In 1963, the Corvette Sting Ray could be ordered with the RPO Z06 “Special Equipment Package,” which included performance upgrades like a thicker front stabilizer, larger-diameter shocks, stiffer springs, and advanced brakes with sintered metallic linings, a dual-circuit master cylinder, and a vacuum booster.
Priced at $1,818, the Z06 package nearly doubled the cost of the base Corvette split-window coupe. Initially offered exclusively for coupes, it was later available for convertibles at a lower price. Although cast-aluminum knock-off wheels were an option, most Z06 models came with simpler steel wheels. The large-capacity RPO N03 fiberglass 36-gallon fuel tank, priced at $202, was also available for endurance racing.
Z06-equipped Corvettes came exclusively with Chevrolet’s high-revving RPO L84 327 CI V-8 engine, producing 360 HP through Rochester mechanical fuel injection, 11.0:1 compression, high-flow cylinder heads, a low-restriction exhaust, and a solid-lifter cam.
A 4-speed manual transmission and Positraction limited-slip rear end were required. To reduce weight, some Z06 Corvettes were built without radios. In total, 2,610 Corvettes featured the RPO L84 engine in 1963, with only 199 equipped with the RPO Z06 package and just 63 fitted with the RPO N03 36-gallon fuel tank for long-range racing.
Photo Source: RM Sotheby’s
