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Few first-year muscle machines carry the swagger of the 1965 Corvette L78, and a gorgeous Milano Maroon convertible is now up for grabs with no reserve on Hagerty Marketplace. Powered by its numbers-matching 396ci "Turbo-Jet" big-block and backed by a four-speed manual, this drop-top Sting Ray represents the exact moment Chevrolet's sports car traded finesse for brute force, and it's being offered from the Bobbin' for Cars Collection through a Broad Arrow specialist.
The Big-Block That Started It All
The C2 Corvette was already a hit when it debuted for 1963, and the 1965 model year made it better still with standard four-wheel disc brakes. It was also the last hurrah for the factory fuel-injected small-block, a story we covered when a rare L84 fuel-injected 1965 Corvette convertible crossed the block. Midway through the year, though, Chevrolet dropped the bomb: the L78 396ci V8, the first Mark IV big-block ever offered in a Corvette.
Rated at 425 horsepower, the L78 made more than one horsepower per cubic inch, a staggering figure for the era, and it kicked off the big-block Corvette legend that would carry on through the 427s that followed. Because the 396 was a one-year-only Corvette engine, 1965 L78 cars have become some of the most coveted C2s around. If you want the backstory on how this engine sneaked past GM's corporate displacement rules, check out our deep dive on the 1965 L78 Corvette.
Numbers-Matching Muscle
This is the real deal. The engine pad stamping, 5120216, corresponds to the car's serial number, and the IF suffix identifies the 425-hp/manual transmission configuration exactly as Chevrolet built it. The chassis number decodes to a St. Louis-built Corvette convertible, while the trim tag shows a June 8, 1965, build date along with original Milano Maroon paint and black vinyl upholstery.
Power reaches the pavement through a 1970-manufactured Muncie M21 close-ratio four-speed and a Positraction rear end with 3.70:1 gears, a combination that makes this big-block convertible every bit as fun to drive as it is to look at. Rounding out the hardware are four-wheel disc brakes, a fully independent suspension with front and rear sway bars, and a set of 15-inch knock-off aluminum wheels that look just right on a mid-'60s Sting Ray.
Looks As Good As It Goes
The fiberglass body wears a rich coat of Milano Maroon topped by a black convertible top, and the flip-up headlights, polished bumpers, and bright trim make this Corvette pop from every angle. Inside, black vinyl bucket seats pair beautifully with a wood-rim steering wheel, while the center stack houses an analog clock and an AM/FM radio with a power antenna.
The odometer shows 45,800 miles, though true mileage is unknown. What is known is that this Corvette has been well cared for. In December 2023 the transmission was rebuilt, the headlight motor and switch were replaced, a U-joint was swapped, and all the fluids were refreshed. A paint correction followed in January 2024, which explains why the finish still gleams in the listing photos. The seller has even reported the car running in the hot Georgia sun with the temperature gauge staying low.
A Big-Block Corvette With No Reserve
Located in Sugar Hill, Georgia, and sold with a New Hampshire title, this Corvette has attracted plenty of attention, pulling in 20 bids and a high bid of $40,000 at the time of writing. With no reserve, it will sell to the highest bidder when the auction closes on Wednesday, September 30, at 4:20 p.m. EDT.
A numbers-matching L78 convertible is about as good as it gets for C2 fans, and this one checks the boxes on originality, presentation, and drivability. For another look at what makes these cars special, see this 1965 L78 Chevy Corvette we featured previously. Then head over to Hagerty Marketplace to check out all 149 photos and place your bid before this big-block beauty finds a new home.
