True Story Of The Freak Corvette - 1965 Chevrolet Corvette L78 396

There probably isn't any other Chevrolet Corvette that's more of an anomaly than the L78 396 cubic-inch V8 powered 1965 Corvette. It hasn't always gotten the respect it deserved but it's earned a place in the top 10 most legendary Corvettes.

[@tomperkins5657]

EXCELLENT! I like his voice. No nonsense, no hype, just the facts. Oh, and no screaming head-banging heavy metal introductions.

[@erniecamp6945]

Ha Mr. Tom, I could not agree with you more.

[@Miccio1]

I listen to this guy when I'm having trouble falling asleep.

[@zurnie]

Should make a drinking game out of these videos. Every time they repeat the entire name, "L78 396 big block V8 Corvette..." Drink!!!

[@chriscrain2878]

ZZZZZZZZ ..... 😴😴😴

[@alanreiner9163]

I don't know that this is not a voice emulator. I've watched other vids (not just cars) and this wierd sloth-like deadpan comes ringing through.

[@markw9512]

@@alanreiner9163 Definitely a vocoder, not a real person.

[@captainbipto8196]

Ell seventy-eight three ninety-six cubic inch displacement big block vee eight said in monotone repeatedly each and every mention... got to you too, eh? I do deplore insider-speak-the use of cryptic jargon that every serious enthusiast is expected to know. And abbreviations not spelled out at least once. But this guy has gone to the opposite extreme. Spelling every instance out. I actually did get dozy watching this. Wonderfully informative though.

[@johnadams9044]

At the track, my fuelie '65 Corvette turned 13.7 seconds at 104 mph. On the street I could cream a 396 Vette. The big Chrysler trucks with 440 and even Hemi were no competition to my Fuel injection Vette.

[@dancingtrout6719]

just a little tinkering..chuckle

[@kelleymanning1137]

Stunningly beautiful cars. The Cobra included.

[@TwoWheelRocco]

Great job, I owned mine since 1982, I love the car. Everybody that sees it loves it to. C2 are #1

[@gtoycoma]

Sweeeet! ~ When I was 17, in 1979, I worked at a used car dealership, washing cars, etc. They had a 1970 Corvette on the lot. I drove it every chance I got. Loved that car. Wish I could have bought it. But, I only made about $200 a week. I probably would have gotten too many tickets anyway.

[@RandyTheWildHorse]

All of the Corvettes are so Cool!

[@leonardwashington9997]

!!The real Corvettes ✅👍..C2s and early C3s.. right on..

[@cemeteryhill]

Ever since I was a kid this body-style has always been what pops into my head when I think "Corvette". Such an Iconic look.

[@kenrussell1093]

I remember it on the cover of a Beach Boys album, and it has been my favorite body style ever since, except maybe the 1960-61 models......it's a close call for me.

[@bigred8438]

For me it was the'67 model, and l think from memory, l had a 1:43 scal model of it.

[@spook5756]

The most beautiful body style vette to this day.

[@djquinn11]

@@spook5756 : Agreed

[@dancingtrout6719]

1960 Going Down The Mulsanne Straight The 24 Hours of Lemans

[@opera93]

Thanks, I had almost forgotten the 396/425 HP , hoopla: just Graduating from HIGH School, in 1965!! Anyways, we heard & talked about these , and seen a lot of other 396 ENGINE uses…….

[@Titus-as-the-Roman]

One of my favorite channels.- A time when America actually knew how to build a reliable Transmission.

[@garymckee8857]

Yes I wonder what happened.

[@garymckee8857]

@ I had some 64 model Chrysler products that I got 300 thousand miles with just basic maintenance and you could repair them your self.

[@flyonbyya]

How can this not be the BEST CHANNEL IN THE WORLD !!!!!!

[@alexanderspenser4960]

I tell this not in retribution of my dad, but in 1972, I was 16, working with my dad at a Chevy store he managed. A traded '65 396 Corvette coupe was going to auction. It was beat, but was solid. Wires hung from under the dash, daylight could be seen through the shifter, no boot. Used car manager said it was mine for $900. My dad said,"no".

[@BeefheartLynch]

I remember back in 1983, I was 18 and had come into some insurance money. Not a ton, but around 10K, which for an 18 year old was pretty good. I wanted to purchase a classic Corvette, and the only one that interested me was a C2. Specifically a 1965, the year I was born. I went looking with an older friend of the family who had a lot of experience with cars and repairs and restoration. I was shown a gorgeous red on white 1965 327/375 FI 4 spd coupe. Took it for a spin and immediately fell in love. What was the price you may ask? 6k, plus he threw in many spare parts. I am 54 years old and that car is still in my garage. I have turned down offers north of 100K. When I croak, it goes to my son.

[@2good2often]

Owning just one of the 771 Injected cars nade in 65 must be a point of pride .. great Story !

[@BeefheartLynch]

@@2good2often Thanks Robin. It's been such a great part of my life, it really deserves it's own book. It has been there through many great ups and many horrible downs.

[@craigthescott5074]

Wow we have a very similar story. In 1983 I bought a 64 coup manual car. No insurance settlement tho I saved 4K and my dad matched it. We bought the car for $7500. And I too still have the car but mine is a reso mod now. Got a 500HP 327 and a manual 6 speed. Put disc brakes on it all high performance suspension. I’ve got a C3 and a C7 Z06 too now. Love Corvettes.

[@louisgarris9435]

when i croaketha my kid gets a weed whacker

[@tommissouri4871]

In 1976, I looked at a '66 that looked like this '65 at 0:16 for $2200 with a 307 in it and the seats weren't bolted down. I decided to think it over and it was gone the next morning. I then bought a '63 that had a '67 BB hood, a 283, and '64 seats that weren't bolted down for $2100 about a week later. I still kick myself over not just buying that '66. It had been a 427 that was pulled because they did that in the '70s, due to gas or due to blowing them up. Either way, I could have dropped a big block back in and had a great car. Of course, the 283 in the '63 had a hot cam and 2.02 461 heads and would peg the tach. That 307 would have been a dog until I could pulled it.

[@emichael6293]

Seems to me the 1965 L84 was the sweet spot of the C2 models. The chassis, and its handling, was designed for the weight of a small-block, not a big block. And 1965 was the first year for disc brakes.

[@thegreenerthemeaner]

Enter the L88. It's weight with aluminum heads and intake was within a few lbs of any small block. The torque of course was over the top but the L84 was the only small block with a flat torque peak.

[@east5871]

There is always interesting and fun info in these videos however I must admit that I have a long play list of these videos that I listen too when I cant sleep. The calming voice and the list of horsepower and torque numbers read always does it for me.

[@kramnull8962]

People seem to forget that the average wage in the USA in 1965 was $1.15 an hour. So yeah the little add ons for $100 seemed so little, but to earn that wage was so much....

[@ThisGuyisDean]

Right, people don't generally understand the comparable values. I bought a 64 Vette (much simpler and less expensive car to manufacture and maintain) convertible with 20 thou miles in 66 for $2700 which today would even be a steal at about $25,000 comp car value (not a 2 yr. old Vette but comparable new car value). But the 1.15 avg. seems low because the CA min wage in 63 was 1.01 and I made $2 an hour in construction support labor that summer after my senior year. The add on would be more than a thou today. The quarter referenced in the vid however seemed slow because I did about 95-100 in my 327/300hp.

[@kramnull8962]

@@user-t2l6h That was about the average wage numbnutz. They still had the females on the same pay scale as they made them work when the men went off to war. There's your history lesson for today.

[@kramnull8962]

@@user-t2l6h the 1961 Amendments extended coverage primarily to employees in large retail and service enterprises as well as to local transit, construction, and gasoline service station employees. That wage doesn't stand for all people. Just some Read your footnotes.

[@usfreight]

I have a 66 Impala SS 396 and it moves this heavy beast very well.

[@stevethomas760]

Had a bud with a '65 Impala, 409/4sp car. The only one I've ever seen. That said I've never seen a '66/396 car.

[@KH6775]

Absolutely beautiful! I love the bumpers in these cars.

[@danielc5205]

I'd rather have a C2 over the new C8. Our uncle had a '67 Vette up until his death.

[@richardkaltenbach3961]

C3 For Me. I Miss My Yellow '68 L-36 427/390 T-Top 4 Speed Screamfest Corvette. Would You Believe, Even With That Corvette, I STILL COULD NOT GET THE GIRLS!!!

[@wyattnyfeler7270]

Richard Kaltenbach naw man c2 all day

[@ralfie8801]

Richard Kaltenbach That’s because....guy with a yellow car, they didn’t even notice the Vette part of the equation.

[@richardkaltenbach3961]

@@wyattnyfeler7270 Yeah But A DISCO ERA C3, (1978-1982 With Heavy Emphasis On 1979 In Particular) You Will More Often Than Not, Find A GIRL At The Wheel!

[@ll7868]

Daniel C When I was 9 ('79) my dad bought a 1970 Corvette and was going to fix it up and give it to me when I got a licence, unfortunately he crashed it when I was 14, he got out with 2 broken legs but the car was DOA. My 1st car was a slightly used 1982 Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am with 305 Chevy V8 auto 3-speed.

[@littleshopofsawdust1157]

The first 396s were introduced with 450hp but they had to de-tune them. They were insane

[@nojunkwork5735]

Introduced in what?

[@arevee9429]

I wonder what the weight diff is between a 327 fuel injected and the big blocks. I have never driven either variant, but I'd wager the 327 is lighter on its feet by a noticeable amount.

[@howabouthetruth2157]

Probably handle much better running curvy roads.....vs the big block.

[@mercmarc]

I believe it's about a hundred pound difference.

[@paulkirkland1535]

My thoughts exactly. The SBC is a much lighter engine than the BBC. I've driven both in the past and truth be told the SBC vette handled much better than the BBC vette. Excessive weight over the front end will always upset handling characteristics of a car especially one like a Corvette. IMO the "Fuellie" SBC vettes are more valuable especially the '65 model year. I'd love to have one these. Remember them since my childhood in the 60's. Ah the good old days. Long live the good old days. Have a gr8 day

[@scottelkin562]

Not so noticeable a difference. They all road like buckboards and compared to todays car, the handling not what you would think. The big blocks were grossly under rated as far as factory claimed horsepower. That you notice! Big blocks from 65-71 would stick you to the back of the seat and take your breath away. They launched. If you ever get the chance...

[@steves4639]

technically this frame is a mid-engine, as the engine is behind the front wheels instead of between, so prob the difference between SBC vs BBC is about the same as a skinny driver vs fat driver

[@byates59]

I remember when I was a kid back in the 60's seeing those C2 Vettes cruising the streets! I fell in love with Corvettes back then and still love them to this day! Long live the Chevrolet Corvette!

[@cptnoremac]

'60s*

[@sidiouswargaming3971]

Even the new gen?

[@byates59]

@@sidiouswargaming3971 ... Absolutely!

[@eddieberberich6611]

MADE MY MORNING. GREAT JOB. THANK YOU. EDDIE B.

[@vassa1972]

Great stuff loved the Vette

[@cambo1200]

My Dad had a 65 Corvette with the L78, he got so many speeding tickets he had to sell it in the 70s. Said he got a whole 3 grand for it!

[@bw6538]

cambo1200 worth over 100 grand today

[@dukecraig2402]

That's about what they were worth back then, when no one wanted a "60's gas hog" for a car.

[@bw6538]

Duke Craig I could see the future all my buddy’s had all those cars but I was the poorest

[@paulbrown8370]

That car would go for a bundle, you got to be wrong.

[@looloo6322]

@@dukecraig2402 True, in the gas crunch of '78 corvettes, mustangs and basically any muscle car especially with big blocks were selling for $800-$1500, that was cheap even back then. My friend Steve sold his LS6 Chevelle for $1200, lucky he was able to buy it back for $1000 a few months later when the kid who bought it couldn't afford to drive it. The kid put a great stereo in it.

[@I_Eat_Meat12345]

One of the best-looking cars of that, or any, era!

[@billp5656]

I owner a 65 convertible 327/350hp vette in 79. I was only 19 years old - saved my money and bought it for $4150. Every girl in town was after me ! I foolishly sold it 10 years later at a huge profit. I still think about it after all these years.

[@robertstancliffsr9575]

The L-79 327 is my favorite Chevy engine, ever.....only 350 HP but I can live with that......

[@charleshendrix232]

That was a great price. I went to Malcom Konner in Paramus NJ one day in ‘77, and there was a very clean ‘65 convertible vette sitting there for 10K. The salesman laughed at me because he assumed I couldn’t pay for it. I was 18. I got insulted and walked out. I could have paid cash as I had come into some money. But I didn’t. I regret it till this day.

[@paulbrown8370]

I would still take the 1963 Split window coup today, the best car made.

[@joequillun7790]

14.1 @ "103". LOL. Gee, does anyone think there might've been some "traction" issues? :D At 103, it'll be in the very low 13s, or even 12s, with a decent set of tires. Cool car, when equipped with the rockcrusher, and a set of 4.11s. I'll take mine with a 427 tri power, and a diamond back, like the 67 model, (thank you very much).

[@raz_nick4048]

Yeah some nice modern tires should put this beast into the high 12s

[@stevethomas760]

I had a '67 Camaro, 350 CI/4sp with 4:10 gears. Ran a 14.3, not with stock tires. I was never outran by anything in it's class. The strongest engine of any car I've ever owned. Still got the trophy in the basement, somewhere.

[@marcuskeys1048]

A 1960 Eldorado in that Condition brings in the Ball Park of $225,000 Dollars and with a Custom Paint Job it could do even better, but apart from that it was a part of the man and his life his Legacy he lived and breathed Automobila this was his Vocation!

[@richardbartolo2890]

For me the look of the 1963 thru 1967 Corvette sting ray convertible or fast back was it. The 1968 later & longer body styles never did as much for me as the earlier years. , I am speaking really about body style not horsepower.

[@normanduke8855]

Sweet,sweet eye candy. Every fella's dream in the 60's.

[@cptnoremac]

'60s*

[@happydays8171]

... and 70's. Big blocks were show stoppers in my cruising days.

[@cptnoremac]

@@happydays8171 '70s*

[@dukeman7595]

They were some fine cars of a bygone era..

[@billthompson5644]

That was a REALLY GREAT VIDEO, extremely informative and absolutely mesmerizing. I save all of your videos to my library. It's kind of funny ,when Chevy really needed a car to move they didn't use a Quadra junk they used the Holley.

[@2good2often]

I have a 350 hp 327 , 66 . The Holly 750 is way too much CFM for 327 cubic inch engine .. after trying to get car to run properly and rebuilding the carb twice [ done by professional carb repair shop ] I put a Edelbrock 650 on it [ which is a Carter ] and it finally runs fine Holley's seem to be Ok on a Ford , Chevrolet not so good for some reason . QuadraJet was not yet made in 1960's ..

[@jamesharrison6201]

All I can say is, the 327 was way fast enough for the bugs to knock out a tooth or take out an eye

[@jeffreyrogers8151]

Absolutely. 375 horsepower is respectable

[@thegreenerthemeaner]

@@jeffreyrogers8151 the flat torque of that L84 was very sweet. Shifting at high rpm to drop on top of it in a curve then sling out of it was to be experienced.

[@johnthonig8832]

L79 is no slouch

[@BuzzLOLOL]

The "FREAK" Corvettes were '66 - '69 with L88 427" rated at '430 HP' to keep kids from ordering them over the 435 HP street engine, but actually 560 HP at 6600 RPMs !!!

[@josephglenn5612]

I test drove a '67 roadster with that engine. Around the block once and gave the keys back to the salesman. impossible not to spin the rear tires. The real problem with owning one of these cars is the price of insurance for anyone younger than 30 years old. In the '63 - '65 era, the Porsche 904 GTS was a faster automobile with a tiny 4 cylinder engine. Especially in the wet.

[@mercmarc]

Also the L88 option was prohibitively expensive.

[@BuzzLOLOL]

@@mercmarc - Not for us Americans...

[@dthtoneocons1]

As usual, a great "Old Car Memories" video. Keep up the good work!

[@henrymontenegro1159]

Thank you!

[@steves4639]

gawd...those skinny, skinny tires. A BB '65 has been on my wish list for years...either roadster or coupe, don't matter

[@wreckanchor]

My uncle bought one new in 1965 Blue with a White conv. top. 4.10 gears ran it at the drag strip in Aquasco MD. for years and did well. He got drafted and had to drive it from Maryland to Texas with his wife and German shepard in it. With the 4.10 gears. lol

[@austinaubinoe]

Cool I just looked that up, can still see it from google maps. I have a 396 convertible in milano maroon, black top in Frederick MD. Also 4.10s. I was at the 50th anniversary for the 1965 vette at Carlisle, a guy had an original car with 4.56 gears!!

[@SlimDON1182]

The 1964 Corvette Gran Sport was the reason why Carroll Shelby decided to drop the Ford 427 Big Block in to the AC Cobra. Those Gran Sports were beating the Cobras on the race track, the Corvette GranSports had the 377 small block race engines in them. Putting out almost 500 hp.

[@greggarner4477]

My dream car

[@greggarner4477]

And I mean dream.... Because I will NEVER EVER have that kind of money

[@NOLL72]

A true "freak Corvette" was the '62. It had the front of the '61 and the back of the upcoming '63 Stingray. A one-of-a-kind year for the Corvette. JMO.

[@alans.4167]

The '61 has the same rear as the '62 with the 4 round taillights. The biggest change that made the '62 look more modern from '61's is that most of them were not painted two tone, the "coves" being the same color as the rest of the car.

[@larrywoodruff7530]

High water Mark? 65 fulie, hands down.

[@burlingtonbill1]

Even though I've always been a Ford guy, I gotta tip my hat to the 'Vette. It's the best thing Chevy ever did ! Loved the Sting Ray styling.

[@waltbullet1287]

Never would of got better! Competition got em better ! Mopar! Chevy! And FORD, LOVE EM ALLL,

[@2good2often]

Bill Miitchell Chevs head designer kept a model of shark in his office to remind him of what he wanted the Corvette to emulate

[@johnadams9044]

Moden technoog allows the 327 and 350 to produce 500+ hoursepower. Light weight and big power is the strongest reasons to use the wonderful small block engines.

[@joeottsoulbikes415]

I got to see just about every iteration of Corvette made. My great uncle was a obsessed with Corvettes and very very rich. When the sink hole opened up under the corvette museum and ate most of the collection a private collector stepped in and had cars they could display in the new museum. That collector was my uncle who lived a short hour and a half to two away from the factory.

[@MikeBMW]

Nice content, as always! I used to own a '65 Corvette - small V8, Powerglide transmission and all, but it was a lot of fun ... until I wrapped it around a tree back in the 70's. :( I always look forward to new videos! :)

[@howabouthetruth2157]

I can relate: I bought a '67 Chevelle 2-door with original 283 & Powerglide transmission with 160,000 miles on it. This was back in 1980-81, and I was 18 at the time. Loved that car & little V8. Had my uncle, a Chevy sm block wizard rebuild the motor. He put heads on it with bigger valves & a better, yet still fairly mild cam & Holly 650 cfm carb, as it was my daily driver. Duel exhaust. Black. Got great gas mileage if ya kept your foot out of it just cruising. No power steering, yet you could steer that car with 1 finger when barely rolling. Was just about to have it re-painted, but I got drunk & totaled it against a whole stand of oak trees. Lucky I walked away.......let alone live. Learned my lesson the hard way, lol.

[@tomtheplummer7322]

Why do cars get wrapped around trees and telephone poles?

[@marydesmond9595]

@@tomtheplummer7322 They jump out in front of you!

[@patlatorres7000]

The big problem with the big block cars (both Corvettes and Cobras) was the weight of the larger engine. While they went like stink in a straight line, the cornering was hurt by all of that weight up front. Given a choice between the 327 and the 396/427, I'd go for the small block every time. A "sports car" is supposed to be able to corner. If I wanted a drag racer, then I would go after a Nova or a Chevelle.

[@brendab1306]

I owned one sweet beautiful car

[@happydays8171]

Thank you for your time and research for these videos. I hang on every word, so informative.

[@gibsondrummer]

The coupe with the big block , the fuelie mouse with the rag top

[@BobbyTucker]

I had a 64 Corvette Coupe, 327/340 with a 4 spd. muncie trans. Got rid of the stock shifter and replaced it with a Mr. Gasket "Bang Shifter", no more missed gears.

[@master335]

I was at the 1968 Chevrolet dealers show and unveiling of the 1968 corvette. I was 16. They had go go dancers in bird cages in white mini skirts and knee high boots. Brooklyn Bridge was playing in the auditorium next door. The red velvet drapes parted and there it was, a blue mako designed corvette , seems like it was on a turntable, its been along time.

[@quagmiredavis4117]

396 also was offered 425 hp ...thats when grandad thankfully checked this box and kept his fuelinjection 327 late 64 we still have grandad and his 8 corvettes None have been on a trailer ... 600+ mile trips are still no issues.. his rarest are 2 427 all aluminum winters foundry .... recently a dealer offered a new Him a new C8 for one of his corvettes.......I'll clean up his remarks due to you tube communist censors ... he told owner of corvette dealership he is not Old enough (86 ) for a woman's transmission...... paddles are for women .. told owner put Buick emblems on c8 and curb feelers .... a corvette is not True corvette unless you shift manually.,,,,,, basically told the offering of cash and c8 was insult and shove it ..... he still takes them on occasion to tail of dragon Or trips to texas old us 82 El Camino hyway .... he has others he purchased when his dealership was in family as trades during fuel crisis 70s Hemi GTX / sunbeam tiger / Chevelles big block 396 427...to name a few this was a great informative video..... keep up good work ,, I will post videos Of pops driving some of his cars... warning for trailer queen crowds don't watch them they are driven hard .. driven in rain (gasp) and caught in snow Driving from California back to Murphy NC...( trialer queen. Crowd would be on floor at seeing snow on a 58 Ramjet corvette) in 2019 ....again great informative video 😊

[@lukehoppe9445]

I have a 65 corvette my grandfather left me when he passed away 30 years ago. How can I tell which hp 327 I have? Awesome video by the way

[@danr1920]

Not a fan of heavy engines. If I could own any 1965 car it would be the E Type. But being not rich I'm very happy with my 65 Corvair.

[@livewire2759]

If you don't like heavy engines, you could get an early '65 with the fuelie, but Corvairs are cool too.

[@jeffpollard7304]

Love the early ‘vettes, love the ‘E’ types even more, but then I’m biased, I’m a Jag. lover.........but Corvettes had good things going!

[@livewire2759]

@@jeffpollard7304 I would like Jaguars... if they weren't British....

[@Clones2011]

big block and rockcrusher trans, man what a feeling to drive

[@jeffpollard7304]

Kathleen Shaw : ‘66 sounds like a wonderful year also driving Eddie Fisher’s ‘stang and your Mexico City’s “experience” notwithstanding, all in all your life has been............outstanding!!!

[@dobermanpac1064]

Personally I preferred the small block. .3 in the quarter mile was significant, however road racing the 327 rev’d up much quicker.

[@dons.9842]

I was lucky enough to own a 1965 Corvette, but with the more modest 327/300 shown at 2:25. I bought it in1969 using money I had saved while in the army from 1966 to 1969.

[@kevinmontgomery1383]

Donald Salmon Awesome. Thank You for your Service!

[@dondakota920]

The l78 really did make 425 horsepower even when they were rated at 375 horsepower when installed in other vehicles. The horsepower game was a huge jokeand when the 427 version of this engine was released it was also rated at 425 horsepower. It really produced well over 450 and the l88 produced over 550 horsepower with a rating of just 430. The small Port engines also were underrated

[@jerrywhite9225]

I think they may have been overrated, remember a few yrs ago Super Chevy put a 450hp ls6 454 on the dyno and it only put 330 hp to the wheels .

[@niterockerone]

Only the Vette had the hot solid lifter cam. The other 375 hp cars had a milder hydraulic cam.

[@wakjob961]

LOVE your videos...but, you need to level out your audio my friend. The intro/outro music is SO loud compared to your narration. Otherwise, I appreciate all that you do!

[@machtschnell7452]

Big blocks handled like pigs. 327/350 SBC were much better.

[@oscarsanchez8601]

1965 Corvette. Sky blue. My favorite car of all time since I was 10 years old. Still beautiful as I remember as a kid. Couldn’t afford one then and now. Great video.

[@johnliotta2583]

Once again, very Kool.

[@marcstephan7650]

I had a L78 396 engine in a 1959 Corvette back in 1968.

[@Johnny53kgb-nsa]

I use to watch Bonanza as a kid and couldn't wait for the Chevrolet commercial to see the new Corvettes. The new one's are faster, but the old Vette's have more class.

[@waltwynn-sandiegonorthcoun8475]

When gas was cheap⛽💸...❗

[@wyattnyfeler7270]

Walt Wynn - San Diego North County it’s cheap now

[@mercmarc]

Gas really is cheap now adjusted for inflation.

[@bigelile07]

@@wyattnyfeler7270 Yep, got some today for $1.63. Wish I had a storage tank that I could fill.

[@jamesengland7461]

STOP REPEATING THE ENTIRE ENGINE NAME IN EVERY SINGLE SENTENCE! It's ridiculous!

[@jamesengland7461]

@john thonig because it's highly annoying. It's the worst aspect of all his videos, and entirely unnecessary.

[@randy.3771]

I want a '65 Roadster, white with a black interior,........

[@5litreho]

The 396 big block was the unsung hero of the Mark IV series engines. The 427 was not that much more powerful than the 396, unless it's an L88...

[@user-iz3gv5vo6b]

It still surprises me every time I look at the pictures of these old Corvettes how skinny the tires were. The AC Cobra on the other hand looks like it had much more modern tire dimensions.

[@2good2often]

a 427 Cobra had big tires , the 289 ? nope .. The 427 Cobra was about as impractical car as you could find .. The exhaust pipe heated up the driver foot well so that you were uncomfortable and the 427 engine was so powerful it would frighten anyone who got behind the wheel . A daily driver it was not 0 to 100 mph to 0 in .. what 10 seconds ?

[@bkuznick]

I owned and restored a 65 L78 Rally Red Coupe in the early 80's. It had electric windows, side exhaust and an M22 'rock crusher' transmission. What a blast to drive! Unfortunately, I'd sold it in the late 80's. After I replaced the old side exhaust with new, Chevy OEM side exhaust...I was pulled over and given a ticket for 'excessive noise'...(it was quite loud).

[@davidefland1985]

Ive learned a lot from watching these videos that l didn’t know about. I was only 8 years old in 1965 but l remember this body style. I never knew about a 396 Vette or the L-78 396 which was rated at 425 HP . They also put this in the 65 Impala it’s very rare. L-78 motor would continue through 1969 in other Chevy models.

[@davidadcock8717]

I have always thought that the '65 Corvette Stingray was The Most Beautiful auto that ever came from America!

[@jjhpor]

I thought the narrator was going to fall asleep before he finished. He may have because he forgot to mention that Duntov's beautifully balanced chassis became sort of a nose heavy pig with that monstrous cast iron engine in front.

[@gregbarhorst3986]

Never understood why the 396 and 427 had the same HP

[@ZeroBoostBuick]

1960 street tire technology was so crappy compared to today's. Exactly the same 1965 Vette running 14.1 in the quarter can just about get below 13 sec with today's modern tires.

[@marinegrunt6633]

had a new 1967 tri power 427/435

[@tomperkins5657]

Does anyone know the color (or color code) of the silver-grey Vette at 7:07? Man, I love that color.

[@tomperkins5657]

@john thonig THANKS!!

[@tomperkins5657]

@john thonig Thanks! I used to have a memory too...I think.

[@MichaelandCathy1999]

Hey,12th!! You can’t beat cubic inch!, my very 1st car was a ‘69 Oldsmobile Cutlass Brougham Convertible, 455 ci and 2 speed Powerglide. Cherry red exterior with Black top and interior, dual exhaust, boy, I miss that car!

[@aarongranda7825]

Michael Wojciechowski you can get powerglide on an olds?

[@barneybaker2049]

@@aarongranda7825 Ithink they the jetaway but still the same !!

[@BuzzLOLOL]

@@aarongranda7825 - Not in F85/Cutlass/442 after '66... never in full size Olds (except '54 because of Hydramatic factory fire)

[@aarongranda7825]

Thank you for clarifying.

[@MichaelandCathy1999]

Aaron Granda I think it was, memory’s not what it used to be. If it wasn’t, it was probably the TH350, but it only had P-N-D-D1...so ??

[@bauhausbauhaus9699]

I know technology goes a long way but it just doesnt seem to add up.A 1965 L78 396 vette has 425hp/415 tq..It weighs just 3,448 lbs.but gets 1/4 in 14.1 secs.? The 1988 vette I had was 3,550lbs with just 245hp and got 1/4 in 14.2. Ive ridden in L78 Chevelle and it sure felt more powerful than my old 88 vette.Of course the owner wouldn't let me drive it but still.I dont think the late 60's-early 70's cars are as slow as these 14-15 sec 1/4 times or maybe they were that slow?

[@larrygorman4110]

Drove one in 1965. The clutch was a BEAST. Not hydraulic, spring operated and it was strong.

[@peteragersea377]

I've got the427 in a 70 Monte Carlo it does the1/4 in 13.9 all day with323 gears

[@bobthbldr3]

Try bolting on a set of those skinny tires they had in the '60's. Also, if your running on a drag strip now you probably have a concrete starting line and traction compound.

[@peteragersea377]

Radial TA 's not like drag tires but Ya I remember those skinny bias plys . It's probably faster now bigger cam and higher stall converter. But no time or cash to go to NE. Dragway

[@2good2often]

unless a 427 was swapped in the 454 was the bigblock option in 1970

[@peteragersea377]

@@2good2often yes I swapped it it's a 66 or 67 block

[@badgerbait8351]

While I'm all about having a big rat under the hood, the L84 327 was much cooler, IMHO! The Rochester FI system was ahead of it's time, and looked downright tough!

[@howabouthetruth2157]

The L84 equipped '65 Vette would be more nimble & handle much better on twisting, turning roads vs the big block too. If given the choice of all-original, I would much rather have one with the L84 327 fuelie.

[@Intrepid175a]

Wow, I got the first view! Never done that before. Great info as always!

[@joeblow6852]

Love ur work brother

[@blackice7408]

Funny how they had engines this torquey n then put on those super skinny bicycle tires on

[@W1se0ldg33zer]

A lot of those had body modifications done to them and were turned into race cars. Original examples are tough to find and very expensive. Fender flares kill the values. Once that's done there's no going back. You didn't get that extra grunt coming out of turns with the 327 like you could with a big block - way more torque. Better mid-track on the strip too.

[@Garystrat1263]

how about you do a piece on the L 79 327 engine, My buddy had a Malibu and I had a 67 vette I never raced for time but I am sure his Malibu turned in the 13's and I beat him on the street I also beat a 427 Chevelle SS 427 Vette 383 Charger 427 Impala, the last 2 were no challenge the SS gave me the best race, He'd a beat me on the 1/4 but we were on the freeway my 140 speedo was pegged

[@bigelile07]

Glad you are still with us. The C2s were known for the front end lifting at high speeds.

[@Garystrat1263]

@john thonig maybe it was a big block but my L79 went to 140

[@Garystrat1263]

@john thonig who you going to believe google or someone who actually owned a 67 vette L79... I may have had that car up to 160 but my speedo was pegged at 140

[@douglasnelson493]

65el Camino 327 350 hp I don't need to say any thing else but14.05 in the quarter

[@marcuskeys1048]

Dear Lou I came across your KZbin Video of Jim Rudneck 1960 Eldorado at his Shop in Palatine were you aware that he passed away a number of months ago! The land in that area has gone up in Commercial Value so the owner that he had his lease with sold the property and Jim was working out of a Garage in Chicago he was backed up for 2 Years doing Paint Jobs many of them for Cadillacs as well as other Brands! He was one of the finest Paint Guys in the Business your short Video touched on his ability as an Artist his Drawings the Scale Model Eldorado converted from 1959 to a 1960 Eldorado convertible with Metal and also the Front Leather Seats! We Don't know what's become of his 1960 Eldorado Barritz Convertible or his literature as well as his Collectables as far as I know he had no family my Friend Roger Dunn had New ABS Extenders painted by him for his 1978 Sedan Deville! He did belong to the Cadillac Club Southwest Region out here! Wasn't your first Video of his Eldorado at the World Of Wheels in Rosemont,Illinois a number of years back? Ledfoot Magazine did a spread on his Eldorado it was a interesting story with full color photo!

[@marcuskeys1048]

Dear Lou I came across your KZbin Video of Jim Rudneck 1960 Eldorado at his Shop in Palatine were you aware that he passed away a number of months ago! The land in that area has gone up in Commercial Value so the owner that he had his lease with sold the property and Jim was working out of a Garage in Chicago he was backed up for 2 Years doing Paint Jobs many of them for Cadillacs as well as other Brands! He was one of the finest Paint Guys in the Business your short Video touched on his ability as an Artist his Drawings the Scale Model Eldorado converted from 1959 to a 1960 Eldorado convertible with Metal and also the Front Leather Seats! We Don't know what's become of his 1960 Eldorado Barritz Convertible or his literature as well as his Collectables as far as I know he had no family my Friend Roger Dunn had New ABS Extenders painted by him for his 1978 Sedan Deville! He did belong to the Cadillac Club Southwest Region out here! Wasn't your first Video of his Eldorado at the World Of Wheels in Rosemont,Illinois a number of years back? Ledfoot Magazine did a spread on his Eldorado it was a interesting story with full color photo!

[@jamesbarrick3403]

I love old muscle cars. But I find it horribly ironic when old fucks refer to the late 60's as the "golden era" of muscle cars. Yes you did that in this video. Did the late 70's and 80's suck? YES... but the very best muscle cars are being produced today. We have cars that will lay down a flat12 on the 1/4 mile. No care came close to that back in the "golden era". When young clowns say okay boomer, they are talking to you. This is the golden era. 50+ years from now when gas engines and cars are presented and loved (in a world of electric vehicles) it will be the 2005-2021 cars that are known as the golden era of muscle cars. Just a bit of perspective from an older dude that loves the old cars... but realizes they were not at all the best.

[@LarsLawson]

I had a Fuelie 65' Vette from new. I always looked for 396 Vettes during the last half of the production year to race. I would easily putt away to about 79 mph. The 396 cars when then catch me and slightly pass me up to 100mph.

[@ronmueller3074]

Ive owned a 71 T- Top sence 73, Back then U could buy a 65 fuel injection very cheap. Always wanted one. No one knew anything about turning one. I sure didn't. So I kept My Holey.

[@louiskats5116]

Great video, I know the 1965 L78 was available in the Impala at 425 Hp as well. As much as I look I can't find the difference between the 1965 L78 @ 425 Hp & 1968 L78 @ 375 Hp What is the difference so that a 1968 L78 would be 50 Hp difference. Can someone please explain. Love from Australia

[@stevethomas760]

Had a friend that owned a '65 Impala 409 , 425 HP , 4sp car. Man did that car hit a lick when idling. I'm thinking that it would be a rare car today with the engine option. A uncle owned a '65 bubble top Belair 283 , 3sp with overdrive. The car he owned before that was a '55 , 265, 4 barrel with a 3sp and yes overdrive.

[@633rex100]

@@stevethomas760 409 only came in 400hp single 4 bbr in '65!

[@alexshortsplus]

Why does it feel like the narrator of this video has like five different voices

[@robyarrow9690]

Great car great info. Terrible presenter. You need to get some inflection in your voice. I felt like I was listening to Ferris Bueller’s teacher.