z06 Indetification

[Ron Eagan]

Is there anyway to identify a 63 Z06 by the VIN... I buddy of mine just bought the car from the original owner, we do know the following facts:

1) The car originally came with the racing brakes (since changed)

2)Was fuel injected (thats gone too!!!)

3)Has knock off wheels

4)Came with a 36 gallon tank (another missing item)

5)Is there anyone know the measurements of the larger inner fender wells that
were used on the Z06, and where to take the measurements?

6)The car was bought from the original owner but has no documentation.

VIN #30837S114083

MY NEW EMAIL ADDR rjea@aol.com

Thanks

Ron

[Duke W.]

Re: z06 Indetification

In the absence of documentation there is no way that I know of to identify a '63 Z06 except for visual evidence.
There is no engine or option designator in the VIN - only whether the model is a coupe or convert. Z06 also included 550 pound per inch front springs, a seven leaf 305 pound per inch rear spring, and a larger front anti-roll bar and specific shocks. The standard front bar was 3/4". I think the Z06 front bar is 7/8".

Knock-offs mean nothing, as no post pilot line '63 Corvette was ever delivered with them. You should inspect the KO's to determine if they are Kelsey-Hayes originals (purchased over the counter) or the later Western Wheel repros.

Evidence of a big tank does not confirm Z06 unless it is an early car as the big tank was unbundled to a separate option in February and could be ordered on any coupe without restiction.

Also, the big brakes included a power booster and dual circuit master cylinder. Are these items still installed?

There are a few individuals out there who have researched Z06s extensively and have compiled VINs of confirmed Z06s. Hopefully one of them will chime in here. Also, since the Z06s were mostly built in batches, the VIN could give a clue.

Your item five - extra inner fender well clearance - is new to me. I'm not aware that there were any fenderwell modifications to Z06. According to technical papers I've read, provision was made at the rear to mount 8.20-15 racing tires that existed in the early sixties era, but this was built into the base models.

Duke

Duke

[John C.]

Re: Z06 Indentification

No, the VIN will not reveal if it is a Z06 anymore than it will tell what engine option it came with. That is to say, there isn't any code in the VIN saying "This is a Z06." Remember, the Z06 was an option package. The engine code will end in RF (360HP) of course.
But....
30837S100684 to 30837S100895 1st six were in this range (684, 689, 701, 809, 813, 895)
30837S102124 & 30837S102244 both are definitely Z06s, another Z06 in this vicinity has an unknown serial number
30837S106208 to 30837S106844, about 20 produced in this range, early Jan
30837S108065 to 30837S109626, 125 to 130 produced in this range, Feb of '63
30837S113148 to 30837S113702,

[John C.]

Re: Z06 Indentification, P.S.

Duke gave some very good info. There is a member on this board that is an original (still owns it, to this day) Z06 owner. I believe his name is Dave Van Wheele (apologies if I didn't get it right). He has a great web page that is just a joy to read.

[Duke W.]

Dave's web site.

Ron - check out David Van Weels's web site - www.Z06vett.com. You should be able to email him from there, and I'm sure he can give you some more insight into Z06 identification.

Duke

[David Van Weele]

Re: Dave's web site.

Thanks for the kudo's guys. It was good to see a few of you at Orlando last weekend. The only thing I can add is that the big tank cars did have a different inner rear fender. This was to support the big tank, but then again any 63 with a big tank probably had the same support. A numner of Z06 cars also had Z06 written on the outside of the rear bulkhead where the job number is written or on the transmission tunnel under the arm rest. There are two guys that come to mind that have a great deal more info. Eric Gill and Bob Jones. Eric is here in Fl about 8 miles from me if you email me your phone and I will give it to Eric. I do not believe he vists the board much.

Good luck


My Z06

[Tom C.]

[Patrick H.]

Re: Z06 Identification

Ron,

If the original owner is still alive (and it wasn't bought from wife/estate who threw everything out) I'd be hard pressed to believe he (or neighbors or kids or...) doesn't have pictures of the car in a previous life laying around somewhere. There may not be paper documentation, but vintage photos with/from the original owner can be invaluable. If he raced it, someone likely took pictures. If he had a family, the son has a picture of it before the prom. Maybe he has a picture of it at an old car show or the day he bought it. You know - stuff like that. Close observation of those photos can show what it really had 38+ years ago.

Patrick

[John C.]

A response from Mr. Eagan?

I'm sorry but I didn't realize that the last part of my first post didn't make it.
Anyway...
113148 to 113702, 10 produced in April
114632 to 120301, balance of Z06 production from early May to late July.

Those numbers are from Noland Adams' book.
Looks like 114083 doesn't fall into any of the ranges known for Z06 vettes.
I hope your buddy didn't pay big bucks for this one.