1963 Corvette Part Seven
Z06
The AMA (Automobile Manufacturers Association) had a corporate racing ban in effect in 1963. Corvette engineers made an end run around the ban by offering the Z06 option. Although technically available to anyone, in reality it was intended for racers. The option included:
- Fuel injected 327 cubic inch motor
- Heavy duty suspension, including competition shock absorbers, stiffer springs, and thicker (.94") front roll bar
- Aluminum knock-off wheels
- Special brakes with upgraded cooling
- 36.5 gallon fiberglass fuel tank
- Positraction differential
Typical 1963 Corvette Z06 window sticker:
- Power Brakes with Metallic Linings
- Heavy Duty Stabilizers
- Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers
- Heavy Duty Springs
- Positraction Rear Axle
- 360 Horsepower Fuel Injection Engine
- Four Speed Transmission
1963 Corvette Z06 N03 Big Tank set up for competition. Left: 1963 Corvette Z06 N03 Big Tank as shipped from the St. Louis MO factory. While the Z06 option was 1963 only, the N03 Big Tank option was available on subsequent C2 Corvette coupes.
A total of 199 1963 Corvettes featured the Z06 option. Initially all were coupes, which were better suited for racing. Indications are that only one Z06 convertible was made which did not include the 36 gallon fuel tank. The price of $1814.45 was high - almost half the price of the entire Corvette. Changes in the option occurred during the production run. At one time the larger fuel tank and knock-off wheels were dropped, lowering the price to $1293.95 and accommodating buyers who wanted to use the car on the street and did not want to sacrifice luggage space.
#614 was one of the first Corvettes sold with the Z06 option. It was delivered from the St. Louis factory on a Monday and with 2500 miles on the clock and only one day of preparation, was racing the next Saturday at Riverside CA. It ran in the SCCA Xp and A Production classes in 1963. In 1964 it was raced in the C Modified class. It also saw success in the Southern California Timing Association events and was clocked at 200 mph at Bonneville. It was restored by Vic Edelbrock in 1987 and currently enjoys a retirement competing in vintage racing events.
1964 Corvette
1963 Corvette Options