The 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Tanker is a rare and highly coveted piece of Corvette’s racing legacy. Delivered new to Dexter Chevrolet in Detroit, Michigan, this Sebring Silver Corvette with a dark blue interior combines style with serious performance. What makes it exceptional is the pairing of the Z06 Special High-Performance Package with the rare N03 36½-gallon fuel tank—an option combination found on only 63 Corvettes in 1963.

The Z06 package, developed by Corvette’s Chief Engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov, was built for racing. It included metallic power brakes with a dual-reservoir master cylinder, heavy-duty stabilizers, shocks and springs, and a Posi-Traction rear axle. Its centerpiece was a 360-horsepower fuel-injected engine paired with a 4-speed manual transmission, delivering excellent speed and control. The Z06 also featured oversized brakes with “elephant ear” cooling ducts, internal fins, and metallic brake pads to meet racing demands.

Adding to its uniqueness, this Corvette came with the N03 “Big Tank” option—a 36½-gallon tank for endurance racing. Combined with 2-bar cast aluminum knock-off wheels, this Z06 Tanker stands as one of the rarest and most desirable Corvettes ever built.

Delivered by Dexter Chevrolet—the only Chevy dealer on Detroit’s 8 Mile Road and known for performance cars—this Corvette is believed to be a COPO (Central Office Production Order) model. Verified by the NCRS Shipping Data Report and listed in the C2 Corvette Registry, it includes features like the knock-off wheels that weren’t standard factory options, further highlighting its rarity.

After arriving in Michigan, the car later moved to Florida and was restored by a California collector to Concours standards. Eventually acquired by Joe Verrillo of Verrillo Motor Car, it has since earned top honors at major events, including an NCRS Top Flight Award in 2022, a Regional Top Flight Award in 2024, and a Bloomington Gold Award.

Today, this Corvette is a symbol of engineering excellence and Corvette’s racing heritage. With its rare Z06 and N03 combination, it stands as a pinnacle of 1960s performance. Joe Verrillo now sets his sights on even greater accolades, aiming for a Gold Concours award at MCACN and the coveted Triple Diamond Award.