1965 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible -  396/425 HP, NCRS Duntov Award. Estimate $120,000 - $135,000. Photo by David Newhardt, Courtesy of Mecum Auctions.

It all started with the introduction of the mid-year Corvette in 1963. Sporting a completely redesigned body and chassis featuring an independent rear suspension, the quintessential American sports car was ready to take on the world. In 1965 the ante was truly upped with the introduction of the first of the big blocks, the L78 396 “Turbo Jet” engine, one that furthered a legend that continues to this day. The 1965 models were milestone Corvettes in many ways. It was the first year for standard disc brakes, the last year for the original Fuel Injection and the only year for the 396 nestled under a newly designed big-block hood. This beast pumped out a factory-rated 425 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque with 11:1 compression, forged rotating assembly, a hot solid-lifter cam and a Holley four-barrel carburetor on an aluminum dual-plane intake manifold. Only 2,157 Corvettes with the mighty 396 engines were built. All 1965 Corvettes received new rocker panels, a blacked-out grille with horizontal bars and functional vertical louvers behind the front wheels. Additional upgrades to the 1965 model year included redesigned seats, standard four-wheel disc brakes, new dashboard gauges and an optional side exhaust, power antenna and telescoping steering wheel. This stunning late-production example is finished in Milano Maroon with a Black interior and Black soft top. It has received the coveted Zora Arkus Duntov Mark of Excellence, a National Top Flight award scoring 98.2 and numerous other honors. There’s no doubt that the awards were the result of a meticulous frame-off restoration. To keep up its luster, this beauty was recently repainted and thoroughly cleaned. This Corvette has covered a mere 23,371 miles and is optioned with the 396/425 HP big block, Teakwood steering wheel and goldline tires combined with 4-speed manual transmission and the original 3.70:1 Positraction rear end. This is truly a special example of a mid-year roadster.

Mecum Monterey 2015