For 1963, Chevrolet debuted the all-new Corvette Stingray, which featured a major redesign and, for the first time, fully independent suspension. That year, General Motors also introduced the first official competition package for the Corvette: Regular Production Option (RPO) Z06, described in factory literature as “Special Performance Equipment.” This package, which added $1,818 to the $4,038 base price of a Split-Window Coupe, transformed the Corvette into a thoroughbred racer.

Included in the Z06 package was the 360 hp fuel-injected engine, a close-ratio four-speed gearbox, and heavy-duty suspension with upgraded coil springs, shock absorbers, a front stabilizer bar, and power brakes. Customers looking for an extra advantage in racing could request an optional 36.5-gallon fuel tank (RPO N03), which increased capacity by 82.5% for improved range on both road and track. Although it cost $202, just 63 of the Z06 Corvettes built were originally equipped with the Big Tank.

The Z06 presented here was completed on April 30, 1963, finished in the striking color scheme of Riverside Red (923) over black vinyl upholstery and equipped with optional tinted glass. The Corvette was sold new through BF Chevrolet of Commack, New York, to an owner who reportedly kept it for a few years before returning it to the dealership. From there, the car was sold to its second owner who would retain it until the 1990s.

Corvette collector and restorer Andy Cannizzo acquired the Z06 from a subsequent owner in Hamden, Connecticut, on July 15, 2006. Cannizzo, known in the Corvette community as “Mr. ’63,” has restored several factory-built Z06s to exacting standards, primarily utilizing NOS parts. The restoration of this example followed that same principle, as documented by copies of articles on file.

The exacting nature of the restoration was validated when the Z06 was presented for judging in June 2014 and received Bloomington Gold Certification. Copies of the judging sheets and certificate are included with the sale, along with a copy of the magazine Hemmings Muscle Machines, which featured this car in an article entitled “Origin of Species: Z06” by Terry Shea. Although the Corvette has been shown since its restoration, it has more recently been in static storage, and will require mechanical attention prior to road use.

Today, the one-year-only, Split-Window Corvette remains one of the most iconic designs in the history of the American automobile. As a result, any one of the 10,594 Split-Window Coupes built for 1963 remains highly desirable, but the 199 factory-built Z06s are simply in a league of their own. With just 63 Big Tank examples built – and far fewer surviving today – the appearance of this ideally specified Z06 at auction represents a unique opportunity to acquire a fine example of a rare breed of competition Corvettes.