To restore or not to restore

[Duke W.]

Re: To restore or not to restore

The first release of Z-06 included the 36.5 gallon tank, and the big tank was not available as a separate option. It was only available by ordering Z-06. The Z-06 optuon was theoretically available to the public at start of production, but the first batch went to racers. I believe until the December/January time frame two or three additional "batches" of first release Z-06 cars were produced. All of these Z-06 cars were built with the big tank.

In the January/February time frame GM announced and began to build the second release Z-06. This second release unbundled the big tank and made it a separate option, N-03, and it was available on any Coupe without restriction. I actually considered ordering it for my SWC until I found out it took up most of the luggage compartment. Most of the '63s equipped with Z-06 are these second release versions and most did not have the big tank.

There are experts out there on identifying authentic factory-built Z-06s. There have been discussions here on the TDB, and I also think there is a Z-06 registry of sorts on the Web.

Your car appears to have had a lot of modifications over the years, but it's not logical for someone to have added the big tank, even years ago. It's not an easy installation, and the only reason to install the big tank would be if the owner at the time planned on entering long distance races. It wasn't necessary for the typical 20 minute SCCA races which is how most Corvette racers participated. The only US long distance event back then was Sebring.

Does it have any evidence of HD brakes or HD suspension?

I think you should do more research and talk to the experts before you draw conclusions.

Duke

[Ron R.]

Re: To restore or not to restore

No mods made to the car since I've owned it, like I said I purchased it in 1968. I never said I thought this car was ever a Z06, so please explain what you mean by drawing conclusions.Please look at pictures and tell me what you think of the tank..........and yes it does have what appears like heavy duty suspension, 7 leaf rear spring.......Ron

[Steven B.]

Re: To restore or not to restore

Ron, I think you will find the only HD suspension offering for '63 was the Z-06 option. You may have a very special car if it was born with the suspension, tank, etc. When was your car assembled? Steve

[Michael J.]

Re: To restore or not to restore

Indeed, and if you see that funky dual master cylinder, you may be in business.

[Ron R.]

Re: To restore or not to restore

VIN #3022, I BELIEVE NOV. 5TH OR 6TH, DON'T KNOW IF FRAME IS ORIGINAL FOR THE CAR, SINCE I CAN'T FIND ANY NUMBERS WITHOUT RAISING THE BODY. I WILL POST PICTURES TONIGHT WHEN I GEY OFF WORK. THE CAR IS PRETTY MUCH AS I PURCHASED 45 YEARS AGO. CAR HAS BEEN REPAINTED BEFORE I BOUGHT IT. APPEARS TO BE A BRIGHT BLUE METAL FLAKE COLOR UNDER THE CURRENT DARK BLUE COLOR. ONE MORE INTERESTING THING IS WHAT LOOKS LIKE SOFT BALL CUT OUTS ON THE TOP OF QUARTERS.
Ron

[Steven B.]

Re: To restore or not to restore

VIN #3022, I BELIEVE NOV. 5TH OR 6TH, DON'T KNOW IF FRAME IS ORIGINAL FOR THE CAR, SINCE I CAN'T FIND ANY NUMBERS WITHOUT RAISING THE BODY. I WILL POST PICTURES TONIGHT WHEN I GEY OFF WORK. THE CAR IS PRETTY MUCH AS I PURCHASED 45 YEARS AGO. CAR HAS BEEN REPAINTED BEFORE I BOUGHT IT. APPEARS TO BE A BRIGHT BLUE METAL FLAKE COLOR UNDER THE CURRENT DARK BLUE COLOR. ONE MORE INTERESTING THING IS WHAT LOOKS LIKE SOFT BALL CUT OUTS ON THE TOP OF QUARTERS.
Ron

"Possibly" if on rear quarters for brake cooling. If so may have been competed.

[Ron R.]

Re: To restore or not to restore

Does NOT have dual master cyclinder and no evidence it ever had one...........

[Harry S.]

Re: To restore or not to restore

In the body shop they marked the Z06 cars. Written by the job number by the gas tank is Z06. It is also written on the interior floor below the speaker or where the speaker would be.

[Ron R.]

Re: To restore or not to restore

This is NOT a Z06, just a big tank car........

[Harry S.]

Re: To restore or not to restore

This is NOT a Z06, just a big tank car........

I understand, I was just passing along some Z06 info to the other members.

[Ron R.]

Re: To restore or not to restore

Sounds good, thanks for the information!

[Ron R.]

Re: To restore or not to restore

63 CORVETTE PICTURES-001.jpg63 CORVETTE PICTURES-005.jpg63 CORVETTE PICTURES-011.jpg1963 CORVETTE TANK PICTURES-13.jpg

[Duke W.]

Re: To restore or not to restore

No mods made to the car since I've owned it, like I said I purchased it in 1968. I never said I thought this car was ever a Z06, so please explain what you mean by drawing conclusions.Please look at pictures and tell me what you think of the tank..........and yes it does have what appears like heavy duty suspension, 7 leaf rear spring.......Ron

In your post #15 you said:

"I'm ben told this is NOT a Z06 and I believe it"

Consider this: in 1968 when you bought your car a '63 Corvette was just a used car worth about $2000. You probably remember what you paid for it.

Virtually nobody knew what a Z-06 was and even if they did, who cared. That big tank just used up all the luggage space.

There was absolutely no motivation for someone to install the big tank in the field prior to '68 unless the owner planned long distance racing, which meant Sebring as that was the only long distance race in the USA back then, but it's not clear if your car was ever seriously raced before you bought it.

In post #24 you said:

"This is NOT a Z06, just a big tank car........ "

As I said in post #16, the only way the 36.5 gallon fuel tank could be installed in a November-built job was if Z-06 was ordered. The big tank did not become a separate option until at least January.

HD suspension and brakes were only installed in 1963 as part of the Z-06 option both first and second release. They were not available separately until the 1964 model year.

From what you have told us, I think there is sufficient evidence that you have a first release Z-06 that a thorough investigation is called for.

Are you aware what bonafide first release Z-06 is worth? Even with a NOM and wrong paint and other mods its current value may shock you. You may have a rare piece of Corvette history that many Corvette guys would give a nut for.

I'm trying to suggest that you do some research before you jump to conclusions or begin restoration work.

What about HD brakes? Any evidence? Look at the brake drums. Do they have fins? Most Z-06s lost their original master cylinder decades ago, so the installed master cylinder doesn't mean much.

I can't tell from the photos whether the tank installation appears to be plant or field, but there are guys out there who can probably determine so to a high level of certainty. Since first release Z-06s were built in batches, your VIN will be a significant part of the equation. Not all have been accounted for, and you may have one of the MIAs.

You need to get in touch with the Z-06 experts. A web search should reveal them.

Duke

[Ron R.]

Re: To restore or not to restore

Duke,You really have a wealth of information, does not have heavy duty brakes or fins on the drums. the frame is what has me puzzled, since I can't seem to find any numbers on the frame. I did a through cleaning of the undercarriage years ago, so any markings are long gone.........I also noticed that the front wheel wells have been shaved a little to accommodate a larger tire and also what appears to be a mesh material on both sides of the radiator to possible cool the front brakes, the area below the gas cap lid is painted the sebring silver color and jack bracket is located over the tank in the rear of the car as opposed to under the drivers seat......

[David R.]

Re: To restore or not to restore

Ron I took on a 61 project car for a friend after I retired. I have over 500 hours in it and it just is ready for the paint shop. It is a total frame off, what bolt, screw or nut that didn't break or stripped out wasn't worth saving. I just finished the engine and got the chrome back from the platters. The frame is done and waiting on the body to be painted. Blasting and cleaning parts now. I figure by the time I get it back on the road I'll have close to 1500 hours or more in the project. I figure he will have about $60,000 in the project not counting labor. I'm keeping up with my hours but not charging him for labor. A $100,000.00 to $120,000.00 estimate is pretty close unless you plan on doing a lot of the work yourself.