Chevrolet has built some of the world's most famous models over the years. Notably, the Chevrolet Impala is one of the company's most popular and long-lasting models. The first Impala model was introduced in 1957 as a 1958 model, and production continued until 2020. The car has evolved significantly over the decades it has been on the market, but the 1960s models are widely regarded as the Impala's golden age. The 1963 Chevrolet Impala Z-11 is known as the "meanest and rarest Impala ever manufactured."

Muscle cars are commonly referred to by enthusiasts as the beefed-up compact and mid-size coupes of the late 1960s. At the time, the muscle car era was at its peak, with tens of models available from all Detroit-based automakers. The roots of the muscle car, on the other hand, can be traced back to 1949, when Oldsmobile discontinued the Rocket V8 engine in the 88. Full-size cars, many of which received a powerful drivetrain long before muscle cars like the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, and Plymouth Barracuda became the norm, can benefit from the concept as well. The Chevrolet Impala was one of them.

Related: A Look Back At The Evolution Of The Chevy Impala

The 1963 Chevy Impala Z-11 Produces An Incredible Performance

1963Chevrolet_Impala_Z-11
Via: Street Muscle

Because the racing world had such a significant impact on the car market at the time, the 1963 Chevy Impala Z-11 was designed to be a car for both drag racing and NASCAR fans. It is a Regular Production Option. Given that this car was built for racing, the amount of effort put into the engine’s powertrain is understandable. Chevy used this to compete with options from firms like Ford.

A 427 cubic inch 7-liter V8 engine powers the 1963 Chevrolet Impala Z-11. It generates 430 horsepower and 575 lb-ft of torque, which is rather outstanding. It’s worth noting that, despite being more powerful than its predecessor, this model Impala is also lighter.

The company also used weight-saving materials for portions of the automobile such as the fenders, bumpers, and hood to aid with the total weight of the vehicle. The 1963 Impala Z-11 was 300 pounds lighter than a standard Impala.

This car could go from zero to sixty miles per hour in approximately 4.3 seconds. It has a quarter-mile time of 10.8 seconds. These are incredible speeds, especially for a 1960s automobile that was more of a family choice than anything else in its final years, but every successful series of cars has to develop to stay relevant. The Impala is no exception. This edition of the Impala was the first stock vehicle to reach 120 mph in a quarter-mile run, which was a remarkable achievement.

Related: Here's What A 1963 Chevrolet Impala Z11 Costs Today

The 1963 Chevrolet Impala Z-11: A Need For Speed

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Via: AutoEvolution

This car is known as the RPO Impala, which stands for Regular Production Option, as previously stated. It lives up to its name not only in terms of speed and performance, but also in terms of how it was built. To begin with, race cars are usually quite plain. This is because these cars must be quick, and adding a slew of amenities makes it more difficult to achieve this crucial goal.

As a result, the 1963 Z-11 was devoid of a radio, a heater, and sound deadening material, as well as the front sway bar. In addition, many of the pieces of an automobile that are normally constructed of steel were replaced with aluminum.

1963 Chevy Impala Z-11, like most race cars, is extremely rare. It is the rarest Impala ever made, with only 57 vehicles built. This was because the RPO package added around $1,240 to the Impala’s MSRP, and while popular at the time, it was still a niche feature that not everyone would want. There are reportedly less than 50 of the 1963 Chevy Impala Z-11s left in existence today. Surprisingly, the very first one ever made has survived.

But the Impala Z-11 was about more than simply horsepower and torque. Many of the steel elements were replaced with aluminum to make it a competitive drag racer. Weight-saving materials were used for the fenders, bumpers, engine hood, brackets, grille, and braces.

Chevrolet also removed the radio, heater, sound deadening material, and front sway bar from the vehicle. The result was a 300-pound weight loss when compared to the standard Impala.

Interior And Exterior Design Of The 1963 Chevy Impala Z-11

1963Chevrolet_Impala_Z-11
Via: Street Muscle

According to Mecum, the '63 Chevrolet Impala Z-11 is thought to be the only one that still has its original driveline and interior. Unlike many cars of this era, it has never been wrecked or rusted. Frank Sanders was the original owner and driver of this car, and he drove it to victory in the Limited Production class at the 1963 NHRA Winternationals. Its win record makes it the first stock-bodied car to top 120-mph, and it may be the most successful "stock-legal" car of the Z-11 era.

As previously stated, this car retains all of its original sheet metal, including the lightweight components, heavy-duty braking, and differential parts. The factory-installed tachometer, bench seat, delete plates, and floor shift remain in place. The only change to the interior was the replacement of the carpet. Sanders' innovative "line lock" brake mechanism is still in use. Sanders' S&S Headers, a company he owns, are installed under the hood. They are the only variant from the engine's original state. The car's only repaint is flawless, and the period-correct lettering and well-researched binder of paperwork place it among the most original and correct Z-11 package cars in existence.

The 1963 Chevrolet Impala Z-11: A Car That Doesn’t Come Cheap

The 1963 Chevy Impala Z-11 is not a cheap car, as you may have imagined. It is regarded as a legend among vehicle fans, and it has a rich history, which explains the exorbitant price. The typical high retail price is $298,000. If you’re searching for one in good shape, expect to pay an average of $162,200. However, for something below quality, you could expect to spend an average of $71,600

Sources: AutoEvolution, MotorTrend, MotoAuthority, ChevyHardcore