Black/Saddle 63 Z06 Conv

[Michael H.]

Would anyone happen to have some good interior pic's of the low mileage black Z06 conv that appeared at a Corvette event a while back? Is the soft top on that car saddle? Thanks.

[Rick A.]

Re: Black/Saddle 63 Z06 Conv

let me see if I have pix from Bloomington Gold in 2004 - but, I seem to remember the top was black, though? massive CRS, sorry Michael!

[Michael H.]

63-65 Saddle Soft Top

Thanks Rick. Someone told me that the car does have a saddle top but they weren't 100% sure. I've been trying to contact Helene Zasadny about the saddle top issue because I think she probably judged the interior on that car a few years ago? Hopefully, she will have some info on the interior color of the top canvas. Believe her internet is down, temporarily though.

I know for sure that the inside/underside color of a 65 saddle top is saddle but still need pic's of 63-64. (actually, beige, not saddle per sales info)

[Rick A.]

Re: 63-65 Saddle Soft Top

Michael,

understood - will check pix when I get home tonite - am about 90% sure I have pix, but......Helene did judge interiors in 2004, as I remember her juding my "Z" interior

[Michael H.]

Thanks Rick *NM*

[John H.]

Re: 63-65 Saddle Soft Top

Michael -

Here's a photo of the folded top, taken at the Zion Regional shortly after the car came out of "hibernation". It's the only photo I have that shows the soft top - all the others have the hardtop in place.

[Michael H.]

Re: 63-65 Saddle Soft Top

THANK YOU John ! That's exactly what I've been looking for. Pretty much confirms what I've been saying for years. Definitely not black inside.

[Michael H.]

Here's Another........

This pic was taken in the 70's, as I remember. (spent the afternoon looking for it) It's my old 65 396 car, the same car that Burroughs wrote the book on, "Corvette Restoration, State Of The Art". It had (and still has) it's original tan top with the tan underside. It's a little difficult to see but there's no question about the color.

This odd tan color was correct for all 63-65's. For the 66 model year, the tan top cover changed and the underside became black instead of tan.

This should be corrected in the JG's. I know the 63-64 calls for black but I'm not sure what the 65 JG has for this.

[Michael H.]

The 1966 Parts Book

The 1966 printing of the parts book shows a different part number for the 63-65 and the 66 tan soft top covers. (fabric) The 63-66 black and white soft top parts/numbers remain the same. The 63-65 tan top had a tan underside and the 66 had a black underside.

[John H.]

Re: 63-65 Saddle Soft Top

Found the rest of the photos - the car has a white top.

[Michael H.]

Re: 63-65 Saddle Soft Top

Are you sure John? The 63-65 beige color tops weren't very far away from white and it sure looks darker than the white "T" shirt next to it. Wouldn't a white top have had a black underside?

[Patrick H.]

Re: 63-65 Saddle Soft Top

Yes, but Ballard triple-bleaches his shirt.

The top color does seem to closer match the white towel on the back deck.

Patrick

[Tracy C.]

Re: 63-65 Saddle Soft Top

Michael,

Here is a pic of ratty original 64 white top. Underside is black.

I think the last pic posted by John is somewhat overexposed making the beige appear white. Your pic of your 65 is also a very light color.

Even if the top on the Z06 is white, it's hard to argue the underside isn't beige/tan. In which case we would still have an inaccuracy in the JG.

I'd think a phone call to Bill Shipp would clear everything up regardless.

tc

[Michael H.]

Re: 63-65 Saddle Soft Top

Yup, looks mighty black to me too. I just looked at a few more pic's of my old 65 396 car and the beige top color looks about the same as the pic of the black 63 Z car, depending on the light at the time. In bright sun, it looks white but late afternoon, it looks light beige. I agree, something isn't right because the Z car definitely doesn't have a black underside.

I called the number for Bill Shipp but it must be a wrong Bill Shipp. The gentleman I spoke with said "no, I've never owned a Corvette but I'd sure love to have one".

I vaguely remember seeing a copy of some kind of paperwork for that car that listed all the options but I can't remember where I saw it. Must have been on the internet because I've never seen the car. I really want to get to the bottom of this.