More than 201?
 

Was curious what the thoughts are on the idea that the Z16 total of 201 were hardtops, and that if there was a convertible, it wasn't a true Z16 but had all the equipment. A friend of a friend claims he knows someone in the Detroit area that had a beige 396 convertible.

Where is that excerpt from?

'

Maybe the 'Vert got a '65 L78 396/425 like the '65 Post as this thread:hmmm:...
https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=169745
:beers:
~ Pete

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Jeff Helms needs to chime in on this...he has told me the story of the one Z16 convert, but all I remember for sure is that it was destroyed. And it may in fact have been beige....

From a booklet that has every option available and the number built of each. But it's much more complicated than that. Look at the entry here on ECL codes:

http://chevellestuff.net/qd/terminology.htm

Those are the codes with two letter characters. Sometimes an option, like 3.55 gears, has a dozen ECL codes, all signifying a different application (possibly engine, tranny, and maybe something else). I don't know much about this but this is what I have been able to gather. There probably is a key that shows what each of the codes mean, but AFAIK a few Corvette folks have that key and haven't shared it with anyone. But it's the reason why Corvette info exists, while other Bow Tie vehicles have scant information.

That's an interesting proposition.

But wouldn't it show up in the COPO sheet in the show placard?

Based on the quantities of the Z16 specific ECL for other Z16 component options in the same book (all of which reflect only 200 units), I believe the 201 in that document reflects the 200 production coupes built at KC plant, plus the one so-called "prototype" coupe built at Baltimore and converted into a Z16 at the tech center and then sold like a demo car. Z16 and L37 are the only two that show 201 units, while the other options show 200. So I believe they just added one to Z16 and L37 when they allowed the prototype car to be sold.

As to the convertible, based on this book's data, it had to be either a tech center conversion done on a 327 Malibu SS convertible, or a COPO order -- Neither of which would show up in this book's ECL tallies. If it was a COPO, it would have been built with one of the approx 20 extra L37 IX engines that were built at Tonawanda.

What's the paperwork that shows 1 of those 2-door sedans had an L78?

I thought I read some info somewhere indicating there were two of those "prototype" or pilot Z16s built at Baltimore and converted at the Tech Center. Not true?

I'm not sure that does make it more complicated; using the example from the link even if the broadcast code was L34-TX or L34-TW they both would fall under the L34 RPO and be counted as such.

K