The fiberglass body left the factory finished in Milano Maroon (MM) and was stripped and repainted as part of the aforementioned body-off refurbishment completed in 1998. A 1965-vintage big-block hood and a side-exit exhaust system were also added prior to the seller’s acquisition, and additional details include a black convertible soft top, a driver-side mirror, a power-retractable antenna, flip-up headlights, fender vents, and split chrome bumpers. The seller notes a tear in the soft top.
The 15″ cast aluminum wheels feature knock-off hubs with safety pins and are mounted with 215/70 Firestone 500 goldline tires produced by Diamondback. The C2 was the first Corvette to offer four-wheel fully independent suspension, with upper and lower control arms at the front and a three-link setup with a transverse leaf spring at the rear. This example is equipped with power steering, and braking is handled by four-wheel discs. The calipers were re-sleeved in 2013, and the power steering box was rebuilt in 2022. The wheels are mounted with knock-off adapter hubs using the factory five-lug bolt pattern.
The cabin features two bucket seats that have been upholstered in black leather accompanied by replacement door panels and carpets. Amenities include an analog clock, a heater, and lap belts. The seller notes that the Delco AM/FM radio works intermittently.
The teak-rimmed steering wheel frames a tachometer with a 6,500-rpm redline along with a 160-mph speedometer and auxiliary gauges for fuel level, amperage, oil pressure, and coolant temperature. The cluster has been cosmetically refurbished, and the five-digit odometer shows 60k miles, approximately 6k of which have been added under current ownership.
The 327ci L76 V8 was equipped from the factory with a single four-barrel 600cfm carburetor, an aluminum dual-plane intake manifold, and “double hump” cylinder heads for a factory rating of 365 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. A reproduction stacked-plate aluminum radiator from DeWitts has been added.
The engine stamping is shown above. The HH suffix corresponds with a 365-horsepower, 327ci V8 for use with a manual transmission.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission and a Positraction differential, the latter of which was rebuilt with 3.73:1 gearing in 2018. Additional work performed under current ownership has involved replacing the flywheel and clutch assembly.
Decoding the trim tag reveals the following information:
- Style 467 – 1965 Corvette convertible
- Body A 4591 – A.O. Smith body number
- Trim STD – Black vinyl upholstery
- Paint MM – Milano Maroon
The NCRS Shipping Data report shows that the car was produced on April 6, 1965, and initially delivered to Stadium Chevrolet in Pontiac, Michigan.
A set of reproduction factory-style steel wheels is included in the sale along with shop and informational manuals, a spreadsheet of components, part numbers, and date codes, and photos taken at various stages of the refurbishment process.
The car does not have a title, as it is registered in a state that does not issue titles for a vehicle of its age. It is being sold on its duplicate Connecticut registration, which lists “antique” under the registered usage section.