Quote Originally Posted by wheeliE-maxx View Post
Z16? Que es esto?
Where does this extra-special aura come from? The Z16 took on this aura because Chevrolet did not advertise it to the public or list it in sales brochures. It was as if the car was so hot it had to remain a secret. Actually, Chevrolet kept the Z16's profile low because it could not produce the car in volume. The chassis of the '65 Chevelle required exotic engineering to handle the hot 396 cu.-in. V8. Underneath, the '65 SS 396 was all "big car." It was engineered with a strong convertible frame, one fitted with rear suspension reinforcements and two additional body mounts. Power-assisted brakes were also from the big-car parts bin, with 11-in.-dia. drums front and rear. Ball joint studs were shot-peened, and hubs were a sturdy Arma steel design.

At the heart of the Z16 was the 375-hp 396 V8. Dubbed "Mark IV" this was a direct descendant of the mighty 1963 Daytona Mystery Engine made famous in NASCAR. Every SS 396 was a four-speed, featuring a Muncie gearbox with a 2.56:1 First gear, instead of the close-ratio 2.20:1 First gearbox. The clutch was also big car: 11.0 in. in diameter. The standard 8.125-in. ring gear from the regular Chevelle wouldn't do either, and Chevrolet installed the 8.875-in. gear from the Impala