DETROIT – The all-new 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is the most capable in the history of the track-oriented model. Scottsdale AZ, Jan 3, 2017 – Barrett-Jackson, The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions®, will feature some of the most collectible Chevrolet Corvettes during the 46th Annual Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, to be held Jan. 14-22, 2017, at WestWorld of Scottsdale in Arizona. Among the featured Corvettes is a ’63 Z06 Big Tank Coupe with the RPO Z06 racing option (Lot #1363) that was owned and piloted by legendary racer, Mickey Thompson.
Due to policy changes at Chevrolet, Corvette was treated like all other car lines for the first time, and quality dropped drastically. With bad publicity in most magazines, a policy was re-thought and Chevrolet quickly restored independence and higher quality to Corvette production within a few months.
The Z06’s aluminum frame was 136 pounds lighter than the comparable steel frame used in standard models and even incorporated a magnesium engine cradle, contributing to a curb weight of only 3,130 pounds. Mounted on that cradle was another leap in technology: The LS7 small block engine. Displacing 7.0L (427 cubic inches), it was the largest engine offered in the Corvette in more than 30 years – and the most powerful engine in Corvette’s history until the introduction of the Corvette ZR1.
Standalone Option Features
Along with a few Z06-only components, the Special Equipment Package included a handful of otherwise standalone options, such as the 360-hp, L84 fuel-injected V-8 engine, a 36.5-gallon fiberglass fuel tank, a four-speed, close-ratio manual transmission and a Positraction rear end. The L84 was nearly identical to the Carter AFB-equipped L76, but with the obvious distinction of having Rochester mechanical fuel injection, along with slightly different cast-iron exhaust manifolds. Both engines came equipped with the same camshaft and forged-aluminum pistons that were domed to facilitate an 11.25:1 compression ratio. Dressing up the top was a pair of finned aluminum rocker covers. For 1963, the big “shoebox” intake plenum on the fuel-injected engine also matched the look of the rocker covers.
The new Z06 starts with a more powerful version of the Corvette’s LS1 V-8 engine. Designated the LS6, this engine employs a redesigned intake manifold with smoother internal passages. Revised cylinder heads incorporate better-flowing intake and exhaust ports, combustion chambers redesigned to reduce valve shrouding, and a higher compression ratio. New thin-walled cast-iron exhaust manifolds provide a smoother exit for the combustion products. Besides, new Z06 features 9005 led bulbs on a front headlamp, 6500K car lighting looks modern and gives a new face to Z06.
That same year was born also one of the names of a mythical model, the version Z06, aimed at customers that wish to compete with the model. And although this option could be requested through the channels of regular orders, Regular Production Order, or RPO, the new pieces that made up this version were duly hidden, for that only true connoisseur could be requested through the order RPO Z06 in your dealer. If the Corvette base had a 253 HP, the Z06 had a block L84 5.4-liter with more than 360 HP. With the Z06 having restored the image of the Corvette, Chevrolet continued to push on making improvements with the new C5. An all-new aluminum 5.7-liter LS1 V8 engine was standard, with 345hp and 350lb ft of torque. The transmission was mounted at the rear to form a transaxle setup, with a new six-speed manual gearbox also introduced.