Brian Hobaugh’s 30 Year History With a 525-hp C2 1965 Corvette Sting Ray

Hot rodding is as American as apple pie. It embodies some of the most fundamental American concepts such as the ability to accomplish anything. An OEM can spend millions of dollars developing a car like the Corvette Z06, but we believe we can make it better.

More over, we believe we can make a much older car even better than a brand-new car. Is it arrogant and even foolish? Probably, yeah… But this is the land of opportunity. And out on track, it doesn’t matter whether each part was meticulously designed by a separate engineer with FEA and CAD software, or grabbed from a rusty parts bin on a shop floor. Whoever crosses the finish line first wins.

You’d never know by looking at this absolutely stunning 1965 Corvette Stingray, but it has lived as hard a life as any ’65 out there. This Stingray has been owned by the Hobaugh family for more than 30 years and the previous owners all autocrossed it since the day it was first purchased. That is a lot of use for the kind of car that at this point in the automotive world is typically kept in a Corvette-decorated garage and gently wiped down with a diaper. In fact, this could be the most-raced ’65 Corvette in existence.

Lift the hood and you won’t find an LS swap or a couple of turbochargers hanging off the engine. What you will find though is a proven 364 cubic inch small block with Brodix Track 1 aluminum heads and a TPiS fuel injection system.

The engine is producing around 525 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque and sent to a bulletproof Muncie 4-speed. The suspension is not a basket of techno wizardry but mostly just stiffer and beefier shocks and springs. What is noticeable is the fat 18×12’s this Vette is packing. Not only are the rear wheels this wide but all four wheels are 12’s giving this hunkered down 65 Corvette a nice sticky contact patch. And to help slow this beast is a set of six-piston Wilwoods in front and 4-piston rears.

As for the body, aside from the widened fenders the modifications are pretty mild. The bumpers and chrome trim have been blacked out for a more aggressive look and Brian has also fitted a clear Lexan rear spoiler for added downforce without disturbing the lines of the car.

I love the way this car matches an aggressive look and modern track performance with a ton of history.

But it isn’t just the car that is special, it’s the way it represents a family bond passed down from father to son – and surely to future generations of the Hobaugh family.