1965 Corvette Is a Super-Rare Survivor, Sports One of the Greatest (and Pricey) V8s Ever

Halfway through the production of the mid-generation model year of the C2 Corvette, Chevrolet debuted its second-generation big-block V8. The 396 (6.5-liter) ousted the legendary 409 (6.7-liter) but made up for the patricide with an identical 425-horse output. It was available on the sportscar and the full-size Impala, Bel Air, and Biscayne, and it only lasted one year – GM detuned it from 1966 onward, paving the way for the 427-inch big-block.

Meanwhile, the trusty 327-cube was also on its way out at the other end of the displacement spectrum, but it lasted a few extra years. However, one of its staple features was canceled that year. The fuel injection system gave its swan song in 1965. It wasn’t until 1982 that the carburetors wouldn’t be mandatory equipment under the hoods of the Corvette.

In 1965, the induction system was ordered in only 771 cars out of the total production of 23,562 examples – and it’s not surprising given that the 375-hp 5.4-liter motor was a 538-dollar option. Considering that the Corvette was a $4,321 automobile – in the solid-roof configuration – the Fuelie was not the most appealing add-on. By comparison, the 425-hp big-block was 293 bucks – the fuel injection was doomed.

Naturally, with such a low production volume, and the ‘last of its kind’ nobility title, a 1965 Corvette Fuelie is one fine treat today. Especially if it carries a survivor-class demeanor, like the example in the video below. Lou Costabile found it at the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals in Rosemont, Illinois, a few days ago.

The owner bought it last year after the car failed to sell at an online auction where the highest bid stopped at $99,000 without meeting the reserve (and several connoisseurs cried, 'Blasphemy!' at the low price offered). The seller and prospect struck a deal in private moments after the auction ended.

The car is now at its third owner after having spent forty years with its original buyer. The odometer reads 89,489 miles today (144,019 kilometers). In October 2023, when Tim Schuetz got the car, the milometer stated 89,348 miles (143,792 km).

After the car was built on November 30th, 1964, it was sold to its first owner two weeks later. An aircraft technician from Downey, California, bought it and held on to it until 2005. His trade must have taught the man a thing or twenty about maintenance because the car, while regularly drag-raced, also drove on a frequent basis.

In 1970, the owner moved to Parkville, Missouri, some 1,620 miles away, but still made regular trips to California—which is the main reason for this Nassau Blue survivor's high mileage. In 1990, the car was driven to the Bloomington Gold award, a prize earned at the inaugural "Survivor" judging of the National Corvette Restorers Society.

Incidentally, the distinction was presented by Larry Shinoda, the famous designer who penned the Mako Shark II concept Corvette, which would greatly inspire the C3. To be fair to the Detroit legendary name, Larry Shinoda is closely linked to the Ford Mustang Boss 302 program. Two icons from different corporations in the same decade - that's not something many in the car business can brag with.

In 2005, still in impeccable condition, the car was bought by NCRS National Judging Chairman Roy Sinor, who wouldn’t have let it go to this day had it not been for a matter of life-making decisions that constrained him to part ways with the car. During the three years spent with the Corvette fanatic, the car received a New Old Stock Off-road exhaust system and lots of Tender Loving Care.

The third owner put the car under the Corvette Restorers’ scrutiny not once but twice – and returned with the Top Flight award on both occasions. An NCRS Bowtie Awars completes the accolades of this rare 1965 Corvette. The car has come a long way from its racing days at the Lion’s Dragstrip and is now a beauty contest queen rather than the rowdy quarter-mile rocket it used to be.

The first buyer knew exactly what he wanted and ordered a 4.11 rear end with a positive Traction differential and the four-speed M20 manual transmission. Curiously, the gearbox was four times more expensive than the optional gearing in the axle ($188 vs $43). Speaking of costly extras, the 538-dollar V8 was expensive, but what about the $203 radio?

Entertainment was just as expensive six decades ago as its direct descendant is in modern cars. However, in 1965, an AM/FM receiver was the summit of non-mechanical car technology. The aircraft specialist must have really loved music to pay the hefty sum for the option.

Sadly, there’s no driving part in the video attached, but that’s how things go at MCACN; we’ll have to settle for the sound of the engine at idle while stationary – and you can thank Lou for it by subscribing to his channel. But, if you genuinely, absolutely, positively, and totally like this car, see it featured in the walkaround video below; better yet, contact the owner – he won’t turn down an offer (if it’s the right one, of course).