Got really lucky with original owner #1 Z16
 

Out of the blue I got an email from the #1 Z16 original owner! Great guy and provided lots of photos, info - even THE original wheelcovers ($$$, but he deserved it). With his permission, I've devoted a web page to his ownership!

http://www.z16chevelle.com/No.%201%2...al%20Owner.htm

Dave

Re: Got really lucky with original owner #1 Z16
 

now that is neat.. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: Got really lucky with original owner #1 Z16
 

Very cool. One of my top 5 cars of all time. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif

Re: Got really lucky with original owner #1 Z16
 

Excellent work Dave!

Re: Got really lucky with original owner #1 Z16
 

Great story !!!!!!!!

Re: Got really lucky with original owner #1 Z16
 

Super https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif

Re: Got really lucky with original owner #1 Z16
 

What an amazing story https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif Congratulations, Dave!

Re: Got really lucky with original owner #1 Z16
 

That's pretty cool. Great old pictures too. Do you still have the car or did it sell at the auction?

Re: Got really lucky with original owner #1 Z16
 

That's really cool, Dave. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: Got really lucky with original owner #1 Z16
 

WOW! Those are some COOL pics!!! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif You sure did get lucky!
I REALLY enjoyed looking at these! Thank you! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif I agree with you that the last one looks like it could have been a "See the USA in your Chevrolet" ad. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif


My husband "got lucky" recently too! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/wink.gif The brother of one of the guys who owned his car in the 70's surprised him with some 8mm footage of it last week.

Rita https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/smile.gif

Re: Got really lucky with original owner #1 Z16
 

Dave,
Cool stuff, great presentation! Thanks for sharing the story and pics.
-Sam

Re: Got really lucky with original owner #1 Z16
 

Very cool... what a killer looking car!
I even dig the day-2 look with those chrome slots. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif

Re: Got really lucky with original owner #1 Z16
 

Many thanks for the kind comments.

Yes, it's still mine. Must have been meant to be as I got the first email from the orig owner about TWO DAYS after coming back from AZ!! We're not hungry and the freezer is full - think I'll keep it!

There are a LOT of great car people out there - people that friendships mean more than car $$s. It's just those darn few bad apples.....
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif
Dave

Re: Got really lucky with original owner #1 Z16
 

Awesome tribute!

George

Re: Got really lucky with original owner #1 Z16
 

Dave,
You have my utmost congratulations and respect. THAT is the way to document a car! You've set the high water mark.
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: Got really lucky with original owner #1 Z16
 

Very https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif---I could have sworn I could see the Cartwrights comin over the top hill in that last photo with the trailer........too many https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/burnout.gif

Re: Got really lucky with original owner #1 Z16
 

Dave,
Great tribute to the owner and the car. Many only dream of having an opportunity to receive information and photos like that from an original owner. I does nothing but add to the excitement and history of the car. Congrats and the new addition to the site.
Rick

Re: Got really lucky with original owner #1 Z16
 

Sorry Joe,
You have darn good documentation on your car too, since you still own the freakin' thing!!!!

Now why not get it out of the garage and give it some AIR????????????????? (once you get the pinholes in your tailpipes fixed) https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/confused.gif

You have a date with destiny... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: Got really lucky with original owner #1 Z16
 

Very cool Dave...congrats!

Re: Got really lucky with original owner #1 Z16
 

So often I am asked what the huge attraction is to muscle cars and why they bring such silly prices. That story and the photo's which cover the lifetime of the original owner sum it up better than any writer could ever describe IMHO.

That car and it's photographic history is the essence of the muscle car movement as we know it today I believe.

Re: Got really lucky with original owner #1 Z16
 

Truer words were never spoken..

Re: Got really lucky with original owner #1 Z16
 

Absolutely friggin amazing!!! That is so COOL! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif

Re: Got really lucky with original owner #1 Z16
 

Again, my thanks for the comments. I've watched others find original engines, owners and docs and have always hoped to do the same. I've have had my share of good fortune (with hard work) finding some history on cars, but of any car of mine, this is the one that deserves for something like this to happen.

The best part is that the original owner is so interested and accomodating - a really great guy. And his wife actually "owned" the wheelcovers. I made the check out to her. Great people. They're still digging for more photos and even movies.....https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Dave

Re: Got really lucky with original owner #1 Z16
 

Dave, I enjoyed seeing your car in Chicago in November. How neat that the original owner contacted you. Sometimes the story behind a car is as good as the car.

Re: Got really lucky with original owner #1 Z16
 

Dave....what a great car and story! . The old photos are priceless, love the camping one w/ the wife in the mini....what a world! . Adding to the car spotting from the pics, isn't that a '60 Pontiac on the street shot behind the Z16? . Ok, here's a question....why being the Feb. Prototype is this L78 not considered 425hp like the full size and Vette motors? . Was the 375 Hp decal actually put on by Engineering or added at some later point? ~ Pete

Re: Got really lucky with original owner #1 Z16
 

Pete:
Z16's don't have an L78. That is a common misconception. It is an L37 - unique to the Z16 - the only hydraulic lifter 396 375hp engine ever built.

The #1 engine is the same as all other production Z16s.

The only difference between the L37 Z16 375hp and the '65 Vette and big car 425hp is that the 425 got a wilder mechanical cam. Both had 780cfm Holleys, same compression, block, etc.

The 375 hp decal was put on by Engineering and is the same type as production Z16s EXCEPT the #1 car has a black background on the "Turbo Jet" side. It is the only known Z16 to receive this special decal. And that makes sense to me. The actual, original, special decal is described on my site and is in my possesion.

Dave

Re: Got really lucky with original owner #1 Z16
 

Dave, did the warranty book ever cause confusion about the car before its true history was uncovered?

Re: Got really lucky with original owner #1 Z16
 

That is too cool Dave. Congrats!

Re: Got really lucky with original owner #1 Z16
 

Thanks Dave....I appreciate you taking the time to clarify including the unique decal part. . I'll revisit the site for a more detailed look when I get a chance. . What a car....I'm happy for you that you didn't sell it! ~ Pete

Re: Got really lucky with original owner #1 Z16
 

[ QUOTE ]
Dave, did the warranty book ever cause confusion about the car before its true history was uncovered?

[/ QUOTE ]

I doubt if the Warr Book caused confusion as it was in an early 70's owner's possession until the 90's. There was confusion, though, from the mid 70's when it "became" a collector car until the late 80's when the Engineering Vehicle Assignment List was found because of the filled in emblem holes, non-convertible frame, etc. The Warr Book was icing on the cake after the Assign List was found.

The POP, with the 327 code, causes a few newbies to frown a little until they understand the history, etc. and that it is not a newly found car - just new to them! The Warr Book itself, since it was issued by Enginneering, does, of course, lend real support.

Dave

Re: Got really lucky with original owner #1 Z16
 

Fantastic story, Dave. Especially cool that it happened with this particular car. Congratulations, and thanks for sharing the story and pictures.

-Jon

Re: Got really lucky with original owner #1 Z16
 

great story!! history is worth so much more than $$!