A good friend of mine has claimed for some time that he has a "mostly original" (#'s matching) 1965 Z-16 Convertable. We were shooting the breeze today and we got onto the topic today (the 840s are in his shop, along with the stock winters intake for it) and he mentioned that he has been told there were only 3 Z-16 convertables ever produced. That seems like an awful low number, I mean I know a true Z-16 car is rare but that rare?

Thanks in advance!

Hi, I think I have read some where that there was only one Z-16 conv. made. You will get more input on this give it time. Ray

There were 200 hardtops and 1 convertible built. No one knows where the convertible is. If it were found, it would probably be a $1,000,000 car. The restored hardtops sell for $125,000 plus. I will see one of them later today at a cruise-in. There is a Chevrolet dealer in Greenville SC that clears cars off 1/2 his lot to have cruise-ins once a month. He collects classic and muscle cars. He has a red Z-16 sitting in his showroom. It is supposed to be one of the two test cars built.
James

Originally posted by jfkheat:
He collects classic and muscle cars. He has a red Z-16 sitting in his showroom. It is supposed to be one of the two test cars built.
James Next time you're there, check the trim tag. All production Z-16s were built in Kansas City and the two prototypes were built in Baltimore. The very first "test mule" was red (no vinyl top) and used the standard Chevelle chassis, not the convertible chassis. There's a "Experimental Sample" tag on the air cleaner as well. Year One had a write up on it in their catalog a few years back (spring '98) and it was owned by Floyd Garrett at the time.

The second prototype is owned by Terry Gunter (sp?) in Georgia; it's also a Baltimore car and it's red w/black vinyl top. He had it at Chevell~abration a couple of years ago. My ChevelleStuff site seems to be down right now, but I have pictures of Terry's car, body plate, and engine in the 1965 Chevelle area.

There's also a picture of a production Z-16 and it's body plate (Kansas). Since KC had various options listed on the tag, look in group 4 for "M", the code for a 396/375 engine. All production Z-16s would have this code.

There were reports that Bunky Knudson had a convertible built for him but it's never surfaced or been verified AFAIK and it's generally accepted that only was was built. Another gentleman on TC reported that a friend had a Z16 convertible that was built in some GM specialty or engineering shop and was triple gold. Alas, no photos or paperwork of that one either.

I've also often wondered if the figure of 200 included the two (or maybe now three ?) prototypes and/or any of the one-off models that may or may not have existed.

Holy ****!!

Well, he claims this is the car. So, I guess I need to do some digging and try to get him to take me out to see it for some pictures etc.

Appreciate all the time and info you've all took to reply

Any data I've ever read on the Z-16 convertible indicated only 1 produced and it was Sierra Tan in color.

Dale, thanks for the info. I will check the the trim tag next time I see the car. This car is red with a black vinyl top. He has the original window sticker and a magazine article displayed with it. I saw the car again last night but didn't look at it up close. 2 of the salesmen were looking at my 68 Beaumont SD396 last night t the cruise-in. We started talking about the Z-16 and they told me the smae story about it being a test car. I'll post what info I find out about the car.
James

hmmmm z-16

Here are a couple questions about this (these) cars...

Is Sierra Tan a greenish color? That is the only problem with all his story, the car is green with white interior. He also wants to say there is a 'glide behind the 396/375. Wasn't badged in the normal location near the front of the fender, but like a chevy truck after the wheel well. No power steering or brakes. There are a few other things that I can't recall atm.

Does anyone have any phone number(s) of someone that I could give my buddy to talk with about verifiying this car?

Thanks again!

One of the Chevy Mags - High Performance or Super Chevy did a story on a clone Z-16 convertible a few years back.

Could this guy have the clone?

Is Sierra Tan a greenish color? Sierra Tan is a metallic tan (almost a light Gold color), not green. Doesn't mean the car wasn't repainted at sometime...


He also wants to
say there is a 'glide behind the 396/375. Chevrolet didn't put a Powerglide behind the 396/375 HP until 1968/1969, and then it was the TH400 (and that trans wasn't available in a Chevelle until 1967), and not a Powerglide...


No power steering or brakes.The Z-16s were very well optioned cars, because they were more of a marketing tool than anything... Produced to highlight the 396 in the Chevelle that would become available for 1966 model year. I would tend to think that the convertible would be just as loaded as any of the hardtops...


It would be interesting to hear more about this car... Maybe its the one...

I just don't think this is "the Car".
Too many issues that are not correct.
I wouldn't hold my breath on this one.

Be cool if it IS real :cool: Rarest Car in the world. Keep us posted Tony!!

Tony, where in Idaho are you @? I am in Coeurd'Alene area. This car would be interesting to see. Let me know, JOHN

I'll go out on a limb here and say that if this car is the REAL one, I'll eat my hat smile.gif

Well Tony, is it the one?