1965 Chevrolet Corvette 2-Door Coupe
2019.0029.0003, Savoy Collection, Generously donated by an anonymous donor
Engine: 327 cu. in. (5.4L) Cast-iron, OHV, V-8
Output: 250 HP @ 4,400 RPM
Transmission: 4-Speed Manual
Wheelbase: 98 in.
Overall Length: 175 in.
Weight: 3,570 lbs.
Top Speed: 124 MPH
No. Produced: 8,187
Original Price: $2,947
Manufacturer: Chevrolet
In mid-1965, Chevrolet released a new big-block engine called the Mark IV with three iterations: 2 versions of the 396 cubic inch motor, and a heavy-duty 427 cubic inch (for marine use). However, this car, power-wise, has been “Frankensteined.” Shoehorned in under the hood sits a 450-horsepower 454-cubic-inch LS6 motor. The original Sting Ray ad copy, stating, “Only a man with a heart of stone could withstand temptation like this,” certainly applies to this ‘vette.
Redesigned in 1963, demand for the Sting Ray was so strong that the St. Louis assembly plant added a second shift. Customers still had to wait an average of two months for delivery and paid full price for the privilege of owning the car. The original 1963 coupe design featured a highly criticized split rear window that prompted Chevrolet to offer replacement one-piece windows after customers began dismantling this feature. The design, created by Bill Mitchell, was eliminated altogether in 1964.