63 Z06 Steel Wheels

[Keith B.]

Re: 63 Z06 Steel Wheels

Well, it looks like we need an official update to the JG now!

might be easier if they started from scratch

[Michael J.]

Re: 63 Z06 Steel Wheels

I believe the JG states that 15 x 5 1/2" steel wheels are to be judged as the only style wheel on a 63 being judged. even if its not stated as such, I'm pretty sure the 63-64 national team leader deducts for K/O wheels on a 63. mike

Indeed he does......

[Joseph S.]

Re: 63 Z06 Steel Wheels

might be easier if they started from scratch

A lot of people worked very hard on that manual. Some might be insulted by your comment!

[Keith B.]

Re: 63 Z06 Steel Wheels

A lot of people worked very hard on that manual. Some might be insulted by your comment!

That may be so but the last time I judged a very original 63 it was it was fun to say the least.

[David B.]

Re: 63 Z06 Steel Wheels

If I could ever figure out how to post a photo (I admit to not being computer smart) I would post a photo I took of the first ZO6 finned brake drum from '63 #684 I found the car in the Detroit area in 1984. Car resided at the time in my basement while I worked on it. Thanks to Mike Pillsbury he helped identify after visiting Don Steves Chevrolet (sp?).


Added the photo of the spiny drum.

[Don H.]

Re: 63 Z06 Steel Wheels

From the FAQ link in the small tool bar above- "How do I post a photo?" Photos can be posted by clicking on the image in the editor screen..(Note, the editor screen is the small row of icons right above this text box when you are creating your post)This will bring up a box where you can browse on your computer for the image file you wish to upload, or you can upload an image from a URL. URL is a link directly to the photo from a location on the internet. Once you highlight your photo in your photo album, click on the Choose button. After that click the Upload button. This will place the image in your reply text box. If you want to post more images in your message, repeat the process. Add your text, then hit the Post Reply button.

[James G.]

Re: 63 Z06 Steel Wheels

Notwithstanding the controversy over whether or not production '63 Corvettes ever had KO wheels installed at the plant (several of the 25 pilot line models did have the early "gear drive" design with two-bar nuts, which turned out to be a patent violation and were never installed in production) all Z-06 options got the standard '63 15 x 5.5" steel wheels.

If ordered with the standard rayon cord blackwalls or optional nylon cord blackwalls, the wheels were painted body color. If ordered with whitewalls the wheels were painted black.

First Z-06 batch (six I think) produced in early October, all of which raced at the Riverside six-hour endure later that month except Alan Green's car left the plant with steel wheels.

At least three were picked up at the plant and driven back to their home bases by Jerry Grant, Bob Bondurant, and Dave McDonald, and photos taken during delivery show steel wheels.

Duke

You are correct Duke. However, DOUG HOOPER told me driving cross country in 2009, that JERRY GRANT'S car was also driven back to Seattle by a employee of Alan Green. Jerry was busy racing another Alan Green car during the three car pick up. The employee followed the group to OK City before heading north.

[Michael J.]

Re: 63 Z06 Steel Wheels

You are correct Duke. However, DOUG HOOPER told me driving cross country in 2009, that JERRY GRANT'S car was also driven back to Seattle by a employee of Alan Green. Jerry was busy racing another Alan Green car during the three car pick up. The employee followed the group to OK City before heading north.

Great pictures of that trip here, there is also a video of it:

http://www.davemacdonald.net/gallery/closeups/familydavesherrystlouis.htm

The video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RN6wqaZFTY

[John D.]

Re: 63 Z06 Steel Wheels

There was at least one '63 delivered new with knock off wheels on it. You old timers have heard my story before.
I grew up at Grabiak Chevrolet in New Alexandria, PA. Means that was my hangout as a kid. That's the dealer that serviced Doc Blatchley/Grady Davis Gull Research car that Rich Mason has or had.
Anyhow one day Sam Grabiak Jr. came into the shop hollering quite loud for all of us to come to the front of the show room or outside the show room. There was a new silver coupe up on the truck with Knock offs on it. Jr was all excited as he told us the wheels were NOT available for the average customer.
Seems the car was for a Big race car team owner today and he could have anything he wanted. Roger Penski's car.
The silver coupe was in the Pittsburgh are for an eon. Big Bob who used to work on fuel injections owned it.
Barry Holmes. I can't remember Bob's last name. Heavy set fellow. Help me out please.
So at least one new 63 was delivered with knockoffs. But no documentation exists and what I am telling you is just BS.
The coupe was on the top of the truck. Close to the cab. Was a fuel car. Black tires.
Now for another story. Around July '62 I was taking classes (for the second time) at the GM Training center in Monroeville, PA.
Sponsored by Sam Grakiak Jr. Went there in '61 and '62.
My Mom died in 2002. I had her file cabinets delivered to my house. LAST night I found a file folder with most all of the Diplomas I got from taking a ton of classes. Strange thing is two of the certificates are marked Rochester Carburetor but no fuel injection certificate. I took the FI class twice as flunked it the first time as the entire test was on theory. I passed it the second time. Whew!!!

I was in shock to see them. My Mom kept so much of my stuff but I had no idea she was doing so.
Back to July '62United Motors class was next door to the Chevrolet classroom. Up on the rack was a silver coupe with black walls and silver rims.((No wheel covers). Remember it like yesterday. The wheels were hanging down in the back. We weren't allowed in the classroom so at lunch time two guys would guard the door and we took turns looking at the '63. It was so exciting. John D.

[Duke W.]

Re: 63 Z06 Steel Wheels

You are correct Duke. However, DOUG HOOPER told me driving cross country in 2009, that JERRY GRANT'S car was also driven back to Seattle by a employee of Alan Green. Jerry was busy racing another Alan Green car during the three car pick up. The employee followed the group to OK City before heading north.

Could it have been Don Campbell? He was the salesman who wrote up the order for my SWC in February and was Jerry's co-driver at Sebring in March.

Duke

[James G.]

Re: 63 Z06 Steel Wheels

Thanks all for the info! Barry Holmes

HAPPY NEW YEAR Barry. We have not talked in a while. Stay well my friend

[James G.]

Re: 63 Z06 Steel Wheels

Could it have been Don Campbell? He was the salesman who wrote up the order for my SWC in February and was Jerry's co-driver at Sebring in March.

Duke

It may have been. Don is still alive if we ''need to know''. He also may have been with Jerry that time frame.