1963 Chevrolet Impala Z11 Coupe

As the drag racing wars continued to escalate, so did the efforts to find ways to win. Lighter cars and bigger engines were one quick means to an end. Chevrolet reluctantly followed the competition into the factory drag racing wars in 1960, fielding the 348 cubic inch W head V8 rated at 350 horsepower in its full-size line against similar large cubic inch engines from Ford, Chrysler, and Pontiac. Chevrolet engineers elevated the 348s displacement to 409 cubic inches and by 1962, extracted 409 horsepower.

In 1963 and 1964, the Impala could be fitted with various types of engines, with results ranging from 340 to 425 horsepower. The Z-11 with a modified 409 engine was devoid of heaters, radios, sound-deadening insulation, and any other non-essential items. In total, there were only 47 examples produced, and even fewer exist in modern times.

The RPO Z-11 Impala cars were built to race. They were used by many of the top drag racing individuals of the time and used with great success on many occasions. In 1963, Chevrolet pulled out all the stops in the new A/FX class. The Mark II engine was not ready for prime time in 1963, and with the veteran big block specially modified to produce 430-plus reliable horsepower the Z11 Impalas were the irresistible force Chevrolet's drag racing contingent had been craving.