Set to cross the block at Mecum Auctions on September 25, this exceptional 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe represents one of the rarest and most highly documented configurations of the C2 generation. Only 41 Corvette Coupes were built for 1965 with the optional RPO N03 36½-gallon fuel tank, making this example particularly significant to serious Corvette collectors.
Its rarity is further amplified by an unusual factory specification: the car was ordered with drum brakes, retaining the braking hardware from the preceding model year rather than receiving the standard 1965 disc-brake system. The Corvette has subsequently earned an extraordinary collection of accolades, including Bloomington Gold Certification, NCRS Top Flight awards at the Chapter, Regional, and National levels, MCACN Concours Gold, and Triple Diamond Certification. It was also previously part of the prestigious K.D. James Collection.
Under the hood is its matching-numbers L75 327/300 HP V-8, paired with an M20 four-speed manual transmission and a 3.36:1 rear axle. The drivetrain is complemented by power steering, J50 power brakes, and an off-road exhaust system. Factory equipment includes C60 four-season air conditioning, tinted glass, an AM/FM radio, telescopic steering column, and a teakwood steering wheel.
The exterior is finished with cast-aluminum knock-off wheels and whitewall tires, while the cabin features white leather upholstery. The car also retains its Z01 Convenience Package and its exceptionally rare N03 high-capacity fuel tank. A comprehensive collaborative restoration was carried out by Corvette specialists Bob Gregory, Bruce and Scott Smith, and Dick Ferrando of D&A Corvette in Gillespie, Illinois, with considerable attention given to preserving the car’s originality and factory specification.
Combining documented provenance, concours-level restoration, unusual factory specifications, and one of the rarest fuel-tank configurations offered in the 1965 Corvette lineup, this Corvette stands as a particularly compelling example of Chevrolet’s second-generation sports car—and a formidable addition to any serious collection.
Source: Mecum Auctions
