Outside of collector Corvette circles, nothing much is noted about the 1965 Corvette outside of its apparent lack of glamour. Of note, the 1965 was last of the "fuel injections", the first and last year for the short-lived 396-425 hp engine option, and the first Corvette with a power antenna. These are hardly the items that define a generation. The 1965 Corvette is for all intents and purposes, the bridesmaid to the crown jewel of the era, the 1967 Sting Ray. Nonetheless, each model year have individuals who become standouts for rarity, condition, options, or varying combinations of the three; a few become legend for other reasons. The ProTeam hi-mile 1965 is one for the log books with 267,464 actual miles documented with paperwork dating back forty (+) years.

This unrestored unmolested California car has a 365 hp 4 speed and an auxiliary hardtop. The Glen Green paint surrounds a saddle tan interior and is matched by a Beige soft top. Original is not emphasized enough as the paint, interior, motor, transmission, and rear end are in remarkable condition considering it is 43 years old and remains unrestored. Surprisingly absent from the volumes of documentation which include window sticker, dealer invoice, bill of sale, maintenance receipts, California registrations and license plates is an accident history. Over 250,000 miles and not one fender bender. Wow! A car like this is impossible to shop and will never be duplicated.

This car was ordered by Jere With in February 1965 for $4,302.04, driven off the Hugh White Chevrolet (Columbus, Ohio) lot on June 9th. It spent just four months as a Buckeye before leaving for California whiling away the next four decades cruising along the San Diego freeway. Jere sold the car to Charles Bacon of Running Springs, California in 2004 before ProTeam brought it back to Ohio in mid-2007; a round trip this car could have made nearly 60 times according to the odometer.

There is such a thing as meticulous car care and then there is the laundry list that accompanies this Corvette. The first repairs were recorded in 1967 and for forty years, every oil change, tire rotation, and leak have been noted on each invoice and neatly organized, marking the history of the 1965 replete with mileage and condition. The first receipt in February 1967 read 32,498 miles and the last receipt in May 2004 read 265,087 miles. One hundred forty-eight (148) receipts came from less than a half dozen shops in San Diego; City Chevrolet, Gallo's Whinery Precision Tune-up, Courtesy Chevrolet, and Sentinel Car Service. These shops checked noises and clamps, changed oil and spark plugs, and even tightened the occasional screw. City Chevrolet's Jim Steams spent more time under the hood than anyone. For some ten years, he was the mechanic of choice keeping the 1965 roadworthy. He even added a burglary system and gas door lock in 1968.

Now ask yourself (engineers, accountants, and type-A personality excluded), where is the last receipt your car incurred? Be honest with yourself, for most people, the simple act of finding the keys is good for a morning's workout. This glen green convertible is an amazing Corvette that long ago proved itself a survivor without spending a day on the infield in Illinois on a muggy June afternoon.

Sometimes it actually is the journey and not just the destination. Baby Boomers understand this axiom better than any other generation in history and this car has driven the same roads and lived through the same eras and, just like the generation that came of age in the '60's, bares all the scars and memories of a long life with no sign slowing down.

What can occur in 267,464 actual miles or less:
• 1 trip to the moon with a good start home (average distance to the moon 238,855 miles)
• 11 trips around the world (24,901 miles)
• 14 round trips between Columbus, Ohio to Sydney, Australia (9,400 miles)
• 60 round trips between Columbus, Ohio and Running Springs, California (2,248 miles)
• 24 years of daily driver ownership (US drivers average 10,996 miles annually)

To see more photos and complete description of this car click here.