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Entire
sight is copyrighted. Text and photos contained on this sight may not be
reproduced or distributed without written permission from the sight owner. Information
herein is presented for the enjoyment of the reader and is believed accurate.
Many sources - both contemporary and
historical - have been utilized to educate the author. Errors made are not
intentional - they are mistakes! |
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FACTS |
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Courtesy
Chevrolet Motor Division |
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Z16’s all appear to have been built
in or near February,
March, and April 1965. The exception was two prototype, preproduction cars
that were, of course, built earlier. All were assembled in Chevrolet’s Kansas
City plant with the exception of the two prototype cars. The brakes - front and rear - were the same
size as the full-size Chevrolet. The rear
axle was a blend of
large diameter full-size Chevy outer wheel bearings and brakes, with the
narrower track Chevelle 12 bolt housing. It is unique to the Z16 and has
never been used on any other car. The only gear ratio available was 3.31:1
and no positraction could be specified. The rear stabilizer (anti-roll) bar
was believed sufficient by Chevrolet Engineering to reduce the tendency, upon
acceleration, of the left tire to lift due to torque reaction of the rear
axle and, so, positraction was unneeded. While this was proved partially true
in contemporary road tests of the Z16 (photos show two black marks from the
spinning rear wheels), the stabilizer bar was not a true substitute. It was,
however, quite effective in reducing body roll during cornering. Positraction
would be offered in subsequent years’ SS396 Chevelles and, indeed, the
majority would be so equipped. Many Z16
rear axles have not survived presumably due to the relatively high gear
ratio. Many Z16’s were drag raced and a lower gear and positraction was
needed. A later model Chevelle rear
with posi was easily substituted. Rear axle code: GA. All characters, including the
date following the code, are individually (not gang) stamped (photo above). The L37
396 engine sported chrome dress-up items not available on any other production
Chevrolet big block—not even the 425 hp 1965 Corvette version. These items
were: chrome fuel lines from fuel pump to carburetor, crankcase vent tube and
dip stick handle. More IX
engines are believed to survive than cars. The 4 bolt main, high performance
engine had more value in the ‘60’s and ‘70’s than the car that donated it .
Small blocks were frequently transplanted into 1960’s big block Chevelles. A
number of Z16s have been restored with real IX engines from different, no
longer existing cars. Engine suffix code: IX. The “X” was stamped
individually from the preceding gang stamped plant and date code. Shown below is a page from the 1965
Chevelle Facts Book. This page was added in February, 1965. Notice the required options and
features. |
