1965 original L78s ?

[Jim A.]

I beleive I have one. Not a car that is even close to being flight judged, but the original 396 engine is (at least block, heads + intake) in the coupe that left the factory.

Is there an estimate or good guesstimate as to how many are still around?

[Joel T.]

Re: 1965 original L78s ?

I beleive I have one. Not a car that is even close to being flight judged, but the original 396 engine is (at least block, heads + intake) in the coupe that left the factory.

Is there an estimate or good guesstimate as to how many are still around?

Jim, There were only 2157 made, and probably almost that number abused in some way, shape or form... (Mine was a basket case). If I were a betting man, I would bet that less than half exist today.. Just my two cents. Joel

[Carl N.]

Re: 1965 original L78s ?

Jim / Joe

A gentlemen named Charle Stewart from New York was very active in the Bloomington scene in the late 70's early 80's with a Green 396 coupe. He did a survey and at Bloomington in '78 about 300 owners had responded. Never saw any official results of the survey.

I received and email from Dana Forrester in 2008 regarding a survey on 396's, Dana had one at the time (may still have it) but to date never saw results of survey.

I have followed the 396 since 1970 and although I have not been as active in the past 10-15 years as I was in the 70's and 80's I would guess at least 800 to 1,000 remain based on all the pictures I have taken.

Also as stated a lot were lost to accidents and racing. There are some clones (sorry "tribute") cars out there which may offset the ones gone forever. I know of at least 15 that were in various salvage yards in the midwest in the 70's that are gone now.

IMO I would think there are more coupes left than convertibles just based on 40 years of attending all manner of Corvette shows - but who knows ?

Maybe Dana will share his results if his survey is active and he received positive response.

Carl

[Philip A.]

Re: 1965 original L78s ?

I beleive I have one. Not a car that is even close to being flight judged, but the original 396 engine is (at least block, heads + intake) in the coupe that left the factory.

Is there an estimate or good guesstimate as to how many are still around?

How many what are still around? Unrestored originals? My guess is not many, but anyone's guess is as good as another. Restored originals, plus tributes, clones, and COUNTERFEITS, more than they made.

[Edward S.]

Re: 1965 original L78s ?

Jim, I have owned a L78 since 2001 - went through all the steps and the car is a Duntov/Triple Crown Car. I am included in the Dana survey, but have also never seen any results in print. I have also registered the car in the regular 65 registery - you might want to log on it to see what the ratio of L78's is to the total. In 11 years of going to NCRS events, Corvette shows, Car shows and cruise nights here in New Jersey I have only seen 4 other L-78's - as someone mentioned mine and the other 4 were all Coupes - mine is yellow, saw a red, blue (displayed original bill of sales made out to Peter Fonda) and 2 friends of mine have maroon/blk cars ( one came out of Kentucky) Over the years in talking to guys that were very much into drags back in the 60's, many L78's were left to die on the track. Based on what I have seen and heard I would think that well less than half of the original production (real deals) can be found in one piece today. If I remember correctly mine and one other had side exhaust. Let us know what you find out. Good luck

[Wayne M.]

Re: 1965 original L78s ?

..... In 11 years of going to NCRS events, Corvette shows, Car shows and cruise nights here in New Jersey I have only seen 4 other L-78's - as someone mentioned mine and the other 4 were all Coupes - mine is yellow, saw a red, ......talking to guys that were very much into drags back in the 60's, many L78's were left to die on the track. Based on what I have seen and heard I would think that well less than half of the original production (real deals) can be found in one piece today. .....

My WAG is that only about 50% of any C2 production total is still around. As for the 396, I agree that a disproportionate number were doing double duty at the drag strip (moreso than the % of L72s or L71s). I'd think that no more than 200 or 300 still have their original L78 engine.

....saw a ... blue (displayed original bill of sales made out to Peter Fonda) ...

I saw this car in San Diego decades ago. IIRC, it claimed to have an original M22.

[Joel T.]

Re: 1965 original L78s ?

Jim, I have owned a L78 since 2001 - went through all the steps and the car is a Duntov/Triple Crown Car. I am included in the Dana survey, but have also never seen any results in print. I have also registered the car in the regular 65 registery - you might want to log on it to see what the ratio of L78's is to the total. In 11 years of going to NCRS events, Corvette shows, Car shows and cruise nights here in New Jersey I have only seen 4 other L-78's - as someone mentioned mine and the other 4 were all Coupes - mine is yellow, saw a red, blue (displayed original bill of sales made out to Peter Fonda) and 2 friends of mine have maroon/blk cars ( one came out of Kentucky) Over the years in talking to guys that were very much into drags back in the 60's, many L78's were left to die on the track. Based on what I have seen and heard I would think that well less than half of the original production (real deals) can be found in one piece today. If I remember correctly mine and one other had side exhaust. Let us know what you find out. Good luck

Ed,

You can add me to your count! My L78 was a basket case when I picked it up in 2006.. but all the right components/configuration was there to verify that it was an original... After (a couple) tons of money and lots of time, it is back on the road in its full glory.. and a Maroon Convertible to boot! Based upon what I found when I started the restoration, I agree that it was probably a track car and beat fairly well to death... Budda slapped a cheap enamel paint job on it and sold it at Carlisle in 2003, 402 truck motor and all... I saw yours at the Wildwood Regional where mine was getting judged. She's a beauty!

Joel

[Chris H.]

Re: 1965 original L78s ?

I owned VIN 23384, one of the last L78s built. It was a blue/blue real side pipe coupe. I found out (thank you NCRS) that it was sold out of Baher Chevrolet in Manhattan Beach, CA. Baher was the dealer that sponsored many So Cal Vette racers in the 60s, including Dick Gulstrand.

My owner history research yielded about 17 owners(!), dating back to 1970. The car is now somewhere in the Orlando, FL area. A fabulous car. Between the noise (ear plugs required) and heat, I could only drive it a half hour at a time. 6500 rpm through those pipes brought a tear to my eye.

[Clem Z.]

Re: 1965 original L78s ?

i know of one original 396 that is still owned by the original owner as i just had lunch with him. he had it bored out to 4.250 as soon as pistons were made available

[Gary C.]

Re: 1965 original L78s ?

I know of at least two in Eastern Australia, two in Western Australia,
Cheers,
Gary

[Steve B.]

Re: 1965 original L78s ?

I owned an unrestored red/red convertible. Great car that still has its original 396 motor, carb, starter.

[Jim A.]

Re: 1965 original L78s ?

Thanks for the responses guys. I've been debating with myself over whether or not I should remove and store the 396 and drop in another Mk IV. Sometimes the car seems to force out a little too much of the long gone teenager side of me. Not uncommon I'm sure, but it would be a heart breaker for me to damage this engine. From the responses it would seem that there might only be a couple of hundred left.

Thanks again,
Jim A.

[Edward S.]

Re: 1965 original L78s ?

Joe, yours is one of the two maroon cars I mentioned. Chris, in reading your answer I was surprised about your remark concerning heat, my car has the standard black interior and in all the years I have owned it I never put the exhaust system on-I always found that with the lack of pipes running under the car the interior stayed pretty cool. I had a split window for a few years red/black, now that was a very hot car - in fact I sold it because my wife refused to ride in it anymore. She could not take going to car shows with me and getting stuck on the great Jersey highways in the summer heat.
Jim only you can decide what to do with the engine, but I will tell you two things - car has proven to be one of the best running Vettes I have ever had, and the more you run it - the better it runs. The only downside is that it passes everything but a gas station- nothing better then the sound of side pipes when your going through gears. Enjoy

[Jody B.]

Re: 1965 original L78s ?

I know where another yellow/black 3-time Benchmark car resides .

[Edward S.]

Re: 1965 original L78s ?

Jody every two years or so it's always good to hear from you, glad to see you made a great purchase