63 z06

[Walter F.]

Can some one explain to me the 63 Z06 option. Was it just as large fuel tank and special wheels or was the cars suspension different then the standard Corvette coupe?

[Joe L.]

Re: 63 z06

Can some one explain to me the 63 Z06 option. Was it just as large fuel tank and special wheels or was the cars suspension different then the standard Corvette coupe?

Walter------


Not all 1963 Z-06 were equipped with the 36 gallon fuel tank and few, if any, were equipped with aluminum wheels. All, however, were equipped with F-40 HD suspension, L-84 FI engine, 4 speed transmission and J-56 HD brakes.

[Mike T.]

Re: 63 z06

Here's a pic of that very unusual brake master cylinder from a 63 Z06 (FI unit has been reinstalled since this pic was taken).

[Wayne M.]

Re: 63 z06

Then, if you like your regular tank Z06 toasted ....







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[Mike T.]

Re: 63 z06

Wayne - That's painful to see. Was there a happy ending to that story and maybe pics too?

[Duke W.]

Re: 63 z06

The Z-06 Special Performance Equipment Package for 1963 had two iterations. The first, only available on Coupes was really only available to select customers who were experienced Corvette racers. It included the following equipment:

360 HP FI engine
Four-speed manual transmission
Positraction axle (choice of six ratios)
HD suspension (550 front, 305 rear lb/in spring rates, 15/16" front anti-roll bar, special shocks and rear lower shock mounts)
HD drum brakes (large dia. finned drums, metallic linings, vented backing plates, dual-circuit m/c w/ vacuum booster)
36.5 gallon fuel tank
Quick Take-Off wheels.

There were a few small "batches" of this first iteration built through about the end of December.

In the December/January time frame the Quick Take-Off wheels and 36.5 gallon fuel tank were unbundled and made available as separate options, P-48 and N-03 respectively, however, the general consensus is that no Quick Take-Off wheels were installed at St. Louis on any regular production 1963 Corvettes - only a few sets of the early design were installed on some pilot line cars.

With the unbundling of the 36.5 gallon fuel tank, Z-06 was theoretically available on convertibles, but only one convertible is known that has significant evidence of the second iteration Z-06 option installed at St. Louis.

Most of the 199 Z-06 options that GM documented were built during this second interation period and most do not have the 36.5 gallon fuel tank.

The Z-06 option was listed very early in the '64 model year, but shortly thereafter it was cancelled and the HD suspension and HD brakes were unbundled to separate options, F-40 and J-56 respectively. Thus, you could configure a '64 "Z-06 equivalent" by ordering the separate options that were formally bundled with Z-06, either first or second iteration including the Quick Take-Off wheels.

Duke

[Mark H.]

Re: 63 z06

Then, if you like your regular tank Z06 toasted ....

"GDW" prefix was Jefferson County (Lakewood, etc.) Wonder if there are any Rocky Mountain Chapter members that might recall this car?

[Wayne M.]

Re: 63 z06

"GDW" prefix was Jefferson County (Lakewood, etc.) Wonder if there are any Rocky Mountain Chapter members that might recall this car?

IIRC, this was a swap meet in Denver that took place early summer 1988. Interior was tan. The "kidney bean" wheels drew the most attention.

[Rob V.]

Re: 63 z06

Correct regarding the time frame and location. The car was subsequently sold to an individual in Breckenridge, Colorado; and to the best of my knowledge, (as well as the person that sold the car), the vehicle has not surfaced. However, the members of this forum seem to be pretty capable investigators, so there might be further updates.

Best Regards,
Rob Vanderhoeven

[Bob J.]

Re: 63 z06

Correct regarding the time frame and location. The car was subsequently sold to an individual in Breckenridge, Colorado; and to the best of my knowledge, (as well as the person that sold the car), the vehicle has not surfaced. However, the members of this forum seem to be pretty capable investigators, so there might be further updates.

Best Regards,
Rob Vanderhoeven

Its around and being restored.
He writes me every so often but natually doesn't talk about the past.

[Jimmy B.]

Re: 63 z06

I was the one that told the owner it was a Z06, he didn't know what one was. The original brake drums and linings had been removed because of complaints by the original owner by the dealership with supporting GM paperwork documentation. The backing plates with all the original block off plates were still intact. The car is factory black with a factory tan interior with the leather seat option, a stunning combination. The wheels as you can see are the pin drive Halibrands. The body on this car before the fire was unbelievably straight. The owner got the car running and drove it around his yard prior to the sale. This will be a fantastic car when its restoration is completed.