Z06 and ZR1 names
08-18-2017, 06:11 PM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
Z06 and ZR1 names
Did they put names in a hat to choose what to call these cars or is there something to the name. Think I know where the "Z" or "ZO" comes from but the "6" and "R1"????
Last edited by stefuel; 08-19-2017 at 07:06 AM.
08-18-2017, 11:18 PM
#2
Pro Mechanic
Pro Mechanic
ZO and ZR began their "lives" as PRO prefixes applied to various special performance options on Corvettes
ZO6 "Special Performance Equipment" first became known to Corvette enthusiasts as a option in 1963. That was the only year it was offered and it included the 360-hp FI engine, close-ratio four-speed, HD suspension, HD brakes, knock-off wheels and a 36-gal fuel tank. Later in the year the knock-offs and the big tank were deleted and the price was lowered.
Interestinly, many people think the RPO is Z06 (zee zero six) but it is actually ZO6 (zee oh six)
ZO6 didn't become famous until the RPO was released as a stand-along model in 2001 and lasted until '04 It included the 385-hp LS6 engine (later 405-hp), special 6-spd transmission, HD suspension, HD front brakes and special exhaust. It returned in 2006 and lasted until 2013. It returned again in 2015 and is still produced today.
ZR1 first became known to Corvette enthusiasts as a performance option in 1970-72. It included the LT1 engine (orig 370-hp, but later 330-hp), HD 4-spd, HD suspension, HD brakes and HD cooling. Also certain other options such as A/C, power windows and power steering were not allowed.
ZR1 didn't become famous until the RPO was released as a stand-alone model in 1990. It included the 375-hp (later 405-hp) 32-valve LT5 engine, HD brakes, Selective Ride, larger rear tires and special bodywork aft of the B-pillar. Interestingly, it did not have HD suspension. The "second generation" ZR1 lasted until 1995. The third gen. ZR1 was from '09-'13 and the 4G ZR1 comes next year.
ZO6 "Special Performance Equipment" first became known to Corvette enthusiasts as a option in 1963. That was the only year it was offered and it included the 360-hp FI engine, close-ratio four-speed, HD suspension, HD brakes, knock-off wheels and a 36-gal fuel tank. Later in the year the knock-offs and the big tank were deleted and the price was lowered.
Interestinly, many people think the RPO is Z06 (zee zero six) but it is actually ZO6 (zee oh six)
ZO6 didn't become famous until the RPO was released as a stand-along model in 2001 and lasted until '04 It included the 385-hp LS6 engine (later 405-hp), special 6-spd transmission, HD suspension, HD front brakes and special exhaust. It returned in 2006 and lasted until 2013. It returned again in 2015 and is still produced today.
ZR1 first became known to Corvette enthusiasts as a performance option in 1970-72. It included the LT1 engine (orig 370-hp, but later 330-hp), HD 4-spd, HD suspension, HD brakes and HD cooling. Also certain other options such as A/C, power windows and power steering were not allowed.
ZR1 didn't become famous until the RPO was released as a stand-alone model in 1990. It included the 375-hp (later 405-hp) 32-valve LT5 engine, HD brakes, Selective Ride, larger rear tires and special bodywork aft of the B-pillar. Interestingly, it did not have HD suspension. The "second generation" ZR1 lasted until 1995. The third gen. ZR1 was from '09-'13 and the 4G ZR1 comes next year.
08-19-2017, 02:16 AM
#3
Intermediate
ZO and ZR began their "lives" as PRO prefixes applied to various special performance options on Corvettes
ZO6 "Special Performance Equipment" first became known to Corvette enthusiasts as a option in 1963. That was the only year it was offered and it included the 360-hp FI engine, close-ratio four-speed, HD suspension, HD brakes, knock-off wheels and a 36-gal fuel tank. Later in the year the knock-offs and the big tank were deleted and the price was lowered.
Interestinly, many people think the RPO is Z06 (zee zero six) but it is actually ZO6 (zee oh six)
ZO6 didn't become famous until the RPO was released as a stand-along model in 2001 and lasted until '04 It included the 385-hp LS6 engine (later 405-hp), special 6-spd transmission, HD suspension, HD front brakes and special exhaust. It returned in 2006 and lasted until 2013. It returned again in 2015 and is still produced today.
ZR1 first became known to Corvette enthusiasts as a performance option in 1970-72. It included the LT1 engine (orig 370-hp, but later 330-hp), HD 4-spd, HD suspension, HD brakes and HD cooling. Also certain other options such as A/C, power windows and power steering were not allowed.
ZR1 didn't become famous until the RPO was released as a stand-alone model in 1990. It included the 375-hp (later 405-hp) 32-valve LT5 engine, HD brakes, Selective Ride, larger rear tires and special bodywork aft of the B-pillar. Interestingly, it did not have HD suspension. The "second generation" ZR1 lasted until 1995. The third gen. ZR1 was from '09-'13 and the 4G ZR1 comes next year.
ZO6 "Special Performance Equipment" first became known to Corvette enthusiasts as a option in 1963. That was the only year it was offered and it included the 360-hp FI engine, close-ratio four-speed, HD suspension, HD brakes, knock-off wheels and a 36-gal fuel tank. Later in the year the knock-offs and the big tank were deleted and the price was lowered.
Interestinly, many people think the RPO is Z06 (zee zero six) but it is actually ZO6 (zee oh six)
ZO6 didn't become famous until the RPO was released as a stand-along model in 2001 and lasted until '04 It included the 385-hp LS6 engine (later 405-hp), special 6-spd transmission, HD suspension, HD front brakes and special exhaust. It returned in 2006 and lasted until 2013. It returned again in 2015 and is still produced today.
ZR1 first became known to Corvette enthusiasts as a performance option in 1970-72. It included the LT1 engine (orig 370-hp, but later 330-hp), HD 4-spd, HD suspension, HD brakes and HD cooling. Also certain other options such as A/C, power windows and power steering were not allowed.
ZR1 didn't become famous until the RPO was released as a stand-alone model in 1990. It included the 375-hp (later 405-hp) 32-valve LT5 engine, HD brakes, Selective Ride, larger rear tires and special bodywork aft of the B-pillar. Interestingly, it did not have HD suspension. The "second generation" ZR1 lasted until 1995. The third gen. ZR1 was from '09-'13 and the 4G ZR1 comes next year.
All very accurate information. I'll add that there were only "63" 1963 ZO6's made with the 36gal tank. Many of them were used as race cars and were destroyed. It's a very rare car today.
Here's some pics of my father in law's 1963 ZO6
08-19-2017, 07:21 AM
#4
Drifting
Thread Starter
My understanding is that the Zo6 was the brainchild of Zora Duntov in 1963 so I assumed that's where the "Zo" came from. Just wondered where the "6" comes from. Not sure if the "Z" in ZR1 is related.
08-20-2017, 05:57 PM
#5
Pro Mechanic
Pro Mechanic
"ZO" is not for "Zora".
ZO, ZR, Z and others are RPOs for special performance packages such as:
Z06 (Corvette)
Z07 (Corvette)
Z16 (Corvette)
ZR1 (Corvette)
ZR2 (Corvette, S/T-truck, Colorado/Canyon PU trucks)
Z28 (Camaro)
Z51 (Corvette)
Z71 (full-sized truck)
...and so forth and so on.
ZO, ZR, Z and others are RPOs for special performance packages such as:
Z06 (Corvette)
Z07 (Corvette)
Z16 (Corvette)
ZR1 (Corvette)
ZR2 (Corvette, S/T-truck, Colorado/Canyon PU trucks)
Z28 (Camaro)
Z51 (Corvette)
Z71 (full-sized truck)
...and so forth and so on.
Last edited by Hib Halverson; 08-20-2017 at 06:00 PM.
08-21-2017, 08:20 AM
#6
or maybe versions 1-5 failed.
08-21-2017, 01:58 PM
#7
Safety Car
ZO6 didn't become famous until the RPO was released as a stand-along model in 2001 and lasted until '04 It included the 385-hp LS6 engine (later 405-hp), special 6-spd transmission, HD suspension, HD front brakes and special exhaust. It returned in 2006 and lasted until 2013. It returned again in 2015 and is still produced today.