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The photos above and below were taken by Howard
Cunningham when he owned the car in 1973-1975. The 1973 Michigan plates on
the car were valid with a sticker on the rear plate for 1974 and 1975. Howard
added the steel slot wheels and the amber high beams. Note the black accent
stripe running across the top of the fender, door and quarter - added by
first owner Tim Hunke (see
#1 Z16 Chevelle
Original Owner). Believed to be the third owner, Howard knew he had
something special……….but, he sold the car after about 1 1/2 years of
ownership. Howard kept the Warranty Book (with Protect-O-Plate)
when he sold the car and, being the original owner of a 1966 SS396 Chevelle,
was active in the Chevelle hobby. In the late 1980’s he traded the Warranty
Book to Mark Meekins whom he met at a Chevelle function. Mark offered the
Book for sale to Floyd Garrett - then owner of the car. Mark retained the
warranty book when Floyd passed on the purchase of it, and later sold it to
Terry Gunter after Terry bought the car. Mark also obtained the original spare rim to this
car — the only known Z16 riveted rim with a December 1964 stamped assembly
date. This original rim is now owned
by the current Editor of this Site (
info@Z16Chevelle.com). |
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A terrible, old photo, but incredible information (left): The “Turbo-Jet 375HP” decal is not all red on a
silver background as all other big block cars were through 1970. This one has
the “Turbo-Jet” in black on silver with just “375HP” in red. This decal color scheme can be clearly seen on the
cover of the March, 1965 issue of Hot Rod magazine. The magazine was
introducing the new Mark IV big block, and with a cover date of March, it
puts the photographs right in the January - February time frame - same as the
building of this #1 Z16. The Hot Rod cover photo is of the 425 HP version of
the new 396 that would find it’s way into the Corvette. It is likely that
these black and red decals were only used on pre-production, prototype and
promotional units. Also of note are orange plug wires. Since the
date of this photo is the early 1970’s, it is doubted that these are
original. Pictured below is the actual original
decal from this #1 car removed by Doug Garrett during his 1989
restoration. Doug graciously reunited
this important original decal with the car. |
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#1 Z16 Old Photos The #1 Z16 Prototype 1965 Chevelle Malibu
SS 396 was captured on film at several points in it’s history. Photos below provide some interesting details.
Notice the background cars: ‘69 Impala and ‘71 Monte Carlo |
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The Interior appears as all other Z16s with the
exception of the white aftermarket shift knob. Note the wood steering wheel,
top of dash clock and multiplex unit under the dash. |
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