Z06 Question.....

[Chuck M.]

Hi,

Just wanted to know if a "Big Tank" was available in a convertible 63 vette. I dont even know if there is a convertible 63 Z06.

Thanks

Chuck

[Loren L.]

No Big Tank and Yes convertible *NM*

[Mike M.]

Re: Z06 Question.....

Several "purported" to be zo6 converts have surfaced lately. they don't have 36 gal tanks but they do have the zo6 susp and brakes. whether they were gm built or owner built with over the counter brake/susp pieces remains to be seen. mike

[Duke W.]

Re: Z06 Question.....

The first iteration of Z06 included the big tank and it was only available in the coupe because the big tank would not fit in the convert.

The second interation of Z06 released about 2/1/63 unbundled the big tank and the KO wheels (which were not released), and at this point Z06 was theoretically available on the convertible, but no DOCUMENTED Z06 convertibles have ever surfaced. A handful are claimed or possibly thought to be original, but none have any supporting documentation.

Duke

[John Lake]

Re: Z06 Question.....,1963

I have a 1963 convertible with a Z06 master cylinder, finned brake drums,metalic linings (small pads on each of the linings) and the oversize sway bar. This is not a fuel car, it is a 327/300 auto numbers matching car. My car was built in Feb./63.I am the 3rd owner and I know the second owner and he told me the brakes were on the car when he purchased the car in the mid seventies.
Could someone please explain to me how to document my car?

[Mike M.]

Re: Z06 Question.....,1963

i'd try to find the first owner and see what his tory is. let us know what you find in terms of documentation. BTW, whats the vin of your 63 convert?mike

[Duke W.]

Re: Z06 Question.....,1963

Both iterations of the Z06 package included the L-84 engine M-20 close ratio transmission, and G-81 positration axle in a choice of six ratios from 3.08 to 4.56:1, so there is no way that the HD brakes and suspension could be configured with the 300 HP engine and Powerglide.

If you can find enough honest history on your car you will find the the HD brakes and any other Z06 components were added after the car was built.

Does it have a seven or nine leaf rear spring?

Duke

[Loren L.]

You have a '63 that has been "overequipped"

from the parts counter to stop much better - done early on, it could have been done quite reasonably $$$$ - as a Feb car it is something ahead of 10,000 and would NOT have been available - UNLESS the owner's name was Harley Earl Jr, Jerry Earl, Russ Sanders Jr, Rosey Rosenberger jr, etc.

[Loren L.]

Related Question: If you were manufacturing

a 1963 ZO-6 convertible, what is the item that would most likely "give-it-away"? I have mine - what's yours?

[John Lake]

Re: Z06 Question.....,1963

I have tried to locate the original owner but have failed. The car was purchased in Montreal, Canada and the dealer is no longer in business. I have contacted the NCRS chapter in Quebec and asked if anybody remembers the car in the Montreal area, I got no response. The owner who I bought the car from tried to locate him but failed because he has moved and left no forwarding address. You asked for my vin.(30867S108355). The car is Sebring Silver, It has the wells under the seats,the car also has the white plastic guides on the hood. I previously contacted GM Canada Vintage and asked them about the brakes and they informed me that it was possible.

[Duke W.]

You might be in luck!

If I recall correctly cars delivered in Canada may have available production configuration information from GM Canada for specific VINs, but I'm not sure how far back it goes. John Hinckley probably knows. He got the production configuration from GM Canada for his Canadian delivered '69 Z-28.

As far as the "it's possible" remark is concerned, I doubt if many GM Canada office employees were even born when your car was built. They may be able to retrieve archival information, but I would hesitate to believe that they can offer an informed opinion on actual production practice and configuration availability.

Duke

[Michael W.]

Not quite correct to say that you got 'no response

from the Quebec chapter. I remember receiving your email and took a considerable amount of time asking local members if they knew of your car or it's original owner - unfortunately without any success. I promptly responded with this news.

Some members recalled the dealership but that establishment is LONG gone.

[Rich G.]

Re: Related Question: If you were manufacturing

My understanding is that ZO6 front sway bars were unique in diameter. No other suspension option used it and no one repros it. Is that correct? (Later HD suspensions used a larger diameter sway bar, but not the same as the ZO6)

Rich Giannotti

[Wayne M.]

GM Canada didn't start to record options....

... until the 1967 model year. All he will get is the colors (int/ext), dealer and shipping dates.

John --- just out of curiosity, who was the dealer ? I lived in Montreal for many years off-and-on over the last 36.

[Duke W.]

Re: Related Question: If you were manufacturing

Z06 front anti roll bar is 15/16", and this bar carried over to the 65-65 F-40 HD suspension for SBs and F-41 for BBs.

Base SB front bar is 3/4"; 7/8" for BB.

The above applies to C2 and early C3. At some point in the '70s the base SB bar was increased to 13/16" and the FE7 Gymkana suspension included 1 1/8" front and 7/16" rear bars.

I don't know if the 15/16" bar is reproduced.

Duke