| History on the Z06 Corvette | | | | standard Z06 performance package now didn’t |
| In 1953 legionary engineer Zora Duntov joins GM, and | | | | have the larger gas tank, GM started producing Z06 |
| goes to work on pushing for greater power for the | | | | as a convertible option also. There were 199 of |
| Corvette. At the same time Duntov was always | | | | these Z06s that were made of which only 63 had the |
| working GM to continue development of parts for | | | | 36.5 gallon gas tank and 124 of those weren’t |
| Corvettes that would benefit the racing community of | | | | ordered with a radio. Showing that many of these |
| Corvette owners. This later launched the name | | | | Z06’s were used as recreational sports cars. |
| “Z06” which stood for higher performance | | | | In October of 1962 during the LA Times Three Hour |
| equipment package. | | | | Invitational the Z06 Corvette performed incredibly. At |
| In 1963 the first Z06 Corvette package offered 36.5 | | | | the end the winner of the race was won by Mickey |
| gallon gas tanks, vacuum brake booster, dual master | | | | Thompson’s Corvette that had been driven by |
| cylinder, a 20 percent larger diameter front sway bar, | | | | Doug Hooper. Not to long after this after Ford broke |
| sintered metallic brake linings within power assisted | | | | the ban that had been on racing, GM launched a 427 |
| Al-Fin drums that were cooled by front air scoops | | | | cubic inch displacement engine that had the nick name |
| along with vented backing plates to help keep the | | | | “mystery motor”. This big block V8 was |
| brakes operating cooler. The Z06 package also | | | | revealed at the January 1963 Daytona 500 stock car |
| included shocks and springs that were just about twice | | | | race. Behind the scene Duntov had been working on |
| as stiff as the standard Corvette had. | | | | the new Stingray prototype that would be called by |
| The nick name these Z06 Corvettes were give was | | | | the racing community “Grand Sport”. The |
| “Big Tanks” because as previously mentioned | | | | whole idea behind the Grand Sport was that these |
| these had a 36.5 gallon gas tanks, compared to the | | | | cars would be the Corvette that would be seen racing |
| standard tanks that were only 20 gallon. In the | | | | against the worlds top prototypes, while the Z06 would |
| beginning this package was only available to the | | | | stick around and race against other production cars. |
| coupes because the large gas tank wouldn’t fit in | | | | Then after the Z06, the Corvette picked up the racing |
| the convertibles. | | | | designation “ZR-1” which stood for |
| At the time the only Z06 Corvette engine option was | | | | “Zora’s Racers”. |
| a L84 360 horsepower 327 cubic inch displacement | | | | It wasn’t till the year 2000 that GM brought back |
| engine that had a Rochester fuel injection system on it. | | | | the Z06 name into one of three packages offered for |
| Seeing that the Sports Car Club of America | | | | the Corvette. These models were released as |
| production classes required factory exhaust manifolds, | | | | 2001’s with a LS6 motor pushing out 385 |
| the engine was rated at 360 horse power from GM. | | | | horsepower, this was a increase of 35 horsepower |
| During this time, a standard base Corvette coupe | | | | from what the base Corvettes came with their 350 |
| would run you around $4,252, if you wanted the Z06 | | | | horsepower LS1 engine. Then in 2002 the Z06 was |
| package you would pay and additional $1,818.45. | | | | motor was modified by removing two of the |
| Some time later GM removed the larger 36.5 gallon | | | | precatalytic converters in the exhaust system, hi-lift |
| tank from the Z06 package and lowered the package | | | | camshafts had been installed, lighter valve gear, and |
| price. Although the larger 36.5 gallon tank would still | | | | improved induction system. After all of this in 2006 GM |
| be available as a stand alone upgrade if you wanted | | | | releases an even more power Z06 which had a |
| it. The use of this tank was mainly for longer races. | | | | 7.0liter 427 cubic inch displacement engine putting out |
| Leaving the general racer and public happy with the | | | | 505 horsepower. |
| standard fuel tank. At this time also because the | | | | Swing on by the Z06 Corvette Forum today. |