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Few Corvettes carry the weight of a 1965 big-block. This Milano Maroon 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible is one of them, packing the legendary 425-horsepower L78 396 V8 and a four-speed manual, and it's currently up for grabs with no reserve on Hagerty Marketplace. Photos and details come courtesy of Hagerty Marketplace, where a Broad Arrow Auctions specialist is representing the car on behalf of the Bobbin' for Cars Collection.
The Year the Big-Block Arrived
1965 was a turning point for America's sports car. Building on the C2 Sting Ray design that debuted for 1963, Chevrolet made four-wheel disc brakes standard, giving the Corvette the stopping power to match its growing reputation. It was also the last year for the factory fuel-injected small-block, a combination you can read more about in our look at this rare L84 fuel-injected 1965 Corvette Convertible.
Then, midway through the model year, Chevrolet dropped the hammer. The L78 396 "Turbo-Jet" V8 became the first Mark IV big-block ever offered in a Corvette. Factory-rated at 425 horsepower, it made more than one horsepower per cubic inch and kicked off the big-block Corvette era that would define the brand's muscle-car credentials for years to come.
Numbers-Matching L78 Power
The heart of this car is the real deal. Its 396 carries an IF suffix code, which corresponds to the 425-horsepower/manual transmission configuration, and the engine pad stamping matches the car's serial number, making it a numbers-matching L78. The chassis number decodes to a Corvette convertible built at the St. Louis assembly plant, and the trim tag shows a June 8, 1965, build date with original Milano Maroon paint and black vinyl upholstery.
Power flows through a Muncie M21 close-ratio four-speed to a Positraction rear end with 3.70:1 gears. The current gearbox is a 1970-manufactured M21, and the carburetor is a replacement, both of which the seller discloses up front. For a car meant to be driven and enjoyed, that close-ratio four-speed is exactly the gearbox you'd want behind a big-block.
Classic Sting Ray Style
Outside, the fiberglass body wears a refinished coat of Milano Maroon topped by a black convertible top. Flip-up headlights, polished bumpers, and bright trim deliver that unmistakable mid-'60s Sting Ray look, while 15-inch knock-off aluminum wheels add just the right amount of swagger over the four-wheel disc brakes.
Inside, black vinyl bucket seats are paired with a wood-rim steering wheel and bright trim. An analog clock and an AM/FM radio with a power antenna sit in the center stack. If you prefer a more modernized take on the C2, check out this restomod 1964 Corvette Sting Ray, but for purists, it doesn't get much better than an original big-block car like this one.
Recently Sorted and Ready to Drive
The Corvette shows 45,800 miles, though the listing notes true mileage is unknown. What's more encouraging is its recent maintenance. Service records dating back to 2023 show the transmission was rebuilt in December 2023, along with a new headlight motor and switch, a U-joint, and a brake bulb. The engine oil and differential fluid were changed, and the coolant and brake fluid were flushed. In January 2024, the brightwork was removed for a paint correction service and then reinstalled.
The seller has also been responsive with bidders, reporting that the car recently ran for about 10 minutes in the hot sun with the water temperature gauge staying low, and noting no major oil leaks. The car is located in Sugar Hill, Georgia, and comes with a New Hampshire title.
No Reserve, and Bidding Is Heating Up
At the time of writing, bidding stood at $35,750 after 19 bids, and the auction is scheduled to end on Wednesday, September 30, at 4:20 p.m. EDT. Because it's offered without reserve, this big-block Sting Ray will go to the highest bidder when the clock runs out.
A numbers-matching L78 convertible with a four-speed, fresh service, and head-turning Milano Maroon paint is the kind of Corvette collectors dream about. Whoever takes it home will be getting a genuine piece of Corvette history. View the full listing, photos, and bidding on Hagerty Marketplace.
