How a 1965 Corvette Coupe fell into our lap

Update by Tim Suddard to the Chevrolet Corvette Coupe project car
Feb 20, 2024 | Chevrolet, SCCA, Corvette, C2

We’ve always wanted a mid-year Corvette.

Coupe or convertible, big-block or small-block.

The original design came from the pen of our own Peter Brock.

[Without Bill Mitchell, the Chevrolet C2 Corvette may never have happened]

For years, we have wondered, why did these cars–at least the rank-and-file examples–remain relatively inexpensive while lesser machines have continued to rise in price.

Recently, in a rather odd exchange, we were offered a Nassau Blue over white 1965 Corvette. It was a one-owner car that still has most all of its original, numbers-matching equipment. It came from the factory with the L79 engine, four-speed transmission and limited slip.

While the 1963 coupes get special attention to the split window, don’t forget that 1965 was the first year for four-wheel discs on a Corvette–a definite performance advantage.

This story of obtaining this Corvette started with a call from SCCA Foundation ChairmanJeff Jacobs. Costa Dunias, a longtime SCCA member who’s been inducted into the club’s hall of fame, had donated the car to the Foundation. Dunias bought the car new and autocrossed it with his wife, Wilma, through the ’70s.

We were asked to help market the car’s sale.

While we expressed interest, we told Jeff that the car should go to a public auction in order to raise the most funds for the SCCA Foundation’s causes. Jeff agreed that was the right thing to do. He was going to get it appraised and fix a few issues before getting back to us.

A couple of months later, we got a call with the surprising news that the Foundation decided not to put the car up for auction. In short, it needed too much work.

The appraiser listed the car’s issues but concluded with an offer to buy the car for $30,000. We were asked if we would offer more to keep the car. We made a stronger offer, with the promise that we’d document the car’s next stage in life. Costa and Wilma approved that plan, and that’s how we came into possession of a one-owner 1965 Corvette Coupe.

All updates

Developing a game plan for the Corvette we bought sight unseen