1965 Rally Red Corvette Convertible. CBS and NBC TV Car.

1965 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible Description

1965 RALLY RED CORVETTE CONVERTIBLE
All original with an amazing history!
Rally Red w/Red interior 327/300hp, 4-spd. manual transmission.
We love a good story. Part of what makes vintage cars, or vintage anything, for that matter interesting, is the history of the object. Some cars have more interesting histories than others. Case in point; the very original ’65 Convertible presented here.
Back in ’90, a collector client of ours named Pat was in Hemet CA. waiting to go into a business meeting, when he first heard, then saw a Rally Red ’65 Corvette being driven by an elderly man smoking a pipe. As the man carefully pulled the Corvette into a parking space, he decided he needed to have a closer look. As he approached the man in the ’65, he promptly exclaimed, “No! It’s not for sale!”. Even with that bit of new information, Pat felt, the car was still worth a look, so he did a walk around and introduced himself to the owner, who’s name was Monty. After some small talk, Monty needed to go to his meeting. But, he told Monty if he was still around when he got out, he’d like to continue the conversation. As luck would have it, When Pat got done with his meeting, Monty and the ’65 were still there, so he Pat went over, sat down and Monty, who was 84 years old at the time, proceeded to tell the car’s very interesting history. Monty was an actor during the Silent Screen era. When Talkies were introduced, he felt they would never catch on. So, he left the acting biz. But, he still wanted to be in the entertainment biz in some capacity. So he went to work for the studios in the transportation dept. What Monty did was purchase all of the vehicles used in films and later, T.V. shows for the studio. For the next 45 years, most, if not all of the cars, trucks, tractors, planes etc. that you saw up on the big (and small) screen, were purchased by good old Monty! In 1956, Monty want to work for CBS and NBC. He purchased all of the cars used in T.V. series. When the idea for a new show called “Route 66” was proposed, Monty was given the task of finding just the right kind of car for Todd and Buzz to drive the highways and byways of the U.S.A.! The thing is, the producers actually wanted a European sports car for the series. Well, Monty being the Corvette lover that he was, would have none of that! He told the powers that be a Corvette was the only car for Todd and Buzz. And the rest, really was history! So, cut to the chase! Back then, the studios ordered cars two years in advance. So back in ’62, Monty put in an order for a Red/Red ’65 small block 4-spd. in to be used in the ’64 season. But what no one knew back then was that by the time the ’65. which was actually a pilot car with V.I.N. #00012 arrived at the studio, the series had been cancelled! So, the car was instead used in Perry Mason as Paul Drakes ride. But just prior to delivery, the studio decided to revive Route 66 and a Pilot was produced featuring the Red ’65. When it wasn’t picked up, the car when back to duty on Perry Mason for the next two seasons. The normal procedure for studios when they are done with vehicles was to either sell them to local dealers of give them back to the manufacturer. But, Monty had grown quite fond of the Red ’65 and had to have it! So a deal was struck and the CBS Employee Credit Unit issued a check for the purchase in Monty’s name. He drove the ’65 every day for the next 25 years putting 118k miles on the car. Up until the time he decided to reluctantly sell it to Pat.
1965 Route “66” T.V. car highlights:
Pilot Line Car #00012.
Body #11, built 2/2/64
T.V. add car for the ’65 Chevrolet new car introduction featuring the cast of “Bonanza”, “Bewitched” and “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.”.
Used in the last Route “66” T.V. show.
Used in the ’65 & ’66 season of Perry Mason.
Two owner car.
Was used again when the new Route “66” T.V. show kick off at Santa Monica Pier.
All original condition.