Only 199 Corvettes were ordered with the Z06 package for the 1963 model year.
The Z06 package was Zora Arkus-Duntov's (he became the Corvette's chief engineer in 1955) way around the AMA's (Automobile Manufacturers Association) self-imposed ban on factory-supported racing that was announced on June 4th, 1957.
The Special Performance Package, known as RPO Z06 was created to market a turnkey racecar to the public. The Z06 option included unique dual circuit power brakes which included sintered metallic linings that were larger than the standard metallic linings, vented front and rear backing plates, larger finned brake drums (334.3 square inches of total sweep compared to 328 square inches), 24-blade cooling fans in the drums, self-adjusters that work going forward instead of the standard when backing (race cars spend little time in reverse).
The suspension modifications included heavy-duty rear transverse springs (seven-leaf rather than the stock nine-leaf), heavy-duty front springs, a one inch front anti-sway bar instead of the standard 7/8-inch one, and specially calibrated shock absorbers all around. A 36 gallon fuel tank that took up most of the area behind the seats and aluminum knock-off wheels were initially required as part of the package but were dropped from the list in January 1963. Besides the Special Performance Package, additional extra cost options were required before the package could be ordered. There was the 360 horsepower fuel-injected 327 cubic inch V-8 with solid lifters, a four speed manual transmission, and a posi-traction rear end. By the time you left the dealer you'd spent nearly seven thousand dollars. The Z06 option at $1,818.15 plus the other required options added $661.75 to the base price of $4,252.
The 1963 Z06 could only be ordered in the Coupe body style, just like today's Z06. The original Z06 cars were also limited production cars with only 199 being built in five production runs. The first cars were built for established racers such as Mickey Thompson. Six cars were built in October of 1962 and sold to the dealers that sponsored Corvette race teams. These cars were picked up at the factory in Saint Louis and driven on the road to California. Within weeks the Z06 had won its first race at Riverside (driven by Doug Hooper). The metallic linings, basically metal on metal had to be heated up for them to stop the car. Even then you never knew if the car was going to pull hard left or right depending on which brake warmed up faster. Once the brakes finally did get warmed and you got used to anticipating their behavior you were fine.
Chevrolet had a problem with the aluminum wheels holding air, the tires were tubeless and the wheels were porous. These wheels were never delivered on a customer ordered car until the middle of the 1964 production run. The Z06 option was only available in 1963 until the reintroduction of the 2001 model. Today it is estimated there are between 80 and 100 1963 Z06 cars remaining and the value of these cars has gone from the purchase price near $6,000 to the six-figure mark.
An unrestored 1963 Corvette Z06
- above pictures and information from Z06Vette.com, vetteweb.com, and corvettemuseum.com.
More Z06s
This Corvette Z06 was modified for further racing and featured side exhausts.
A modified Corvette Z06
I think the next generation Corvette should have a fixed roof like the C2 Corvette, but have space for a trunk.
Another Z06
