Kurgen123

I'm looking at buying a 1965 C2 Corvette Coupe. It has a period correct 327 350 HP motor, but it's not numbers matching. It has the original 4 Speed Transmission. The car is in GLEN GREEN & looks to be in great shape paint-wise. It's supposed to be in good working/running order. I'm going to look at it soon. Is there anything I should be looking for to see any special defects? I've never bought a C2 before & don't know a ton about them. What do you think is a good price for a 1965 C2 Coupe in this condition without a numbers matching motor? I can send pics to anyone who might like to see what it looks like. I would be grateful for any advice!!

rowingone

Rust on the frame and birdcage are the biggest deal killers. You need to have someone familiar with C2 corvettes inspect the car if you get serious about making an offer, that would be money well spent.

Powershift

This...............

You can't even begin to learn what to look for on these cars without a lot of schooling.

Larry

EDIT: I studied and observed and started judging for a year or more before attempting to buy my car, and even then I took an experienced NCRS Judge with me. We spent 1-1/2 days. going over the car before I made an offer.

Kurgen123

I can send pictures to someone, but they didn't want to take an 8 hour drive there & back to go with me. He's in his 70s so I don't really blame him. I did ask him but he said he didn't have the time. But said I could send him pictures.. The good thing is they have the car is somewhere they can put it on a lift so I can see the frame & underbody of the car before I buy it.

CorvetteMikeB

GREEN Not At All A Desirable Paint Color. Best to get red, white, black or silver for re-sale. Unless you plan on giving the 1965 Corvette Coupe a new paint color. Not a matching car, so doesn't really matter what changes you make.

provette67

The birdcage can be tricky to see. You will need to get on your back on both sides to see under the dash. Bring a good light. The usual rusty areas of the frame are on both ends at the rear wheel well openings and the kickups. Also check out the vin and trim tags. Take pictures and post them here and we can help break them down. Also take a picture from the front of the car straight on at the headlight and bumpers level. A good picture of the dash cluster can help determine original horsepower. Pictures of the engine can give good information. Though the engine is NOM you can get information that leads you to exactly what it is. The engine casting number and date. As well as the engine stamp pad. Because one man's period correct 327/350 may turn out to be a low horsepower passenger car motor. A lot of information is needed to get an educated idea of what the car is worth.

Six7390gt

I believe one of the most respected and trusted C2 inspectors on this forum is Pancho - Provette67 - who replied to you just before this post. I'd be sending him a private message. Many will tell you having him do a pre purchase inspection will be the best money you can spend when buying a C2.

Kurgen123

Kurgen123

Here are some pics of the Vin Number & some pics of the car.

Chalie M

When I was looking for my first corvette (C2 of course) I didn’t even know what I didn’t know yet, let alone this type of sports car, I was coming from a 28 yr. Background as a auto tech both automotive/diesel technology (this included approx. 7yrs. Wrenching at different GM dealerships, no corvettes though 1 tech got all them:-)
Had just got done a very long love with a 55 Chevy that I did a partial resto on (just about everything but taking the body off the frame)..

Soooooo, I thought I knew cars, not so when it came to these C-2’s.. I hired a Corvette inspector meet him different times at sellers location & boy did he educate me on these cars…
Best money I ever spent.. I also meet him in New Jersey at a very well known Corvette only dealer what a education (Looked at a original side pipe C2 took him 2 minutes to explain to me why it WAS NOT a original side pipe car, because it wasn’t built in the St. Louis plant:-)..

Sorry for the rant, been learning more & more about these very unique cars, yes finally found my 65 coupe 327/365 original number car.. Get a inspector & try to check it on a lift u get a whole different perspective on the car.

GOOD LUCK
Chalie
“Buy the car people want to buy, not the one they want to sell”

65hihp

I guess NotGreenCorvetteMikeB doesn't care for Green Corvettes. Better stay well clear of this car.

Chalie M

I just saw your pics after my post.
Nothing looks nicer than a side pipe car you may like to know if its a original side pipe car (nothing wrong if they have been added on, but a original side pipe car usually demands a higher $)

• Wiper arms look way out of alignment spray some water on the windshield & operate them looks like there going to be rubbing onto that stainless trim then push the squirter button & see if squirters are working?
• Glove box looks off?
• Is that a B/B air cleaner on a s/b? No biggie but just kind of a red flag?
• Front end looks to be sitting pretty low from pic, I would be very surprised them front tires aren’t rubbing on full turns going up or down driveway’s ? Need to look into that for sure..

Please get a inspector or a C2 guy who has owned these cars & knows them to help you
Good Luck
Chalie

CorvetteMikeB

Railroadman

Your profile does not show what part of the country you are from. But here's another vote for Provette67 who posted above. He is the go-to guy for many of us on here and will give you more details and information than you can imagine. Shoot him a PM, he's a good guy to deal with.

Kurgen123

I have seen so many red Corvettes in the past
. They don't really appeal to me. My 1st car used to be similar to this green. So I sort of like it!!

Kurgen123

I doubt I'm going to find a specific C2 Corvette inspector in my area. I live in SE Kansas & the car is in Oklahoma.

dcamick

Curt,

If you're on your own, which would be a bad Idea, with little to no C2 experience, You will need substantial maintenance records with dated receipts. I'm not talking about Oil Changes. There are too many things that need to be looked at: Under the hood (which include electrical), under the car, under, around, behind the seats, and under the dash. That does not include the items you need to check that are in front of you!

By the way, I sold a 65 GG Coupe over a year ago........ I missed a lot of Items when I bought it. Fixed everything, disclosed everything and had receipts for everything I did to that Corvette. You could pay a lot for this Corvette. So demand a lot!!............ Love GG...

PM me if you have questions........Get a hold of Pancho!

Good Luck!
Dcamick


Interesting: as mentioned by Ron Miller (Post 19)

https://car-from-uk.com/sale.php?id=309736&country=us
Also:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...gine-code.html

3JsVette

You have to at least try. Start another thread here. Maybe check with the local NCRS chapter. Sine it's a NOM you're not looking for numbers match verification but you need to know what you're about to make an offer on is a "solid" reliable driver. Besides it's really easy to get wrapped up in the emotion of having found your "dream car". Another pair of automotive at least but preferably C2 Corvette experienced eyes can be and should be a reality check and prevent you from monetary ruin. There's a reason you came here for advice. There's a much greater reason so many responses have encouraged you to seek help.
Good luck going forward and remember these are over 50 year old cars so they almost all will need something. Budget accordingly.

Ron Miller

A quick Google search on the VIN of the car brings up a couple of interesting sites . . . .

Skenn1977

I love the Glen Green, great color. Get someone "known" that can do a pre purchase inspection. Worth the money and peace of mind. If the seller gives you any slack, run!