Top-tier collector Corvettes must satisfy a specific criteria to be considered part of this exclusive group. This 1965 “Big Tank Fuelie” excels in all aspects that encompass its unique factory equipment, documentation provenance, racing pedigree, world-class restoration and elite judging awards. The Corvette was ordered new and uniquely optioned by Dave Parsons of Merriam, Kansas, for the purpose of competing on the racing circuit, with Parsons specifying the desired equipment for his “’65 Z06” on August 20, 1964, at Van Chevrolet in Shawne Mission, Kansas. Race-oriented options included the L84 327/375 HP fuel-injected engine, M20 4-speed transmission, G81 3.70 Positraction rear axle, F40 special suspension and, most importantly, the N03 36.5-gallon racing fuel tank. The remainder of the extensive option list for this Silver Pearl 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe was rounded out with equipment of both purpose and comfort, which included P91 4-Ply nylon blackwall tires, P48 cast aluminum knock-off wheels, K66 transistor ignition and N11 off-road exhaust, as well as black leather upholstery, the N36 telescoping steering wheel, U69 AM/FM radio, A01 tinted glass and the Z01 comfort and convenience group including a no-glare day/night rearview mirror and back-up lights. Due to the unique option requests, Parsons waited four months for his Corvette to be built. He finally took delivery after the New Year on January 15, 1965. Unbeknownst at the time, this 1965 Corvette would be one of only 41 produced with the N03 36.5-gallon fuel tank and thought to be one of only six that combined the racing fuel tank with the L84 fuel-injected engine in its last year of availability. Parsons joined the Kansas City Corvette Club and began competing in Autocross. He then obtained his SCCA racing license and started competing in SCCA B-Production racing events. The car was sponsored by Stafford Performance Racing, raced mainly in Kansas and Missouri, but it also made appearances as far away as Indianapolis, Road Atlanta and Sebring. By the mid-1970s, Parsons decided to quit racing and put the car into storage. Kipp Anderson from Olathe, Kansas, discovered the car and knew that big gas tank was something special. In 1980, he persuaded Parsons to sell him the 1965 Corvette and he became the second owner. In 1984, the Corvette was sold to Joe Malicke of Country Corvettes in Nortonville, Kansas, for a handsome sum of money—given it was completely disassembled. Malicke immediately resold the Tanker to New Jersey-based Corvette collector Ed Mueller. (Interestingly, Mueller purchased the Corvette on January 15, 1985, exactly 20 years, to the day, after Parsons took delivery.)