1963 Z06 big tank vs small tank when

[Roy S.]

What is the general consensus of when the small tank Z06 cars became available?

[Roy S.]

Re: 1963 Z06 big tank vs small tank when

This is cool, ask a question, realize there are searchable archives look in the archives and find a post from Duke that may nail it close enough for me.

"The revised Z06 option was announced in Corvette News Vol. 6 No. 3, and I believe it was effective sometime in February, which would place the changeover somewhere in the range of 7976 to 9814." Thanks Duke

[Sydney G.]

Re: 1963 Z06 big tank vs small tank when

Hello Roy,
When looking at the Similar Threads headline below your post question, Franz Estereicher posted in March '03 that the Z-06 option change time for small tank vs. big tank is documented in the 8,000 vin range with the possibility of small tanks appearing with the Z-06 option as early as 5,400 serial range (though not documented).

Syd

[Wayne M.]

Re: 1963 Z06 big tank vs small tank when

"The revised Z06 option was announced in Corvette News Vol. 6 No. 3, and I believe it was effective sometime in February, which would place the changeover somewhere in the range of 7976 to 9814." Thanks Duke

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Roy -- That's pretty close. Nolands Vol 2 has a section on Z06 description (which I believe was researched and provided by Eric Gill). 1963 MY Big tank Corvette production ended up being done in spurts, and Group 4, as he describes it, containing half of all '63 tank cars, occured in the 2 latter weeks of February, roughly from VINs 8476 to 9629. Lots of interesting GM data printed on Noland's page 180 of Vol 2. The Distribution Bulletin C.O. 62-975, DIS 74 dated Dec 14th 1062, advised of upcomig Z06 pkg. changes, but the AIM release date was 12-20-62.

I'm no '63 Z06 expert, but I believe that Group 4 was the last for the complete Z06 performance pkg., before the KO wheels and N03 became non-mandatory, and was technically available for the convertible (sans tank). But, on the other hand, I have a copy of the build sheet for #90xx that could be interpreted as Z06 comprising (in addition to suspension & brake goodies) only M20 L84 and G81, with N03 listed AFTER P92 and before U65.

[Michael H.]

Re: 1963 Z06 big tank vs small tank when

What is the general consensus of when the small tank Z06 cars became available?

Roy, I have GM documentation dated 17 Dec 62 that describes the change in the Z06 option. The option would no longer include the 36.5 gal fuel tank or K.O. wheels. Both of the deleted items could be ordered separately. The change was to be "effective immediately", according to the paper.
Notice to dealers would have been sent on that date, or the following day, so it's likely no actual dealer orders could have been written/submitted for a std tank Z06 for at least several days after the 17th.
I would guess that AT LEAST two weeks, and more likely four to six weeks, would be a minimum expected production date from the date the unit was ordered.
There may have been a few "special orders", though, that had priority and were built soon after the option information was released.

I also have the notice to dealers that describes the changes and includes the new pricing for the separate options. It too is dated 17 December 1962.

[Sydney G.]

Re: 1963 Z06 big tank vs small tank when

In my recording of 1963 cars over the last 15 years or so, the earliest small tank '63 Z-06 that I have recorded in my file is serial #6,753 (Dec.-Jan '63).
Of course, I am by far not an expert and only record them as advertised, so to speak.

The next closest small tank Z-06 that I have listed on my '63 file was recorded by Franz (I believe) and Bob Jones #8,510.

Syd

[Wayne M.]

Re: 1963 Z06 big tank vs small tank when

... or the following day, so it's likely no actual dealer orders could have been written/submitted for a std tank Z06 for at least several days after the 17th (Dec.).
I would guess that AT LEAST two weeks, and more likely four to six weeks, would be a minimum expected production date from the date the unit was ordered.
There may have been a few "special orders", though, that had priority and were built soon after the option information was released.

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Michael, Roy, Sydney et al ..

I realize that Roy S's original query was when non-N03 Z06s were first produced, and I think Michael offers a good yardstick as to the timing, following the paperwork release. But would analyzing a mid-Feb Z06 build sheet tell us anything ?

Supposing that Z06 orders were backed up in late '62, due to the aluminum wheels (non-availability). When the release came through (build without wheels, with not necessary for 36 gal as a hang-on), would each order have gone back to the dealer for buyer confirmation as to whether to proceeed (without wheels) or if car still desired, whether to delete (or not) the big tank.

I attach a scan of a copy of a Z06 tank sticker that Jimmy Blakely sent me back in 1985. Vin 9085 probably produced Feb 18th, although that line is hard to read. Notice expected production date was March 8th, so this was advanced about 18 days. the first line says SPL PERFORM EQ - INCL, then goes on to list 3 of the mandatory options (M20, L84, G81). Then shows whitewall tires, the big tank, and AM radio. Does the fact that the N03 option is sandwiched between two obviously non-Z06 mandatory options imply that at that time you could have re-ordered this car without the tank ? ie. just how far down the option list does the "- INCL" apply ?

Just throwing this out for comments.

[Michael H.]

Re: 1963 Z06 big tank vs small tank when

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Michael, Roy, Sydney et al ..

I realize that Roy S's original query was when non-N03 Z06s were first produced, and I think Michael offers a good yardstick as to the timing, following the paperwork release. But would analyzing a mid-Feb Z06 build sheet tell us anything ?

I haven't studied the sheet but something that immediately caught my attention was the March 1st engine assembly date on a mid Feb car. Something isn't right here.

I have a sheet on a late Feb Z06 with N03/36.5 gal fuel tank and the option list is similar, although the car was ordered in late December 62. The N03 is shown separately.

[Wayne M.]

Re: 1963 Z06 big tank vs small tank when

I haven't studied the sheet but something that immediately caught my attention was the March 1st engine assembly date on a mid Feb car. Something isn't right here.

Michael -- I too thought it looked like a 03 assy month on the engine, but on closer examination with other TYPED characters (ie. vehicle produced 02-1x-63) I concluded it is 02 engine assy. month. The form line passes directly through the 02, making it look like 03.

Interesting that a mid Feb car (probably days earlier than 9085) has the same build sheet format.

[Philip C.]

Re: 1963 Z06 big tank vs small tank when

Hi Mike on my copy its dated F0201IF and it only took five tries to post this. Phil 8063

[Rick A.]

Re: 1963 Z06 big tank vs small tank when

ALL,

used Irafan View to blow the JPEG up and it is defintiely a "2"

[Michael H.]

Re: 1963 Z06 big tank vs small tank when

Michael -- I too thought it looked like a 03 assy month on the engine, but on closer examination with other TYPED characters (ie. vehicle produced 02-1x-63) I concluded it is 02 engine assy. month. The form line passes directly through the 02, making it look like 03.

Interesting that a mid Feb car (probably days earlier than 9085) has the same build sheet format.

Wayne, Philip, Rick,

That would be the only logical explanation for what appears to be a 3. (although the bottom of the character is curved like a 3 instead of flat like a 2) The 2/Feb would fit nicely with a 9085 car build date.
Interesting that the VIN on the sheet that I have is X'd out and retyped almost exactly the same as the one you have. (late Feb build)

Another interesting item is the N03 option code. The #9085 car shows 2N03A while the late Feb car shows 2N03B. I wonder what the difference is?

[Roy S.]

Re: 1963 Z06 big tank vs small tank when

Guys my gut says this is exactly as we all suspect both of these build orders were after the tank had been deleted from the package thus necessitating it be listed if desired! If the build was before the change I do not think it would have listed the tank separately, I think it would have indicated z06 only? Is that logic flawed?

[Roy S.]

Re: 1963 Z06 big tank vs small tank when

Wayne, Philip, Rick,

Another interesting item is the N03 option code. The #9085 car shows 2N03A while the late Feb car shows 2N03B. I wonder what the difference is?

Michael I bet the vehicles have a different radio or something that required an exception code change for the interior trim.

[Rick A.]

Re: 1963 Z06 big tank vs small tank when

I agree completely - currently at work, but will look at some other sheets I have at home tonite and see if there is a trend