So Rare You Have to Wonder

[Dan Bennett]

http://www.mecum.com/auctions/lot_detail.cfm?LOT_ID=SC0512-126287

An original engine unrestored 62 Bubble Top Z11 - with aluminum front end?

They don't say anything about the background of this car and that really makes me wonder where it's been all these years.

I don't think I've seen one of these in the flesh for many, many years.

Anybody know anything about this car?

[CycloneFE]

I would have to guess a museum or private collection.

[Bill Belden]

My understanding is that they made 12 aluminum front end Impalas.
As far as a Z-11 I'm pretty sure they were 63 only

[Dan Bennett]

Originally Posted by Bill Belden

...As far as a Z-11 I'm pretty sure they were 63 only

That's what I had always believed. A local racer with close ties to Bill Thomas and Dickie Harrell managed to get some Z11 parts in the summer of 63 for his 63 Biscayne. He told me he had been chasing them since they were introduced earlier in the year.

He was always a straight shooter but I never decided about his story that a couple of years later a guy in a suit came to his shop wanting the parts back. He said the man had GM employee identification and that the parts had odd, 5 digit part numbers with a large X cast in.

I don't know much about this era so I never knew whether to take the story as gospel or not.

[BlueOval Ralph]

Chevy did make those front ends for 62. Detroit dragway always held a race before the US Nationals, in August of 62 Dyno, Strickler-Jenkins and Frank Sanders showed up for this race with the parts on the cars before heading to Indy they were not approved and Sanders and Dyno went out got rental cars and swap front ends for the race I seem to remeber that Sharkman was there also. BTW that where the First 62 lite weight Fords showed up ther were ten of those but they had fiberglass hood, fenders, doors and decklids they also had Alum bumpers.
Zintmaster Chey in Kokomo, Ind had a Z-11 Impala it has been in several Mags over the years. It was White

Originally Posted by Dan Bennett

http://www.mecum.com/auctions/lot_detail.cfm?LOT_ID=SC0512-126287

An original engine unrestored 62 Bubble Top Z11 - with aluminum front end?

They don't say anything about the background of this car and that really makes me wonder where it's been all these years.

I don't think I've seen one of these in the flesh for many, many years.

Anybody know anything about this car?

[Dan Bennett]

Originally Posted by BlueOval Ralph

Chevy did make those front ends for 62. Detroit dragway always held a race before the US Nationals, in August of 62 Dyno, Strickler-Jenkins and Frank Sanders showed up for this race with the parts on the cars before heading to Indy they were not approved and Sanders and Dyno went out got rental cars and swap front ends for the race I seem to remeber that Sharkman was there also. BTW that where the First 62 lite weight Fords showed up ther were ten of those but they had fiberglass hood, fenders, doors and decklids they also had Alum bumpers.
Zintmaster Chey in Kokomo, Ind had a Z-11 Impala it has been in several Mags over the years. It was White

So there were Z11s in 62? Or just the aluminum? I wonder who needed the most help. My impression is that the Fords were heavier than the Chevys but I'm just guessing.

[BlueOval Ralph]

62's were not Z-11 alas posted above but those in the know had the to be 2 piece intake bigger port and valve heads heavier valve springs and cam for z 11
Dodges & Plymouths were lightest
Pontiacs second
Chevy third
Ford fourth. The new lite weights got down to around 3450
Mopar were around 3200

Originally Posted by Dan Bennett

So there were Z11s in 62? Or just the aluminum? I wonder who needed the most help. My impression is that the Fords were heavier than the Chevys but I'm just guessing.

[Pvt Parts]

Originally Posted by BlueOval Ralph

62's were not Z-11 alas posted above but those in the know had the to be 2 piece intake bigger port and valve heads heavier valve springs and cam for z 11
Dodges & Plymouths were lightest
Pontiacs second
Chevy third
Ford fourth. The new lite weights got down to around 3450
Mopar were around 3200

Wow! Lightweight at 3450???

[mtkawboy]

Compared to 4000-4200 lbs it is !

[BlueOval Ralph]

Don't forget these are 116-120 wb cars my 62--406Galaxie weighted 3870 new before I stated on it all of these cars except Mopars where full framed cars Mopars were uni-body

Originally Posted by Pvt Parts

Wow! Lightweight at 3450???