How to verify a Z06

[John A.]

Hi,
I am looking at a 63 swc hi horse fuel car, that is in pretty good shape.
The owner states that the car was (non-professionally ) raced in the 60s-70s, and that it has been sitting around collecting dust since the 80s.
It has the correct backing plates on 3 wheels, air scoops (elephant ears), as well as the HD sway bar, HD shocks, and rear leaf spring. The correct finned drums are missing as is the Z06 master brake cylinder. The current PB/booster rig looks like a 67 model. The current owner is asking for big $$$ and if it's a real Z06 it will be worth it, but I want to be sure before plunking down the money. Are there any other identifying marks, that may not be common knowledge, that would help determine if this car is the real McCoy?
Any assistance in this regard would be greatly appreciated.
John

[Loren L.]

Re: How to verify a Z06

What's the VIN? In many cases, it appears that ZO6s were at least semi-batch built, etc. Missing master cylinder would make me very shy about the car.

[Mike M.]

Re: How to verify a Z06

is it a tanker or standard tank? mike

[Harry S.]

Re: How to verify a Z06

John, a member of my chapter is restoring a Z06.

On his car, written in Crayon, is written Z06 on the bulkhead behind the gas tank. It is also written on the floor-pan under the radio. If the owner will let you pull a radio side panel see if Z06 is there.

[Dick W.]

Re: How to verify a Z06

John, I would suggest that you retain someone that is familar with those cars to inspect it for you. The $$$$$$ involved with the purchase would make it worthwhile.

[Stuart F.]

Re: How to verify a Z06

John;

The engines, besides the p/nos, etc., do have some slight differences from standard 360 hp fuelies. For one, the F.I. units were calibrated different (richer) I believe with different nozzles. Perhaps John DeGregory or another F.I. expert can help you out with the specifics. And make sure it has the 461-X heads w/extra boss material by the outside valve cover screws. I'm sure you'll get lots of advice here, but I agree you should contact a Z06 expert to help you out, for as you say, there are big bucks involved.

Stu Fox

[John D.]

Re: How to verify a Z06

John, I agree with Dick Whittington. I would hire Dickie to go look at the car because it sounds suspicious.
Meanwhile like Loren said if the Z06 is missing the master cylinder the buyer is just plain out of luck. If you can even locate one they are at least 10 grand. A customer of mine has been looking for one for a long time. Franz Estericher is also a known authority on the 63 Z06's and can spot a fake one quite easily. So can Dick and many others here.

Every real Z06 FI that I have restored has had "X" nozzles. I have probably restored more Z06 units than anyone on the planet. They ALL had those nozzles except for one. Right now I am working on one that came from a car sitting since the early 80's and it has the X nozzles.
John-pay the bucks to have the car appraised or your will be one sorry dude. Plan on spending at least a 100 grand to restore the car. 63's are extremely difficult & expensive to restore unless you want a repro mobile. John D.

[John D.]

Re: How to verify a Z06

John, I would suggest that you retain someone that is familar with those cars to inspect it for you. The $$$$$$ involved with the purchase would make it worthwhile.

Wow. 6 figures Dickie.

[Michael H.]

Re: How to verify a Z06

Hi,
I am looking at a 63 swc hi horse fuel car, that is in pretty good shape.
The owner states that the car was (non-professionally ) raced in the 60s-70s, and that it has been sitting around collecting dust since the 80s.
It has the correct backing plates on 3 wheels, air scoops (elephant ears), as well as the HD sway bar, HD shocks, and rear leaf spring. The correct finned drums are missing as is the Z06 master brake cylinder. The current PB/booster rig looks like a 67 model. The current owner is asking for big $$$ and if it's a real Z06 it will be worth it, but I want to be sure before plunking down the money. Are there any other identifying marks, that may not be common knowledge, that would help determine if this car is the real McCoy?
Any assistance in this regard would be greatly appreciated.
John

John,

If the car that you are looking at does not have the 36.5 gallon fuel tank, it would be nearly impossible for anyone to confirm that the car was originally delivered as a Z06.
All of the components required for a non big fuel tank Z06 are basically "bolt on" items so there would be no "secret clues" as to it's originality.

In the mid 60's, a LOT of non Z06 cars wound up with all, or at least part of, the original brake system components from a Z06.
In the mid 60's, when SCCA allowed the 63-64 cars to upgrade and use disc brakes from a 65 and newer Corvette, many of the Z06 brake packages wound up in the hands of local club racers.

I'm not saying the car isn't authentic. It's quite possible. It's just that it's nearly impossible to prove one way or the other.

The hand written "Z06" on the back of the bulkhead would only have been on cars that were equipped with the N03/36.5 gallon fuel tank. The body build for a non big tank Z06 was exactly the same as any other 63 Corvette.

In my opinion, a non tank Z06 without conclusive proof is not worth a ton of money just because it has a few Z06 items. Without proof, unfortunately, you are only buying a 63 coupe plus the extra cost of the Z06 items.

There are a few ways that I can prove that a car wasn't a genuine Z06 but there is no ways that I can prove that it was.

[Joe R.]

Re: How to verify a Z06

John,

Post up the SN and that will give everyone a place to start. If the SN is out of sequence with other ZO-6's 63's the red flag will be flying!

JR

[Robert Y.]

Re: How to verify a Z06

John..."assuming" that the car does not have the NO3 option but DOES appear to have the ORIGINAL brake lines, remember that that dual master cylinder did have some unique features i.e. "separate" brake line to rear. That line would be longer than the standard brake line, being a direct hook-up to the original master cylinder - if not cut, and sometimes, as mine was, it was tied into a crude brake block that adapts the original lines to one "replacement" master cylinder outlet.

Did not see it mentioned previously. Interesting car for sure!

Agree with the "get it appraised, or at least looked at".

Regards,

Bob Young

[Joseph S.]

Re: How to verify a Z06

Serial number is a good place to start. I also agree with most of the posts above. Have someone who really knows Z06's to check the car out. You are in a bad spot with the missing parts. Those missing parts are the impossible items to find!! Your brake backing plates were also available in 64 with the heavy duty brake option so they are a bit more available. The missing items you described could cost you $15 to $25K once you do finally locate them.

If you get more info about the car most of the people who already posted will be able to help you confirm or shoot down the Z06 claim.

I will be real curious to hear what is written beneath the radio and behind the tank.

Good luck! Joe

[Michael H.]

Re: How to verify a Z06

I will be real curious to hear what is written beneath the radio and behind the tank.

Good luck! Joe

I doubt anything will be hand written behind the fuel tank or behind the radio. Without N03/36.5 gal tank, there were no body modifications required during the body build.
If a 36.5 gal tank/N03 were part of the option, there would have been MANY modifications on the floor pan which would have been called out by the hand written z06 in these areas of the pan.

I've owned a few real Z06's without the N03 tank over the years and none had the Z06 written anywhere on the body.

[John A.]

Re: How to verify a Z06

small tank.

[Steven B.]

Re: How to verify a Z06

Were the rear wheel wells wider on the Z06, protruding farther inside?
With or without big tank?