Body Off Restored Corvette Sting Ray Coupe 396 ci 425 HP V8 M21 4 Speed

SUMMARY

Straight off the showroom floor Corvettes are special cars. That's because Team Corvette has always been really good at nailing ALL the fundamentals of creating excellent performance. And that basic competence translates even to the world of classics, here all kinds of enthusiasts aspire to four generations of 2-door, ig horsepower goodness like moths to a flame. The hottest part of that flame is Chevy's hallowed C2, nd this 1965 Sting Ray, n many ways, epresents the very best of the C2 market. If you're shopping for an enjoyable collector car that's poised to appreciate in value, ere's the perfect purchase!

BODYWORK/TRIM

Bolted together at GM's storied St. Louis manufacturing facility in April of 1965, his slick C2 is the kind of classic that you can look at and virtually sense top-notch caretaking. In late 2006, he car was completely restored to better-than-factory standards by a very passionate enthusiast. That body-off reboot began with solid, riginal fiberglass being lovingly sanded and gratuitously sprayed in correct GM Goldwood Yellow 2-stage. When that pigment dried, he car's doors and lids were carefully adjusted to ensure excellent fit and finish. And vibrant factory trim was applied to ardently accentuate Bill Mitchell's razor-sharp style lines.

ENGINE

During its detailed restoration, his coupe was gifted a correct Chevrolet big block. But then, few years later, ne of the car's owners wanted to get a little more serious about authenticity. So, e sourced a date-correct 396 that was cast around the same time this classic was assembled and outfitted the big mill with many authentic components. Top dead center, painted and decaled air cleaner joins bright stainless fluid lines and an AC cylinder filter in feeding a correct Holley carburetor. Under that carb, correct Winters intake rides on a spotless Chevy Orange block, hat, ith the help of a hydraulic roller cam and factory-spec rotating assembly, reates pump-friendly 10 to 1 compression. At the sides of that block, orrect exhaust manifolds and correct heads, itted with high quality roller rockers, omplement stamped and painted valve covers. At the back of those covers, hrome-capped ignition makes good use of sleeved plug wires. Cooling is provided by a stamped and decaled radiator, hich routes fluid past a correct alternator via reproduction GM hoses and a correct array of clamps. And details like a rebuilt brake booster, reproduction Delco battery and a familiar Harrison expansion tank round out a freshly detailed engine bay.

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

Speaking of "freshly detailed", lip this big block Vette upside down and you'll find a freshly detailed chassis that's super clean, nd today, ooks much nicer than it did when it rolled out of the factory. At the center of that chassis, n original Muncie M21 4-speed hangs a Muncie (P) assembled on March (03) 22nd (22) 1965 build stamp between a correct 3851325 casting number and matching partial VIN. When engaged, hat transmission utilizes a posi-traction differential and stout, .55 gears to deliver the neck snapping launches and potent acceleration Duntov Corvettes are famous for. At the ends of the car, fully restored double A-arm front and independent rear suspension is completely detailed, rom its heavy-duty, ig block-exclusive sway bar all the way to its transverse rear spring. At the corners of the car, ower-assisted disc brakes mix excellent handling with quick stops. Above those mechanicals, lean and solid floor tubs are bolted to a straight, atin Black frame. Exhaust rumbles through ceramic-coated drops to shielded, hambered and polished side pipes. Power meets the ground through familiar Chevy turbines, hich spin a fresh set of 205/75R15 BF Goodrich Silvertown Radial goldlines around polished, atriotic spinners. And everything, rom this Corvette's leak-free fuel tank to its Chevy Orange oil pan, s fully sorted and ready to roll.

INTERIOR

Swivel this Sting Ray's lightweight doors and, aturally, ou'll find a correct Black cockpit. The car's cushy and pliable seats have attended just enough show parades to keep both their comfort and composure. Its like-new carpet, rotected by color-keyed mats, till features fade-free shading. At the front of that carpet, tylish, ircraft-inspired telemetry, hich includes a big block-exclusive, 500 RPM tach, oins brushed metal accents to decorate Chevy's familiar dual-cowl dash. In the middle of that dash, waterfall center stack hangs a continuous motion clock and correct Delco AM/FM radio above a chrome, ully functional shifter. Opposite that waterfall, lack, tainless-trimmed panels anchor chrome door and window hardware above perfectly placed armrests. In front of the driver, classy wood steering wheel spins satin-finished spokes around a pristine cross-flag horn button. And behind the passengers, fully carpeted storage compartment displays virtually no signs of use.

HISTORICAL INFORMATION

A simple breakdown of this Chevy's VIN and trim tag verifies the authenticity of its current restoration:

VIN: 194375SXXXXXX

1 Chevrolet Motor Division9 - Corvette4 - V837 - Coupe5 - 1965 model yearS - Assembled at GM's St. Louis manufacturing facilityXXXXXX - Production Sequence Number

TRIM TAG:

Quite honestly, t doesn't get much better than this carefully restored Corvette. It's a highly polished, ighly correct C2 that can be driven and enjoyed without the stress of a 'ropes and red carpet' original. And best of all, ith its timeless aesthetics and highly desirable 396/4-speed drivetrain, he car is poised to increase in value. If you've been searching for a fully sorted classic that looks, nd more importantly, eels right, on't miss the opportunity to claim this stunning '65 Sting Ray!