In October Of 2000 we purchased a 1965 Corvette Convertible. This was definitely not a necessary purchase. However, a friend had decided that he no longer wanted the car and put it up for sale. While he had it up for sale, he let us drive it on a couple occasions under the pretense that we might decide to buy it. After much should we or shouldn't we, we broke down and decided to buy the Vette. We did it because we both really like the style and we didn't figure the opportunity would arise again anytime soon.
It first glance it is obvious that this vette is not totally original. The paint color, which was originally Nassua Blue, is now a much different shade of Blue. A previous owner has had fender flares installed along with aftermarket rims. They had also installed button snaps around the doors and rear decklid for a toneau cover of sorts. Some of the mechanical components are not original. The car is currently a driver and that is the way it will remain for the foreseeable future. The cost is prohibitive for us to consider a restoration at this time.
The car is a base model 65 convertible. It has the 327/300hp engine. The engine is original as far as the engine numbers are concerned. I have not enlisted the eyes of an experienced corvette person to determine if the the engine is original or if a period block was restamped. The car currently has a Powerglide 2-Speed transmission installed. As part of the sale I also got the Muncie 4-Speed that was taken out of the car. I would like to reinstall the 4-speed at some point. The car has the 3.36 Posi. rear end.
Since we purchased the car I have become a member of the NCRS (member #35188) and the Local Indiana Chapter of the NCRS. We have not attend any local or regional meets. I would like to attend the Corvettes at Carlisle or the event at Monterey this year. (I don't think that will happen though$$). I do spend time every day reading and sometimes posting to NCRS Technical Discussion Board. The website has a wealth of information and many members that can answer just about any question. I wish I had spent more time on the website before buying our first corvette. I may have saved a little money. Anyway here is a link for the NCRS site.
This past spring, 2002, I replaced my Copper/Brass radiator with a Dewitts correct aluminum replacement radiator. I also repainted my Gauge Cluster and Center Console. I replaced the existing Speedo and Tach Guage faces with new ones. I replaced the existing dash wiring harness, which had been modified over the years, with a new one from Lectric Limited. I installed new brake calipers on all four corners. They were purchased from Vette Brakes. I also installed a new stereo from Custom Autosound along with dual 4" speakers in front and 6"x9" speakers in boxes in the rear.
Here is a photo of the completed Dash:
I have a new list of projects which I hope to begin work on this September:
I plan to work on the suspension this fall.
I plan to replace the front and rear bushings.
Send the trailing arms to Bair's Corvette for restoration
Restore the leaf spring, if possible
I plan to replace the U-joints and refinish the half shafts.
With my wife's help I also want to clean and repaint as much of the frame as possible
This is the most recent photo showing the removal of most of the rear suspension. Everything has been removed except for the Rear Differential.
Hopefully I can begin to clean most of the rear frame and underbody.
Below are a couple pictures with the spare tire tub and leaf spring removed.
I plan to remove and replace the exhaust as well as the trailing arms. It will look much better once I am done.
This is a photo of my very small workspace in the garage. I do however have the necessities of tunes, a small craftsman toolchest and an air compressor
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I am not the only member of the family who has a corvette. My Father-in-Law also has a corvette. He currently has an L98 Coupe.
Hopefully in the future I will have more info, updates, and photos of my progress on my projects.
Check back in the future.