Got really lucky with original owner #1 Z16

[Zedder]

Very cool Dave...congrats!

[Les Quam]

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.

[Mr70]

Truer words were never spoken..

[hvychev]

Absolutely friggin amazing!!! That is so COOL!

[mrrec]

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.....

Dave

[PeteLeathersac]

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

[mrrec]

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

[TimG]

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.