Fantasy Junction

Description

1965 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster (auction ends Thursday May 9th)

VIN – 194675S123104
Exterior Color – Maroon
Interior Color – White Leather
Engine – 327 cu. in. 365 hp V8
Engine No. – 5123104 F0728HH
Transmission – 5-Speed Manual (4-speed manual included)
Current Miles – 67,210 miles (TMU)

VIN Decode

1 – Chevrolet
9 – Corvette
4 – V8 Engine
67 – Convertible
5 – 1965 Year
S – St. Louis assembly plant
123104 – Build number

Trim Tag Decode

L26 – July 26 build
65 – Year built
467 - Convertible
437BA – Black and White interior
900MM – Milano Maroon paint

One of 2,851 produced in Milano Maroon with black/white interior

Engine Decode

5 – 1965 Year of Manufacture
123104 – Six Digit VIN Sequence Number
F – Flint, Michigan Factory
0728 – July 28 Manufacture
HH – Suffix Code for 365 hp Engine (solid lifter with aluminum intake)

General Overview

After more than 70 years of development, the Corvette remains among the most sought-after sports cars in the collector hobby. For 1965, the most notable update to the C2 series Corvette was the move to four-wheel disc brakes. Already benefiting from independent rear suspension in the model change, the new disc brake cars were now formidable sports cars with a range of potent engine combinations including the desirable 365 hp engine option.

History and Build Details of This Car

Superb restorations are found all over the world and often feature exact details, accurate finishes, and certificates lauding perfection. And while cars with pristine restorations are exciting to enjoy, thoughtfully enhanced cars retaining vintage charm with modern updates are becoming highly sought-after by enthusiasts who enjoy driving their cars and participating in local shows. This example captures all the vintage details, accuracy, and finishes of the original 1965 Corvette with welcome upgrades in a correct 365 hp car with the matching engine.

The subject of a comprehensive restoration, this 1965 Corvette roadster was restored by Top Flight Automotive, Reedsville, PA and completed in 2020. During the restoration, the owner intended to prepare the car with more modifications to the interior and engine compartment but found it to be too nice an original car. The owner and restoration team elected to proceed with modest updates to enhance the driving experience while retaining a historically faithful appearance with modern driving enhancements and correct factory finishes whenever possible. Enhancements to the car include:

Modern air-conditioning
Tremec 5-Speed transmission (original gearbox included)
VBP 330 composite mono-leaf rear suspension
Leather seats

During the restoration, numerous correct parts were sourced from top Corvette suppliers including authentic interior components to match with a fresh set of leather seat covers, new foam, seat pivot spacers, and seat adjust handle to name just a few of the carefully sourced parts. Both the interior and exterior colors are correct per the original build per the trim tag. Receipts on file include details such as a new glove box lock, spare tire lock dust cover, a correct air cleaner base, notch shaft parking brake handle, and correct hardware.

Shortly after completion, the car was sold to the current owner, a Northern California resident. Fitted with modern air conditioning, power steering, and a modern Tremec 5-speed transmission, the car arrived in California where it saw minimal use during the past two years. In 2022, services were performed on the car by Orinda Classic Car Center, Orinda, CA totaling over $8,500.00. Work including installing a new 670 CFM street avenger carburetor, carburetor heat shield, a new dual feed tube, new linkage and return hardware. A new internally regulated 100 amp alternator was installed, oil and filter changed, new exhaust manifold gaskets and studs fitted, manual transmission oil drained and filled, brake fluid flushed, coolant drained and fresh coolant filled. A new set of BF Goodrich Silvertown Radial/Goldline 205/75R15 tires were also installed.

Condition Overview

Today this Corvette roadster presents in excellent condition offering a beautiful stock appearance with tasteful upgrades to a professionally restored car. The Milano Maroon paint is glossy and properly prepared with excellent coverage throughout the body and very nice workmanship on inner strike surfaces and underside panels. The hood, doors, and trunk show very good panel gaps and proper fitting to the body, opening and closing with ease. The doors offer tight latching even when lightly closed. The exterior chrome and various trim, emblems, and badges are in excellent condition. The glass, lenses, and lighting have very nice factory finishes overall with newer rubber and gasket material freshened or replaced when the car was restored under prior ownership. The windshield has been replaced with the correct XYG with blue tint band. The vent window rubber, more difficult to replace, appears to also have been replaced during restoration. The carefully performed restoration offers a fresh and cohesive appearance including a beautiful grille, surrounding lighting, and smooth operating hidden headlights. The cast wheels and center caps (concealing five lug mounting) are in excellent condition with polished rim surfaces and spokes, showing no significant scratches or marks. A pair of side exit exhaust completes the performance presentation on this beautiful roadster. Newly fitted BF Goodrich tires are in excellent condition.

The interior has been very nicely restored using correct components, proper materials, and attention to detail throughout while maintaining an essentially original appearance with just a few appropriate upgrades modernizing the driving experience. The seats have been reupholstered in leather, a welcome upgrade from the factory white and black vinyl installed when new. The instrument panel is in excellent condition as are the center console, radio, and beautifully finished steering wheel. The clock has been upgraded with a quartz movement and functions properly. The correct low pile black carpeting, interior door panels, convertible top and nicely detailed interior trim all come together offering a stock appearance to the sporty cockpit. All chrome interior features are in very good condition including the detailed knobs, switches, and “Corvette” script on the dashboard. The center console retains a stock shifter which discretely hides a modern Tremec 5-speed manual transmission. Air conditioning has been added to the car which is a welcome summertime feature even with the convertible top down.

Under the hood, the 365hp matching numbers engine with correct broach marks on the stamping pad has been tended to with attention to detail favoring a combination of original finishes and important upgrades. The painted finishes under the hood have been correctly applied giving the car an original appearance with the added plus of modern air conditioning. The finish overall is very crisp, detailed, and tastefully done. The underside reveals a properly restored chassis with correct suspension components, new fuel and brake lines, and appropriate components. A new composite mono-leaf rear suspension spring has been installed. There is no visual evidence of structural compromise to the chassis or suspension mounting points.

The car starts easily and runs smoothly, delivering a potent V8 sound that captures the heart of any performance enthusiast. The 5-speed manual transmission shifts smoothly and offers stout acceleration and is perfectly matched to the higher horsepower engine. Steering is excellent as are the important four-wheel disc brakes, first fitted to the Corvette in this inaugural year. Handling is vastly improved with the addition of the modern VBP composite mono-leaf rear suspension.

This handsomely restored Corvette is ready for enjoyable driving and showing, delivering all the power and excitement of performance motoring from the proud and potent American performance era.

Items Included with the Car

This Corvette roadster is offered with the original unrestored 4-speed manual transmission, a car cover, sales literature, a knock off hammer, battery tender, two spare vented fuel caps, copies of selected receipts while under current ownership, and previous selected receipts from prior ownership.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

Inquire About This Car

Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608