Mickey Thompson's Connection with 1963 Z06s

[Tom D.]

[Clem Z.]

Re: Mickey Thompson's Connection with 1963 Z06s

in february 1963 mickeys corvette coupes at daytona had the BBC 427 "mystery" engines. At the Daytona International Raceway in Daytona Florida, the American Challenge Cup race is held. Mickey Thompson enters four 1963 Z06 Corvettes, two with newly developed Mark II big block 427-ci "Mystery Motor" engines.

• Finishing 2nd is the "Nicky Nouse", a lightened near-stock fuel-injected 1963 Sting Ray, driven by A.J. Foyt.
• Finishing 3rd is the 1963 427 ci ZO6 driven by Billy Krause. Rex White races the second 1963 427 ci Z06 Corvette but quits on Lap 38; Mickey Thompson continues until the suspension breaks.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Mickey Thompson's Connection with 1963 Z06s

i was there in the garages in 1963 and we could not figure out what the engines were and nobody from GM was talking. the problem with the engines was the valve lifters bores were in a straight line just like a SBC and this caused alignment problem with the exhaust push rod that caused durability problems on the early engines

[Tom D.]

Re: Mickey Thompson's Connection with 1963 Z06s

Clem: Thanks very much for your replies. Here is more from a recent search of the major on line auction house... Listed car is in Tempe AZ, and sounds "real". (I am not a seller, nor do I know the owner of this Z06.)

VERY RARE FACTORY Z06 OPTION WITH FACTORY INSTALLED N03 36 GALLON BIG TANK, 327 Fuel Injection, Sebring Silver code 941A, Dark Blue Interior Code 490, VIN# 9181, Body # 5113 Body Build Date F4, This Z06 was Inspected By Bob Jones and was Added to the Z06 N03 Survey. This Z06 is NOT A Clone, Tribute Or Fake. I will sign a statement on the Bill of stating VIN# 9181 is a REAL Genuine Z06 N03 Tanker. GM Records Show 199 Z06 Corvettes Built in 1963 of that 69 were Z06 with N03 Big tank option. This Z06 needs complete restoration. This is for the Z06 As Is. These Z06 Tankers are very sought after today they are one of the top Corvette Investments in the Corvette Hobby today. This Z06 Investment is as good as GOLD. This Z06 happens to in un-restored condition so it is clear to see it is a Real Factory Z06 Tanker. This Z06 has all the factory installed Z06 CRAN(?) writing on it,

This car came out of Chelsea Mich, I also have the selling dealer code, Sold at SPAULDING CHEVROLET. I also have sales person Phone # that sold this Rare car.So far I have owner History back to 1981. ...

[Dick W.]

Re: Mickey Thompson's Connection with 1963 Z06s

Dang Clem, I was there too with the #3 Chicken Car. Your are right, reliability was not one of the strengths of the mystery engine. The engine in the #3 car today has 7 sleeves in it. It ran the fall Charlotte race with that engine.

I been a doin' my math and iffen I am a countin' right you had to be about 65 years old then

[Clem Z.]

Re: Mickey Thompson's Connection with 1963 Z06s

Dang Clem, I was there too with the #3 Chicken Car. Your are right, reliability was not one of the strengths of the mystery engine. The engine in the #3 car today has 7 sleeves in it. It ran the fall Charlotte race with that engine.

I been a doin' my math and iffen I am a countin' right you had to be about 65 years old then

i had already picked up my 63 split window in december and i knew that was not the engine i had in mine.

[William L.]

Re: Mickey Thompson's Connection with 1963 Z06s

Mickey Thompson working on the white Mystery Motored ZO6;
I was told by Doug Hooper that Mickey was given FIVE ZO6's the 5th car was used as his "Driver" as it came to him to late to be prepared for Daytona and that car was sold to Norm Burger of Corvette Service Co. Inglewood Ca. In my research this is what I found. sr# 00689 was black, sr# 00809 was silver both of these cars were 327/ FI. sr# 00787 silver and the white sr#???? were the two mystery motored cars. sr# 006844 white 327/FI car was the one used at Bonneville in 1964.
Thompsom & Burger at Bonneville 1964.
If you look close at this picture you will see that this white ZO6 has all ready been modified and made into a 64!!

[Steven B.]

Re: Mickey Thompson's Connection with 1963 Z06s

Great pics! Thanks!

[William L.]

Re: Mickey Thompson's Connection with 1963 Z06s

In the 2ed row is Mickey Thompon's Silver #4 and Black #3 1963 ZO6"s during the playing of The National Anthem just before the running of the 1963 Daytona Continental race.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Mickey Thompson's Connection with 1963 Z06s

[quote=William Lacy (14279);394283]Mickey Thompson working on the white Mystery Motored ZO6; the engine in this picture has a vertex magneto instead of a distributor

[William L.]

Re: Mickey Thompson's Connection with 1963 Z06s

Clem; Yes it does.
Bill

[Philip C.]

Re: Mickey Thompson's Connection with 1963 Z06s

[quote=Clem Zahrobsky (45134);394309]

Mickey Thompson working on the white Mystery Motored ZO6; the engine in this picture has a vertex magneto instead of a distributor

You can also see the top of the special shocks, just above the carb by the loose ground wire next to the hood hinge. Phil 8063

[William L.]

Re: Mickey Thompson's Connection with 1963 Z06s

Philip; You can see the same part in the Bonneville picture.

[Franz E.]

Re: Mickey Thompson's Connection with 1963 Z06s