VIN: 194375S118903

“For me this car was love at first site when it rolled into a car show I was hosting at my office back in September of 2022. It was an honest, unrestored driver with a lot of patina. The paint was failing, it had some aftermarket parts here and there, but by all available indications, it is an L78 chassis. I had to have it, and I knew my mission was going to be to restore it and get a correct big block engine back under the hood.”

This 1965 Chevrolet Corvette presents as one of 2,157 cars built with the rare RPO L78 396 CID, 425 horsepower, big block engine option, and it is one of only 748 coupes with that option. Its build date, frame-mounted location of the battery tray, and in-depth provenance including a letter written by the second owner who sold the original big block back in the late 60's, all point to it being an L78. The 1965 cars did not have tank stickers, and the dealer invoice is long gone so there is no way to know for sure, and that is why it is priced accordingly.

The car is fresh from a professional and careful, frame-off, complete nut-and-bolt build that preserved and refreshed some as many original pieces as was practical, and fully replaced worn and safety parts with genuine, GM Restoration Parts, or fully refurbished, period-correct parts.

Its documentation revealed that the original engine was removed and sold in 1969 and replaced with a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro 350 CID engine, which remained in the car until this build. The car was owned by the same owner since 1978 who through hand-written letters obtained a thorough chain of ownership. It appears that this car has never left Ohio!

The replacement 1969 Camaro 350 engine was removed during a complete disassembly of the car, and was replaced with a completely rebuilt, factory-specification, correct casting numbers, hi- performance L78 396/425 restoration engine. It took 18 months to locate and acquire the important, authentic components.

o Block is cast 3855962, coded E 27 5
o Heads are cast 385620B, coded E 14 5and F 1 5
o Intake manifold is cast 3866963
o Carburetor is a Holley 3124, 3868826-CS (This is a genuine GM part number but for a service replacement built in 1969 designated by the 934 stamping number.)

The engine was done by the professionals at Performance Research, Inc., Columbus, Ohio, who also dyno tested the engine prior to its delivery to the chassis restorer. I can provide video of the engine on the dyno.

The lead restoration technician for the body and chassis, Jeremy Starr, Blaine, Kentucky, has worked his entire career restoring award-winning C1 and C2 Corvettes for one of the most respected shops in the country until it recently closed due to the health of the owner. Jeremy started his own operation and brought his years of expertise to this project.

New parts/systems:

• -  All brake components are brand new. Car is a no-power-brake car from the factory and is currently fitted with a two-pot reservoir for safety since the car has been driven to a few local shows, but the car will come with a correct, single-pot reservoir should the owner want to convert back.

• -  All suspension pieces have been replaced including the trailing arms.

• -  Complete fuel system including tank, lines, fittings, filters are all new and correct.

• -  Cooling system is new except for a period-correct, Harrison expansion tank. The radiator is a

  new reproduction Harrison with an upgraded aluminum core.

• -  Tires are all brand new, Goldline reproductions.

• -  Frame was hand stripped and inspected prior to priming and repaint.

• -  All body mounts, bushings, fittings, hardware, etc., were replaced while the chassis was oO of

  the frame.

• -  All body panels were stripped of paint and revealed no hits.

• -  Entire wiring harness and all bulbs were replaced.

• -  New front, rear and side fender emblems.

  Refurbished or original parts/systems:

• -  Interior carpet presents as original and was carefully removed, cleaned, spot re-dyed, and re- installed.

• -  Door cards and roof liner present as original and were cleaned and re-installed.

• -  Seats are older Al Knock covers and were installed in the early 1980’s.

• -  Bumpers are original and the rears show minor surface patina but were chosen to be kept

  because of the poor fitment of reproductions.

• -  Hubcaps are original and show paint fade in the inserts (currently being refreshed).

  The car has not been judged yet and would take very little finishing to be a high points car. This build was intended to get a correct, restoration engine back in the car and to create a safe, refreshed example due to its rarity. I am selling this car sooner than I planned because I was lucky enough to win a 2026 ZR1 which is being built in about a month. I had planned on keeping this car for a year or two but those plans have changed!

  I have over 200 photos of the disassembly and reassembly of the car that will come with the car as will a book of every receipt and all documentation. It is currently being organized into binders and photo albums.