How Rare Or Desirable Is It?

[Daniel K.]

Good afternoon,

We are considering the purchase of a 65 Coupe.

For the engine, it has the HO: 250hp. M35: Automatic Transmission.
N40: Power Steering

Interior:
No power windows
No teak or telescopic
No air
Does have:
U69: AM-FM Raido
Z01: Comfort & Convenience Grp
451: White Leather & Black Carpet/Dash
Exterior:
CC: Ermine White
Steel wheels with correct wheel covers.

Restoration would need to be frame off.

Is this car rare and desirable or just rare or is it even that rare?

Thanks.

Dan K.

[Robert R.]

Re: How Rare Or Desirable Is It?

Dan,
The usual hot button options for some people includes the higher horsepower engines and 4 spd transmission.
Based on the options listed, my first thought is that this may have been a car not trashed nor customized.
If the condition is very good to excellent, it may be rare and desirable just by its condition and originality.
Just my two cents...
Bob

[Chris W.]

Re: How Rare Or Desirable Is It?

Good afternoon,

We are considering the purchase of a 65 Coupe.

For the engine, it has the HO: 250hp. M35: Automatic Transmission.
N40: Power Steering

Interior:
No power windows
No teak or telescopic
No air
Does have:
U69: AM-FM Raido
Z01: Comfort & Convenience Grp
451: White Leather & Black Carpet/Dash
Exterior:
CC: Ermine White
Steel wheels with correct wheel covers.

Restoration would need to be frame off.

Is this car rare and desirable or just rare or is it even that rare?

Thanks.

Dan K.

Actually, they did not make all that many 250 HP cars so it is sort of rare from that standpoint, but this was considered as sort of an "entry level" engine and not all that exciting. The automatic also, to my way of thinking, was sort of in the same catagory. However, automatics in a fully loaded car, (P.S., P.B., AM/FM, P. Windows and A/C) made a nice car. I do like the White Leather with Black Carpet and Dash. This would look very nice in a white car.

Please, understand, this is just my opinion.

Chris

[Wayne M.]

Re: How Rare Or Desirable Is It?

We are considering the purchase of a 65 Coupe.

For the engine, it has the HO: 250hp. M35: Automatic Transmission.
N40: Power Steering

Interior:
No power windows
No teak or telescopic
No air
Does have:
U69: AM-FM Raido
Z01: Comfort & Convenience Grp
451: White Leather & Black Carpet/Dash
Exterior:
CC: Ermine White
Steel wheels with correct wheel covers.
Dan K.

Dan -- If you get it at a good price, and it runs as is, IMO, use it as a driver and forget the frame-off. Have fun with it, and just fix the small stuff. As Robert says, this type of car may not have been "thrashed" in its lifetime.

BTW interior code 451 is Blue/White leather, not black carpet/dash.

[Clark K.]

Re: How Rare Or Desirable Is It?

Daniel, if you like the car, that is all that matters.

In Noland Adams' book, he states that of the 23,562 Corvettes produced, there were only 663 '65 Corvettes built with the base engine and M35 "Powerglide" automatic transmission. Note that there were two automatic "shift levers in 1965, the "small button" (.5") and the "large button" (.8") refering to the spring-loaded lockout button on the top of the shift knob. The changover number is stated as car 6,000 (106000).
-Clark

[Bill T.]

Re: How Rare Or Desirable Is It?

With the price of Vettes today, personally I'd be looking for and L79 with a 4 speed. Much more fun. Check the profile pic...

[Chris W.]

Re: How Rare Or Desirable Is It?

Dan -- If you get it at a good price, and it runs as is, IMO, use it as a driver and forget the frame-off. Have fun with it, and just fix the small stuff. As Robert says, this type of car may not have been "thrashed" in its lifetime.

BTW interior code 451 is Blue/White leather, not black carpet/dash.

I agree,

Chris

[Daniel K.]

Re: How Rare Or Desirable Is It?

OK,

Thank you all for your input.



Thanks again for your opinions.

Dan K.

[Edward M.]

Re: How Rare Or Desirable Is It?

Then there is the old saying that cars with minimal equipment score better in judging. Less things to count off for. Sounds like a fun car.

I always wondered what a top flight, absolutely no option car would look like.

[Mark S.]

Re: How Rare Or Desirable Is It?

Rare? Maybe. Desirable enough for "King's ransom"? I don't think so.

As comparison, I looked at and drove a 65 coupe about 5 years ago when the market was still pretty hot. It was in very nice restored condition with original 250hp engine and the following options: A/C, power steering, power windows, teak wheel, factory knockoffs, leather. It had documentation to support all the options including window sticker, bill of sale, protecto plate, original CA title, registration, and black plates. It was a car that I would have been very interested in except for the 250hp engine. It sold for $40,000. Not cheap, but if it had a 350, 365, or even a 300hp engine I think it would have sold for significantly more.

[Louis T.]

Re: How Rare Or Desirable Is It?

Hi Daniel,







Louis

[Tim G.]

Re: How Rare Or Desirable Is It?

[John S.]

Re: How Rare Or Desirable Is It?

Daniel,

I agree with all the posts saying if you like the car and can get a deal on it Go FOR IT! Sounds like the "deal" part would be the hang up. For what it is worth, I paid $45k (Dec 08) for my 67 no option (I really mean not one single option, no radio, tinted glass, 4 speed...nothing!) 33k mile coupe that realistically is a true one of one car (Black/Teal). 300hp 3 speed car. Now, the car was already restored and received multiple top flights/ PV/ Duntov award in the 90's. I took it to Tahoe in May 09 (drove 400 miles) and top flighted with 100 points (counting miles). Deal, I don't know. I do know I love the car, it runs great and I love driving her. That's all that matters to me!

Edward,
If you want to see pics I will post them later.

John Seeley
67 Black/teal coupe
327 300hp 3 speed

[John D.]

Re: How Rare Or Desirable Is It?

Back in 1965 I recall a local girl who worked at Bell Telephone. She was a pretty blond who drove a new white convertible with an automatic. The rest of us that had midyears used to make fun of her. We teased her a lot. The car was a plain Jane for sure.
Cost about the same amount of bucks to restore a low HP as a HHP unless it's a fuel car. Personally I would pass.

On the other hand when the dust settles I would like to buy a nice C5 with auto. Won't even consider shifting gears. Must be low mileage pristine car and very cheap
Need nice car to replace the May 83 car that got stolen. JD

[Patrick H.]

Re: How Rare Or Desirable Is It?

Then there is the old saying that cars with minimal equipment score better in judging. Less things to count off for. Sounds like a fun car.

I always wondered what a top flight, absolutely no option car would look like.

My 72 only has radio, power brakes and white letter tires.