This C2 Corvette Stingray Is A Sacred Monster

The Fourth of July may not be celebrated outside of the US, but an appreciation of American muscle knows no bounds; join us this week as we take a rumbly ride in Mathieu Houtreille’s crisp Ermine White 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray through the back roads surrounding Luxembourg, Belgium.
Like many of us, Mathieu grew up under a gearhead’s roof. His father, Jean-Luc Houtreille, ensured he raised his son properly. “Ever since I learned to walk, my dad took me to all the car affairs,” Mathieu tells, “I would see the mechanics work under warm hoods, and the smell that emerged would captivate me.” A natural-born car-obsessed boy, where his father leaned towards the Italian marques, Mathieu differed, oddly falling for old American steel and iron.
Mat says, “For me, the monsters that gave me goose bumps were the ones with massive V8s and a thunderous sound coming out of their tailpipes. That's what I loved.” Forever longing for Detroit muscle, a trip with his wife stateside sealed his fate with Corvettes. Referring to this excursion, Mat clarifies, “It is a country with a lot of wide-open spaces. It is magical, and you can't understand unless you've been there, and taken those roads, because you can't describe it [otherwise].”
Learning of the ‘50s and ‘60s American car culture’s love of machine as well as its street racing scene, Mat realized this era was a special time that no longer exists, admitting that oftentimes, “If you tell people you hand-wash your car and you love your car, they will think you're dumb.” The sad truth is, most people view that mentality as outdated, but not Mathieu of course.
Call it born in the wrong country in the wrong generation if you want, but we prefer to regard Mathieu’s passion a dying romance we’re happy to see still has a heart with a strong pulse. After wheeling a C3 for a while, his appreciation for the earlier C2 Stingray turned into an obsession. “I had to acquire one of those sacred monsters,” Mathieu says, determined, “my love for the C2 grew. With its perfect aesthetics, it is the epitome of the mid-‘60s.”
After seeing a flawlessly restored C2 in the flesh at a Barrett-Jackson auction in Las Vegas, Mat’s desire for his own Stingray only continued moving from want to need, and he was lucky enough to find an ad a few months later for an Ermine White 1965 model-his preferred color. With a friend accompanying him to see the car, they arrived to the seller’s town. “It smelled of dreams,” Mat says smiling, “It smelled so good.” The seller turned out to be an avid car collector with a multi-story garage full of classic goodies. “The door opened, and I saw cars everywhere.”
Suppressing his excitement as to not get his hopes up too high for the Corvette in question, Mat smirks, “It was time for a test drive.” Too intimidated to drive the car initially, Mat turned down the seller’s offer and insisted on riding shotgun. A drive post-rainfall through forested roads at 110 miles per hour was all the conviction Mathieu really needed, but the step-off of the accelerator which summoned vicious backdraft pops and bangs was the final verdict: this was going to be the one.
Drive Tastefully®
Petrolicious.com
/ petrolicious

[@flyingphoenix113]

The C2 has to be one of the best looking American cars ever designed, particularly in '63 split-window guise. Fuel injected V8 while most were carbureted. MASSIVE drum brakes (particularly with Z06 trim). The reciprocating ball steering is fairly numb and the big weakpoint of the car, but the C2 remains an admirable performance landmark of the era.

[@bretthatfield2516]

The Mid-Year Corvettes, or C2 as they have come to be known, had four-wheel disc brakes beginning with the 1965 model year.

[@flyingphoenix113]

True, but the Z06's and most of the race cars and Grand Sports stuck with the drums because, ultimately, they were further developed. Of course, that changed over time, but it was mostly the case until the C3 arrived.

[@BleedForTheWorld]

Yup. I love the Stingray design behind all Corvettes after its first generation. Stingray is unmistakably Corvette and when it comes to Camaro and other Chevrolet vehicles including some Cadillac models, you can see some parts of Stingray design in them, especially Camaro.

[@joyrider6456]

flyingphoenix113 The most beautiful Corvette ever made!

[@rickmurray7123]

Recirculating ball steering. And yes, it is really archaic by today's standards.

[@angelozhang7687]

"Don‘t put it on. It’s a beautiful day to die, and a nice way to die."

[@Cody_Cigar]

That's my kind of friend

[@angelozhang7687]

: ) first I need a fantastic car without safety belt lol

[@narphizoid]

Perhaps the previous owner was Klingon...

[@chbrules]

The Corvette life. #C5owner

[@alpeena]

that woulda freaked me a bit....and then he takes her to 110 in the rain?...grinning ear to ear?......oh yeah I woulda been a bit uncomfy...my belt woulda been wrapped tight.............anyhew......great vid!......love the car.......but Ill take that GTV!!!!!!!!

[@drewsomers1]

I actually love the fact these videos are in the owners' natural language. It gives it a more authentic vibe. Beautiful production

[@jrparker4804]

Then the title should be in the language of the video. Duh

[@alexanderw00]

After seeing this vid for the first time I actually went out and bought my first sports car. A corvette c3 and so far it is the beat decision I have ever taken

[@29_anindrarafifd.90]

Congrats dude. Do you still own the C3?

[@222billp]

The C2 vettes were the best looking cars ever produced. I had a 65 Convt. 327/350hp original engine. I owned it from 1979 until 1989. I still miss it all these years later.

[@Randal_Rauser]

This is surely one of the most poetic short films Petrolicious has yet produced. Wish I'd been along for that test ride...

[@777Trolly]

I agree. I have watched many of these over the past few years and this has become my new favorite.

[@femijinadu6755]

... I agree

[@tylercouture216]

Randal Rauser did you see the 1 with the 8 series bmw... I knew this would be a master piece

[@frankone97]

Randal Rauser Probably because it wasn't filmed in the states.

[@twincinema05]

last minute gave me goosebumps.

[@TheStallion234]

The C2 Stingray is one of the most beautiful designs of all time.

[@northerniltree]

Mon Dieu! Le Corvette 1965 este magnifique! Je t'aime Corvette!!!

[@Jaroneko]

This has to be the most beautiful C2, if not Corvette in general, I've ever seen. That colour combination really makes it perfect.

[@klasseact6663]

I've been waiting a very long time for my favorite car or all time to be shown here and today, the 4th of July, was that day...PERFECT! IMO and not so humble opinion, the greatest car in the world are the mid-year coupes! Just stand behind one at a show sometime and just gaze over it....it's all over! This owner and video today really got to me, made me even more proud to be an American, thank you Petrolicious for presenting this and a big thanks to the owner for "getting it", he truely does "get it"👍👍

[@para_bellum_1984]

I live in Germany but one day I will own a C2. I'm so in love with this design. A true dream car.

[@hornetbrown]

The poetry and the passion of the owner/narrator...explaining the dwindling American obsession with the automobile and his initial bonding with a car of his dreams...this was a wonderful video. I'm glad I watched it. The feelings I get driving briskly in my Camaro with the top down and V8 burbling and exhaust cracking altogether like a symphony, can't put words to that experience.

[@jimmorrison5520]

What a charismatic guy. He can truly tell a story and loves his car more than anything. Poetic film. Beautiful, Petrolicious. Simply beautiful.

[@whipped-creamhead3923]

Didn't understand a word but the description made me want to cry. God bless all car guys.

[@DecadesCars]

The cinematography in this video is awesome. Alongside vlogging we're also getting into the cinematic side of videos on our classic cars, thanks for the inspiration!

[@snipehawkyt1636]

Decades Cars they do a very good job on their videos. Just checked out your channel and for the quality of videos you guys put out you should definitely have more subs! I subscribed

[@adamriddell2561]

Decades Cars great day when I see a classic on petrolicious then get to find a channel like yours for even more content!

[@DecadesCars]

SnipehawkYT yea they do a great job. Thanks for the support!

[@DecadesCars]

A DR classics for the win!

[@chuckmayhew4209]

A beautiful car and an equally beautiful story.

[@robertpoudrette3703]

This guy sure conveyed his excitement finding his dream Vette! Like some said it so well: "He gets it", indeed he does!

[@leoleimgruber8148]

What a beautiful story.

[@andybroer651]

The C2 Corvettes are just great looking cars. I love the passion their owners have. A friend just bought a '65 convertible in silver over black, I hope to get to drive it soon. Keep up the great videos!

[@zguy95135]

It's nice to see classic American overseas cars being held in the same regard as a Ferrari

[@monsteryes]

I have no idea what he said. But I know that he has a car and he loves it, that's all I need! Great film. I just spent the 4th driving my families 1959 vette, god bless america!God bless America.

[@universalcitizen7544]

@monsteryes it's a shame, coz u could understand what he's saying by simply turning on the subtitles in the video or simply the "cc" icon near the settings on the bottom right side of the screen, then you get subtitles in English or other languages

[@be2keen]

I'm very glad to know that he actually drives it around in public. Too many of these beauties are garage queens that never see the light of day. It's like keeping a thoroughbred in the stable every day of its life.

[@eblood1980]

Man its just a dream each Time I crank it UP..

[@jessmclean41]

Still one of my absolute favorites. When I was a kid, about 25 years ago, a neighbor had one in his driveway (and a 65 Riviera that he used as a daily driver, that guy had great taste). My friends and I would hang out in front of his house just looking at it. Conversations with those friends are what started my love of cars. And it's cool to get a French guy's perspective on it. I like the videos about American classics with European owners. It's gratifying to see that the disdain so many European gearheads have for American cars is far from universal.

[@Soknik01]

Hearing this guy speak about his car reminds me of Alexander Bermudez and his 90s Porsche 964 "Growler". You can tell that when he gets behind the wheel and turns the key, the man and his car become more than the sum of their parts. One can't help but wonder if all those years ago the designers and engineers behind the creation of this automobile had even the slightest notion that their particular blend of steel, vinyl and rubber would become the stuff of legend a half century later. Sadly, I don't find a reason to say this often- Nicely done Chevrolet. You absolutely nailed it with this Corvette.....

[@chemxfan]

I didn't understand a single word-but I do understand the love between a man & his machine.

[@eblood1980]

Turn on subtitles dude

[@adhithyasodhi3203]

A young man who understands.........:)

[@vibingwithvinyl]

Yay! When I was a kid I liked the C3 most, but now... C2 all the way.

[@JohnBarrow1961]

Very cool to see a Frenchman with a passion for American muscle. It knows no bounds.

[@CallmeDaBreeze1971]

The passion comes through in any language.

[@marcscordato4385]

The C3 is the most iconic corvette as the corvettes of the last 40 years still follow its styling but the C2 is buy far my favorite American car and I agree the split window is the holy Gail.

[@trigga5]

I wasn't ready for that clip to end...

[@johndillon28]

Wonderful as usual! My only complaint would be the lack of English subtitles that used to appear in the black margin bellow the film, yes the KZbin captions work fine but cover a good portion of the screen which inhibits you from enjoying this beautiful story. I wish you would consider putting your own CC back into your films, thank you for the magnificent content.

[@arda_]

You can change the subtitle settings to make it smaller or more transparent etc.

[@paronychia7299]

Such a cool car!

[@Mr1986camaro]

c2 rays are among the sexiest cars ever designed hands down.

[@DUSM]

Gorgeous car, period! IMO it measures up favorably to some of the most iconic automotive designs in the world, past and present. Classic American design isnt as shabby as some would have others to believe. Some of the most beautiful cars in the world came out of Detroit and Dearborn! The problem is that many get stuck on thier favorite manufacturer and cannot, for the life of them, recognize anything other than thier 'chosen' marquees. Sad really.

[@Punisher9419]

America doesn't make cars like this anymore. Such a nice car. I wouldn't be ashamed to drive around in one. To me it's in the same league as Ferrari and Aston back then.

[@TonyisToking]

Kuddlesworth NA Id argue that the current Stingray Z06 and Camaro ZL1 are as much in the ballpark with Europe today as this car was then. Same goes for the 2017 GT350

[@zoufmalade]

Can agree with that for the features and performances, but it gloriously lack of any kind of refinement.

[@Punisher9419]

Refinement is for people who don't love cars. I want my car as unrefined as possible thank you very much. Carpet is where it starts and ends in my view anything more then that is useless.

[@lukas4610]

Refinement is for people who don't love cars you say? That's one strong opinion. Classic cars are probably the most important things that give me purpose in life, I am one of those that went through the trouble of importing one of them T-shirts from petrolicious. But I also like "refinement" as in a car that's perfectly restored or a luxurious car that's extremely comfortable. I still think I'm a petrolhead though...

[@zoufmalade]

Kuddlesworth NA The funny thing is, you want to compare a c2 Corvette to an Aston or an Italian cars which literally are the definition of car refinement... And refienement doesn't only come in the interior trim, it's also the way the car itself is engineered. Chunking a big v8 in a shell that is as complicated as a 70's Lada is exciting yes but far from being refiened, and people also like their power to come in a more sophisticated way.

[@emiles5549]

C'est cool de voir des belges !!

[@maureencora1]

Oui. Love Hardtop C2 Corvette Sting Rays.

[@connorholcomb6141]

Yea finally some more classic American car videos!!

[@velocita8842]

This brought a tear to my eye!

[@RizeRoG]

Congratulations Man bravo à toi pour avoir acquérir ce magnifique bijoux qui est cette Corvette C2 Stingray 😍😍 étant donné que je suis un grand fan de l'automobile Américain je te comprend parfaitement l'amis.

[@Bruningable]

Fantastic!

[@aleoimpala]

En blanc, elle est superbe. Et belle passion.

[@rotellat7389]

What a great car

[@hugglescake]

Quelle belle histoire.

[@cr1138]

Fabulous Story!

[@京都アンソニー]

all i saw and heard in this video was art

[@yousifalblooshi6246]

I always say to me if i get my license 3years from now i'm gonna wash my own car and i'm gonna love it and they always say that i'm stupid and that's not gonna happen but i know it will. Thank you petrolicious for uploading such an amazing and inspiring videos ❤️

[@ozzstars_cars]

The story of the test drive will lead a man to auto addiction for life. Fantastic!

[@SeunghwanLeeColorado]

At the beginning of the film the guy littered his cigarette butt and I was like WHAT?? Then he started speaking French and I was like Oh.

[@RyanHryciuk]

One of your best...

[@roundlake96]

This channel is true art, the filming and the way you capture the the feeling of the cars and the owners have really helped me find the insperation of making my on dream car. Thank you!

[@alekso.2242]

The guy is a poet inside! Enjoyed the video, thanks, Petrolicious!

[@irritablearchitect]

Bon travail, monsieur.

[@5abivt]

incredible thank you !

[@keunartist]

Too bad there is no more than a like icon to click because "like" isn't enough ! Great video.

[@herwigv]

Magic

[@mikenorris5378]

Love your work. Amazing photography and a lyrical slant to classic cars. Best classic channel on KZbin by far.

[@alexk9878]

This is a beautiful, powerful video. Brought a tear to my eye.

[@MrWoyty]

Bravo!!!!!!

[@DiecastTz]

a true love story.....

[@erichakanson7010]

in America, there's a lot of us that obsess over European cars. although I'm not a huge American sports/muscle car fan I do like the second gen Corvettes. and it's nice to see American stuff appreciated in Europe the way European stuff is here. when it comes to working on a car with dad it could be a Corvette or a Chevette (kidding!) because it's always fun to work on stuff with dad (or son or daughter.)

[@svt7777]

What an awesome video!

[@joecizin9357]

The stuff Dreams are made of,

[@JogieGlenMait16]

it is indeed captivating

[@ma3dukan91]

from 3:00 to 3:15 almost made me cry

[@bartibar1234]

This film has one of your best shots in it :D

[@kim007250]

Faberlicious, Petrolicious

[@coynecolm]

Brilliant!! absolutely brilliant!

[@renatorenatoff1227]

Hey Dude, Awesome car, congrats! Thanks for share with us.

[@YouThubez]

Another beautiful video from the real car guys... Thanks guys, thanks... Instead of foolish exhaust sounds, you guys explain to the world that why we really are the petrolheads, why we like cars... Salute ✌🏽️ Congrats Ted, Another Good One! 😄

[@TheJamesbomfray]

It sounds that at least one cylinder is failling... Strange sound for a V8.

[@SmittyELS]

Fabio Carvalho, or an exhaust leak between the headers and the block?

[@TheJamesbomfray]

Eric Smith.. Yeah it's possible too

[@bgd73]

350, no scavenge timing. One bank is lean. As american, I am ripping the car a prt in my head to make it better.. this video is very humbling, how much he respects it. I have launched chunks of 350 several times, all over the road..

[@opulentexposure7851]

I said the same thing when I first heard it start.

[@SquillyMon]

I heard it the first moment the car moved. First I said it was a miss... now I think its just an exhaust leak

[@ca4129]

amazing

[@minibus1351]

I think this has to be one of the best videos put out by Petrolicious.

[@DIODE029]

"Respect"

[@nadnad6312]

j'adore !

[@majkon93]

3:08 Sonic boom :-o

[@EuNaQuinta]

perfect! loved this one, unblocked the ads just for you :)

[@kathleenbergeron1292]

Very nice video...I wish you'd have suggested putting on the captions before it started, though.

[@chbrules]

The two most beautiful generations are the C2 and C5, IMO. I own a C5 Z06 that I made into a track beast. One day I would love to resto-mod a C2 like Joe Rogan's!

[@RomVlad]

I couldn't imagine another way other than hand washing the car myself.

[@jasonhang647]

when I'm done with my project s12, I'm going to do a small video like these.

[@johnnyboy1586]

I wish I understood French.great vid👍

[@eblood1980]

Turn on subtitles sir !

[@navalo2814]

this is why I subscribe +Petrolicious ...

[@gotham61]

I kept wanting to pull out a screwdriver and fix that crooked rear license plate.

[@imt931]

Now this guy knows how to tell a f*ing story.

[@Westside7be]

Superbe! Mais y'a pas un collecteur d'échappement un peu troué?

[@moonbounce]

Great car! Something is wrong though, that car is limping on one bank.

[@georgek2409]

Side Pipes mean you are hearing two sets of 4 cylinders, each more or less separately without the blending that happens with rear pipes. This type of guy would not tolerate anything wrong!

[@mrpmj00]

Très bien! Malheureusement, je comprends seulement 1/4 de la vidéo parce-que ça fait longtemps que j'ai parlé français. Very good! Unfortunately, I understand only 1/4 of the video because it's been a long time since I've spoken French.

[@eblood1980]

Turn on subtitles dude

[@Archer335]

Great production, as usual from Petrolicious. But 1979? That Corvette is most definitely from the 60s.

[@Bzking23]

He has 2. If you look at the VERY end of the video, you can see the '79.

[@karlopuma170]

Could you get a 122/amazon in a video? Id love to see that.

[@LUXURYCHELSEA]

nice video but i want 4k for watch this everyday

[@johnthonig1692]

Sting Ray Two words

[@sentinelcrypto3801]

Can i know the soundtracks used in this video ?

[@anthonykoljaj]

BELGIUM WHAT UP

[@lukasbakke6878]

Could you do something in Denmark?

[@gtcrvs]

Did you fire the subtitle guy ?

[@juliocruz2981]

we need something truly American. like Tim Allen and his 1995 Impala SS

[@MrRobster1234]

It's all fun and games until a big American deer jumps in front of you. Lots of big, American cops to rain on your parade too.

[@carmagnolefrederic7668]

une french vid. super