Looking at a 65 BB convert - value range
 

Local collector is moving out some of his Corvette inventory. Car is a 65 BB convert, currently rally red. I have confirmed numbers matching with regards to block & casting. Have not confirmed which 4 speed is in the car. Interior is STD black, black top. Car is currently running 17" wheels, but original knock offs are included. Side pipes were added several years ago. All electrical functions work, suspension is completely rebuilt, bird cage is rock solid. Car runs and drives great. Current owner had a heater core leak, so that is blocked off. Paint is very good, but not original, car was born Nassua Blue.

Planning on getting the car up on a lift in the next day or so to confirm tranny and underbody/frame condition. Local Corvette shop has serviced the car for the last several years. Owner has had it since 2000.

Trying to get a range on value. 65 BB are pretty rare creatures, especially ones in decent shape. Any help is appreciated. Sorry for the crappy iPhone pics. Thanks again. Bill

I own one and try to follow auction sales. I'd say a well restored convertible with a good engine stamp and casting numbers averages $100,000 with adjustments up for good colors & leather & paperwork and down for tired and/or non-original motor or dubious authenticity.


Just my take. Real 396 cars are indeed few and far between being far less often faked as the 67 cars.


Dan

When you get it up on the lift, might as well get the rear suffix so you know the rear end gear ratio. Also check and make sure the rear U joints have the heavy duty caps and not u bolts.

http://repairs.willcoxcorvette.com/1...es-and-ratios/

Beauteous! :smash:

Wow, that is one beastiful (sic) '65.

I don't know the values on the BB '65s, but if that is a good as it seems, it's probably worth it.:cool:

Very nice car,I would get A qualified person to inspect it for correctness. also engine and related engine attachments.
I see 8 incorrect parts under the hood,also missing some 396
lines to carb.Then the color change.Nice car to own and to cruise in.
66racer

I would definitely get an expert in the area to look at the car. 65 big block is one of the most faked cars. Number matching doesn't mean the original motor. The correct carburetor for that car is about three grand. The radiator, radiator support, and fan shroud are all small block. Is it a late serial number? Is it a St. Louis car? To many questions to give an exact price. It could be a nice $45000 driver.

St Louis car, early serial, April 65' build. Concerned about the small block components. The asking price is north of 80K. I have attached some additional pics from underneath the car. I understand the car is NOT an NCRS top flight vehicle, however, want to insure that it is not a "faked" car and could be restored to close to original condition if desired. I would hate to pay big $$$ for a clone. Thanks again for the help and assistance.

I agree with everything you said except this. On the contrary its the least faked big block C2, much harder to do but conversly much easier to detect. Half the 427 67 C2's are likely fakes. Any given auction might see 1, perhaps 2 L78 cars. Compare that to 66 & 67 cars.

If the OP combs through this site he will find a list of things to verify. On a real L78 I would be surprised to find a verifiable born-with motor, or rear end, but even so if its a real L78 car it is still special and worth more than a non HP small block.

Dan

Wonder why there is no starter front bracket. Why no pics of the engine stamp pad and casting number

North of $80,000 for what I see is too high. If its a real car, and that is what you need to determine, you need to discount it enough to make putting it right make economic sense. Find an NCRS judge who knows the L78 and pay him to examine the car. If its real, his list of deficiencies can be used to chip down the sale price. We are not going to be able to difinitively prove it is an L78 car from pictures, only those things wrong we can see on our screens. Get good eyes on it.

Dan

Nowhere, I had a chance to look at the stamp and casting number yesterday. I am not an expert, but the numbers lined up and the casting was correct. I did not get any pics. I will attempt to get them later today.

just becouse the numbers match doesn't mean its the born with engine they have been stamping engine blocks to match the vins since the late mid 70's

I agree the 67 is the most faked, I had a friend who wanted a 65 BB real bad, we went to look at 7 of them within 100 miles of Phila. not one even started out as a BB car. 2 of the cars where well done with a lot the correct parts but where way to early to be BB. It is hard to get original parts for them the correct 65 hood, original exhaust manifolds and TI parts are a dead giveaway. All had restamped engines. I have only seen a few real ones in all the cars I looked at in 45 years of collecting. In 1972 I bought a 65 Cp that was a clone then.

Nom
 

Whats td with the fuelie emblems on the sides?
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that is the correct 396 crossed flag emblems :cheers:

The driver's side emblem looks crooked........ may just be the way the camera shot it but.......

Beautiful car but buyer beware anytime your buying a BB vette. I would only pay a premium price if it has a tank sticker that's been verified by NCRS. Even the tank stickers are hard to tell fakes now.

I would pay triple for a 65 with a tank sticker. Chevy didnt start leaving them behind until 67. but for 65 you would need a POP or window sticker. but all that is pron to be fake as well. so buyer beware:cheers:

A couple additional pics of the rear end, half shafts, engine pad, intake cast number, tranny, gauges, battery access cover, side emblem mounting. Owner states he does have the original carb. Looking to see if I can get an expert over to the shop and inspect the car. I do agree, without the paperwork, etc it is a crap shoot at best. Thanks again for the help and guidance.