VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1965 Corvette Coupe 396/425hp. Matching Numbers car with 36. 50 actual miles. a 4-speed Manual transmission in correct paint code Milano Maroon. correct interior trim of Black Leather with original glass all-around. This is a very rare Corvette. being the first year of the Big Block Corvettes. Only 2157 Big Block Corvettes were produced for the 1965 production year. with most of those being installed in convertible models. This Corvette. is 1 of 748 that were ever produced by Chevrolet with this package and installed in the 2-door Coupes. I purchased this Corvette in May of 2008 as a solid driver. Prior to purchasing. I learned how rare this Corvette was and right after it's delivery. sold my totally restored 1965 Corvette Coupe 327. never to look back or regret the decision to purchase this beauty! Factory Options: The factory options that were included off the showroom floor in 1965: Turbo-Jet 396/425hp Motor - Four-Speed Manual Transmission. Big Block Hood - Factory Side Exhaust - Milano Maroon Paint (paint code 900MM)- Black Leather Seats & Interior (trim code 402AA) - Power Windows - Telescopic Steering Column- Teak Steering Wheel - Power Antenna. Engine: A 1965 396/425hp Matching Numbers motor. Heads are casting number “858” heads from a 1969. These are rectangular Big Port Heads. just like the “208” heads that came on this car originally. Engine No. Right Front: T0602IF – 5114285 Engine No. Left Rear: 3855962 Engine Block is correct “962” block for the Corvette 396/425hp cars Engine Block Stamp “IF” is correct match with VIN No. for this Corvette Attributes: Other attributes associated with this 1965 Corvette Big Block: 6500 RPM Tachometer – 80lb Oil Pressure Gauge – Large Half Shafts with Bolt and End Caps – Rear Sway Bar – Battery on Driver's Side – Hood Support Bracket on Passenger Side. Although I do not have a picture. this Corvette has the correct Rear End Code “AT” for a Big Block Corvette with a 3. 08 Posi-Traction Unit and 4-Speed Manual Transmission. Transmission Case: 3851325 Transmission Tail Shaft: 3857584GM RESTORATION EFFORTS from 2008 to 2014: Since purchasing this 1965 Corvette Coupe 396/425hp a few years ago. much work has been performed. The result is a car that gets looks and stares where ever I go. Truly. I cannot drive down any street without high-fives. thumbs-up and waves directed my way! When parked at a shopping mall. its normal to have 3-5 persons checking her over and looking in the windows. Myself. not ever being a car-guy before. have thoroughly enjoyed the attention and respect this Corvette Big Block gets; never seen anything like it! The following are highlights the work performed: Painting: By mid-summer of 2008. a highly skilled fiberglass professional took to task the job of rendering this Corvette Big Block back to her original fiberglas shell. Originally. I was quoted it would take 3-4 weeks to complete. However. the job was far greater than originally thought. having to replace all the metal-infused parts/pieces that were used (door gutters. door jam area. etc). dig the original weatherstripping out of the window channels. etc. Any original emblems and parts that were in good enough shape to be reused were saved. All else were replaced with new OEM parts. Nothing was spared in the replacement effort. nothing! Once the disassembly and painting prep was complete. the process of building the primer and OEM paint (code 900MM) coats were executed to perfection. The final and finished product. as I have been told by many experts in the field. was a masterpiece! I have had more complements on the paint job this 1965 Corvette Big Block than one could believe! Engine Refreshening: Between the years of 2011-2013. research was done on what the best options were to refreshen the 1965 Corvette Big Block engine; a decision to address and replace the following was made: New Piston Rings – Lifters – Camshaft – Timing Chain – Rear Main Seal – Pushrods – Fuel Pump – Water Pump – Cam Bearings – Rocker Arms – Carburetor Kit – all Gaskets – Hoses – Radiator Support . Undercarriage & Various Components: While the engine was being refreshened. work was underway to address the undercarriage and engine compartment. I have tons of pictures on my laptop of the finished undercarriage work. that I am more than happy to share if you send me a message regarding. The following was completed: New Front Sway Bar End Links - Sway Bar Bracket – Upper Control Arm Bushing – Lower Control Arm Bushing - Front Shocks – Trailing Arm Bolts – Spring Bolt Kit – Differential Mount Kit – Rear Camber Bolt Kit – Strut Rod Bushings – Rear Shocks – Rear Sway Back Bushing Kit – Rear Sway Bar End Link – Rear Sway Bar Mount Bushings – Rear Strut Rod – U-Joints - Front and Rear Brake Calipers – Front and Rear Brake Pads – Front and Rear Wheel Seals – Battery Hold Down – Battery – Battery J-Bolts – Positive Battery Cable - Steel Brake Line. Interior Refreshening: By late-summer 2014. the 1965 Corvette Big Block was taken to a reputable Arizona upholstery/interior shop to start work on the refreshing the interior. The following is what was addressed or replaced with new: New Black Leather Seats – Seat Foam - Interior carpeting - Repainting of Dash and Center Console – Leather Center Console – Shift Boot – Floor Mats. Miscellaneous Notes & Facts: As 2014 came to a close. I can reflect back on a great experience owning this 1965 Corvette 396/425hp. Being able to bring her back to near-showroom condition during my ownership. has been both enlightening and rewarding. The slight mentioning that I own one. always takes any conversation with friends and acquaintances an interesting direction. I have loved it! This car deserves an owner willing to spend the time and a few dollars left to complete the restoration project. I estimate about $12K will bring her into authentic. original condition. As you can see in the pictures. I left the American Racing Mag Wheels on my 1965 Corvette 396/425hp. I like the look of these far better than the OEM “fan-type” and recall many of the older kids on my block growing up immediately changing out OEM wheels for the "tougher looking mag-type wheels. " Prior owner replaced the original carburetor and intake manifold with non-OEM type for performance reasons. I have left “as is” because the car runs fantastic with current setup. When this car fires up and rolls down the road. heads turn and she gets noticed! I have enjoyed the rumble-and-roll exhaust note!. The original distributor was also replaced by prior owner for performance reasons. so the tachometer does not work properly. I do have the original one. just never installed. I will list a few other minor items left to address: Turn Signal Lever (loose) – Spark Plug Wire Routing – Side Mirror (adjustment loose) – Seat Belt Buckles (could not find same OEM available) – Radio (non-OEM) YouTube Video of this Corvette is available if you request. Included in the sale: Certified Corvette Appraisal completed on the car. January 2015 (comps. pictures. etc) Build-Sheet Workbook with all receipts. former titles. pictures before and after painting. nbsp;deconstruction work. factoids Car cover Numerous Corvette books. manuals. and historic memorabilia Spare original parts. componentsNOTE: this car is also for sale locally and I must reserve the right to end auction early. Thank you for looking!