63 Z06

[Robert A.]

I am looking at a 63 Z06 for sale. Could anyone help with how to tell if the car is a real Z06 or just a made up car? I know about the brakes. And the car is a small tank car. Any other things to look for?

[Tom H.]

Re: 63 Z06

Does it appear in Noland Adams' survey ? Do you have the trim tag info and build date from this car ?

Not sure if Nolands info has been updated or improved upon since his book, but he lists Z06 production in 6 groups.

Group 1 Six cars built in early October VIN range from 684 to 895
Group 2 Three cars built late October A J Foyt car and two Yenko cars
Group 3 About 20 cars built early January with VIN range 6208 6844
Group 4 125 to 130 cars built in February VIN range 8065 to 9626
Group 5 Fewer than 10 produced in April VIN range 13148 to 13702
Group 6 Balance was distributed randomly from early May to late July VIN range 14362 to 20301

Keep in mind this research was done years ago and has probably been improved, but this should get you headed in the right direction.

There are many more here that are much more on top of this than I, so sit tight and wait for the replies.

[Michael H.]

Re: 63 Z06

I am looking at a 63 Z06 for sale. Could anyone help with how to tell if the car is a real Z06 or just a made up car? I know about the brakes. And the car is a small tank car. Any other things to look for?

Robert,

Unfortunately, there really is no way to guarantee that a Z06 without the 36.5 gal fuel tank, is real. Almost every part required to "build one" is a bolt on item.
If the car is unrestored, you can look for a few key items like the unique brake lines, etc, but if it's been restored, it's near impossible to prove anything one way or the other.

[John D.]

Re: 63 Z06

Do you remember an old time 63 Z06 guru from Texas years ago by the name of KD James. I think James was his last name. Anyhow I watched him at an NCRS show going down a line of Z06 cars and in 5 seconds or less he was able to determine if the car was the real deal or not the real deal. He wouldn't tell me what he was looking fpr but later on at a MAC chapter meet Bill Sangrey, Doc Mikey, and JD figured it out. It's like you said Michael. Unique brake lines AND unique brake line fittings not readily available for sure. So when KD looked down at the steering box area and didn't see the correct brake lines and fittings he said got cha. That was in the mid 80's. JD

[Michael H.]

Re: 63 Z06

Do you remember an old time 63 Z06 guru from Texas years ago by the name of KD James.

Sure, I remember KD James (AKA Jessie) He wasn't a Z06 guy, specifically, but he knew a few things about em.
The unique fitting isn't so unique after all. I think it was the same as that used on 65 with power brakes?

I completed the partially finished "build" of a Z06 out of a 300 HP car that someone else started over 30 years ago and no one will ever be able to tell it was a fake. It was easy. We weren't trying to fool anyone back then. That was about 1976.

Back then, few people cared if cars were restored to "as delivered new" configuration.

[Wayne M.]

Re: 63 Z06

Do you remember an old time 63 Z06 guru from Texas years ago by the name of KD James. I think James was his last name.....

Speaking of KD James (Kenneth Duane, if memory serves), here he is at his south Houston TX (?) shop [standing at the back of the pickup]. This was in 1990, when I was on a business trip to the area.

Black car is a 1966 L72 J56 tanker (VIN 01198).

[Mike M.]

Re: 63 Z06

Hi Guys,
Am I just too much of a purist or should a '63 have more of the critical options rather just brakes and suspension to be considered a "True" Z-06?
HaND

[Michael H.]

Re: 63 Z06

Hi Guys,
Am I just too much of a purist or should a '63 have more of the critical options rather just brakes and suspension to be considered a "True" Z-06?
HaND

Mike,

That would certainly be correct if it were an early production car.

The 36.5 gal fuel tank certainly didn't make the cars go any faster though. Just farther.