Frame Off Restored Corvette Sting Ray Roadster 327 FI

No matter what or why you collect, there's no denying the blue chip appeal of mid-year Corvettes. And while classic Corvette culture may have started with big block cars, their small block siblings are beginning to command serious respect. Fact is: there's really no such thing as an undesirable C2, and when you start saying words like “Corvette” and “roadster” in the same sentence, that desirability takes a whole new meaning. Featuring an original, fuel injected 327, this super clean Sting Ray is a highly exclusive rarity that wraps a correct drivetrain in one of the best color combinations in Chevrolet history. And whether you're in the market for one of the coolest Corvettes ever made, or just an outstanding muscle car, it's the kind of Main Street centerpiece that can fulfill your lifelong dreams!

To confirm the accuracy of this Corvette's professional restoration, I'll go ahead and break down both its VIN and trim tag.

VIN: 194675S110016

* 1: Chevrolet
* 94: Corvette
* 67: Convertible
* 5: 1965 model year
* S: Assembled at GM's St. Louis manufacturing facility
* 110016: Production sequence number

TRIM TAG:

* C16: Assembled on the 16th (16) day of October, 1964 (C)
* 65: 1965 model year
* 467: Convertible
* S3214: 3,214th (3214) convertible produced by GM's St. Louis manufacturing facility (S)
* 444: White and Red leather interior
* BA: Car was not equipped with power windows (A31), a Powerglide transmission (M35) or a 36-gallon fuel tank (N03)
* 900UU: Red paint

All Corvettes are red is probably an overstatement, but it's hard to argue that red Corvettes don't look awesome! This slick C2 was recently restored in a glowing coat of bright red two-stage that looks simply stunning in person. Get up close and personal with the car and it becomes very obvious its fiberglass body has been correctly prepped and sanded, as there are no bonding seams visible from any angle. And further examination of details reveals headlight doors that fit well, lines that are crisp and aggressive 'shark fin' fenders which show no signs of rounding from an overzealous sander. With a great looking body, excellent finish work and super smooth paint, this C2 is much nicer than the day it left Chevrolet's St. Louis assembly line. And now, 48 years later, the car's presentation is finally worthy of its exceptional design and world-beating performance.

Not surprisingly, every piece of chrome on this classy cruiser was restored to a 100% new appearance. Whether that means an excellent original piece was refinished to showroom-fresh condition, or reproduction items were properly installed, the car's caretakers certainly did their homework to ensure this C2 is both accurate and impressive. At the front of this old school road king, bullet-style marker lights, a brilliant bumper and a red, white and black cross-flag emblem cage a body-width, stainless-trimmed grille. At the sides of that grille, simple heat extractors ride between traditional chrome door handles, colorful “FUEL INJECTION” emblems and correctly detailed rockers. Opposite those rockers, mirror-like wipers combine with a chrome bowtie mirror, fresh stainless trim and a bright white top to frame like-new glass. And behind that glass, standard, monochromatic tail lights illuminate a chrome-trimmed fuel filler, a clean “Corvette Sting Ray” emblem, a chrome-trimmed tag bracket and two small, equally brilliant bumpers.

Tilt this Corvette's fiberglass hood and you'll find an original L84 V8 that hangs a familiar 3782870 casting number behind a matching 110016 partial VIN and fuel injection/4-speed-specific “HG” suffix stamp. Holding the title of “World's most powerful, naturally aspirated single-cam V8” until the debut of Chevrolet's 2001 Corvette Z06, this impressive small block utilizes wide-bore casting, a forged steel crank, forged pistons and a hot cam to turn stout 10.5 to 1 compression into a solid 375 horsepower. At the top of the spry block, a big, “AC” branded air tube funnels wind into a vintage Rochester injection system that's threaded onto polished stainless fuel lines. Below that juice box, a correct Winters intake perfectly complements finned Corvette valve covers. At the back of that intake, a traditional points distributor shoots spark through fresh Packard Radio TVRS wires, which lurk below correct cast iron exhaust manifolds. And at the front of those manifolds, a correct Harrison radiator circulates water through pliable GM hoses and authentic tower clamps. Whoever performed the restoration on this Corvette did an excellent job of creating an attractive, reliable engine bay that is every bit as detailed as the rest of the car. Bright Chevy Orange paint covers the block from its clean oil pan all the way to its chrome oil filler and, as always, looks great against GM's Satin Black bay. As expected, correct textures and decals are present and accounted for. And details like a rebuilt alternator, a reproduction Delco battery and a rebuilt brake booster ensure this Chevy runs every bit as good as it looks.

Flip this small block Vette upside down and you'll find a solid chassis that's in good shape, and today, looks much as it did when it rolled off the showroom floor. At the center of the car, a correct Muncie 4-speed utilizes a correct posi-traction rear end to spin civil, road-ready gears. At the ends of the car, a fully sorted double A-arm front and independent rear suspension is completely detailed down to its fresh shocks, correct springs and standard manual steering. Above that rebuilt suspension, original, never-hit floor tubs, which look factory fresh in every way, are bolted to a straight, satin black frame. At the corners of those floors, power, 4-wheel disc brakes mix good handling characteristics with quick and solid stops. At the edges of those brakes, torque flows to the pavement through 15-inch turbine wheels which spin 6.70-15 Firestone Deluxe Champion whitewalls around bright chrome spinners. And everything, from this Corvette's vivid inspection marks to its chambered, side-exit exhaust system, is fully sorted and ready to roll!

Open this Chevy's tossable doors and you'll find a correct White and Red interior that was completely replaced during the car's extensive restoration. Seating comes courtesy of firm leather thrones that are anchored between new seatbelts, bright stainless trim and a small chrome shifter. From the driver's perch, stock gauges bleed onto their bordering panels in a march toward a center-mount clock and aluminum-trimmed glove box. Below that clock, like-new carpet is protected by thick, rubber floor mats and bright, chrome sill plates. Above those sills, stainless-trimmed door panels hang small armrests below traditional chrome handles and stylish, white accents. In front of the driver, a satin-spoked steering wheel spins around a brilliant cross-flag emblem. And behind the passengers, a fully carpeted storage compartment boasts enough room for two suitcases and a bag of detailing supplies.

The sale of this super slick drop-top includes a few restoration photos, a reproduction owner's manual and a color-keyed accessory hardtop.

Look at the price books… Look at the market analysis… Look at the classifieds in your favorite magazine… You'll find that Corvette prices have been virtually immune to dips and recessions. The reason is simple: they're great cars to own and they enjoy universal appeal. This awesome Sting Ray is a nicely restored classic that runs exceptionally well and offers an outstanding ownership experience. If you've been looking for a cool mid-year Corvette that you can show with pride, or keep for a while and make a nice return on, your search is officially over!