1963 Chevrolet Impala Z11

America's infatuation with horsepower-inspired drag racing and the increasing horsepower of the 1960s raised the stakes for supremacy even further. Among the pinnacles of this era was the 1963 Z11 race-vehicle package.

The RPO Z11 Super Stockers were built just prior to the GM factory racing ban in early 1963. Approximately 50 (as few as 47 and as many as 57) examples of the Z11 were built, featuring 22 lightweight components and powered by the high-performance W-series engine. The 427 cubic-inch V8 offered 430 horsepower and was exclusive to this model, features dual 4-barrel Carter AFB carburetors, unique Stahl headers and camshaft, 13.5:1 compression, aluminum two-piece intake, an all-forged reciprocating assembly and special cowl induction. They had S&S heads, aluminum inner fenders, bumpers, brackets, fan shroud RC bell housing, and sheet metal. Ventilated metallic brakes provided the stopping power and in the back was a 4.56 Positraction. They had cowl induction, a tachometer, and an aluminum case T10 4-speed with nickel gears.

The RPO Z11 was the first stock drag car to exceed 120 MPH in a quarter-mile run.

The base price of a 1963 Impala was $2,774, and the RPO Z-11 option was $1,240, bringing the total cost to just over $4,000.

by Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2020