Looking for mid-year Vette coupe driver
 

Hello folks,
It’s been a rough year, and I’ve been absent from the site for a while… but I’ve reached that light at the end of the tunnel and I’m going to buy myself that mid-year Vette I’ve wanted for quite some time. I’m looking for a decent coupe in driver condition. Almost any color will do, but I prefer a 4-speed and I don’t want a convertible.

Given that I’m going to put some miles on this car, I’m not too fussed about whether it has documentation or whether it’s matching numbers, as long as it has a straight body and solid frame, looks period correct and is priced fair. As many of you know… I don’t mind some patina. In fact, as I go grey, I think it kinda suits me.

Having said all that, if another black fuelie with gorgeous patina were to show up right now, I don’t think I could resist… so I won’t rule out buying somewhat of a survivor with a pedigree. I might be open to trading one of my cars for the right Corvette.

I’m looking for a keeper that I will thoroughly enjoy. I don’t know much about Corvettes, so any help finding the right car would really be appreciated. I’m also open to any advice on what I should lookout for.

Thanks everyone!

I hope all is okay with you, Helmut!

Thanks Bruce, things are all good. I pray that all is well with you and your family too!

Hi Helmut, yes, good for us as well...:beers:

Helmut, I've had the same goal, 1965, 1966, or 1967 Corvette small block coupe. They have all gone into hiding. I ended up with a very nice 1970 coupe because I just couldn't find a midyear version. If you do, they're gone in a heartbeat and at astronomical prices. If I hear of anything, I'll let you know.

If I come across any, I will PM you. I passed on a lot of decent off-market deals on 65-67s the last 6-8 months because I've been singularly interested in 63 coupes. I was lucky to score two 63s (one 300 car, one fuel car, both original engine and tags), but I'm still seeing some cars come my way so I will pass them on.

I really appreciate your help. Thanks

Still looking… anyone happen to know this car?

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/275384053297...mis&media=COPY

Anyone in the North Palm Beach, Florida area?

Already gone, did you buy it Helmut?

Working on it ;-]

Good luck, keep us posted. Coupes, especially 1967 small blocks, are just not available.

I was hoping this faded Nassau blue coupe would serve me well, but upon further inspection the deal fell through.

Thanks to everyone that has steered me in the right direction in my search so far.

Came here to post this. Looks like I'm late.

327. Listed 8 hours ago.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...5-3ddb91eb09e2

Nice car! Thanks for keeping me in mind.

----I'm seeing this less and less, but here's another examle of a guage cluster with all the glass guage faces installed backwards. They should be concave not convex. A pain in the butt to fix but makes me wonder about other stuff as this is a rooky mistake!.....Bill S

I’m still learning about second generation Corvettes and looking for the right Coupe to put some miles on. This blue ‘65 is touted as “possibly” being an original fuelie because it apparently has a 6,500 tach and 80 PSI oil gage and still has a correct original fuel injection unit. Unfortunately the 327 is long gone and replaced by a SB 400. It checks a lot of boxes as a driver, but I’m not in any particular hurry as winter is around the corner. Any observations would be appreciated.

https://grandrapids.craigslist.org/c...531827863.html

Ad says 365 HP when new which would be the solid lifter carb'd version.

Lots of interesting stuff going on under the hood there.....

Run Helmut........run

65 coupe
 

TimG I have a 65 coupe fuelie on my site! Gotmusclecars.com

I appreciate this seller’s detailed writeup stating the known history on the car and exactly what has been done to it. Is it common to sleeve all eight cylinders? The car sounds great in the videos, but I’ve been told that sidepipes get old if you intend to drive the car?

https://albuquerque.craigslist.org/c...543044654.html

Ok, it might be my attention deficit disorder or the incredible lines and stance of Neal Armstrong’s Corvette in this video, but watching this makes me want to look for an unrestored ‘67 427 coupe. Who doesn’t want a car like that! Love the patina on this car!!

https://youtu.be/J2MzztK8Qcs

----Helmut,,, Depends on what you are looking for on this one, The 66 coupe. I wouldn't especially like 8 sleeved cylinders either, but it could keep going for another 50,000 miles. Who knows! It's not stock but it's not visually modified and the 5-speed is intriguing. Be nice to have eyes on it!.....Bill S

Yes, I’m intrigued.

What I’m looking for is wide open. If I could snap my fingers, it would ideally be an unrestored coupe that’s just a little too rough around the edges to qualify as a survivor, yet a little too nice to restore. I’m a sucker for a car that looks all correct and original with patina. Given that it’ll be a driver and to somewhat keep the cost down, I’m not fussed about numbers and I’ll be happy with an old faded repaint.

Wondering if I could get someone’s wisdom and thoughts on this listing that has caught my eye, before I ask the seller for more information. If that’s truly the original interior, and if it’s really an accident and rust-free CA car… it might just be a real gem!

Seems I have something for black cars, or perhaps they just seem to find me?

----Helmut,,,Appears nice and appears to be a 365 hp, but I notice power steering and that couldn't be ordered with the 365hp engine option because of the bigger oil pan,,. Wish I could blow up the pics. The seat back covers are the 63 style. I have no idea why. The KO's are repros and while those radials probably ride nice they really stick out to me.....Bill S

The seller has no docs, and the motor is not the original. The block cast date is after the car’s build date and apparently no stamp on the pad. If the car was originally a 365hp, he has no explanation as to how the PS was added. I’ve attached additional pics.

I like the car as a driver, but how drivable is a 365hp? Seller says the car is a good dependable driver, doesn’t overheat… blah, blah, blah. I’d have to see for myself, but I’d appreciate your views. Thanks

After further investigation, I don’t believe this car has the 6 quart pan that a 365hp Corvette should have, which explains the PS. Either the PS or the 365hp is not original. I’ve posted a a photo of a 5 quart pan next to a 6 quart and a photo of the pan on the car.

I should add that I’m not fussed about whether the car is an original 365hp car, only whether it’s a good car for the money. Here is a link to the original Ad for the car, which I meant to post in my original note.

https://ventura.craigslist.org/cto/d...545472744.html

----Helmut,,,Of all the solid lifter cars GM ever built the 327/365 is probably the best. Other than an occasional lifter adjustment there's not much to do, and the combination with a 3.70 rear is a barrel of fun right to the redline. By the way, if the car wasn't a 365hp it wouldn't have the high redline tach, although some one could have changed it out!.....Bill S

Appreciate your comments and insight Bill.

Here are some better photos in a previous listing by a dealer. Black paint is VERY difficult to assess in photos, especially gaps and alignment, and the paint quality seems poor in the real closeup photos of the fender emblem, etc. Again, paint quality is not a really big deal to me, as long as the price reflects the car’s condition.

https://www.grautogallery.com/vehicl...rolet-corvette

It all boils down to whether this is a good car for the money, and whether it’s the right car for me… vs what’s behind door number two ;-]

----I agree. Lot of orange peel!.....Bill S

Probably get this one for a good price. The history of the car is "fishy" though :grin: