1965 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe 327/375 "Fuelie"

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE 

By the mid-60s Southern California was engulfed in a car craze, captivating young men like Steven J. Karlock, who became enamored with the Shelby 427 Cobra. Steven's passion for high-quality cars began with a Cobra, extended to Corvettes, and grew to include many legendary marques. Together with his wife, Jackie, he restored and cherished these vehicles. They later moved to Hannibal, Missouri, where they opened Karlock’s Museum of Pop Culture in a historic grain depot along the Mississippi River. The museum, showcasing top-tier motorcars and memorabilia, became a Midwest gem. Hagerty Marketplace is honored to present The Karlock’s Collection, offered entirely without reserve. 

Chevrolet sure made ordering the highest performance Corvette difficult in 1965. First, there was Regular Production Order L84 “Fuelie” version, powered by the famous 327 cu-in “small block” V8 with Rochester mechanical fuel injection, good for 375 horsepower. Then in April of ’65 another supercar was introduced, RPO L78, with the new Mark IV 396 “big block” engine producing 425 horsepower. Which to choose? Road & Track magazine tested both and much preferred the venerable fuel-injected version with 49/51 weight distribution and the new four-wheel disc brakes, saying it “…encourages the Walter Mittys to become Fangios and Foyts.” 

When The Karlock’s Collection acquired this fuel-injected 1965 Sting Ray Coupe in 1993 it had already experienced a complete restoration to high standards and had earned the coveted Top Flight award from the National Corvette Restorers Society in 1990 as better than 95 percent “typical factory production.” It’s finished in Milano Maroon with the standard Black vinyl interior, as from the factory. Documentation shows it is truly “numbers matching” as not only does the engine match the chassis number, but the transmission, differential, and other components down to the mirrors and glass have the proper manufacturing stamps, casting numbers, and date codes. 

Highlights 

• Offered from The Karlock’s Collection 

• Last year for the “Fuelie” Corvette 

• Only fuel-injected Corvette with four-wheel disc brakes 

• L84 327 cu-in 375 horsepower V8 engine with Rochester mechanical fuel-injection 

• M20 four-speed manual transmission 

• Finished in Milano Maroon (MM) over black vinyl interior 

• Top Flight award from National Corvette Restorers Society in 1990 

• The chassis number (194375S109035) decodes as: 

  • 1 – Chevrolet 

  • 9 – Series (Corvette) 

  • 4 – V8 engine 

  • 37 – Coupe 

  • 5 – 1965 model year 

  • S – St. Louis, Missouri, assembly plant 

  • 109035 – Production number starting with 100001 

• The Body Tag on the decodes as: 

  • G1 – Build date 1st week of February 1965 

  • Style 19-437 – St. Louis Coupe body  

  • Body A-159 – 159th St. Louis body 

  • Trim STD – Standard black vinyl interior 

  • Paint M-M – Milano Maroon 

• Options on this 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray Coupe include: 

  • L84 – 327 cu-in 375 horsepower engine (fuel injection) ($538.00) 

  • N32 – Teakwood Steering Wheel ($48.45) 

  • P48 – Cast Aluminum Knock-Off Wheels (5) ($322.80) 

  • T01 – Goldwall Tires, 7.75x15 (nylon cord) ($50.05) 

  • U69 – AM-FM Radio ($203.40) 

Features 

• Rare factory teak steering wheel 

• Delco AM radio and antenna 

• Heater 

• Locking glove box 

• Manual windows 

• Analog clock 

• Teak steering wheel 

• Twin bucket seats 

• Hidden headlights 

• Chrome exterior mirror  

Known Imperfections 

• Please note that all lots in The Karlock’s Collection are offered after many years of static museum display, without operation or road use. The Hagerty Marketplace Team endeavored to advance all cars to running condition, however, as a result of the extended museum display, it is to be assumed that every lot will require additional mechanical attention before being driven safely on open roads. All cars will have immediate needs associated with long-term static display and require sorting to perform best and safely. All lots are sold as is, where is.  

• New injector shaft recently installed 

• Minor paint chips near door seams 

• Minor paint crack in passenger door pillar 

• Pinhead paint bubbles in hood 

• Other minor paint blemishes 

Included 

• Protect-O-Plate 

• Owner’s manual and assorted factory documents 

• Restoration photos and documents 

• NCRS Top Flight award 

 Ownership History 

This 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray Coupe 327/375 was sold new at Baher Chevrolet Manhattan Beach, California. It received the NCRS Top Flight award in 1990 with a previous owner, then joined The Karlock’s Collection in 1993. 

Additional Notes 

A private preview will be hosted by Hagerty Marketplace for registered bidders on Sunday August 18 and Monday the 19th.  You must call the representing Car Specialist, Ramsey Potts (912.508.4096), in advance to secure an appointment.  

Additionally, due to the cars being stored in a personal residence, following the close of the auction all lots must be retrieved while a Hagerty Marketplace representative is onsite beginning Tuesday, September 3rd through Tuesday, September 10. No cars can be retrieved prior to September 3 and any lots remaining after September 10 will be removed from the facility and placed in an adjacent lot. 

A Broad Arrow Group Consignment Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle.   

Contact: Matt Lowney  Phone: 623.308.2640  email: mlowney@hagerty.com