Busy day today! Operation check began at 6:45 am, breezed right through with 100% score. Judge teams ganged up on it and finished up mid-day.
I didn't keep count of scoring for the other categories, definitely some areas that could be improved upon, we'll find out at the banquet Saturday evening.

Cousin Paul arrived in time for some of the judging. All the judges, the Chapter Judging Chairman, the Regional Director and many others came by, and spent time with him congratulating on 59 years of ownership.

Bill congratulation to you and all involved in refreshing the car. Cousin Paul must have been overwhelmed with all the attention surrounding him and his car. Ownership for 59 years.... just amazing. Bill, well done for making this happen!

love the color combo and thanks for sharing the story with us.

curious as the 3:08 was optional ratio, what was the default ratio? and what made him want the 3:08

----Boy, did this 65 turn out nice!!!....Bill S

We took the '65 back to the farm Sunday, where it has lived since new. Grabbed some pix of a proud owner and his prized Corvette.

Took Paul for a several mile ride. It was like I was age 15 again, when Paul put me behind the wheel of his new '65 Corvette with 400 miles on it. 59 years ago and I remember that drive like it was last week....

Got emotional and forgot to attach the pic....

Such a cool car and great story. This is what this addiction, I mean hobby is all about!

Thank you all for the kind words!!

The default ratio was 3.36. Paul foresaw road trips and there were multiple trips to CA and TX to visit family along with others around the country in the 60's and 70's.
He recently related to me parking it overnight while visit Manhattan with concern it would be there in the morning. - Bill W

Great story Bill - any more pictures of the finished product?

It was really neat to see this car in person at the Iowa NCRS regional meet. Lots of great cars and people!

SBR, did you have a '67 at the event, and did we have conversation?

Yes we did, it was great to visit with you and to see your car again. I did have a car there, it was the red on red 67 435 convertible.

Yes, I was pretty sure that was you! This is the best pic I have of your fine red '67 in the background, but it deserves sharing here!!

It was great to meet up with old friends...and make some new friends too!!

Thank you Jake!! I must say that your family has set the bar in the stratosphere of family car stores!!

Here's a few more, including Paul and Yvonne, also the interior and chassis judging teams at work. Did I mention that the operations judging scored 100%?

When this car was new it was the "Grocery Getter", they were just cars...
A week before the wedding (February) Yvonne slid off a snow covered road into the ditch. A neighbor came by and found a crying Yvonne, sure that Paul would not marry her after wrecking his Corvette.
Well..it was a soft landing into a snow bank, no harm done, and a happy ending!

By coincidence, of the four '65's presented for judging, all were 300 HP. The was a '65 Fuelie coupe maroon/white interior Duntov Award winner displayed also. Seventy Corvettes in attendance, a great turn out for sure! Long distance award was from Massachusetts.

Bill W

Wow, amazing.

Today we laid cousin Paul to rest, after losing his battle with multiple health issues, at age 83.

I had the privilege and honor of leading the procession with the Corvette for the ten miles from the church to the cemetery with Brian riding shot gun. I was reminded how sweet this car runs and drives.
For now it will remain in the garage at the farm until it is decided who will carry on the legacy of this family heirloom.

A side note, at the Cedar Rapids Regional the Corvette missed Top Flight by 7/10s (seven tenths) of a point! Of course the wheels were turning, Reinstall the original water pump, power antenna, and plug wires, shocks, proper tires....

Attached is a pic that my cousin in CA recently sent me, taken while Paul and his brother Arlin were visiting family in Pasadena in the late 60's. Note the Safety Checked decal on the lower left of the windshield that remains on the car today.

Bill W

Bill, very sorry for the loss of your cousin Paul. You did a great job getting the car going and scoring so well at a regional NCRS meet. Really enjoyed following along with this thread. Tom

So sorry to hear this Bill. Godspeed Paul.

Hi Bill,

I’m so sorry for the loss of your cousin Paul.
I’m sure he enjoyed experiencing that recent clean and sort of his ‘65 coupe that you orchestrated.

I think I see the antenna up high behind someone’s left shoulder in that classic photo.

PS, I just love that maroon interior in this car.

Regards, Chris.

Bill you made him proud and put a smile on his face. He was very proud of his car and he felt like a celebrity at that event! Well done, Bill... May he RIP.

Bill, I'm sorry for the loss of your cousin, Paul. I'm sure the car will stay in good hands with your family.

Thank you Steve.

Less than four months ago Paul found the strength to be at that event and it did bring him much happiness, that is my reward. I must give Brian B credit for his major efforts to make this all happen.

Thank you to all! - Bill W

Very sorry to hear about Paul. Please accept our condolences.

Hi Bill,

Sending our condolences on your cousin's passing! So sorry I missed this. Continue to take good care.

Dan

Morning Bill,
Very sorry to hear about your cousin's passing. Please accept our condolences.
Take care,
Oliver

Bill, I am sorry to hear about your cousins passing. Please accept our condolences.