1965 Chevrolet Corvette

1965 Corvette Sting Ray

 I am the third owner of this unique 1965 Corvette convertible.

One can find Corvette convertibles for sale at any given time. but few will have the provenance of this special Corvette. It is a well-known car by many influential Corvette enthusiasts in the NCRS world. It is a very original. unmolested Corvette with 51K miles. This Corvette has never been in an accident and remains straight as an arrow like the day it was made. It has been in Southern California its entire rust-free life.

 I have been the caretaker of this Corvette for 14 years. The prior owner. Chris Wickersham. owned the car for 30 years. so between the two of us. we account for the vast majority of the cars history. The seats are split and the carpet is worn. It's an original car and it runs and stops great. It also attracts a lot of “thumbs up” where ever it goes.

 The new owner will receive a 1 inch thick binder that includes everything about the car during my ownership. including all of the documents. emails etc. between me and the second owner before. during and after the purchase.

 Provenance:

·        Sold new by MK Smith Chevrolet in Ontario California to Robert Bruce Henderson of Newport Beach. CA (Balboa Island)

·        Second owner. Chris Wickersham acquired the car in 1973 from an auto broker. Al Fitzpatrick. who was flipping the car from Henderson.

·        I purchased the car from Chris in March 2003. Jim Gessner (aka “Vettefinder Jim”) acted as the broker. Jim is one of the most knowledgeable Corvette guys around and among the most knowledgeable Corvette historians alive today.

·        In 1980. the car carried Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley on and off the field in the Dodgers season opener.

·        In 1987. the car played a starring role in episode 13. Season Two (Chariots of Fire). of the late John Ritter's detective T. V. series called “Hooperman”. Original VHS tape. new DVD and 35mm still photos accompany the sale.

·        In 1996. the car served as a benchmark reference for the NCRS Bow Tie (originality) award.

·        In 2012. this Corvette served as a benchmark reference for AOS (AO Smith) car anomalies to update the NCRS 1965 Judging Manual.

Corvette Options (all factory installed options. no cloned options)

·        Rally red exterior. red vinyl interior

·        300 hp

·        4 speed wide ratio transmission

·        Power steering

·        Power brakes

·        Hard top (red and excellent) and soft top (white and not so excellent)

·        AM/FM + power antenna

·        Comfort and convenience group

·        Full window tint

·        Positraction rear end 3:08 ratio. (2400 rpm at 70 mph!)

·        White wall tires

 This Corvette is an exceptional example of an original. unmolested car. The engine. transmission and rear end are the factory originals that were installed in the car when it was made.  It is a low mileage car as documented by me and the second owner. It is a California. no-hit car with its original DMV issued black & gold license plates that show 40 years worth of registration stickers (1/4 inch thick). The car has a few “extra” small holes in it where the first owner installed a second antenna for a CB radio above the right rear fender. a key slot for an alarm that was located next to the rear license plate and an alarm horn that was mounted inside the engine compartment on the left inner fender. None of these holes have been patched because they are part of the Corvette's history. One lacquer repaint done under factory warranty due to blotchy rally red paint from the factory. according to previous owner.   Paint is in presentable condition. but full of nick. chips and scratches. The second owner touched up some of these paint blemishes but the color of the paint didn't match perfectly and it shows in a few spots including a patch over the left front wheel. front nose and a small patch over the right front fender. None of these blems are related to fiberglass damage.

 All window glass and hard top plastic rear window are original. The spare tire is the original Firestone Deluxe Champion. The head light motors work like brand new. Still has all its original T3 head lights. The frame is perfect and California clean. I show a few pics of the frame. One includes the rear frame brace where the seat belt anchor is. I wiped all the dirt off with a damp rag. This area is the place to check for rust. The key hole slot is perfect and uniform thickness. You can still read the Circle -10 in the middle of the brace as well. This is representative of the entire under carriage. Another photo shows the Corvettes vin stamped into the rear kick up of the frame. Rarely are the vin numbers so legible. The list goes on and on.

 She still retains all of her original factory finishes. including original grease pencil/shim markings. which are clearly present. tape around body mounts. shock label glue marks. original front spring labels in place. and orange and yellow paint daubs on various components.   All original jack compartment components are present. Original. dated Carter carb.   Original fuel pump has been rebuilt. Original water pump has been rebuilt.   Original fan clutch has been rebuilt.  Original washer pump (for wiper motor) has been rebuilt.

 Everything on the car works as it should. with the exception of the last section of the power antenna mast (section with the tip). which does not fully retract. a very common problem with old. original power antenna masts.   All other sections of antenna work properly.  

 I have owned many 1965 Corvettes over the years and I can honestly say this is one of the nicest driving and smoothest Corvettes I have owned. The power steering and power brakes make driving effortless.

 The Corvette earned a Top Flight award at the April 2005 NCRS Regional event in Berkeley. CA. where it scored 96%. That was the one and only time it has been judged. As a Regional Top Flight car. you can be assured that the best and most experienced NCRS judges in the Country examined it. You can also expect all the little details are in place like keys and glove box items.

 If you need more information or photos. please do not hesitate to contact me. Bring your most discriminating and experienced NCRS judge to view this special Corvette.

 Thanks for looking.

Mark

858 775 0359

Also published at eBay.com

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