Set to cross the block at Mecum Auctions’ Monterey Auction on August 15, this exceptionally rare 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Z06/N03 represents one of the most sought-after factory competition Corvettes ever built. It is one of only 199 Z06-equipped Corvettes produced for the 1963 model year and among just 63 examples fitted with the coveted N03 36-gallon “Tanker” fuel tank, making it a standout among first-year split-window Sting Rays.
The car has undergone a meticulous concours-level restoration by Verillo Motor Car Co. of Clifton Park, New York, and has earned an impressive list of honors. Its credentials include Bloomington Gold Certification, multiple NCRS Top Flight awards at both chapter and regional events, along with MCACN Triple Diamond recognition and a Concours Gold Certificate. Documentation includes the original window sticker and an NCRS Shipping Data Report, confirming delivery to Dexter Chevrolet in Detroit, Michigan.
Power comes from its matching-numbers RF-code 327-cubic-inch V-8, factory rated at 360 horsepower. Equipped with Rochester mechanical fuel injection, high-compression internals, solid lifters, and performance-oriented cylinder heads, the engine is paired with a mandatory 4-speed manual transmission and Positraction limited-slip rear axle, a combination reserved for Z06-equipped Corvettes.
Introduced exclusively for the 1963 model year, Chevrolet’s RPO Z06 Special Performance Package transformed the Corvette into a formidable SCCA production-class contender. The package added heavy-duty suspension components, including stiffer springs, upgraded shocks, and a thicker front stabilizer bar, while the braking system received significant enhancements with metallic brake linings, finned power brakes, a dual-circuit master cylinder, and vacuum assistance. Costing $1,818—nearly half the price of a base Corvette coupe—the Z06 package reflected Chevrolet’s serious commitment to factory-backed motorsport performance.
Equally significant was the optional RPO N03 fiberglass 36-gallon fuel tank, engineered for endurance racing by reducing pit-stop frequency during long-distance competition. Combined with the high-output L84 Fuelie engine, the Z06 package, and the Tanker fuel system, this Corvette belongs to an extraordinarily exclusive group of factory-built race-ready Sting Rays. Finished with steel wheels wearing optional three-bar spinner hubcaps and unusually equipped with an AM/FM radio, this award-winning Corvette remains one of the finest documented and restored examples of Chevrolet’s legendary 1963 Z06/N03 performance icon.
Source: Mecum Auctions
