eydrive

I was wondering how the Z06 and now the new ZR1 got their names, could anyone shed some light on this for me... Thanks in advance

805Z06

This should lead you to the truth...

http://www.z06vette.com/63.php

KILLER06GT

so is it ZOra duntov, Z0 6 letters. Z06?

eydrive

Great article , but I should have stated 'what does the ZO6 stand for, not so much as the origin, why those letters and configuration. I would like to think the 'ZO'ra part mentioned has some merit but why '6' and why ZO6 back in 63. And what about ZR-1?. Questions Questions, I thought I out grew 'WHY! ' years ago.

vjones

Thank you for the history on our Z06. It's good to know.

JoesC5

Sometimes people create history to fit what they want it to be, so take that article with a grain of salt. GM uses production option codes over a long period of time and a given RPO code has been used for many different aplications. For example in 1978 the Z06 RPO was "Luxury Interior Equipment". The LS6 engine we know of today was a L4 151 CID with a 2 Bbl carb in 1978. The LS9 to be used in the 2009 ZR1 was a V8/350 CID/4 Bbl in 1978. The LT5 engine as used in the C4 ZR1 was a "Engine Performance Pkg.-High Alt." in 1978.
The Z16 C5 was a "Sport Decor/Black Knight" option in 1978 on the El Camino.
The original Z06 RPO was used in 1963 as the article states.

MostWanted

I've seen it both ways on this thread...is it ZO6 or Z06? That is...Z capital O 6 or Z zero 6?

Kevin Honolulu

You have to admit, ZO6 is a lot catchier than ZOD. Hey, wasn't that the name of that villan in Superman II?

bluemagoo

I submit that it is Z-"zero"-6. This conforms with the General's convention of RPO numbers. Within the Z's, there are RPO codes Z01 through about Z95 (not all are used) and are used for all models of cars & trucks. As mentioned in a previous post, these codes are often reused. While the original 1963 Z06 probably just used the next available RPO code, our C6's RPO, I'm certain, was carefully chosen for it's association with past Corvette performance. My $0.02.

http://www.c2e.info/rpocodes/

63Corvette

It's "Z zero 6". The options come in several types, such as "Regular Production Options" (RPO) and Limited Production Options" (LPO), and "Special Production Options" (ZPO). Originally the Z28 Camaro and the Z06 Corvette were just that....options. The 1967 Z28 Camaro (about 620 manufactured) did NOT have emblems (nor did the Z06 Corvette) the Camaro had "302" emblems on the fender, and no stripes or other distinguishing marks. You have to look at the brakes to tell a 63 Z06 Corvette. When the MODEL Z06 , Z28, or ZR-1 came out, that was a marketing move, done to capitalize on some past performance.

kenmack

If in fact the 63 Z was somehow connected to the Z in Zora what a fitting tribute to a car guy to whom we all owe a great deal of gratitude.
His dreams are what you and I are driving today.

MostWanted

Good explanations. I'm glad I have always used Z "zero" 6.

blitzu

As others have said it is Z-zero-6 based on the RPO code created by Zora Duntov as a special performance equipment package. It was first offered on the 1963 model and was resurrected in the fall of 2000 as a third body style for the 2001 model. The ZR-1 was a continued racing designation for the Corvette standing for "Zora's Racers."

Information was taken from the C6 Z06 press book. I love this thing

ZL-1

- bluemagoo and 63Corvette are correct. Z-codes were used to designate a package containing multiple components. A single component would be L for engine, M for transmission, J for brakes, F for suspension, etc. When components were combined into a group it was assigned a Z-code. Many common GM option groups had Z-codes, still do. The first performance one was the 1962 Z-11 Biscayne drag package with the aluminum front end. The 1963 Corvette option was referred to as a Peformance Package until years later when collectors started referring to it by it's option code, Z-06. Same with the 1965 Chevelle 396 performance package, which was never referred to as Z-16 until years later. When the 302 Camaro came out late in 1967 we called it the 302, nobody knew it as Z-28. Then in 1968, chrome Z/28 emblems were added to the fenders, the first time a Z-code was advertised to the public. In 1969 we had the ZL-1 aluminum 427. In 70-72 the ZR-1 package combined LT-1 engine, M-22 trans, J-56 brakes, F-41 suspension, etc. Years ago heavy duty springs and shocks were F-40 or F-41, but when combined with things like wider rims, coolers, etc it became a Z-51, Z-52, or Z-07 package, depending on what was added. Many GM Z-codes have been re-used multiple times.
In 1989 the Corvette team had to pick a name for the new "King of the Hill". They decided to honor Corvette's great heritage and name it after a former great performance package, the ZR-1. Likewise for the 2001 Z-06. And now the "Blue Devil" uses ZR-1 for the third time (the hyphen was dropped some years back though). Overall, a good choice IMHO.

JoesC5

At one time, it appeared that GM had some order to it's production options. By 1978, it appears they just picked a designation.
ZJ1--custom interior-two tone
ZJ2--exterior-custom molding
ZJ3--interior decor and convenience package
ZJ5--molding-exterior/lower
ZJ7--wheel-special hub cap &trim ring
ZL9--interior-luxury
ZM1--caravan pkg
ZM4--nomad/Gypsy
ZM8--beauville/rally stx
ZN1--trailing package
ZN5--wheel-rally/painted body color
ZW2 Heavy duty emission eng
ZW9--base body or chassis
ZX2--convenience package
ZX4--landau roof package
ZX5--value appearance package
Z01--Monza Spyder
Z02--Monza-Spyder-Appearance package
Z03--Landau equipment
Z14--Engine processing-non integral head
Z15--spec. Sport Equip. SS-454
Z16--Sport decor/black knight
Z21--molding-exterior
Z24--rally decor group
Z28 special performance package
Z29--GT-sport
Z5K--california merchandising package
Z5S--california merchandising package
Z52--seat-full foam
Z53 gauge-voltmeter/oil pressure & temp
Z54--interior decor./silent sound group
Z56--cold climate package
Z58--top-removable/black-textured
Z60--Monza
Z61--custom group
Z62--Package #1 comfort, convenience and decor
Z64--cutaway van
Z66--conversion-van camper
Z73--special interior trim
Z75--bluejay package
Z77--chevy sport or street coupe/GMC
Z78--appearance package-pace car (limited edition)
Z79--sandpiper appearance package
Z80--trim-special
Z81--camper-special
Z82--trailering special
Z83--camper-package/deluxe
Z84--package #2 comfort, convenience and decor
Z85--sport package
Z87--flexible facia front end
Z88--conversion-GMC
Z95--emission control equipment
Z98--canadian pontiac version of 1TB08

From the above list of production codes in use effective July, 1978 using Z as the first digit, it is apparent that GM called anything they wanted a Z code, from decor packages to emission to van conversions to trim,wheels hubcaps, seat foam, etc. Not as romantic as you seem to imply.

ZL-1

I just re-read both our posts. Note my 4th sentence: "Many COMMON GM option groups had Z codes, still do." I think we were both trying to say the same thing, that Z packages were not necessarily anything special.

PMD C6

And the, Z Arrrrgh! One, fits right in with your theory.

Don't take me seriously though, I'm just picking.