OT - 1963 Z06 for Sale

[Rick B.]

Re: OT - 1963 Z06 for Sale

It looks like this car may have been a radio delete. The current radio appears to have one knob above and one knob below the dial, not a midyear Corvette radio.

[James G.]

Re: OT - 1963 Z06 for Sale

Hey John

Here's one from a 65 that Pro Team had at one time. Where and when was this type of tag installed ?????

Tom, This was the 66 red coupe SWISS 427/425HP race car. Has great history. Many export cars had tags, but many did not as well.

[Terry W.]

Re: OT - 1963 Z06 for Sale

Rick -

The RHD conversion had to be done by an outside shop in Australia - GM didn't do anything here other than to ship it; there were no special tags or numbers applied at St. Louis on export cars in those days. If it was exported by GM for sale there (vs. being exported privately), there would be a GM paper trail to document it.

If the car in question was imported by GM it would be the only one I have ever heard of , most likely senario was a special order through a GM Holden Dealer which did not happen that often ,All orders for Chevrolet Cars came through GM Canada export Division, Chev,s Pontiacs and Oakland have been sold here since the early Twenties ( I Think) but only in base model 4 door configuration, this stopped in 1969 - 70 ,All were built by GM in Right hand Drive configuration and were shiped over and finished here by GM Holden , All conversions for special orders were converted by The Holden Dealer usually, I bought my first 67 Roadster about 25 years ago , and the fellas who converted that car should have been shot , thankfully there are a few companies around who do good conversions, can you imagine the time involved in converting a new one ( PERFORMAX INTERNATIONAL) about 30K, thank god they have changed the laws and you can now leave 30 Year old cars Left Hand Drive,
I posted that link on CF
Cheers Terry

[Tom H.]

Re: OT - 1963 Z06 for Sale

Tom, This was the 66 red coupe SWISS 427/425HP race car. Has great history. .

Hey Jim ! You know more than me, but that tag I posted sure looks like a 65 VIN with a 396 / 425 code ?

[Chuck G.]

Re: OT - 1963 Z06 for Sale

Tom,

Thanks for posting the pix! That was exactly the kind of tag I was thinking of just didn't remember where I saw one

BTW - got an email from Jim Gessner about the car:

WAS FOR SALE LAST SPRING. VIN AND TRIM TAGS ARE SCREWED ON. SELLER WILL NOT GET VIN OFF CHASSIS, SO BUYER BEWARE.

Got to thinking that since this is a RHD conversion, it would make sense that the crossbar under the "old" glove box would have to be removed to make way for the brake/clutch pedals.

So, I can see how/why the TRIM and VIN tags might have been moved and reattached elsewhere in a "non-factory" manner.

Chuck

[Tom H.]

Re: OT - 1963 Z06 for Sale

I would love to just look at this car. Real or not. I bet we could have a great time just talking about it.

[Wayne M.]

Re: OT - 1963 Z06 for Sale

Got to thinking that since this is a RHD conversion, it would make sense that the crossbar under the "old" glove box would have to be removed to make way for the brake/clutch pedals.

So, I can see how/why the TRIM and VIN tags might have been moved and reattached elsewhere in a "non-factory" manner.

Chuck

Agree 100%, Chuck. Pic below is of dash area birdcage members. No way that brake and clutch pedal assy's could be transferred from left to right, without major surgery on the bar where St.Louis attached VIN and trim tags.

If pic looks familiar, it's of that eBay shell off 396 Maroon/maroon coupe with paperwork (first title, MSO), that became a completed car, starting with this .



m

[Rick A.]

Re: OT - 1963 Z06 for Sale

ALL,

Jim Gessner sent me another email with some information he managed to get on the car - some of the following sounds very disturbing to me!

Subject: 1963 Z06
1963 Z06 Corvette. The VIN number is 30837S114931.The engine number is 3114931F0425RF.Vehicle Build Date: I2.
Style Code: 63837.
Trim Code: 490A
Body Code: 7853.
Paint Code: 916A
Engine block casting number: 3782870.
Fuel injection part number and serial number: 7017375/3316.

The Z06 is 100% original except the following:
Right hand drive.
Non original radio and aerial (originally radio delete).
Incorrect tyres, radiator hoses, heater hoses, battery, fan belts.
Probably a replacement exhaust sysyem.

22,723 miles from new.

Original paint in very good condition.
Original interior in very good condition.
Original stainless, bumpers in very good condition.
Motor is 100% original... block, cylinder heads, fuel injection, air cleaner assembly, exhaust manifolds.
Gearbox and shifter are original.
Differential is original.
Z06 suspension is original.
Z06 brakes are original.
Chassis is perfect and has zero rust.
The Z06 has never had any accident damage.

Please refer to Terry Martin NCRS, Perth, Western Australia for verification of condition.
(08) 9443-1944
Terry Martin has completed all of the service work on the Z06 for me.

The Z06 is a beautiful, very original and very rare Corvette.

As you know only 199 Z06 Corvettes were built in 1963.
Very few would have less than 22,723 miles.
Very few would have the high level of originality of my Z06.

[Tom H.]

Re: OT - 1963 Z06 for Sale

Looks like you might be able to remove the Z bar, turn it around and install it in reverse. I bet the back side of the bar on the Z06 down under has evidence of the original mounting of the VIN and trim tag on the back side now !

[John H.]

Re: OT - 1963 Z06 for Sale

Hey John

Here's one from a 65 that Pro Team had at one time. Where and when was this type of tag installed ?????

Tom -

Those homologation tags were created and installed by GM at or subsequent to the car's arrival at the port of entry; that one was done at GM of Switzerland, in Berne. Most exports to Europe were tagged by GM Continental in Antwerp, Belgium.

[Gary W.]

Re: OT - 1963 Z06 for Sale

Hi Everyone,
I'd like to share the following with you seeing as I have (along with several other NCRS Australia Chapter members) spent many enjoyable hours inspecting this beutiful car in person over the last few years here in Perth.

1: with our admittedly limited experience we believe this car to be real and very original. This is based purely on our detailed observations (using broach buster) with reference back to the standard technical reference material incl. all the NCRS manuals eg JG, JRM, Trim Tag Authentication Library etc. None of us obviously "gaurantees" anything about this car (who can?), save to say that if any of us had enough money we'd have bought it !

2: we haven't seen any documentation about the car so can't speculate as to when/who the LHD to RHD conversion was done. It was a good job and will be very simple to convert back to be "invisible". The Z-bar had to be cut & flipped to accommodate the conversion, this is why the VIN/TRIM tags were removed and screwed back on the other side so they could be seen.

3: it does not appear that the body has ever been removed and we have verified the VIN # stamped into the chassis

4: TRIM/VIN tag and all the important numbers appear correct under detailed broach buster scruitiny

There were at least 4 serious potential buyers for this car - 1 from New Zealand, 1 from Norway, 1 from Japan and 1 from USA. We're dissapointed that there were no Aussie buyers and I'm saddened to advise that the car has been sold to the USA buyer. Saddened because the Aussie 'vette community has lost an icon of corvette history. Up-side is she's "heading back home".
Cheers, Gary (#46532)

[James G.]

Re: OT - 1963 Z06 for Sale

Hi Everyone,
I'd like to share the following with you seeing as I have (along with several other NCRS Australia Chapter members) spent many enjoyable hours inspecting this beutiful car in person over the last few years here in Perth.

1: with our admittedly limited experience we believe this car to be real and very original. This is based purely on our detailed observations (using broach buster) with reference back to the standard technical reference material incl. all the NCRS manuals eg JG, JRM, Trim Tag Authentication Library etc. None of us obviously "gaurantees" anything about this car (who can?), save to say that if any of us had enough money we'd have bought it !

2: we haven't seen any documentation about the car so can't speculate as to when/who the LHD to RHD conversion was done. It was a good job and will be very simple to convert back to be "invisible". The Z-bar had to be cut & flipped to accommodate the conversion, this is why the VIN/TRIM tags were removed and screwed back on the other side so they could be seen.

3: it does not appear that the body has ever been removed and we have verified the VIN # stamped into the chassis

4: TRIM/VIN tag and all the important numbers appear correct under detailed broach buster scruitiny

There were at least 4 serious potential buyers for this car - 1 from New Zealand, 1 from Norway, 1 from Japan and 1 from USA. We're dissapointed that there were no Aussie buyers and I'm saddened to advise that the car has been sold to the USA buyer. Saddened because the Aussie 'vette community has lost an icon of corvette history. Up-side is she's "heading back home".
Cheers, Gary (#46532)

Hi Gary,
I received the photos and history "as known" last Summer June 2011. I said

"3: it does not appear that the body has ever been removed and we have verified the VIN # stamped into the chassis".......and until that is done, I would not move forward on the car. The 1963 Z0-6 Suspension and brake conversion is one of the easiest to add to a standard fuel injection SWC, so one must be very careful when purchasing a Z0-6 car. The 36 gallon tank addition is more difficult, but not impossible.

With prices for "REAL" small tank Z0-6 in the 225 range and tankers at 345 plus, due dilagence in the most important part of the search, especially PROVENANCE of ownership and factory papery work (Window Sticker etc.)

I would be most interested in learning WHERE IN THE USA this car is headed. Many experts here would love to help the new owner if he wants it. Sure hope he takes the time to fully document the car when it is in his custody.

Did you know that Z0-6 SPRINGS have unique part numbers ? It is a great way to document the ORIGINALITY of the car.

[Steve B.]

Re: OT - 1963 Z06 for Sale

Hi Gary,
I received the photos and history "as known" last Summer June 2011. I said

"3: it does not appear that the body has ever been removed and we have verified the VIN # stamped into the chassis".......and until that is done, I would not move forward on the car. The 1963 Z0-6 Suspension and brake conversion is one of the easiest to add to a standard fuel injection SWC, so one must be very careful when purchasing a Z0-6 car. The 36 gallon tank addition is more difficult, but not impossible.

With prices for "REAL" small tank Z0-6 in the 225 range and tankers at 345 plus, due dilagence in the most important part of the search, especially PROVENANCE of ownership and factory papery work (Window Sticker etc.)

I would be most interested in learning WHERE IN THE USA this car is headed. Many experts here would love to help the new owner if he wants it. Sure hope he takes the time to fully document the car when it is in his custody.

Did you know that Z0-6 SPRINGS have unique part numbers ? It is a great way to document the ORIGINALITY of the car.

Jim,
I was contacted about the car a couple of years ago but the price was higher (225k) I believe the car is the real thing but passed because there was no paperwork plus the fact that the tags were removed and screwed back in place was an issue I could not live with. I hope to see the car in person someday. I am sure I will be kicking myself for passing on it.

[James G.]

Re: OT - 1963 Z06 for Sale

There are still Z0-6 cars out there Steve. I will call you if I find one.

[Gary W.]

Re: OT - 1963 Z06 for Sale

The 1963 Z0-6 Suspension and brake conversion is one of the easiest to add to a standard fuel injection SWC, so one must be very careful when purchasing a Z0-6 car. The 36 gallon tank addition is more difficult, but not impossible.

I would be most interested in learning WHERE IN THE USA this car is headed. Many experts here would love to help the new owner if he wants it. Sure hope he takes the time to fully document the car when it is in his custody.

Hi Jim - the new owner is very prominent and well known in the hobby, I'm sure he'll see this thread and I'll leave it to him to "chip in" if he feels a need. I hope he puts the car "on the judging circuit" and we get to see it again. I don't know how/if the LHD/RHD conversion would affect Bowtie eligability (?), but pretty much everything else about this car is un-touched, including suspension/brakes. I'd prefer the car went down the Bowrie path and not be restored (other than returning to LHD), but that's obviously the new owner's decision, factoring in NCRS rules. This said, I asume removal of the TRIM/VIN tags will pose the biggest hurdle in regards to judging.
All this said, she's a beautiful car and I'm glad she's still "alive".
Cheers, Gary.