Trying to learn about C2 ZO6

[Rich G.]

Recently there was a dicussion about a 64 that was advertised as a ZO6. Several people pointed out that it was possible to order all the ZO6 options a la carte in 64, so while the ZO6 option itself was not available, it was POSSIBLE that this car was real. Recently I saw advertised a 63 ZO6 convertible. I asked a friend who should know about this "How many ZO6 convertibles were made?" His reply was "In 63, none, however several were built in the '80's" Being the sarcastic type, he'd fit right in here, but he's not computer literate :-).

Anyway, does anyone know of a documented 63 convertible with ZO6 options? I guess the big tank would be out, but could a person order everything else and if so, did anybody?

Thanks

Rich Giannotti

[Mike M.]

Re: Trying to learn about C2 ZO6

several(that i know of) 63 converts that are purported to be Heavy duty brakes, susp and FI have surfaced lately. Whether they left st louis equipped as such remains to be seen. It was common practice in the early 60's to retrofit your non-heavy duty vet with Z06-like equipment purchased over the counter at the local chevy dealer in order to compete against the real Z06's on the scca circuit.I've never inspected or judged a 63 roadster i felt was a factory produced Heavy duty brake /susp/fi car. time will tell. mike

[Duke W.]

Re: Trying to learn about C2 ZO6

According to what I've read, Dick Guldstrand was the first guy to race "Z06 convertible" in '63, but it wasn't a "real" Z06. He transferred all the Z06 HD components to a convertible as he felt it would be faster with the allowable small windscreen replacing the windshield that was allowed under SCCA rules.

For sure no first iteration Z06 converts. were built as the big tank would only fit the coupe, but in Feb '63 the second iteration of the Z06 Special Performance Equipment Package unbundled the big tank to a stand alone option. At this point, Z06 was technically orderable on a convertible, but I don't think anyone has ever come up with documentary proof that they have a factory assembled Z06 convertible.

Earlier this year a Z06 convertible was unearthed from the estate of a retired GM engineer and the story is that a judge ordered him to quite driving it, and it was thence parked in a garage until it was rediscovered over 35 years later. This car has been inspected by NCRS experts and my understanding is that it appear legit., but thus far the estate has not unearthed any documentation.

My hunch is that some documentation might surface because an engineer would be likely to hang on to the paperwork. Engineers live by documentation. It's in the blood along with the gasoline and motor oil.

Duke

Duke

[Chuck M.]

Re: Trying to learn about C2 ZO6

Looks like there is a 63 Z06 Convert. on Ebay? Dont know if its real. Check it out....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2427054986&category=6168

[Dennis C.]

Re: Trying to learn about C2 ZO6

Seems curious: No '63 Z06 Verts for 40 years - Now, they're a "dime" a dozen...

[Mike M.]

Your friend was not being sarcastic, the trend...

continued into the '90's and beyond.
H. a. N. D.

[Bill Stephenson]

Re: Your friend was not being sarcastic, the trend

-------Am I wrong or was the V.V.Cooke 63 convert race car a ZO6 to start with.I saw it many many years ago in the basement of the dealership.At the time I wouldnt have had a clue what to look for,but I remember being told it was indeed a ZO6..........Bill S

[Wayne M.]

Re: "....time will tell"

Anybody hear anything further on Jim Masterson's project of assembling newly-found GM build information ? There was a thread about this back in early July on Corvetteforum, and the forecast was that sometime in 2005 the Corvette info will be available, AFTER Camaro, Chevelle and Nova documentation.

[Rich G.]

Re: Trying to learn about C2 ZO6

That was the car that prompted my recent inquiry. I first saw it on Mershon's site.

Thanks to all for the info

Rich Giannotti

[Verne Frantz]

Re: "....time will tell"

The name isn't Masterson, but here's a thread that might add some light to the issue.
Verne.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=copous&Number=25145&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

[David Van Weele]

Re: Z06 on E-bay

The one thing that I saw in the pictures that is not Z06 are the brake shoes. All Z06's had segmented linings made of Sintered Matalic material. The ones in the photo appear to be one piece and not thick enough. If that is the case I do not how the car can be stopped. It could be the drums came from a Buick which also had similar configuration.

[Mike M.]

Re: Z06 on E-bay

Dave: doubt the drums came from a buick for two reasons. 1) chevy and buick bolt patterns differ 2) i have a pair of buick drums i used on my 49 chevy with a pontiac rear axle assembly some 40 years ago and the fins on the buick are much larger than those of a zO6.Agree with brake shoes in the pictures as not being real ZO6 shoes. mike

[Mike Cobine]

Re: Z06 on E-bay

Do you guys remember what those metallic linings were like? I had segmented metallic linings on a '63 convertible and cold, they did not stop. Or they would lock. It wasnt' until you warmed them that they worked well.

Shoes would be an easy change to make the car streetable.

[David Van Weele]

Re: Z06 brakes

I sure do the day I picked my car up in June 1963 from the dealer was quite exciting as I blew through the first stop sign I came to. I learned then that you had to ride the brake for the first few hundred feet of driving after the sat for awhile. Even today when I drive my car I ride the brakes. I also found that if the brakes are not warmed up you did not know which way they would pull on the first atempted stop.

The other thing you did not want to do was to leave the parking brake on after getting the brakes wet. the shoes would rust to the drums and the next day while backing out of the parking space you would pop the shoe segments off of the rear shoes. In the early days that was not to bad, replacements only cost $38 for the complete rear set of shoes. Today forget about it who knows what the cost would be?

[Mike Cobine]

Re: Z06 brakes

> I also found that if the brakes are not warmed up
> you did not know which way they would pull on the
> first atempted stop.

That is an understatement. Mine would grab any of four corners cold, so if you were on less than idea surfaces (like wet roads or snow), you could be in for some real excitement.

I was driving high speed one late fall/early winter day, had a guy pull out in front of me, and then stop to make a left. I hit the brakes, did a 270, and ended up in the ditch backwards. I guess you could say they were good, because I didn't hit the guy and in that distance, most cars would have, but somehow ending in the ditch backwards wasn't the best way to solve the problem.

I decided to sell the car right then so I could go back to one with disc brakes.

Wish I had it back today.