The hoopla and reality of the z16

[kraven]

I hear a lot about the z16, but haven't ever seen one for sale or seen one purchased.
What's your average z16 worth?
And, if it is ever found, what do you think the one convertible would be worth? Assuming the perfect buyer were available, of course http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[JChlupsa]

They like all other cars are worth what someone will pay for it. Know thats not a real hard answer but thats how they go. If and thats a BIG IF you found the Z16 Convt which has yet to be proved to be legit, that car would be worth similar to the 68 Z Convt I would think. You might want to ask over on the Team Chevelle site since if I am not mistaken 1 if not 2 of the members over there have a Z16 and they could give you a better idea on what they would bring.

http://www.chevelles.com/cgi-bin/forum/ultimatebb.cgi

[Mr. T]

One of our members here has a Z16, maybe he can chime in. You know who you are... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/headbang.gif

[MYSTERYCHEVELLE]

The Red Baltimore prototype Z-16 owned by Terry Gunther in GA, was just at the Atlantic City Classic car Auction, it was inside the "BORGATA" and did not meet reserve... but I believe Bids were as high as $279,000. That may give you some idea of value http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[kraven]

Holy Cow!
Thanks for the responses.
Of course, from seeing the auction high price of the prototype car, it makes me wonder if the one drop top car would be worth more or the same as the prototype.
Guess we'll never know, but it's fun to play what if.

[mrrec]

Okay, Tony.
A Z16 sold on ebay for $150k last year, the Hoss Cartright Z16 sold for $250k last spring. There are about 65 known cars extant (restored, unrestored)of the 201 built.

I know of a couple of others that sold in the past year or so but were not advertised publicly. 3 of the people that I know that owned 3 or more Z16's have sold one or more in the last couple years.

The convertible has never been found to my knowledge although there are some knowledgeable Z16 folks that do believe (and claim to have proof) that it existed. The trail went cold years ago. IF the convert turns up (I doubt it does and it would be real hard to fake), look for 7 figures.

I see very strong demand (read:prices) for these cars in the future. Fakes shouldn't be too much of a problem (unlike 69 xram, JL8 Z's) as there are too many parts unique to these 201 cars. I think that is why I'm so intrigued: so much to learn, so extremely rare. Fascinating.

I just bought my second red car. Now if I can only find a black car and a yellow one I'll be all set. Let me know when the barn find turns up......

Oh yeah, just getting started on the Z16Chevelle.com website. Nothing there yet, but look for some of my research, resto photos and little known facts, etc. soon.
Dave

Does anyone know if Ronnie Staples still has his red Z16? I got a chance to spend a lot of time with that car when he had his showroom here. It is quite a neat car, one with a neat owner history if I'm not mistaken. I had heard it was for sale (250k) but not sure if it sold.

[jfkheat]

Kevin Whittaker, owner of Kevin Whittaker Chevrolet in Greenville SC, had a red one in his showroom until 6 or 7 months ago. I was told that it was one of the test cars. I don't know if he sold it or moved it.
James

[MagicRatt]

Wanna hear a sick story?? A buddy of mine bought a red Z-16 back in the 80's. The car was really nice and very fast. I was fortunate enough to frequent a ride in the car on a few occasions. For some strange reason, he decided to dismantle the car and "fix it up" someday. Last I seen the body it was rotting in a field and the rest of the car was in buckets somewhere. I sure hope he makes good on his intentions to"fix it up."

[olredalert]

-------Does anyone on the board remember the yellow Z16 that was for sale eons ago (circa 70s) in central Florida that had literally every removable piece chrome plated? I believe it also had a ZL1 engine in it at one point. It was for sale for ever and I have always wondered what happened to it..........Bill S

[GTO_DON]

Yo Rich,Thats my old Z16 your talking about. I sold that car to him in 1984 for 8000.00. I will post some pics of when I had it. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[MagicRatt]

To this day, I still wonder why he took that car apart..... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[BBIGG BLOCK 396]

What are some of the tale tale signs of a Z16,I know where a red Chevelle is here locally and have heard it is a Z16,What would I look for to tell.Is there any Vin# s for these.I may have a chance to go look at this car in the very near future.I just sold the guy that owns it some parts today and he was telling me about the car.He told me he had been told that it was a Z16,but he knows nothing about it or how to tell.I told him I would see what I could find out and get back with him.

Bobby Dodson

[John Brown]

You can see if the frame is boxed (convertable frame) under the rocker panels. They also came with 11" drums all around. Most likely no one would change those things. Original rear axle was coded GA , had a 160 mph speedo, multiplex stereo, on and on........

[BBIGG BLOCK 396]

Thanks,I will be seeing him tomorrow evening at the Dragstrip and let him know to look for this on the car.He will get back to me and let me know what he finds I am sure.This guy does not know what a Z16 is he just acquired the car a little while back and we were talking today and he was looking at my 67 SS Chevelle and told me that he had bought a 65 Chevelle a little while back And that the guy told him it was some kind of Z car,I mentioned the Z16 and he said yea that is what it is suppose to be,then he asked me how to tell if it was one of those cars I told him I was not sure but would ask some questions.If I get the vin# and trim tag info would there be something there to tell if it is a Z16 or not.I can go look at the car and get that info i am sure.

Bobby Dodson

[mrrec]

[ QUOTE ]
he had bought a 65 Chevelle a little while back And that the guy told him it was some kind of Z car

[/ QUOTE ]

If the seller says it is a Z16 and the buyer doesn't know what that is, then he just paid from $30k (for a bare shell) to $150-200k (for a nice car) because he liked it. He didn't pay that much? Not a Z16.

Trim tag will have 4FM on the bottom line. F=remote mirror, M=396

Dave

[camarojoe]

[ QUOTE ]


If the seller says it is a Z16 and the buyer doesn't know what that is, then he just paid from $30k (for a bare shell) to $150-200k (for a nice car) because he liked it. He didn't pay that much? Not a Z16.



Dave

[/ QUOTE ]

Not necessarily true. Just because the seller may know what something is doesn't mean he follows the current prices and values of it. Especially if he had owned the car for many years. Lots of rare cars have been sold where the owner is fully aware of what they have, they just don't know that prices on stuff are where they are. I know of guys locally that have Hemi cars and other rare and cool stuff that they bought new and will never sell, but have no concept of what they are actually "worth" today. Let us know what you find out, maybe he does have a Z16... you never know!

[BBIGG BLOCK 396]

I do not know what he paid for the car,I usually do not ask someone that question.I do know the guy pretty well and he is not real up to date on Super Cars,or speciality cars.All I know is what he said during our conversation.I do know that the guy can afford whatever he wants.He owns four very successful businesses and I don't think the price of a real car would scare him .I will talk to him tonight and get with him and look at the car,I will keep you posted on what I find out.May be a few days before I can go look at it though.When I get the information off the car I will post it on the site which will be complete vin# and trim tag info.And what I see when I look at the car

Thanks

Bobby

[MYSTERYCHEVELLE]

The TRIM TAG will be a KAN ( Kansas ) assembly plant.

[mrrec]

Joe:
Yes, I agree. I was really just trying to make a point:
It's pretty unlikely someone is going to pay $100k for a car as rare as a Z16 (about 65 left), without knowing what it is. Sure, I know, that sleeper gets picked up every once in a while - it's just that it's a while longer these days!

Lots of good info on my site. I've got the first three pages done - if I only could upload using Internet Explorer (it seems to go but page doesn't come up). Any ideas techies?
Dave

[hvychev]

I don't know Dave, look at our own Larry Clain (aka Pantea) He has a REAL, unrestored, paperwork and all 69 Baldwin Motion Vette in his barn for decades and until a couple of years ago did not know of the value I am sure. Another one that this site brought out back into the main stream.

I bet that there are more out there than we think.

[mrrec]

I hope you're right, Frank. The hunt is a lot of the fun.

I've been in the Model T hobby for decades and some guys thought they'd all been found years ago. A time capsule still turns up from time to time.....

Dave

[Mr70]

Have you talked To Mark M. lately?
He has Z16 DNA & probably knows where most of them are today.
In the Old NCOA issues,he would write something unrelated to the Z16,then always bring the 1965 Z16 into the subject. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Mark was VERY specific with the Z16 & other articles he wrote back then & I cherish every issue for this reason.
At the 1997-98 Shaumburg Chevelle Showdown,we had the most Z16 owners ever assembled in one place I believe.
The Z16 parts he sold throughout those 20 years as well as the pix he showed were incredible.
One collage of a Z16 in a junkyard in the 1980's under a pile of cars was heartbreaking.The 160 Speedo hanging out of it.
Tom R. on Team Chevelle said he rode in the only Z16 Convertible back then,but claims it was destroyed shortly thereafter in Michigan. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

[mrrec]

Rick:
Yes, I talk to Mark M. every once in awhile. He is just about out of Z parts. Indeed, he has a lot of info and is certainly a pioneer in the education on the Z16. Those old issues are fantastic and he deserves real credit.

I've also gleened a great deal of info from the contemporary road tests in Car Life, Hot Rod, etc. and the factory Chev publications. What ever car I'm restoring, I go whole hog into the tiny details! You have to, to make it right, right?!

Dave

[realcopoman]

I don't know the owners names....but who is out around Alantic City who has the protype z...he is suppose to have a extra motor or two..

And what happened to the one up in Conneticut??? The guy has a NOS parts business and went belly up and filed for chapter 21 or something. A friend of mine sold him his Z16, and this was a part hime never getting payed for it. We were thinking of going out there and looking him up. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

[BBIGG BLOCK 396]

I got a chance to briefly see that Chevelle I was talking about today.I was at the track today helping a friend with his car.I was sent on a mission to dispose of some used motor oil and on the way to the dump barrell I noticed a nice looking red 65 chevelle.I stopped to look at it and asked the guy parked next to it whose car it was,he told me and I staretd to look closely at the car.I looked at the speedo,only 120 not 160,looked under the car and no boxed frame!It did have buckets ,console and original style 4 speed that looked all factory.I did not want to raise the hood without consent so I went back to my friends car and they put me to work! by the time I got free and went back with a pen and paper the car was gone.I would bet that it is not a Z16,but a really nice SS Chevelle.although I am told it has a really nice aluminum headed big block in there under the hood and runs extremely well.I will try to get the trim tag information and vin# from the car and get it posted though!

Bobby Dodson

[cwinsiii]

Bobby

I would say that car isn't a Z-16. Just some of the details on them are. The rear truck lid on the passenger side has an emblum "SS396". The "malibu SS" emblum was moved from the rear quarter to the front fender behind the front tire. They had a built in tack ,a clock mounted on the dash. The 160 mph speedo. All were four speed cars no automatics. Thier are a lot of people out their that think they have a Z-16 but they dont. Do a search under google for Z-16 and get a picture of an original.

[Xplantdad]

Bobby,

Here you go...some pictures of a Z-16 Chevelle. Pictures are from Micky Hales (http://www.haleperformance.com) website and the car is from the Dick Bridges collection.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/xplantdad/chevy.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/xplantdad/red-z16-3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/xplantdad/red-z16-1.jpg

[mmcporter]

Uh, Dave, your website says entry is "forbidden".

[Mr70]

That last Z16 picture is at Dicks showroom.I have that Magazine issue here featuring his collection,as well as He & Micky.Those two are Both Top Notch!
I drool over not only the cars,but the Memorablia Dick acquired hanging on the back walls.
Ford-Chrysler-Chevrolet,all incredible pieces.
I recently called Mr.Bridges up,& was saddened to hear he has long sold everything.I asked about the Chevrolet Dealership Memorabilia,but that to is history too.
All broken up to seperate collectors.
He said today,he actually regretted letting all those items go.
He honestly thought he was selling at the high water mark,& had no idea prices back then were just begining...

[BBIGG BLOCK 396]

Thanks for the pictures of the Z16,that is a beautiful car.The Chevelle I looked at was pretty nice car it was nothing like the one in these pictures.After seeing the car and what you guys had described i figured it was not a real Z16 car.Maybe the guy that sold him the car that put Z16 in his head had told him he replicated a Z16 or something,I am not sure what the deal was or what was said.Although a nice car but not near as nice as the one you guys posted the pictures of.I am going to try to find a little more about the car,just want to see that trim tag on it.Thanks for all the information. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

Bobby Dodson

[Hotrodpaul]

Way back in 1985, a collector down the street from me bought a red Z16 in Georgia and brought it back to Houston where I saw him in his driveway cleaning the car. I had just purchased an L79 66 Nova SS for $6000 in the same color so we struck up a conversation about our cars. I remember the car having white interior with buckets and an underdash tape player or radio, 4 speed with a 3.31 (I believe) OPEN differential. One time, after helping him work on the car, he let me drive it to check out the engine and its state of tune. The car was all original and about a year later, he had it repainted in the stock red color and some additional restoration work was done which turned out very nice. The one thing that sticks out in my mind is I was helping him change the rear tires when by accident he let the car down on my foot. Thankfully it was the rear tire and not the front! Sadly in 1986 or so he sold the car for $30,000 to another collector (He paid $15,000 for it) and I sold my L79 in 1994. Later on I realized how rare that car was, and will probably never get to see another one, let alone drive one, in person.

Paul

[ohhawk]

Some Chevelle magazines and books show a picture of a red Z16 with Iowa plates (Dallas County). I believe I remember this car being owned by someone around Waukee, IA. This car has probably changed hands but am wondering if anyone knows anything about this car.