65 Chevelle SS Z16

[Too Many Projects]

OR, maybe the "test" cars had posi's for the press, but the batch run for public consumption did not ?

When it comes to prototypes and test cars, never say never...

[jeffschevelle]

I don't think anyone really knows the "why" for the lack of a posi. The strike theory is often bantered around, but if it was a strike at the "axle plant" as some say, then there would have been no axles available at all. For posi's to be unavailable but std. axles to still be rolling out the door, it more likely would have been a strike at the Eaton plant where the posi units were built, not a strike at any of the 4 axle plants building Chevelle axles.

On the other question above (which I missed) about availability of heater delete on a Z16, I have never seen or heard of one without a heater. Given all the other comfort options included on the cars, I seriously doubt any were built without heaters, even if it technically may have been "available". None of the cars were dealer ordered in the typical way; they were all spec'd out by the Chevrolet management folks running that program. Dealers could request cars, but if they got one they would just get one that had already been spec'd out by the brass.

One of the very first cars was delivered to Huffman Chevrolet for the express purpose of drag racing, but it had all the mandatory Z16 options, and it had a heater. Jerry Huffman (son of the dealer) stripped all the goodies off. Many of them were put on a regular Malibu SS on the lot, and added to the window sticker, to recoup some of the high cost of the Z16. So somewhere there is a regular SS (seems like I remember him saying a white car) with lots of Z16 parts on it!

[jeffschevelle]

Originally Posted by Too Many Projects

OR, maybe the "test" cars had posi's for the press, but the batch run for public consumption did not ?

When it comes to prototypes and test cars, never say never...

I agree in general. But if it was done to any of the Z16 magazine test cars, it was done at the prepping dealer and not the factory, as there is only one code for Z16 rears (GA).

And it definitely was not done to all of the magazine test cars, if it was done to any of them. There are at least two of the magazine test cars still alive and well, and both still have their original GA stamped 3.31 open rears. (The prototype Z16 also still has its original 3.31 open rear, which is just stamped "Z16" with no date or code.)

Also see my post #14 in the the Team Chevelle thread linked above. With a little crafty driving, on those skinny tires it is easy to make one behave like it has a posi, due to the stiff chassis and rear sway bar. I'm sure the magazine test drivers figured out all the tricks pretty fast!

[William]

I attended a tech college in downtown Milwaukee 1969-1971. On several occasions, parked near a green/black vinyl Z-16. Believe the rear wheel wells were trimmed for big tires.

Back in the '80s, had a used Z-16 trunk emblem. Sold it to a guy name of Chris in CA.

[jeffschevelle]

I got permission to post pics of the local "green car". Last one shows where it sat hidden away for around 30 years. Enjoy!

[jeffschevelle]

More, including good view of the green hue -
.

[RPOLS3]

Awesome thread filled with great information - another reason why this is the best site around. Thanks for sharing!

[Lee Stewart]

[olredalert]

----Jeff,,,Is there any chance that this green Z16 was repainted from some other color? I have never seen or heard of one with any other color but the known ones. I'm a big believer in the possibility that anything could have happened, but it seems like a stretch......Bill S

[tom406]

Per his earlier post, it was painted green early in it’s life, but the kid found the original yellow after some scraping.