1965 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu SS 396 Z16

This car, Lot S128, sold for $214,000, including buyer’s premium, at Mecum’s Dallas auction on September 1, 2013.

Throughout the ’60s, Chevrolet’s “Z” designation always meant something special. The 1963 Z11 Biscayne was a lightweight Super Stock contender with aluminum fenders and bumpers and a special 427 version of the “real fine” 409 engine. The Z06 Corvette that same year was a road racer with a 36-gallon fuel tank and all the factory racing goodies. The first Z/28 Camaros (1967–69) were street machines but built with the performance components, including four-wheel disc brakes and the special 302 V8, that needed to be homologated to race in the SCCA Trans Am series. The decade ended with the incredible ZL1 Camaro, the ultra-expensive, ultra-rare drag-race machine powered by an all-aluminum 427 derived from Chevy’s Can-Am program. In between all this was the 1965 Z16 Chevelle. But its purpose was very different.

Building a legend: SS 396

An internal Chevrolet memo stated, “This is a special project, to create a stir about the new 396 engine. Having this engine at [a] 375 hp rating in a light car results in a street machine that may be the most potent and ‘fun’ car in the country.” (emphasis theirs).

The mystique that developed around the Z16 was no accident, as it was clearly spelled out in the same memo: “Since the car is not advertised, etc., — making it an “unlisted” car, it could with good exposure become the most wanted car in the country — especially in view of the fact that only 200 (all coupes) are to be built.” Actually, two prototypes, 198 production coupes, and a one-off convertible for GM Executive Vice President Bunkie Knudsen, were built, and about 72 are known to survive. This was a smart way to both test the market for an all-new high-performance midsize Chevrolet, and to build buzz to help sell upcoming 1966 SS 396 models, should the project be a success.

Performance cars from the ’60s were carefully engineered from mostly existing components, with very few unique items created just for that specific model. The Z16 was no different, and the internal memo listed all of the factory parts that would go into this car: the stronger boxed frame from the Chevelle convertible, a shortened rear axle and brakes from the Impala, and heavy-duty suspension. The only transmission available was the durable Muncie close-ratio 4-speed manual. Inside, the Z16 featured most every Chevelle comfort and convenience option, and the price of about $4,500 was right up there in Corvette country.

Built to go fast

But the rest of the Z16 seemed to be based on Teddy Roosevelt’s philosophy to “speak softly and carry a big stick.” Just three colors were available, Regal Red, Tuxedo Black and a light Crocus Yellow. The rear of the Z16 had a unique black and chrome trim panel which framed Chevelle 300-style taillights, and other than the small “396” emblems and fake mag wheel covers, the Z16 didn’t scream “race me!” but rather said, “Go ahead, make my day,” under its breath. And the 375-hp big stick it carried under the hood certainly delivered.

Popular Hot Rodding saw 14.6 at 100 mph in the quarter mile, as always at the mercy of the traction provided by the street-tire technology of the day. But Motor Trend magazine said, “Performance figures in our spec panel are extremely impressive, but they’re inadequate inasmuch as they don’t tell the story of how this car will accelerate over 100 mph. The needle doesn’t hang there, but goes on wiping the face of the 160-mph speedometer until the engine redlines. It’s the hottest of the hot intermediates.”

Selling the muscle

The Chevrolet internal memo also described the marketing plan for the Z16. “The car will get special distribution in that it will be directly offered to people who a) have demonstrated their enthusiasm for ‘special’ performance products by Chevrolet; b) have means and potential for maximum exposure of the car.”

One of those rare people who met both criteria was Dan Blocker, who played Hoss Cartwright on the hugely popular “Bonanza” TV show. He bought his Crocus Yellow Z16 from Nickey Chevrolet in Chicago. “Bonanza” was sponsored by Chevrolet, and the cast also appeared in Chevrolet advertising. Blocker also owned a Chevy-powered Genie sports racer in the USRRC and Can-Am series, sponsored by Nickey. Enthusiasm? Maximum exposure? Blocker’s purchase of a Z16 was a perfect fit.

Other prominent Z16 owners included publisher Robert Petersen, Briggs Cunningham, A.J. Foyt and Phil Hill.

Rare and expensive

In December 1964, Chevrolet Engineering built the first Z16 prototype, exactly as the memo spelled out. Ordered by Z16 project manager D.H. McPherson, it began life as an SS 327. Once it was completed and final testing done, the car was driven for several months by McPherson. It may have spent time at GM’s Milford, MI, and Arizona Proving Grounds, and was on hand at the Z16 Chevelle’s official introduction in the spring of 1965. That car still exists. It sold at Russo and Steele’s Scottsdale sale in 2006 for $412,500 (ACC# 40456), and again in 2009 at Mecum’s Indy sale for $355,100 (ACC# 120622). It is by far the most valuable Z16 in the world, and since it’s the first, that value is understandable. The Dan Blocker Z16 also survives, and it sold in 2005 for $273,000 (ACC# 39564).

Our featured Z16 doesn’t have that kind of provenance, but a car like the Z16 doesn’t necessarily need it. After all, if you step back and take a look at which Chevrolet performance packages were most potent and most popular over the muscle-car era, you’ll inevitably land on the SS 396 Chevelle and El Camino, and those both started here.

Other Z16s have been selling at and around the mid-$100k level for some time now, but excellent examples can and do bring more when conditions are right. And they were here: This is a superb, accurate restoration of a well-documented car. It also walks softly in Tuxedo Black paint — one of 12 Z16s ordered in that color, and one of three to also have a black interior.

With the exception of the Z16 #1 prototype and the Dan Blocker car, this was the second-highest sale of a Z16 we’ve seen. Clearly, even after nearly a half-century, the Z16 Chevelle is still one of the most wanted cars in the country. But at this price, I’d still call it well sold.

(Introductory description courtesy of Mecum Auctions.