[1]All images courtesy of Mecum Auctions [2]
Despite a ban on motorsports involvement from Chevrolet’s executives, Chevrolet’s chief engineer Zora Duntov understood how important motorsports involvement was to the success of the Chevrolet Corvette. He was instrumental in creating a special order high performance RPO package for the 1963 Corvette known as the Z06 package. The Z06 package meant the inclusion of a 20% larger front sway bar, a vacuum brake booster, dual master cylinder, larger diameter shocks, springs nearly twice as stiff, and of course the legendary fuel injected 327 cubic inch V8.
On paper, this top of the line performance machine might seem like an easy choice over the base model. Keep in mind however, that the sticker price for the base model was $4,257. The z06 performance package brought with it a price tag of $1,818. Chevrolet only produced 199 of these incredible machines and even fewer (63) with a massive 36 gallon fuel tank that was meant exclusively for longer endurance races.Well one of these hard to find 63 will be hitting the auction block this weekend at Mecum’s 10 day auction at Kissimmee, Florida [2]. The split-window Vette that is commonly refereed to as a “tanker” because of the giant fuel cell, is one of the most sought after Vettes of all time.
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During the 70’s this tanker lived a very pampered life with noted Corvette historian and collector Eric Gill. Since then, this Z06 was the beneficiary of a 138,000 frame-off restoration by the Naber Brothers of Houston, and sits today as one of the cleanest Z06’s in the country. Lift the silver hood and you’ll find the gorgeous L84 solid-lifter 327/360 HP fuel injected small block V-8, and the original 4-speed manual transmission that sends power to the 4.10 Positraction rear end.
[5]Just look at the awards that it already has in tow:
- Bloomington Gold Certification in June 2012,
- multiple regional NCRS Top Flight Awards in October 2012 and January 2013
- Best in class Awards at the Santa Fe Concorso in September 2012
- Best in class award at Hilton Head Concours d’Elegance in November 2012.
- Also displayed at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Mecum is estimating that this decorated Z06 will bring somewhere between $600,000 -$800,000 when it rolls across the auction block on Saturday. That might be a little generous, as a quick look in the Hagerty classic car values shows that a concourse level tanker is estimated at somewhere between $375k – $400k. Although having awards in tow and a history like this Vette, might boost the price at auction.
Now we put it in your corner, what do you think this award winning Vette will bring this Saturday? Leave us a comment below with your guess!