A multiple-award-winning 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Tanker, one of only 63 equipped with a 36-gallon fuel tank, is among the top attractions for Mecum Auctions’ fifth annual Houston sale April 14-16.
The high-performance version of the classic split-rear-window Corvette coupe was the subject of a two-year restoration, after which it has earned among its accolades Bloomington Gold certification, NCRS Top Flight and Chevy VetteFest Gold Spinner awards, according to Mecum.
The 1963 Z06 Special Performance package was a “weapons-grade” collection of competition equipment that was not available outside the Z06 level. The weapons include the L94 327 cid, 360-horsepower V8 with Rochester fuel injection, four-speed manual transmission, Positraction rear, heavy-duty suspension with a 20-percent thicker front sway bar and oversized finned drum brakes. The optional “big tank” allowed racers to go further on the track with fewer pit stops.
Mecum’s Houston auction expects more than 1,000 American muscle cars, Corvettes, classics, hot rods, resto mods and others to cross the auction block during the three-day sale at the NRG Center.
Other performance highlights include a pair of Shelby Mustang GT500s, a 1967 GT500 fastback with a 428/355-horsepower with just 37,332 miles, and a 1968 GT500KR convertible with a 428 cid four-valve Cobra Jet V8 engine and top-loader four-speed manual transmission with a Hurst shifter.
Another Mustang classic is the 1970 Boss 429 fastback, one of just 52 Boss 429s produced in Grabber Green and featuring an 820-A Boss 429 engine.
Five muscle cars from the Jeffrey Cohen collection will also be featured, including a pair of Mustang competition cars: a 1968 Cobra Jet Lightweight factory-sponsored racer driven by Dave Lyall and a 1969 drag-racing Mustang driven by Lucy Below.
Other muscle cars from the Cohen collection are a 1969 Pontiac Trans Am outfitted with a 400 cid, 335-horsepower V8 and four-speed manual transmission; a 1966 Chevrolet Biscayne L72 with 427 cid, 425-horsepower V8 and four-speed manual transmission; and a 1969 AMC Hurst Scrambler with 390 cid, 315-horsepower V8 and a four speed.
Auction founder and chairman Dana Mecum said the Houston sale is a nationwide event: “We’re currently anticipating consignments from nearly 30 states with buyers from even more.”
For information about Mecum Auctions’ Houston sale, visit the auction website.
I noticed the beautiful 63 Corvette above and also saw the knockoff rims on the car. I have read that GM first produced knockoffs in 1963 but only a handful left the factory with them installed. They were all recalled because of a cracking problem and or air leakage..Also I read that no 63’s left the factory with them…The 63 above is a top flite car, but with the wheels or without them.