1963 Winternationals Chevrolet Z11 stocker

[traditional]

In late '62 and early '63 Chevrolet built 50 'race-only' 427 cu. in. Z11 Impalas (not SuperSports) to be used on America's drag strips. some were given virtually free of charge to the top Chevy racers and the others sold to various other drag racers around North America. These cars used a special 'W' series 427 with high-rise manifold (with valley cover), a special air-cleaner housing that brought cool air from the plenum at the base of the windshield, aluminum hood, front fenders, front bumper, radiator support, fan shroud, and hood latch assy......all with the intent of light weight and weight transfer. General Motors management got out of racing entirely shortly after the introduction of these cars but for that period of time in 1963 they were untouchable.

This one represents the one raced in 'Limited/Production' class by Hayden Profitt at the '63 Winternationals in Pomona Calif. If the racers used slicks, they were classified as A/FX and the ones with treaded tires ('cheater-slicks') were classed in L/P.

I had bought a decal set and a damaged Franklin Mint Impala for $20 at a toy show with the idea that it might be an easy way to have a Z11 model, but the project became a lot more complicated when the FM model had to be completely disassembled, the all body accessories (side mirrors, antenna, and gas filler trim, etc.) removed and the holes filled and body repainted.

While the body was drying, I removed the original white interior, shifter console, bucket-seats etc,, and replaced them with a bench seat, Borg-Warner four-speed (with early Hurst shifter), red felt carpeting, small gauge cluster under the dash, and refinished the upholstery in red.

I removed the 409 engine and added the required Z11 engine detail, headers, as well as additional wiring and fuel lines etc. I also removed all the heater detail, added the plenum intake, hood hinges (non-working) and simulated aluminum hood latch etc.

The front suspension was raised and the rear axle lowered. An additional rear trailing arm was added as per the reference to the real car.

I added door sill plates (polished aluminum strips at the carpet edge) and side windows since all stochers had to race with the windows up.

To the best of my knowledge, I've copied the original car accurately as to colors and equipment, and I finally have a model of the vehicles that I really admired when I was a kid in '63.

I hope this model will bring back some racing memories for some of you as well.

[Darbo]

Nice build.

[Gary66]

That's sharp!

[jeffs396]

AWESOME Impala lightweight Cliff!

[W-409]

Very cool build of Legendary Drag Race Car. As You can see from my Avatar, these '63 Z11 Chevrolets are great. That build looks super nice, paintjob and decals are looking very realistic. I like that engine too, very nice build all over. I'd like to see more of these.

[Kustom Rodder]

Great job on the 63 nice and clean.

[Brutalform]

Those 60 era Impalas, Bel Airs etc, were some of the coolest cars ever to grace the dragstrips. Beautiful job on the car, and a nice informative introduction also, Clifford!!!

I am currently getting back into a, what was originally, a 63 Bel Air "Mystery Motor" Profitt car build. That was until I ruined the resin body, now, since I have the decals, I might either do a Profitt Impala, or just get a new set of decals, and possibly do a Sox Sinclair Service car.

I am beginning to wonder...How many Chevrolets did Hayden Profitt run in those days???

[deathskull59]

cool looks almost like a gasser.