1963 Corvette ZO6 Big Tank

The total production number of 1963 Corvette coupe Z06’s was 199. Of these, there were approximately 50 delivered with the big tank. The big tank was 36.5 gallon capacity, and only available in the coupe. The Z06 option was a whopping $1,818.45 extra on the options list. That was a large sum in 1963 dollars; especially considering the base price on the coupe was $4,257.00. The Z06 option wasn’t meant for the casual street driver, but intended for serious racers.

The Z06 package incorporated, as mandatory, the L84 Fuel injected 327 360 HP motor, G81 positraction, M20 4-speed, special heavy duty racing suspension, and special big brakes that were unique to the Z06. The N03 36.5 big tank was mandatory up until December 18, 1962 at which time it became optional. The P48 knock-off wheels were initially listed as mandatory, but soon removed as the factory had casting problems with the wheels.

The Z06 big brakes were unique in that they had bigger metallic sintered brake shoes and accompanying finned drums. Also there were separate internal cooling fins like a fan. The backing plates had screened vent openings, to which air scoops (dubbed elephant ears) were bolted on. The air scoops were sent separately from the factory in a box, with instructions on how to install them. The master cylinder was a special dual circuit unit with a special power brake booster unique to the Z06; and different than RPO J65 and J50, which were the standard big brake options.

The Z06 featured here has been meticulously frame-off restored and Bloomington Gold certified. It is equipped having of course, the mandatory Z06 big brake package and heavy duty racing suspension, L84 motor, M20 4-speed, G81 positraction; plus the options of N03 big tank, AM/FM radio, and power windows. It currently has a set of the extremely rare gear drive hub knock-off wheels and N.O.S. Firestone tires on it today. A very limited number of these Gear Drive Knock-Off wheels survive today. These gear drive knock-off’s were developed as a cure to the problem of the regular hub knock-off’s having spun on the hub.

The 1963 split window Corvette coupe body style, is the only year that survey polls by readers of certain Corvette magazines; picked the coupe body style over the roadster. It was a design by Larry Shinoda; which some feel even today, will never be equaled in popularity. Unfortunately GM removed the split window the following year for the concerns of visibility out the rear window. Due to the split window being a one year only feature, it makes the 63 coupe all the more special!