Very early 396 Corvettes and Z-16 Chevelles

[Pancho T.]

Re: Very early 396 Corvettes and Z-16 Chevelles

Protype Z16 2.jpgprototype Z16 intake.jpg

This is an intake that I have. Dated 12/24/64 with an interesting 386693 casting number. It sure seems like these were in the works for some time before they were released.

[Chris D.]

Re: Very early 396 Corvettes and Z-16 Chevelles

Original Z16 carb with repaired original float bowl

[Patrick B.]

[Gary C.]

Re: Very early 396 Corvettes and Z-16 Chevelles

Looks like the same bowl as the L78.
65 Holley bowl.jpg
Id the inlet casting number 3866963?
65 Inlet Manafold.jpg

[James G.]

Re: Very early 396 Corvettes and Z-16 Chevelles

Thanks for sharing Chris. I am working with the owners of 65 vin 003, a very interesting Engineering and Styling car with a 427 engine. Body built March 64.
IMG_0470.jpg

[Keith B.]

Re: Very early 396 Corvettes and Z-16 Chevelles

James what block did 003 get built with?

[Chris D.]

Re: Very early 396 Corvettes and Z-16 Chevelles

[Chris D.]

Re: Very early 396 Corvettes and Z-16 Chevelles

Chris —— Thanks for the picture of the T0226IX block. That is the earliest build date that any of us has ever seen. Do you know the casting date of that block?

I find in my notes an A195 and a B205 both with a T0226 build

[Patrick B.]

Re: Very early 396 Corvettes and Z-16 Chevelles

I got some information on early Z-16's from Jeff Helms, who owns four Z-16 Chevelles and four additional blocks. He said the earliest known surviving production Z-16 was built in the 4th week of February, 1965. He also thinks that the earliest full size Chevrolet with a 396 was built on Feb. 15, but it was a 396/325 using a different block than the Z-16 Chevelles and Corvettes. Alan Colvin reported that Feb. 15 was the day that Chevy announced the 396, and I assume that was when dealers were able to take orders for 396 Corvettes. Interestingly, according to Jeff Helms, Z-16's were spec'd out by Chevrolet management and not by dealers. Then, they were allotted to "preferred" dealers for promotional uses. Unlike Corvettes, they were all built outside the normal "ordering" system. This may explain why these Chevelles seem to have had a head start on the Corvettes. Below, I will list the casting dates and stamping dates of the early engines I have seen or been told about:

A 9 5 T0222IX
A 19 5 T0226IX
B 4 5 T0305IX
B 5 5 T0303IX
B 5 5 T0303IX
B 20 5 T0226IX
B 20 5 T0313IF
B 20 5 Tonawanda stamping not readable but part of a Corvette VIN on the familiar right side of the pad.

All of the other engines have the Tonawanda stamp on the right side of the pad, characteristic of very early engines.

Based on the information to date, there is no physical reason at the engine plant why 396 Corvettes could not have been in regular production as early as the fourth week of February like the Z-16 Chevelles. But the differences in the ordering procedure probably gave the Chevelles a head start. Corvette #12864 sure has a good story, but I would not be shocked by others of a similar vin range ordered by preferred dealers who knew about the Chevelles.

Gary-- Did you ever get the engine information about Corvette #12864, or did the seller blow you off?

[Gary C.]

Re: Very early 396 Corvettes and Z-16 Chevelles

No, answer on block ID's for 12864 as yet.