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

SUMMARY

* Body-off restoration completed in 2006
* Highly correct 396 cubic inch Chevrolet V8 installed in 2011
* Engine compartment and undercarriage detailed in 2015
* Original Muncie M21 4-speed manual transmission
* Correct Goldwood Yellow paint
* Correct Black interior
* Correct 4-wheel power disc brakes
* Posi-traction differential / 3.55 gears
* 15-inch turbine wheels

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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, where all kinds of enthusiasts aspire to four generations of 2-door, big horsepower goodness like moths to a flame. The hottest part of that flame is Chevy's hallowed C2, and this 1965 Sting Ray, in many ways, represents the very best of the C2 market. If you're shopping for an enjoyable collector car that's poised to appreciate in value, here's the perfect purchase!

BODYWORK/TRIM

Bolted together at GM's storied St. Louis manufacturing facility in April of 1965, this slick C2 is the kind of classic that you can look at and virtually sense top-notch caretaking. In late 2006, the car was completely restored to better-than-factory standards by a very passionate enthusiast. That body-off reboot began with solid, original fiberglass being lovingly sanded and gratuitously sprayed in correct GM Goldwood Yellow 2-stage. When that pigment dried, the 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, this coupe was gifted a correct Chevrolet big block. But then, a few years later, one of the car's owners wanted to get a little more serious about authenticity. So, he 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, a painted and decaled air cleaner joins bright stainless fluid lines and an AC cylinder filter in feeding a correct Holley carburetor. Under that carb, a correct Winters intake rides on a spotless Chevy Orange block, that, with the help of a hydraulic roller cam and factory-spec rotating assembly, creates pump-friendly 10 to 1 compression. At the sides of that block, correct exhaust manifolds and correct heads, fitted with high quality roller rockers, complement stamped and painted valve covers. At the back of those covers, chrome-capped ignition makes good use of sleeved plug wires. Cooling is provided by a stamped and decaled radiator, which routes fluid past a correct alternator via reproduction GM hoses and a correct array of clamps. And details like a rebuilt brake booster, a reproduction Delco battery and a familiar Harrison expansion tank round out a freshly detailed engine bay.

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

Speaking of “freshly detailed”, flip this big block Vette upside down and you'll find a freshly detailed chassis that's super clean, and today, looks much nicer than it did when it rolled out of the factory. At the center of that chassis, an 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, that transmission utilizes a posi-traction differential and stout, 3.55 gears to deliver the neck snapping launches and potent acceleration Duntov Corvettes are famous for. At the ends of the car, a fully restored double A-arm front and independent rear suspension is completely detailed, from its heavy-duty, big block-exclusive sway bar all the way to its transverse rear spring. At the corners of the car, power-assisted disc brakes mix excellent handling with quick stops. Above those mechanicals, clean and solid floor tubs are bolted to a straight, Satin Black frame. Exhaust rumbles through ceramic-coated drops to shielded, chambered and polished side pipes. Power meets the ground through familiar Chevy turbines, which spin a fresh set of 205/75R15 BF Goodrich Silvertown Radial goldlines around polished, patriotic spinners. And everything, from this Corvette's leak-free fuel tank to its Chevy Orange oil pan, is fully sorted and ready to roll.

INTERIOR

Swivel this Sting Ray's lightweight doors and, naturally, you'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, protected by color-keyed mats, still features fade-free shading. At the front of that carpet, stylish, aircraft-inspired telemetry, which includes a big block-exclusive, 6,500 RPM tach, joins brushed metal accents to decorate Chevy's familiar dual-cowl dash. In the middle of that dash, a waterfall center stack hangs a continuous motion clock and correct Delco AM/FM radio above a chrome, fully functional shifter. Opposite that waterfall, black, stainless-trimmed panels anchor chrome door and window hardware above perfectly placed armrests. In front of the driver, a classy wood steering wheel spins satin-finished spokes around a pristine cross-flag horn button. And behind the passengers, a 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 Division
9 -- Corvette
4 -- V8
37 -- Coupe
5 -- 1965 model year
S -- Assembled at GM's St. Louis manufacturing facility
XXXXXX -- Production Sequence Number

TRIM TAG:

* I2 -- Assembled on April 2nd, 1965
* 65 -- 1965 model year
* 437 -- Coupe
* S – Body manufactured at GM's St. Louis manufacturing facility
* 2593 -- Manufacturer's sequence number
* 402 -- Black leather interior
* AA – No restrictions on optional equipment
* 900XX – Goldwood Yellow paint

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