Original owner factory paint '65 Corvette refresh

[67since67]

Cousin Paul drove this regularly until about 1980, although being a farmer that was not daily. Somewhere in the 80's the line to the rear brakes rusted and he capped off the rear, driving it sparingly with front brakes only, and then rarely.

In 2007 I connected Paul with friend Brian, and Brian lifted the body off to do a driver restoration of the chassis. There was a predictable amount of frame rust at the rear which Brian repaired before powder coating the frame. Engine, trans, diff, trailing arms were rebuilt and brake calipers were sleeved. The body was cleaned and seat covers and carpet replaced. This was completed in 2008. I had limited input on this as I was working 60-80 hours a week at that point in time.

Paul and his wife enjoyed the car for several years, often seen at local cruise nights until health issues got in the way. - Bill W

[67since67]

Originally Posted by 60sStuff

Bill,

I love that Maroon Trim!

Looks like the headlights were open (no dust) when last parked.

I have subscribed to this thread.

Thanks, Chris.

Sharp eye Chris, yes the headlights were up. Since the motors were rebuilt in '08 they flip properly, and the rebuilt power antenna buzzes up and down also.

The repop seat covers don't do the interior justice, but the maroon is quite striking! We speculated how it would pop in a silver or white car.

[67since67]

Originally Posted by TimG

My good friend in Dallas ordered this 1965 on New Years Eve 1964, also. The cars are optioned nearly identical. Ken sold this car to me back in 2004 and I enjoyed it many years. I'm sure the dealers wanted to get these orders in by year end.

Interesting Tim, is that both cars were ordered on the same day, your friend's VIN is nearly 3,000 cars earlier.

I do remember that Paul's car was delayed because of availability of the Eaton posi unit, which he eventually allowed to be built without. Note that on the order form there was a $43.05 charge for 3.08 axle although not specifically saying posi, and on the invoice and w/s only charged $2.20 for 3.08 axle ratio.

BUT...your friend's did come through with posi!! Maybe one of the last built with posi before the supply ran out?

[TimG]

So many good stories about these cars and how they were ordered. I remember Ken's '65 arrived in March, two months early, but he was graduating from UM Rolla with an engineering degree, and he couldn't start making payments until May, so he asked the dealership to store it until he graduated. The bank told him to take the car and start making payments when he graduated. You're correct, Bill.

[67since67]

On Saturday after we unloaded the Corvette Brian wasted no time, giving it a wash and moving cars around to get it in his shop. He is taking point on this job, I will assist.
Monday he brought me the speedo and tach panel, the clock, and the AM/FM radio with speaker to send out.
Brian is a C3 guy with two LT-1's but he has a real soft spot for this C2 coupe!

On Tuesday I made contacts with vendors and packaged and shipped out the dash components.

The radio only had AM, It is off to Howard Foulds in NJ.
The speaker had holes, it is off to JV Restoration in CA.

Shout out to Tim S. for recommending Rick's Restoration in MD!

The speedo, tach and clock are going to Rick.
The speedo and tach had been done in '08, but was registering 10% slow and the odo and trip were in-op.
All three vendors promised about 2 week turn-around.

[napa68]

Originally Posted by 67since67

On Saturday after we unloaded the Corvette Brian wasted no time, giving it a wash and moving cars around to get it in his shop. He is taking point on this job, I will assist.
Monday he brought me the speedo and tach panel, the clock, and the AM/FM radio with speaker to send out.
Brian is a C3 guy with two LT-1's but he has a real soft spot for this C2 coupe!

On Tuesday I made contacts with vendors and packaged and shipped out the dash components.

The radio only had AM, It is off to Howard Foulds in NJ.
The speaker had holes, it is off to JV Restoration in CA.

Shout out to Tim S. for recommending Rick's Restoration in MD!

The speedo, tach and clock are going to Rick.
The speedo and tach had been done in '08, but was registering 10% slow and the odo and trip were in-op.
All three vendors promised about 2 week turn-around.

Glad to hear Rick could help you out. He's been a real asset to me

[67since67]

Originally Posted by TimG

So many good stories about these cars and how they were ordered. I remember Ken's '65 arrived in March, two months early, but he was graduating from UM Rolla with an engineering degree, and he couldn't start making payments until May, so he asked the dealership to store it until he graduated. The bank told him to take the car and start making payments when he graduated. You're correct, Bill.

Puzzling to me Tim, how two similar Corvettes, both ordered December 31st, built on the same assembly line, both delivered in March, could be 2,871 VIN's apart from each other?

Possibly, the VIN was not assigned until the posi availability issue was resolved??

But then, both delivered in March?? Would be interesting to determine the build dates.

[TimG]

The body build date was G10 or 2-10-65. Production date was probably a few days later. Here is the trim tag and POP info. It was picked up on March 11, 1965.

[Copo_Cartel]

Bill. You are the ultimate family member and car custodian. The hobby needs more gentlemen like you.

[olredalert]

----Bill,,,Post a picture of the carpet under the seats. If the cuts are correct, good. If not I can either e-mail you a pic of an original or I could send the carpet to you. I saved an original 65-6 front and have used it dozens of times in the past! The original cut is important for the seat frame to sit correctly!.....Bill S