Z16 Chevelle Convertible

[Mr70]

Jim
On another website we are talking about this car.
I was wondering if you have any knowledge to it actually being built.
We all know it is gone today,but some are saying there is no actual proof that it was built.
No insuarance records,pix,or Title search comes up with anything.I believe it stayed in Michigan.
Can you verify it was actually assembled and any other info?

[JChlupsa]

Again the Dec /88 issue of Super Chevy has an atricle of a 65 Z16. Within the aerticle it states that the number of Z16 went from 200 to 201 due to a Z16 convt being built for someone in GM and that it is now in storage.

[Jim Mattison]

That was way before my time. I didn't start at GM as a college co-op until 1967.

[T Billigen]

I don't think there is any evidence of a convertible ever being built. they were supposed to build 200 Z-16s and they probably had enough parts to build 1 extra, but I don't think anyone can verify a convertible, I heard this rumor many years ago and it was supposed be Adobe Beige.

[JoeC]

From what I have read on the Z16s, the first was built in Baltimore as some sort of prototype. Then the production run of 200 built in KS. The 200 Z16 Chevelles were built with little variation in options or colors. Since the Z16s were ordered in similar configurations, it does not seem likely that any of the 200 production cars were convertibles but you never know until one gets found.
A Popular Mechanics Z16 article suggests there was some sort of special convertible 396 done in 1965 for Bunkie K.

[T Billigen]

Joe, I think you are right about the prototype, I think it belonged to F. Garrett, I do not think he has the car anymore.

[Rat_Pack]

I have always heard that there was one Z16 convertible built and it was in the hands of a private collector. A few months ago I was talking with a guy that supposedly "knows" the owner and the location of the mystery conv Z16 that most agree was not built. From what I gather the car has been restored or is in very good condition. Will try to find out more within the next week or so.................RatPack....................

[Mr70]

Tom
I saw the Prototype Z16 at Chevella-Bration in Nashville in 2000.It was a very unique one of car,and had the most unusual cast pieces and emblems on it.
I believe the man who bought it from Floyd is Terry Gunther.

The Z16 Convertible was reportedly a color of Sierra Tan with a Saddle interior and Beige top.I always thought it was GM internally owned and the destroyed.

RatPack
Thanks,I would sure like to hear what you find out.

[REDZ]

I seem to recall that when the accepted number went from 200 to 201, it was because a sedan had been discovered. I don't think that the speculation of a convertible was the reason for the number going to 201. Interesting story on the prototype that Floyd used to own: several other collectors had a shot at buying the car in the mid-1980's, but passed it off as bogus because it was not built on a convertible frame like all the rest. Noted Chevy collector Carl Dwiggins was one who passed. When Floyd found the car, he noticed an engineering tag on the air cleaner that indicated it was a prototype. Thru his connections at GM he found out that the car was indeed the first built and that it was the only one built on a non-boxed, reinforced convertible frame. Later, when having it restored, they discovered all of the special Z-16 emblems to be hand made.

[Norm reynolds]

Here is Terry Gunters link shows two Z-16
http://peachstatechevelles.com/terrygunter.html
Norm