New corvette owner looking for suggestions

[Richard S.]

Just purchased my first C2 corvette 1965/396 coupe. It was sold as a survivor and is radio delete. Looking for suggestions on best way to get started with documenting the car. This is also my first post on any forum so go easy on me.

[Don H.]

Re: New corvette owner looking for suggestions

Hi Richard, Welcome to NCRS. Try to find a NCRS Chapter near you and seek help / information there. A list of Chapters is above under contacts. Good luck, Don H.

[Ed S.]

Re: New corvette owner looking for suggestions

Welcome aboard Richard - you ask what is the best way to get started with documenting the car Donald's advise is worth following - club members are a great source of info and advice but you can't have a club member around you 100% of the time. You will get curious about some aspect of your car and want to get a better understanding of it and what it should be, make, model, build date etc. In order to get very familiar with your car you should purchase a few invaluable reference documents - all available from the NCRS. They are, (in no particular order), the Shop Manual, the NCRS Judging Guide, the Assembly Instruction Manual (AIM). These documents won't make you a C2 expert but you will become better informed about your car.

One more thing that may be of assistance to you. I have a 64 convertible. I created an excel spread sheet that lists every component that is discussed in the NCRS Judging Manual - it lists the component, part #, serial #, mfr code, mfr date, casting # and other identifying data listed in the judging guide. I would attach this spread sheet to this posting but the tech forum does not allow attaching documents - only pictures. You could use it as a guide to create a list that is particular to your car. If you are interested please send me a PM and include your e mail address - I will send it to you.

Good luck

[Bill M.]

Re: New corvette owner looking for suggestions

Rich good to have you in the group. I had a 396 coupe great car wish i never sold it. Place an information wanted add in the driveline that helped me when i was researching my 67 25 years ago. I got at least 3 responces.
Bill

[Chris H.]

Re: New corvette owner looking for suggestions

Richard, welcome you've come to the right place. 396s are very special and unique cars. I've owned 2 (one from Baher Chevrolet in LA) so I have an affinity for them. I see you're in California and I believe there are at least 2 chapters in the state.

For determining the cars history, I would start with getting the NCRS shipping report. That will tell you where the car was sold new.

I would find your local chapter and get the car Flight judged. That will give you an idea of what the car is and where you may want to go with it.

Congrats on your purchase and welcome to the NCRS.

[Ralph S.]

Re: New corvette owner looking for suggestions

Hi Richard, How did you locate the car ? Can you post some pictures.

[Michael J.]

Re: New corvette owner looking for suggestions

I would start with the shipping report, as Chris mentioned, then gather all the information you have on previous owners and start searching for them to trace the car back to the original owner. If you need help, there is a good service, AutoAncestry.com run by an experienced NCRS member that can assist for a fee, Good luck, I have done many and it is great fun to document all the things that have happened to an old car over the years.

[Mike T.]

Re: New corvette owner looking for suggestions

Hi Richard, welcome to the NCRS site. As you've already heard, post up some pics of your 65 when you can and send away for your Corvettes Shipping Report too.

[Carl N.]

Re: New corvette owner looking for suggestions

Hi Richard,
Welcome aboard. If you would like to send me via private message the last 5 numbers of the vin on your L78, I'll see if I have it in my data base. I have several '65 396 cars listed w/out radios. I will not share your vin with anyone without your permission. The first of the big blocks are often overshadowed by the '66 & '67 427's but are unique in a number of ways and share some components like the radiator with the L88's.

[Chris H.]

Re: New corvette owner looking for suggestions

Radio delete....maybe it has a racing history........

[Richard S.]

Re: New corvette owner looking for suggestions

Thanks all for the welcome and suggestions. The vehicle was purchase at Barrett Jackson's Scottsdale event.

[Stewart L.]

Re: New corvette owner looking for suggestions

Richard,
Welcome to the NCRS. 65 396's are great cars, you will enjoy it.
Does anyone know what happened to Bill Williamson's data base of 396's?

[Chris H.]

Re: New corvette owner looking for suggestions

Beautiful.....looks like my old one VIN 23384.

[Richard S.]

Re: New corvette owner looking for suggestions

I have already purchased the shop manuals and will be checking out the others you suggested.

rsmith54@comcast.net

[Fred Y.]

Re: New corvette owner looking for suggestions

NICE RIDE Rich ! These guys know their stuff. You found the right place .