63--Z06

[Jeremy Hedges]

Did they make any Z06 convertibles in 63? If so, was it late in production?

Thanks

Jeremy Hedges
#31711

[Duke W.]

Re: 63--Z06

A Z-06 convertible was discovered in a Michigan garage about three years ago and sold by the deceased owner's estate. It had sat there for nearly forty years, and after it was sold the estate found unequivocal documentation that the car was St. Louis built with the Z-06 option. It remains the only documented '63 Z-06 convertible. Others are claimed, but have no supporting documentation.

Only the second interation of the Z-06 option, released in the Jan/Feb time frame, which unbundled the big tank to a separate option, could be installed on a convertible because the big tank did not fit in a convertible.

Someone might know the sequence number of the one documented '63 Z-06 convertible.

IIRC the current owners turned down about a $750K bid at a Monterey auction a couple of years ago. Had it sold for the high bid I believe it would have been the highest price production line vintage Corvette ever sold - exceeding the current highs for both L-88 and ZL-1 equipped models, only exceeded by Grand Sports, which were not production line built.

Duke

[Sydney G.]

Re: 63--Z06

Hello,

Duke, I'm not sure if the car you are talking about is the same one that was discussed here a few years back, #17,166.
That car was supposed to have all of it's original documentation and claimed to be a Tuxedo Black/Saddle leather 4spd Z-06 with both tops.
A member was saying at the time that everyone would see this car when it was to be shown at an upcoming show (AZ?) but I seem to remember that it did not make it there.

Later on, I also saw paperwork that was for sale (I believe) that also claimed to be from #17,166. Only this time, it was described as being a Silver/Black FI 4spd with metallic brakes and both tops.
It also was briefly discussed here.

Not sure which is the truth but I still believe that the Z-06 convertible was built in '63. Hard to imagine that the order would be turned away later in production.

Syd

[Duke W.]

Re: 63--Z06

The car I am referring to showed up at the NCRS Western Regional at Zion (Utah) about three years ago not long after it was purchased from the estate. Unfortunately I didn't make it there, but I think John Hinckley took a bunch of photos. The car was very intact and original, but had a lot of surface rust. I recall it was either Tuxedo Black or Daytona Blue with a Saddle interior.

My understanding is that all the supporting documentation was found by the estate after the car was sold and given to the new owners.

Duke

[Sydney G.]

Re: 63--Z06

Duke,
I'm pretty sure we are talking about the same car and that it is Tuxedo Black.

Someone had what was said to be original paperwork for the second example of '63 #17,166 (Silver/Black FI) and when I pointed out on this board that it was the same serial number of the documented Black Z-06 vert, I seem to recall that the discussion ended rather quickly.

About the only other example I remember of a car that was said to be a "strong possibility" of being a Z-06 convertible, was a '63 that was for sale on the Mershon's web site several years ago.
That car is a Daytona Blue/Blue NOM 4spd vert #15,419 that had a 340hp in it at the time. In their ad, they had pix of the brakes etc. to make their case.

Jeremy, why are you asking??
Have you come across a car in question and can you tell us the serial number?
Maybe myself or someone else has the car recorded previously.

Syd

[James G.]

Re: 63--Z06

I was at Zion.......I was at Bloomington Gold where the car was judged SURVIVOR........I was at Monterey when it was offered for sale.

It is 100% real. NO SMOKE.....NO MIRRORS....REAL PAPERWORK, which was produced by the family estate AFTER the purchase as it could not be found when the car sold.

I know the owner well. It is black with saddle leather with 7586 miles. The vin number is in the area you describe. And if someone offeres $1m, they will probably be a new owner.

PLEASE DON'T SPECULATE THE GOSSIP STORIES. Many 63 Z0-6 experts have seen the car.....and the documents, and concur that it is 'THE REAL DEAL'

To date it is the only documented convertible.