Fastgenious

Just started thinking about a 1965 Corvette hardtop or convert with the 396/425HP engine. Would like it to be 100% original/correct. What do you think is a fair price and is it better to buy restored or fine a really nice low mileage original unrestored vette. Thanks.

Fastgenious

Sorry about the double post.

Joel 67

The price range is going to vary widely based on a variety of factors, such as the options the car has, how recent the restoration is, what percentage of the parts are original vs repro, etc.

I do not recommend an unrestored car for the first time buyer. My feeling is that first time buyers want things that are shiney and work very well and un-restored cars do not always have these traits.

For a recently restored, Top Flite quality 396 I'd expect the price to be north of $110k. This is just my $.02 and I am not a '65 guy.

Fastgenious

I may be looking at a unrestored 65 vette 396/425HP-4 speed next week. The car has had only 2 owners and looks like it just came off the showroom floor(under 50,000 miles). Everything is 100% original/numbers matching and he has all the documentation. The car is about as perfect as one could be for being 40+ years old and expensive. From what a friend has told me the car is tight and runs like it was new. I have seen a few restored 65/66 vettes but having one that is unmolested really intrigues me. Is one in this type of unmolested condition more valuable then one that has been restored? Thanks.

Joel 67

A truly unmolested car is far more rare than a restored car. A car that is highly original and in excellent condition, is indeed a very rare and expensive combination.

Unfortunately, an older restoration might look like an unrestored car, so tread carefully

Fastgenious

If it truly is an original, do you think it is a possible $120K-$130K car? You mentioned a top flight restored car could be north of $110K, how about a truly fine top flight unmolested 396? Thanks.

crossram

At least

Glenn's 67 BB Vert

a560156

With paperwork

weazvette

Look on ebay right now and you will find two 65 396 cars. The all original car can't get anyone to bid over 100 (it has been for sale for several months and the restored car (if it is a real 396) has been on ebay many times also. The market (demand and supply) is determining the price. The top collectors are not buying these cars anywhere near 100,000. These cars are being bought in the mid 50 to 60 range if they need restoration because it is going to cost 40-60 k to restore even if you do alot yourself. Put that on anything over 80,000 and the owner is going to loose. A fully restored black 396 only pulled 145 at bloomington. I would guess also that less than 5 396 cars have changed hands versus 200 435 cars in the last year. Small demand less price. Originality does count but there runs a fine line if the car isn't show quality. Then its difficult to show the car off and all your buddies think your crazy for paying 75000 when you could have had a 2006 zo6 and your car looks 40 years old and needs 60k to bring it back to brand new.

Grey Ghost

There is one close to Road Atlanta. Has real racing pedigree, 396 Coupe. It was on ebay a few months ago. I looked but can't find the thread now.
Do some searching and I think it is still available - but it ain't cheap.

Fastgenious

It's tough because the pricing is all over the place. The 65-396/425HP really intriques me because of the rarity and it was made only one year.

Grey Ghost

I agree. I actually saw what I thought was a pretty good deal on the B-J reruns. A 396 Corvette for 85k. Maybe it wasn't real...and the bidders knew.

vintagecorvette

Grey Ghost,

Is that the maroon one that Proteam bought?

http://www.proteam-corvette.com/cars/136X.htm

oWEN

Joel 67

I think an all original, unrestored car in good condition has a niche market that eBay does not accurately capture. This is especially true for a single year car like the 396. '67s get a lot more demand due to the tri-power and "authenticity" that might come with a build sheet.

If you are looking for a deal, I'd recommend finding a restored, recent Top Flite car. You usually can't buy a project car and restore it for less than you can buy a restored car for.

Just my $.02

lawdawg

i may have something you would be interested in. pm me

Grey Ghost

Could be...looks like their usual markup

skyman51

I have been following this thread with interest and thought I would throw my .02 in. I have a 65 396 coupe that is frame on restored. The underneath is original except for replaced brake hoses. The car has its original engine and is optioned with teak/telescopic and original KH knockoffs. I have documentation back to the original owner and have spoken with his widow. Additionally the car is one of Noland Adams survey cars in Vol#2.It is also a Top Flight car from quite a number of years ago before the restoration. The car is not for sale but if it was I would not even consider an offer less then 135K.

ctjackster

1/2 of a model year, actually.

I agree that is a very intriguing model and engine, I'm soft on 65s and would love an original 65 BB myself. Wife would shoot me dead though, unless it replaced my current 65 (SB), which I am not doing.

weazvette

I agree that a restored original 396 with documents should pull 135 plus. My point is you don't see a whole lot of these cars sold in todays market. Price really varies depending on the quality of an unrestored car. If the car needs to be restored you simply will find it very hard to keep you costs below the 135 mark if you pay too much to start. I restored a 1967 small block (national top flight /Bloomington gold 98 point) and did 99% of the work excluding actually spraying paint and still had 45,000 in expenses for parts. Many of the parts were NOS. You have to admit you can find 67 small block parts fairly easily. 65 big block parts are not very easy to come by. I am looking to buy an unrestored original motor 396 convertible myself and would love to hear from anyone with a car they want to sell.