Unveiling the Legend: The 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe 396/425 4-Speed
This 1965 Chevrolet Corvette coupe was originally delivered to British Columbia, Canada. It received an NCRS Top Flight award in 1995 and obtained Bloomington Gold certification in 2020. Painted in Goldwood Yellow with white leather seats, the vehicle is driven by a 396ci L78 V8 engine coupled with a Muncie four-speed manual transmission.
It comes equipped with a PosiTraction differential, 15-inch cast aluminum wheels, four-wheel disc brakes, side-exit exhaust outlets, power windows, chrome bumpers, and an AM/FM radio. Purchased by the current dealer in 2023, this C2 Corvette is available in Florida, complete with NCRS documentation, an MCACN award, the owner’s manuals, and a clean Florida title.
The fiberglass body was factory-finished in Goldwood Yellow and was refinished under prior ownership. Details include a “power bulge” hood, flip-up headlights, chrome bumpers, fender vents, a side-exit exhaust system, and a retractable antenna. Close-up photos of the paint and trim can be seen in the gallery.
The 15″ cast aluminum wheels feature knock-off hubs and are mounted with BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial narrow-whitewall tires. The C2 was the first Corvette to offer fully independent suspension, with upper and lower control arms at the front and a three-link setup with a transverse leaf spring at the rear. Braking is handled by four-wheel discs.
The cabin features two bucket seats upholstered in white leather joined by color-coordinated door panels and a black dashboard and center console. Appointments include a heater, a reverse-lockout shifter, an analog clock, power windows, and lap belts.
The teak wood steering wheel frames a 160-mph speedometer, a tachometer, and gauges for fuel level, amperage, oil pressure, and coolant temperature. The five-digit odometer shows 1,300 miles. Total mileage is unknown.
The 396ci L78 V8 was equipped from the factory with a single four-barrel carburetor for a factory rating of 425 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. A black-finished air cleaner lid and a chrome ignition cover are fitted.
The engine pad stamp can be seen above and in the gallery below.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a Muncie four-speed manual transmission and a PosiTraction differential.
Decoding the trim tag reveals the following information:
- Style 65 437 – 1965 Corvette coupe
- Body S3107 – Body #3,107 built at the St. Louis assembly plant
- Trim 438AA – White and black leather upholstery
- Paint 900XX – Goldwood Yellow paint