[Pete 67]

In the June, 2008 Drive Magazine, there is a feature on a car collector by the name of Art Astor. The article doesn't mention it, but in the accompanying photos, there are a few shots of a Regal Red Z-16 convert. The car has a black top with a red interior; buckets, console, 4 speed, Mag wheel covers, correct Z-16 rear trim, etc. The captions make note that this is the only Z-16 in existence, but doesn't go into any detail about the car's history, etc.

I have read the rumors about the possibility of a factory Z-16 convertible on this website, & in various pubs over the past 20 years. I also know that TC member T-Man, Tom Lasater has claimed to have ridden shotgun in a Z-16 convert. Tom seems to be on the level, so I tend to believe him. But I have not seen anything else substantial to support the car's existence.

Could this car be the Holy Grail? I think Drive is a regional publication, so I am not sure how many people get it, but has anyone else read the article or seen the pics? Or has this been discussed before and I was either out to lunch or asleep?

If so, please excuse my late arrival to the party.

 

[ELLI]

Are you sure that it's a convertible, there are a few well documented red/black vinyl top Z-16's around, and I believe that was the color scheme for the prototype Z-16. That car is still around and has gone from collector to collector for the past few year. So I guess what I am saying is that maybe it was a vinyl top and not a soft top.

 

[Pete 67]

Are you sure that it's a convertible, there are a few well documented red/black vinyl top Z-16's around, and I believe that was the color scheme for the prototype Z-16. That car is still around and has gone from collector to collector for the past few year. So I guess what I am saying is that maybe it was a vinyl top and not a soft top.

Not trying to sound like an ass, but I cannot believe this is your response. Am I sure it's a convertible? That is exactly the point of this thread; There are pics of a Z-16 CONVERTIBLE in Drive Magazine. I am aware that all 200 known Z-16s were hardtops, & there was a rumor of ONE convertible. That's why this article was so surprising to me.

If you asked me if I was sure it was a real Z-16, that would be understandable. But if you really need an answer to that question. YES, I AM SURE IT'S A CONVERTIBLE.

 

[micky69396]

I know there was a convert put together with a lot of the correct parts. To my knowledge the real one has not been found.

 

[davewho1]

In the June, 2008 Drive Magazine, there is a feature on a car collector by the name of Art Astor. The article doesn't mention it, but in the accompanying photos, there are a few shots of a Regal Red Z-16 convert. The car has a black top with a red interior; buckets, console, 4 speed, Mag wheel covers, correct Z-16 rear trim, etc. The captions make note that this is the only Z-16 in existence, but doesn't go into any detail about the car's history, etc.

I have read the rumors about the possibility of a factory Z-16 convertible on this website, & in various pubs over the past 20 years. I also know that TC member T-Man, Tom Lasater has claimed to have ridden shotgun in a Z-16 convert. Tom seems to be on the level, so I tend to believe him. But I have not seen anything else substantial to support the car's existence.

Could this car be the Holy Grail? I think Drive is a regional publication, so I am not sure how many people get it, but has anyone else read the article or seen the pics? Or has this been discussed before and I was either out to lunch or asleep?

If so, please excuse my late arrival to the party.

Yes, I saw this article also. I don't believe it has been discussed here yet - I was going to bring it up but never got around to it.
I'd like to know more; I have a sneaking suspicion that it's a built-up clone. I remember Mark Meekins of the old National Chevelle Owners Assn. was accumulating parts to build a Z-16 vert, but I don't know if he ever finished it.
If anyone else has more info on this car or Art Astor, I'd like to hear it.

 

[1966_L78]

There was a very nice clone convertible (red too) in Hemmings Muscle machines a few years ago... IIRC, the guy used most, if not all, correct parts.

It could be expensive, but not too hard to build one...

I recall hearing the Z16 convertible was NOT Red (maybe from T-man?)...



By the way, we get Drive here on the West coast (is it the same magazine? Not sure). It has alot of event listings for all over the West Coast...

 

[Dean]

I'm sure if it was real we would have heard about it long ago.

 

[depley]

I wonder if he just bought this one http://www.hemmings.com/mus/stories/2005/06/01/hmn_feature3.html

If it was real it would have been in every magazine this side of China.

 

[Bomber '67]

You can buy Art's collection http://www.rmauctions.com/ - just bring about $20m. His kids didn't have any interest in the cars, and he was not able to make it a self funding museum - so to auction it goes. His collection actually had 280 cars, looks like he will be keeping 30 of his favorites. I've met Art, I sold him the '96 Impala SS that is listed in the auction. He is an interesting man with a huge love of cars and automobilia. His story is one of a near penniless imigrant who worked hard and made his way big time. His wife told me that when they were young and struggling that Art would admire the beautiful Packards and Cadillacs as they drove by - and he would tell his wife that someday he was going to buy that car. She said it was the damndest thing, he finally broke through and became very successful, and just like he promised he started buying up all the cars he admired. They are all in two large industrial warehouses a few miles from me - I've never been through to look, but I want to do that before the cars are sold off.

I didn't even know about his *Z16* convertible, so I can't tell you anything about it. What I do know is that he definitely pursued cars with interesting histories or celebrity owners. I liked the fact that his goal was to have all of his cars road worthy since he regulary drove most of them. Yes, he had full time staff who spent all their time making sure all the cars could be driven.

Thomas

 

[T-Man]

Here's your red Z16 on Craigslist in Detroit. http://detroit.craigslist.org/car/658662747.html

There is no proof that the car existed, so make your own decision if it was real or not. It was not made available to the general public, the only Z16 convertible made was for Bunky Knudson, and it was gold in color.

 

[mmurphy77]

Here's your red Z16 on Craigslist in Detroit. http://detroit.craigslist.org/car/658662747.html

There is no proof that the car existed, so make your own decision if it was real or not. It was not made available to the general public, the only Z16 convertible made was for Bunky Knudson, and it was gold in color.

...and I was told it was crushed a long time ago.

 

[DaleM]

If you look at the ad copy it states a 'reincarnation' along with numerous changes like an M21 and air conditioning.

Tom - do you know where this gold convertible was built? Baltimore like the prototype or some GM engineering or styling studio in Michigan?

 

[Guest]

I've asked many times to no avail!!

What spindles do the Z-16's use??

I want a pair to put on my 1st Gen. Camaro car along w/ the 11" rear drum brakes!

This is the ONLY A/F/X car that got 11" front drum brakes!!

pdq67

Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote

 

[DaleM]

I would assume that since the brakes were the same as the full size car, the full size steering knuckles would have been used as well.

 

[sschevellefan]

I`ve always heard 201 Z16s made and one was a vert. I thoughth the vert was Crockus yellow which was a very popular color for 65 chevelles.

 

[PaPa Johns 77]

I`ve always heard 201 Z16s made and one was a vert. I thoughth the vert was Crockus yellow which was a very popular color for 65 chevelles.

Wasn't the yellow one the car Dan Blocker owned?

 

[DaleM]

201 is the number commonly used and always assumed 200 hardtops and one convertible. If the convertible was a one-off for Bunkie Knudson, it's marginally a 'production' car IMO and whether the two Baltimore prototypes are included in the other 200 hasn't been addressed to my knowledge. To me, one-offs like the Mako Shark II built for Bill Mitchell or the 1951 Le Sabre driven by Harley Earl aren't production cars even though they were 'produced' by GM.

 

[sschevellefan]

Wasn't the yellow one the car Dan Blocker owned?

Yes Dan Blocker got one but it wasn`t the only yellow one. They were made in red black and yellow and most of the ones I`ve seen had black and white interior. I had a crockus yellow 65 SS as my first car and there was another one right around the corner from me. People use to confuse our cars alot. A crockus yellow 65 is the best looking 65 in my opinion and I regret selling mine. i`ll get another someday.

 

[T-Man]

The knuckles may have been special, the guy that owned the ragtop bent the right front knuckle on a curb and had to pull strings to get one out of the plant in Baltimore. He worked for GM Engineering so he was able to make that happen.

 

[Pete 67]

T-Man,

I'm glad you saw this post & replied. I vaguely remembered you saying the car you rode in was gold. That put a red flag up as soon as I saw the pics of the car in the Drive article.

Basically this is just what I figured... another case of irresponsible, uninformed rubbish. I plan on sending the editor an email. If I get a reply, I'll be sure to post it.

Pete