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Chevrolet Corvette 327 c.i. 8-Cylinder no. 3109331 F020IRF 1963

General description : 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Split Window Coupe
s/n 30837S 109331, Engine no 3109331 F020IRF
Sebring Silver with Black Interior

Design excellence and racing prowess vaulted the Corvette into the pantheon of great American cars many years ago. Today, the best of these great cars continue to be sought after. Even among the finest European cars of the 60s, the all-new 1963 Corvette set a high standard for performance excellence at a reasonable price. Having distinguished itself at the track and on the road, the new 63 Stingray was a stunning revelation of design and performance. Captured initially by the youthful Pete Brock and refined by Corvette designer Larry Shinoda, the 63 split window was a phenomenal visual achievement. But Chevrolet was not satisfied to simply offer their customers great looking performance cars. Enter performance legend Zora Arkus Duntov with his clever directives circumventing corporate distaste for racing by building option packages for cars with racing in mind - among them the now iconic Z06 package.

The 1963 Corvette Z06 Special Performance Equipment Package with the Endurance Racing Fuel tank is among the most desirable performance sports cars ever built. Coveted for their one-year only split rear window, these coupes are not only highly desirable, they are beautiful examples of the perfectly balanced sports car. The Z06 option offered the L84 Fuel-Injected 327/360hp motor, G81 Positraction, M20 4-speed, special heavy duty racing suspension, and special big brakes with unique Z06 dual-circuit master cylinder, available only with the Z06 package. The brakes alone were unique works of art with intricate finned drums to aid in cooling, and bigger “Cerametalix” sintered brake shoes. The backing plates on the brakes were screened and cupped, forming little cooling scoops often referred to as “Elephant Ears”. Originally bundled in the Z06 package, the now iconic 36.5 gallon fuel tank (N03 “Big Tank” or “Tanker”) became optional at the end of 1962, thus making genuine Big Tank Z06 cars extremely rare. A highly expensive option when new, the $4,200.00 Corvette would exceed $6,000.00 when a brave performance minded buyer ticked the $1,818.45 Z06 box including the Big Tank. Clearly Chevrolet was targeting drivers who were serious about racing. A total of 199 Z06 coupes were built, but only 78 of those cars were delivered with the Big Tank, 63 of which were ordered (N03) separate of the Z06 package after December 1962. Legendary racer and builder Mickey Thompson took delivery of four of the first fifteen Z06 cars, taking one to Riverside with virtually no preparation, winning handily against a field of Cobras and other great racing cars of the period.

This Z06 Corvette #109331, departed Chevrolet in February 21, 1963, where it was delivered to Star Chevrolet in East Davenport, Iowa. While documentation is available and experts have advised on the history and originality of this car, as with any vintage Corvette, numeric classifications, markings, and factory designations are subject to scrutiny from a range of experts, often with varying opinions. We recommend and encourage independent professional evaluations by your preferred inspection service to confirm your satisfaction.

After the initial purchase the car changed hands a few times until the early 1990s when Larry Wells purchased it. Mr. Wells embarked on a five-year restoration at the professional restoration shop owned by Corvette expert Mike Snelling. Under careful review, the car was disassembled, copiously documented, and properly fitted with an accurate, stamped to match restoration motor, and correct factory parts. The car was reassembled and refinished per factory specifications. Shortly after the restoration was completed, the car achieved a “Bloomington Silver” award (1996).

The Bloomington summary evaluation qualifies the judges’ Silver designation noting: “Trim tag rivets not typical” and “Characters in lettering not typical”. Trim tags of this period are typically welded, not riveted. This car has riveted trim tags. Further judges comments includes specific reference to the engine stampings “Pad characters F (Second) not typical” and “First ‘1’ in VIN has markings which are not typical”. This notation reflects the installation of an accurate and period correct restoration motor, which was stamped with the correct VIN to match the car. While there is general agreement around the originality of this car as a Big Tank factory ordered car, the tank was removed by a previous owner, and then reinstalled by the same owner (photo documentation provided).

Per the Chevrolet window sticker 109331, this Z-06 “Tanker” Coupe was delivered with the following options (number of cars made with this option, if known, are indicated in brackets):
2941A Sebring Silver/ Black interior (3516)
2M20B 4 speed Transmission: (17973)
2A02A Tinted Windshield
2A31A Power windows
2L84A Fuel Injection V8 (2610)
2G81A Positraction Axle 411R
2N03A 36.5 Gal Fuel Tank (63)
2P92A 670X15 4 Ply WSW (#10331 currently wearing road tires)
2U65A Signal Seek Radio (11368)
2Z06A Spec Performance Package (199)
Total purchase price - $6,647.00

Today this split window Corvette presents very nicely, having been properly cared for by marque experts and dedicated ownership clearly aware of the rarity and importance associated with Z06 specific components and documentation. The restoration has mellowed very nicely over the years exhibiting no major flaws to distract from an otherwise beautiful presentation. The paint is glossy and consistent, having been skillfully applied with excellent and properly mixed metallic flake. There are a few minor nicks acquired from general use over the past twenty years. The body exhibits excellent fit and finish with very nice gapping at the doors and hood line. The retractable headlight doors are smooth and nicely fitting. The chrome trim, badges, and various exterior elements are wonderfully finished, showing a fine luster despite the passage of time. The wheels are nicely trimmed with correct and extremely hard to find wheel covers. The tires are excellent modern road type with good tread remaining. The current owner selected these correct size road tires for driving, however a set of original type 670x15 4 ply tires are included with the car for show use. The glass, lights, and lenses are all in excellent condition including the rare tinted windshield. The exterior presentation overall is nicely balanced and refined, particularly finished in Sebring Silver.

Inside, the car continues to impress with an interior that has been faithfully restored to original specifications. The high quality materials used throughout the interior remain in excellent condition showing little to no wear from use. The instruments are colorful and highly detailed having been restored to new by a Corvette instrument specialist, which included all gauges and radio. The speedometer was restored and the odometer clocked back to 00000. However the first digit was not cleared to zero and remained at 1 when the gauge was installed, thus the car shows today with 10,464 miles, when in fact this Z06 has only accumulated 464 miles since the restoration was completed. At the rear of the interior, one can see all the correct specially fitted interior panels that make up the Z06 Big Tank coupe. All parts have been properly fitted per factory specifications, encroaching slightly, per original, on the interior luggage space – a small price to pay for the added distance one might cover in competition.

Under the hood, the restoration details and attention to accuracy continues. While some of the fasteners and various hardware deviate slightly from typical factory specifications, it would take a seasoned expert to notice any variation, as the presentation is quite spectacular. The prominent casting plenum of the Rochester Fuel Injection is correctly finished, matching the finned valve covers, delivering a competition appearance supporting the 360hp. Underneath the car, the suspension, driveline components, performance equipment, and Z06 brakes all appear correctly restored, displaying excellent finishes and only minor evidence of use. As one might expect from a car of this caliber, the attention to detail goes far beyond cosmetic and mechanical presentation. Much time has been spent to finish the car with factory exact coatings, finishing techniques, and undercarriage detailing.

The car starts easily and settles into a smooth, throaty idle. The mechanical fuel injection has been properly serviced over the years and continues to offer good performance. Though not driven with performance in mind over the past 464 miles, the car appears to exhibit proper road manners and spirited performance befitting its original engineering intentions.

Beautifully restored and ready for any event or show, this rare and desirable 1963 Corvette split window Z06 Big Tank coupe represents one of the finest examples of performance excellence built in America. Presented with documentation, Bloomington Silver certificate, a spare set of four original-type 670X15 tires, and a notebook full of restoration documentation, photos, owner’s manual, and previous owner written testimonials, this Z06 is ready for your driving or showing pleasure.

http://fantasyjunction.com/cars/1987-Chevrolet-Corvette%20Z06%20Split%20Window%20Coupe-327%20c.i.%208-Cylinder

1963 Chevrolet Corvette 327 c.i. 8-Cylinder no. 3109331 F020IRF is listed sold on ClassicDigest in Emeryville by Fantasy Junction for $295000.

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