A Rare Pair of Z16 Chevelles
View All 11 Photos
That’s just one of many comments that the owner and builder have been asked about this pair of ’65 Z16 Chevelles. The question is understandable, since these cars were built in such a limited number. Only 200 production cars were made at Chevy’s Kansas City factory (plus one or two prototypes made at the Baltimore plant, but historical sources vary as to the precise numbers). And there was one convertible built for Chevy General Manager Bunkie Knudsen, which was reportedly later destroyed.
Today, only about 65 or so Z16 coupes are said to still exist. The history of this exclusive -- and elusive -- Chevelle variant is a compelling story on its own, but the story of how John Daniels came into two of them is even more dramatic.
Mark IV
For those not familiar with the Z16 model, it boasted the then-new 396ci Mark IV V-8. The 375hp, L37 version found in the Z16 featured a forged crank and pistons, four-bolt main, ported heads (with staggered valves that gave the Mark IV its “porcupine” nickname), hydraulic cam, and aluminum intake topped by a Holley carb. And yet it was not the hottest 396, since the Corvette was blessed with a solid-cam version making 425 hp. The Z16 moniker was actually the RPO (Regular Production Option) number for this engine upgrade, used only in-house. Chevy’s official name for the ’65 car was Malibu Super Sport 396.
2/11
John Daniels’ good friend Bob was the
original owner of this Z16 back when the two were cadets in military
school. Bob sold the Malibu, later got it back, but passed away before
its restoration was complete. That’s when John stepped in and took over
the project.
At a Glance
1965 Chevelle Malibu Super Sport 396
Owned by: John Daniels, Los Angeles, CARestored by: Mike Filion, Pro Design Hot Rods, Santa Ana, CA
Engine: ’65 396ci/375hp L37 V-8
Transmission: Muncie M20 4-speed manual
Rearend: 12-bolt with 3.31 gears
Interior: Black vinyl bucket seat
Wheels: 14x6 steel with mag-type 5-spoke wheel covers
Tires: 7.75x14 nylon gold stripe
Special parts: Z16 package
3/11
As if it weren’t special enough, the Mark
IV big-block at the heart of the RPO Z16 package had lots of underhood
dazzle. Brightwork was obvious in the air cleaner lid and valve covers,
but the fuel lines between the pump and carb, the vent tube for the
crankcase, and the dipstick handle were chromed, too. These were simply
not available on any other production Chevrolet big-block, including,
surprisingly enough, the 425hp ’65 Corvette.
The interior was customized as well, with items that might seem ordinary by modern standards but were unusual for the era. These included a 160-mph speedo, a tachometer, deluxe seatbelts (both front and rear), an AM/FM stereo with speakers in the footwells, a toggle stick to adjust the side mirror, and a pedestal clock on top of the dash.
4/11
Z16 Chevelles were dressed up inside and
out. Accessories included a 160-mph speedometer, a tachometer, a
pedestal clock on the dash, and an AM/FM stereo.
Turns out the original owner of the red Malibu was a close personal friend named Bob, who was enrolled with John at the Pennsylvania Military College. As did most young men at the time, Bob and John shared a consuming interest in muscle cars. On summer break, John bought a new ’65 Pontiac GTO convertible with Tri-power and a four-speed, while Bob purchased this Z16 from a high-volume Chevy dealer in the Pittsburgh area.
Since so few Z16s were available, they were allotted only to selected, top-performing dealers, who often kept them as collectibles. But Bob’s father, who had just passed away, had been a close friend of this dealer, and the son managed to talk him into parting with it -- at sticker price!
Z16 vs. GTO
Inevitably, these two rowdy military cadets blew off some steam by stomping on their cars’ loud pedals, to see who had the quickest ride. The Z16 always bested the GTO off the line, John admits, even when they traded cars.Their senior year, as is the custom for those in the Corps of Cadets, they treated themselves to two more cars as graduation presents. Bob finagled a ’67 big-block Corvette by partially selling his Z16 to his brother Ben. And John, oddly enough, traded in his GTO for a new ’67 Austin Healey 3000. (Not a terrible choice, but in hindsight it proves the fickleness of youth.)
“The Z16 always bested the GTO off the line”
After serving in the Army and then marrying his sweetheart Mollie, Bob sold his ’67 Corvette to brother Ben as well, who drove both cars for several years and eventually put them in storage on the family farm.About a dozen years later, Ben passed away and Bob inherited the cars. Even though they were in rough shape, he had his first two -- and greatest -- cars back in his possession. Not many guys can make that claim.
Now here’s where the second Z16 entered the picture. After transporting the cars to his home in Clearwater, Florida, Bob set to work restoring the Chevelle, his sentimental favorite. The body was in pretty bad shape, as he had to purchase several ’65 Chevelle parts cars for their sheetmetal.
5/11
Z16 Chevelles were dressed up inside and
out. Accessories included a 160-mph speedometer, a tachometer, a
pedestal clock on the dash, and an AM/FM stereo.
Sadly, as the two Z16s were about midway through their restoration, Bob’s health began to decline. He was forced to store them at home, next to the dilapidated Corvette. He passed away in November 2011 and never lived to see his treasured muscle cars brought back to their former glory.
“While on the hunt for parts cars, he came across another Z16 -- in pieces”
John always considered Bob and Mollie to be family, and he traveled from California to Florida to attend the funeral. After the service, Mollie led him back to the garage and showed him the Corvette and Z16s, along with an impressive pile of N.O.S. and used parts. All the elements were there, but they needed a new benefactor, as Mollie was saddled with medical bills.Even though John felt his best restoration days were behind him, “I was so sentimental about the Vette and original Z16, with my wife’s encouragement we bought all three cars and all of the parts.” Mollie had one condition: After the red Z16’s restoration was complete, she would get together with the Daniels to go cruising and share fond recollections of Bob.
6/11
Compared with the 5 inchers on the
standard Chevelle, the Z16’s rims measure 6 inches wide and have
riveted-rim spider construction. The mag-style wheel covers were another
Z16-only feature.
A Sensation
When the cars arrived in California, the Corvette was once again put into storage, and the Z16s headed to Pro Design Hot Rods in Santa Ana (prodesignhotrods.com). “I personally consider Mike Filion and his staff at Pro Design to be one of the finest auto restoration and custom shops in California,” says John. He adds that when word got out that Pro Design had not just one but a pair of side-by-side, matching-number Z16s in the shop, it caused a minor sensation in the Chevelle community. Many Chevelle guys have never seen a Z16, let alone two together.
7/11
Bob found his second Z16 by accident
while hunting for a parts car to restore the red Malibu. The black car
was in pieces and missing its engine, but he just couldn’t bring himself
to part out the rare Chevy.
Speaking of those brackets, Mike thought they somehow had been lost during the move from Florida, and figured he’d have to fabricate them from scratch, using originals as a pattern. Fortunately, they eventually turned up, but they needed careful restoration, as they were made from fragile pot metal and can melt away. He sought help from a longtime contact, Sihilling Metal Polishing in Santa Ana, to handle the delicate process of removing pits, hand polishing, and careful chroming. Pro Design also did quite a bit of work on the engine seals, intakes, carburetors, and fuel systems to bring them up to snuff, and made sure to include all the brackets, pulleys, and dress-up chrome items that are unique to the Z16’s engine.
9/11
The two Z16s are nearly mirror images of
one another—one red with black interior, the other black with red. Which
looks better? They’re both stunning.
At a Glance
1965 Chevelle Malibu Super Sport 396
Owned by: John Daniels, Los Angeles, CARestored by: Mike Filion, Pro Design Hot Rods, Santa Ana, CA
Engine: ’65 396ci/375hp L37 V-8
Transmission: Muncie M20 4-speed manual
Rearend: 12-bolt with 3.31 gears
Interior: Red vinyl bucket seat
Wheels: 14x6 steel with mag-type 5-spoke wheel covers
Tires: 7.75x14 nylon gold stripe
Special parts: Z16 package
10/11
Bob’s diligent research turned up the
black car’s missing L37 engine. He was able to buy it and reunite the
car with its born-with mill.
More important to John than these awards, however, is fulfilling his promise to Bob’s wife. “All this red Z16 now needs is for Mollie to get herself to California so we can take her cruising,” he says. “Bob will be right there with us.”
11/11
The L-shaped bracket surrounding each
taillight is unique to the Z16 and requires some careful handling to
restore, since it’s made of fragile pot metal.
No comments:
Post a Comment