Highlights

Just 65,981 miles from new
Unrestored and in original condition
327ci V8 (300hp Turbo-Fire)
Hurst four-speed manual transmission
Only five owners – four in the UK
Presented in exceptional condition

The Appeal

You have to give the Americans credit, they know how to name a car. Is there a more evocative moniker than ‘Corvette Sting Ray’? We don’t think so. It immediately conjures up images of power, sweeping lines, endless highway vistas and plenty of drama.

With the Corvette C1, Chevrolet established the model as “America’s sports car”, but with the C2 they dramatically ramped things up. Very soon, the C2 developed a reputation as a very capable racer and, thanks to stylish design, a wealth of options and powertrains and much improved driving dynamics, it was a commercial success too.

This stunning example was imported to the UK in 1994, after being with its original owner in Arizona from new. Unrestored, in gorgeous original condition and with only about 3,000 miles covered in the last 29 years, we think you’ll have to go a very long way to find a C2 as good as this.

The History and Paperwork

Purchased new in Arizona in 1965
The car remained with its original owner until import to the UK in November 1994 at c.63,000 miles
Four UK owners since import
In 2021 the car was apparently fully inspected and WaxOyl treated underneath
Current owner since March 2022 (at 64,631 miles)
Just 65,981 miles on the clock
Historic vehicle status – tax and MOT exempt
A copy of the Arizona US Title is included
We’re told that the car will come with an extensive history file
Original construction manual included
Only being sold as the vendor has now acquired a C1 Corvette

The Interior

Deep red leather seats
Original fixtures and fittings
Red carpeting
Red vinyl door cards and dash

We’re told by the vendor that the interior is all original, with even the deep red leather seats being unrestored. It certainly presents in superb condition, with a lovely, gentle patina. The leather itself looks to be very well preserved, with some light wear, but no tears or other damage we could see.

Coordinating well with the leather, the carpets are a deep red and, again, show no hints of real wear or damage. We note that even the luggage space behind the rear seats, just forward of where the fabric hood stows, is neatly carpeted.

From the wide, wood-rimmed wheel to the stainless Hurst shifter and beautifully designed instruments and switchgear, the dashboard of this C2 really is a masterpiece. There was a time when American manufacturers designed some fabulously debonair interiors, and it’s nice to be reminded of that here. The vendor reports no faults or issues, other than the fact that the radio can be a little crackly.

The Exterior

Fibreglass bodywork over a steel frame
Metallic Melano Maroon paintwork
Black fabric convertible roof
Smart ‘hide away’ headlamps

The C2 Sting Ray is such a pretty car that it’s difficult to think of a colour it would look bad in. But this deep, metallic maroon certainly sets the car’s lines and proportions off a treat. The paint itself looks to be in excellent order, we didn’t spot a single notable blemish or mark and it wears a lovely deep, glossy shine.

As with all Corvettes, the bodyshell itself is made from glass-fibre reinforced plastic. Obviously this means that corrosion isn’t an issue for the main bodywork, but this shell also looks very clean and straight, with no warping, cracking or spidering we could discern. Panel gaps look consistent and neat too, so there’s nothing to distract from that shimmering maroon paintwork.

The brightwork and badging similarly is in fine fettle, with the slightest amount of patination just hinting at the car’s age. But overall it’s in very good order with nothing apparently missing, broken or bent.

We’re told by the vendor that they believe the fabric roof to be the original item, which would be quite remarkable. Certainly, it fits very well, with no identifiable sagging, UV damage or tears. It operates manually, but is very quick to raise or stow.

It’s well worth taking the time to really examine the underside pictures – note how clean and straight everything is. We would always expect to see some level of corrosion on a car of this age, but the underside of this ‘Vette is exceptionally tidy. Even the drivetrain components looks incredibly well kept.

All of this is set off with a first-rate set of period, polished 15-inch wheels with ‘knock off’ spinners. They are shod in a matched set of Cooper Monogram 2000 white band tyres, which look to be in nice condition with decent tread levels.

The Mechanics

327ci (5.4-litre) “small block” V8
Hurst four-speed manual transmission
Rear-wheel drive
Disc brakes all round
Uprated electronic ignition system
Current owner has done 1200 miles in it this year

While the V5c may have the engine size recorded as 5,700cc, make no mistake, this is a 327ci Turbo-Fire V8, which means 5.4-litres of fury driving 300bhp to the rear wheels. Hilariously for us Europeans, Americans call this a “small block” engine. It’s incredibly clean too, with a red painted block, red rocker covers and a polished air cleaner. It also appears as if the exhaust system has fairly recently been refreshed as it displays in superb order.

Offering the highest level of driver involvement, this car is fitted with the meaty Hurst manual transmission, while as a 1965 model it also gets disc brakes all round as standard. So it should be as good to drive as it is to look at.

The vendor tells us that some spares are included, such as a coil, belts and an original, fully reconditioned AC Delco starter motor. We’re assured that the car runs very well, and no mechanical faults or issues are reported at all.

Summary

Earlier on we said this car was pretty. We were wrong, it’s not pretty. It’s absolutely spectacular. Presented in fantastic overall condition, beautifully preserved and with that barrel-chested 5.4-litre V8 offering the kind of performance that makes you want to go and chase sunsets, we can’t think of many vehicles we’d rather have on our driveway. Quite simply, this is essential.

Notice to bidders

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