This 1963 Chevrolet Impala is one of approximately 57 examples equipped by the factory with the single-year lightweight Z11 package that included power from a 427ci W-series V8 and aluminum front body panels. The car was purchased new by Southern California drag racer Terry Prince from Service Chevrolet in Pasadena, California, where he worked in the performance shop. Prince subsequently campaigned the car at the 1963 NHRA Winternationals before reaching the No. 5 spot in the Drag Racing News Mr. Eliminator Record List during the remainder of the year. The car was purchased in the 1990s in a disassembled state by a Utah owner who initiated a refurbishment that was performed between 1996 and 1999. Power is provided by a replacement 427ci QM V8 that features a 13.5:1 compression ratio, raised-port cylinder heads, a two-piece aluminum intake manifold, twin four-barrel carburetors, a cowl-induction air cleaner, an aluminum water pump, and Hooker exhaust headers. Finished in the original shade of Ember Red with period-style racing livery, the body incorporates aluminum panels including the hood, fenders, bumpers, grille filler panel, and various brackets. Additional features include a close-ratio four-speed manual transmission, a 4.11:1 Positraction rear end, four-wheel drum brakes with sintered metallic shoes and vented backing plates, red cloth interior upholstery, and a tachometer. This Z11 Impala was purchased by the selling dealer in 2023 and is now offered with a copy of the original sales invoice, historical photos and documentation, photos from the refurbishment, and a clean New Jersey title.
RPO Z11 was introduced for the 1963 model year to boost Chevrolet’s presence in stock-class racing by offering a lightweight performance-oriented variant of the Impala hardtop coupe. The package was highlighted by a modified version of Chevrolet’s 409ci V8 and the substitution of aluminum for several body panels, with additional weight-saving achieved via the omission of various comfort elements. Despite the imposition of GM’s corporate racing ban shortly after the RPO’s introduction, Z11-equipped Impalas excelled in drag-racing competition throughout 1963.
This example left the factory finished in Ember Red (922) and was refinished in its original shade during the late-1990s refurbishment, which also included various body repairs as well as stripping and refinishing of the frame. Aluminum body panels provided on Z11-equipped cars included the hood, fenders, front and rear bumpers, grille filler panel, hood catch, bumper brackets, bumper braces, and two-piece fan shroud. White and black lettering simulates a period livery representing Terry Prince, Service Chevrolet, and Hooker Headers.
Black-painted 15” steel wheels without hubcaps are wrapped in BFGoodrich Silvertown tires up front and M&H Racemaster slicks at the rear, while a spare is housed in the trunk. The Z11 package supplied the four-wheel drum brakes with sintered metallic brake shoes as well as screened backing plates with cooling scoops, while the suspension setup omitted a front sway bar.
The cabin is trimmed in red cloth (874) over front and rear bench seats with color-keyed door panels, carpeting, and dash panels. Equipment includes a Hurst shifter, roll-up front and rear side windows, and red front lap belts. The sound-deadening material, insulation, heater, and radio were omitted on most Z11 examples.
The red two-spoke steering wheel sits ahead of a tachometer with a 6,200-rpm redline and a 120-mph speedometer, while a trio of Stewart-Warner gauges under the dash monitor coolant temperature, oil pressure, and amperage. The five-digit odometer shows three miles, with true mileage unknown.
The 427ci QM V8 was a derivation of Chevrolet’s 409ci W-series engine, with which it shared its bore and in-block combustion chamber design while receiving a displacement increase via a lengthened stroke. Additional features distinct to the Z11’s powerplant include a 13.5:1 compression ratio, longer connecting rods with wrist pins higher in the pistons, a .556-lift/325-duration camshaft, taller head castings that allowed raised intake ports, a two-piece aluminum intake manifold, twin Carter four-barrel carburetors, a cowl-induction air cleaner, and an aluminum water pump. Output was factory rated at 430 horsepower. An oil change was performed in November 2022.
The engine pad is stamped with T0117QM, corresponding with a Z11-specification 427ci engine built on January 17 at the Towanda assembly plant, as well as a non-matching VIN derivative. Additional engine markings shown in the gallery below include an “X” casting at the front of the block as well as block casting number 3830814.
Power is sent to the rear wheels via a BorgWarner T-10 four-speed manual transmission and a 4.11:1 Positraction rear end. Hooker long-tube exhaust headers are fitted to the engine but the remainder of the exhaust system is absent.
The car is shown above racing against Mike Lenke’s Z11 during a Drag News Mr. Stock Eliminator match race at San Gabriel Drag Strip in the summer of 1963. Additional photos from the car’s drag-racing career are included in the photo gallery below. Also included are photos from during and after the 1990s refurbishment, including visits to the car from Terry Prince.
The original car purchase order lists the special performance equipment option including the 430-horsepower engine as well as a total cash price of $4,102.32. Additional documentation from Terry Prince’s ownership is included below, as are copies of AMA specification sheets for the Z11 Impala model.
