1963 Z11 Impala Race Bred

[Steve Shauger]

These cars although RPO's, were purpose built for strictly racing. Non essential items were not available to reduce weight such as; radio, heater, sound-deadner.

This package was quite potent especially when Frank Sanders was behind the wheel, winning 19 of 20 races he entered in 1963.

Today it is owned by Roger Sortino a fantastic caretaker!

Here are a few HD components:

Aluminum components:

• hood
• fenders
• bumpers

Engine-427:

• stroker crankshaft
• compression (13.5:1)
• heads with larger ports
• dual four-barrel carbs
• 427 cubic inches-430 horsepower.

https://www.chevyhardcore.com/featur...e-of-its-kind/

[mockingbird812]

thanks Steve - what a thumper. What trans did Chevy use in ‘63 to handle the torque of this 427?

[Lee Stewart]

Originally Posted by mockingbird812

thanks Steve - what a thumper. What trans did Chevy use in ‘63 to handle the torque of this 427?

4 Speed Manual Close Ratio

[Lee Stewart]

Perhaps the 427’s greatest improvement over the 409 was in the cylinder heads and intake manifold. Like the high-performance versions of the 409, the 427 used 2.19-inch intake and 1.72-inch exhaust valves, but the 427’s head castings were taller. This allowed the ports to be located higher for a straighter path from the intake into the combustion chamber. The dual-carburetor aluminum intake manifold was unique, too, and made in two pieces: the lower part served as the lifter valley cover and contained the water jackets, while the upper portion housed the raised intake runners. A pair of Carter AFBs topped the intake and drew air through a special cowl-induction inlet that fed the air cleaner.

Chevrolet reportedly made 57 Z-11s before GM pulled the plug on all of its racing programs. The 427 represents the pinnacle of W engine performance development and is legendary among enthusiasts of the breed today.

[Lee Stewart]

430 Horsepower?

[Steve Shauger]

I Sure wish Verne was with us RIP. He'd give us a history lesson on these W engines that we wouldn't forget!

[olredalert]

----When real production cars were in their heyday. A period I will never forget as I lived thru it, and loved every minute of it!!!.....Bill S

[Xplantdad]

Originally Posted by Steve Shauger

I Sure wish Verne was with us RIP. He'd give us a history lesson on these W engines that we wouldn't forget!

What a true statement!

[tom406]

Per Colvin’s 60-64 “By the Numbers” chapter on the Z-11, they were all built with close ratio Borg Warner T10 with Inland shifters. It makes sense, as the first Muncie 4 speeds didn’t initially ship to production until February 6th, 1963. (Shipped to Baltimore plant to be put into full size Chevrolets, NOT Corvettes-The earliest Corvettes to get Muncies are built in the May/June 1963 timeframe)

I don’t think Mr. Sortino owns the Sanders car any longer. I appraised it around 2010 here in WA and then the next time I saw it was in the Mecum display at MCACN a few years later. I do have to say, its probably my favorite Z11 after seeing it in all of its unique aqua/aqua original glory.

[67since67]

Hey! There's my 'ol red hot-rod in the background...MCACN 2017