Z16 Convertible...Art Astor Collection

[66 L78 ragtop]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opypUsUKbBs


Does anybody know this car...real, fake?
I have heard of the existance of a Z16 convertible, but always considered it a myth...any input is appreciated

[chevelleheart]

This car was discussed on the Team Chevelle Site quite a few years ago. My understanding is it was a clone , and sold @ RM auctions for $74,000 , way way too low for the Real Deal????? any other news would be appreciated. Thx Bob

[olredalert]

-----My sound is out so I cant hear what they are saying but this is a relatively well known fake......Bill S

[quick-bowtie]

And Ive got 3 ZL1 convertibles.. BS!!

[bashton]

When I was working with our good friend Dave Miner on the Z16 Showcase for Chevy Vettefest last year, I asked him about the possibility of a Z16 Convertible existing, and if so located.

His answer was no, no documentation, car or proof had ever surfaced. He did say there were several known clones out there, several being billed as authentic but with no docs.

BA

[442w30]

Where did the 200+1 rumor start?

[Mr70]

That's not a rumor.
A total of 201 1965 Chevelles were assembled with the RPO Z-16 package,which among other things included the L-37 396/375HP hydraulic lifter engine.
A total of 221 L-37 396/375 engines were produced from Tonawanda,with 20 of them being available for OTC service.The remaining went into the so optioned Chevelles.
These are all facts which have been religiously documented through Chevrolet and Tonawanda records.
The fact that at least one of those was a convertible has yet to be substantially proven.

[442w30]

So, to clarify and reiterate, where did the rumor start?

[Rixls6]

To add to this talk of Z16's, there's always been a rumor of a 2 door sedan with a solid lifter 396 built at Chevy.
Anyone hear about it?

[flyingn]

wasn't there is real nice clone of a z16 conv in Hemmings muscle machines a few years ago? This car looks exactly like it..

[CC Rider]

[ QUOTE ]
So, to clarify and reiterate, where did the rumor start?

[/ QUOTE ]

I believe it was published in the old National Chevelle Owner's Association publication The Chevelle Report.

200 sport coupes
1 convertible

[x Baldwin Motion]

[ QUOTE ]
-----My sound is out so I cant hear what they are saying but this is a relatively well known fake......Bill S

[/ QUOTE ]

Interesting, the man owning the car speaks as though it is a well known fact that Dan Blocker drove a Z16 vert. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif Show me one picture of Dan in a vert http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bs.gif

The front fender flags look a bit off. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif

Has it got an FM trim tag?

[flyingn]

you are correct. The front fender flags are def off. no question..

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
-----My sound is out so I cant hear what they are saying but this is a relatively well known fake......Bill S

[/ QUOTE ]

Interesting, the man owning the car speaks as though it is a well known fact that Dan Blocker drove a Z16 vert. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif Show me one picture of Dan in a vert http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bs.gif

The front fender flags look a bit off. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif

Has it got an FM trim tag?

[/ QUOTE ]

[flyingn]

spend 2 minutes on google and the hemmings issue was June 05 and this car is most def the same one. 100% clone.

http://www.hemmings.com/mus/stories/2005/06/01/hmn_feature3.html

and..

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=226582

[Stefano]

Temporary Shameless Plug; Just to put some of the Rumors to rest. Nickey will have a real deal Z16 Coupe on Display, For Sale and available for immediate delivery, at the Vette Fest. It is priced to move @ only $195,000.00.

It was purchased from the original owner, just a few years ago and has only had two registered owners. It is an original born with drivetrain car. Original protect-o- plate and has a copy of the original broad cast sheet. It is also a former Chevy Vette Fest Gold Spinner award winner http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[COPO_Anders]

There was a thread on this site I think, some time ago, in which a person claimed that he knew that the Z-16 convertible was destroyed years ago. Does anyone remember that thread ?

[66 L78 ragtop]

[ QUOTE ]
There was a thread on this site I think, some time ago, in which a person claimed that he knew that the Z-16 convertible was destroyed years ago. Does anyone remember that thread ?

[/ QUOTE ]

Color? Unrestored?

[COPO_Anders]

I don´t know if he said anything about the colour of the car, just that a friend of his wraped it around a pole. That´s how I remember it.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[427.060]

There is a guy on Team Chevelle that swears he rode in the Z-16 convertible back in the day.
James

[x Baldwin Motion]

[ QUOTE ]
There is a guy on Team Chevelle that swears he rode in the Z-16 convertible back in the day.
James

[/ QUOTE ]

I was 13 years old when I rode in it, I thought it was gold. (http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=226582&page=2)

[jeffschevelle]

The car in the video is the same car from the Hemmings Muscle Machines article. It WAS a very, very correct clone using all real Z16 parts, done by someone in AZ with the last name of Schaffer. He sold it to a fellow in CA who I am told then robbed many of the real Z16 parts off of it to put on a customer's fake Z16 coupe http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif. They then replaced most of the stuff on the vert with "close" parts or repop parts. Then it was resold to a private party.

Then it appeared in an auction claiming to "possibly" be the real car. I emailed the auction house that their listing was misleading, and that they needed to look at the Hemmings article. They responded that the listing was not inacurate becuase it said it "might" be the real car!!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif Well, it can't "might" be what it definitely ain't, right???? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

I guess the buyer at the auction then decided he needed to up the anty and claim it is real, in hopes of ever getting his $$ back.

The Dan Blocker tale is also false. He got a yellow coupe, never had the convertible.

By multiple different unrelated sources, there is little question that there was a convetible Z16, and it was Sierra tan with fawn or tan guts and a tan top. Sounds sort of ugly, if you ask me.

Lastly, it is correct that there is also a 300 series 2-dr sedan, 396/425, M-22 (yes, a 65 M-22), 4.88 posi, boxed frame, Z16 suspension, Black with red guts. Still alive and well with the fellow who bought it way back in about 1968. He has the window sticker too !!!!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif

[Charley Lillard]

I thought the black with red guts sedan had no engine. I thought Alan Colvin had the engine ?

[jeffschevelle]

[ QUOTE ]
I thought the black with red guts sedan had no engine. I thought Alan Colvin had the engine ?

[/ QUOTE ]

That is what I have heard too, that A.C. does have the IY stamped engine. There is another motor in it now. But the w/s does confirm what originally came in the car. Jeff

[x Baldwin Motion]

[ QUOTE ]
.........Lastly, it is correct that there is also a 300 series 2-dr sedan, 396/425, M-22 (yes, a 65 M-22), 4.88 posi, boxed frame, Z16 suspension, Black with red guts. Still alive and well with the fellow who bought it way back in about 1968. He has the window sticker too !!!!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q101/65z13/65post396.jpg

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q101/65z13/65postblack.jpg

Is this it? I never thought it was real, just a nice creation... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[olredalert]

-----Looking at the picture, Chris this appears to have an automatic in it now. Good looking car tho!!!!......Bill S

[PeteLeathersac]

So the Phttp://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gifST car is genuine and built w/ the '65 L78/425 not the L37?.
Deadly!!!

The one ragtop production is an old number I remember from at least 25 years ago...probably longer?http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif
~ Pete

[x Baldwin Motion]

[ QUOTE ]
-----Looking at the picture, Chris this appears to have an automatic in it now. Good looking car tho!!!!......Bill S

[/ QUOTE ]


Hello !! Big red dipstick!!

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/stupid.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif

[jeffschevelle]

The black 300 Deluxe in the pics above is gorgeous, but not the real car. The real one is a base 300 model, and is unrestored, original paint.

[PeteLeathersac]

[ QUOTE ]
...The real one is a base 300 model, and is unrestored, original paint...

[/ QUOTE ]

Even better...is there pics and more info available on this real L78 Post car?.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/drool.gif
~ Pete

[Andy]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
...The real one is a base 300 model, and is unrestored, original paint...

[/ QUOTE ]

Even better...is there pics and more info available on this real L78 Post car?.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/drool.gif
~ Pete

[/ QUOTE ]

I would like to hear more about this car as well. I didn't think a car like this even existed in 65. I thought the only rides in 65 you could get the L-78 in was the Vette, Impala and Biscayne?. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif