1963 Z06 and Powerglide?

[Peter K.]

I just heard of a 1963 coupe with big gas tank, big brakes (with a warning label on the dash that says they need to be heated up before they can work properly) and a powerglide transmission. Is this combination an as-built possibility? I am a new member with little experience but did read what I could find in Noland Adams' book (Vol.2) and it looks like GM may have built at least one car such as this. The car is stored in Western Pennsylvania and the owner is not interested in selling it. He may not be interested in talking about it, either. I have it on good authority that the car does exist. What do you think?

[Philip C.]

Re: 1963 Z06 and Powerglide?

No fuel injected with powerglide, last year available 1959, could have been added by an owner at some point. Phil 8063

[Peter K.]

Re: 1963 Z06 and Powerglide?

I understand that M35 and L84 is not a combination that was possible in 1963. If this car has the big brakes (J65) and the 36.5 gallon gas tank (N03) and the powerglide (M35) how rare is that? I will try to either get a look at the car or at least find out what engine option it has.

[Joe R.]

Re: 1963 Z06 and Powerglide?

Peter,

Sometimes seeing is believing! Then again it might not be real. Just look at all the 435HP 67 that have been produced since 1967!

Then again, an SO car could have had any combination of options that was available.

If you happen to be president of GM, head of styling or Duntov I'm sure you could have a big tank, and any transmission combo you wanted.

Just look at the styling cars out there. Some are even PINK!


JR

[Tom H.]

Re: 1963 Z06 and Powerglide?

I understand that M35 and L84 is not a combination that was possible in 1963. If this car has the big brakes (J65) and the 36.5 gallon gas tank (N03) and the powerglide (M35) how rare is that? I will try to either get a look at the car or at least find out what engine option it has.

Any car with a big tank would be rare regardless of trans. The auto would make it quite unususal and worth a look.

[John D.]

Re: 1963 Z06 and Powerglide?

The car does exist. Or at least it used to. Was owned by a MD in Latrobe, PA.(western PA) Wouldn't take me too long to find out what street the MD lived on. I used to date the girl across the street from him. I have talked about this car for years but no one has believed me.
The color escapes me. I think it was blue or at least a dark color but I cannot remember. I always knew it had a big tank as I looked inside of it. I had a 65 Convertible at the time and one time the older doctor said to me he liked my 65 and I told him I liked his big tank 63. I didn't know about the rarity of the car back then. I have thought about that car since I first heard the term Z06. Remember in the old days we didn't describe Corvettes as C1's, C2, or call out the options. JohnD.

[Peter K.]

Re: 1963 Z06 and Powerglide?

I just got off the phone with the guy who knew about the supposed Z06 powerglide 1963 coupe. He also mentioned another 1963 coupe that was in Western PA back in the late '60's that was a big brake, big tank, 4 speed car but not a Z06. That one was silver and was totaled in a one car accident that took the driver's life. My contact remembers installing a 4.56 rear gear set in the car for the owner. The other "Z06" was described by the owner as "the only one". If it is/was an original Z06 with powerglide that would mean either a COPO or SO or the original owner knew somebody high up, as mentioned. This car was parked near Sharon, PA up to two years ago. My contact will try to get in touch with the guy and see where the car is now. He is not the original owner and the car was needing at least a cosmetic restoration. Probably a wild goose chase, but I thought you folks on this forum might be interested.

[Jack U.]

Re: 1963 Z06 and Powerglide?

If Chevrolet was putting experimental V-8s in 1953 bodies/models, I can believe that this car could exist. I'm reading the book "The History of GM's Ramjet Fuel Injection on the Chevrolet V-8 and Its' Corvette Racing Pedigree".

It kind of makes a "mess" out of flight judging a rare car like that, right?

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1963 Z06 and Powerglide?

I just got off the phone with the guy who knew about the supposed Z06 powerglide 1963 coupe. He also mentioned another 1963 coupe that was in Western PA back in the late '60's that was a big brake, big tank, 4 speed car but not a Z06. That one was silver and was totaled in a one car accident that took the driver's life. My contact remembers installing a 4.56 rear gear set in the car for the owner. The other "Z06" was described by the owner as "the only one". If it is/was an original Z06 with powerglide that would mean either a COPO or SO or the original owner knew somebody high up, as mentioned. This car was parked near Sharon, PA up to two years ago. My contact will try to get in touch with the guy and see where the car is now. He is not the original owner and the car was needing at least a cosmetic restoration. Probably a wild goose chase, but I thought you folks on this forum might be interested.

Pete,

I would suggest that someone is confusing terms.

Just because a car has a big tank does not mean it's a Z06. What you are describing is a car with a big tank and a powerglide. It does not sound like anyone has verified the engine - and without an FI and the brake + suspension mods, it's not a Z06.

Patrick

[Duke W.]

Re: 1963 Z06 and Powerglide?

If this car has the big brakes (J65) and the 36.5 gallon gas tank (N03) and the powerglide (M35) how rare is that? I will try to either get a look at the car or at least find out what engine option it has.

The "big brakes" were part of the Z06 Special Performance Equipment package in 1963, then became J-56 when the Z-06 package was unbundled in 1964.

J-65 "metallic brakes" were available with any other options, except Z-06. J-65, N-03, and M-35 could be combined with the base engine or L-75, but could not be combined with L-76 or L-84.

It's easy to get J-56 and J-65 transposed. In fact, it happened in the 63/64 JG.

Duke

[Edward M.]

Re: 1963 Z06 and Powerglide?

I am aware of the big tank, 300hp, automatic. I think it was a 63. Apparently ordered by a salesman to long distance traveling.

[Duke W.]

Re: 1963 Z06 and Powerglide?

I considered ordering N-03 until I realized that it consumed most of the cargo compartment.

Also, say 35 gallons of useable fuel at 18 MPG at 60 MPH (remember there were not many interstate highways back then). That's about ten hours endurance, which is about double my bladder endurance - even when I was in my twenties.

Duke

[Stuart F.]

Re: 1963 Z06 and Powerglide?

Wasn't there a pair of red 63 SWC's bought/sold at auction involving Pro-Team recently. As I recall, one was a PowerGlide w/big tank and the other a legit Z-06. They were also featured as a pair in a Corvette publication.

Stu Fox

[Tom P.]

Re: 1963 Z06 and Powerglide?

I'm reading the book "The History of GM's Ramjet Fuel Injection on the Chevrolet V-8 and Its' Corvette Racing Pedigree".

It kind of makes a "mess" out of flight judging a rare car like that, right?

I've asked before, and I'm asking again, as a result of the in depth information from Ken Kayser---------------- For the 57 Corvette option list, is RPO 579E going to be changed to RPO 579D------as it should be?????????????????

[Michael H.]

Re: 1963 Z06 and Powerglide?

Wasn't there a pair of red 63 SWC's bought/sold at auction involving Pro-Team recently. As I recall, one was a PowerGlide w/big tank and the other a legit Z-06. They were also featured as a pair in a Corvette publication.

Stu Fox

Stu,

Yes, the red 63 A/C P/G car with 36.5 gallon fuel tank was the K.D. James car from texas, one of two with A/C and tank. I had the other one for a while, Sebring silver with 4 speed and 36.5 gal tank.

I don't remember if K D had the car on consignment at Pro Team or if they owned it.