1965 Chevelle Malibu SS Z16

How Twin ’65 Z16 Chevelles Were Reunited

Story and photography by Steve Temple

While someone might feel justifiably proud to own one ultra-rare, vintage muscle car, how would you feel if you owned a pair of them? Twice as proud? Actually, John Daniels has even stronger personal feelings about his two ’65 Z16s, but before touching on that aspect, we should cover a bit of history about this limited run of special Chevelles.

Only a couple hundred were ever built at Chevy’s Kansas City factory (plus one or two prototypes made at the Baltimore plant, depending on which historical source you check). Besides this run of hardtop coupes, there was even a convertible built for Chevy General Manager Semon “Bunkie” Knudsen. It was reportedly later destroyed. (We can imagine that Chevy collectors groan inwardly when thinking about at the tragic loss of this solo soft-top).

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They also likely bemoan the fact that only 65 or so Z16 coupes are said to be still in existence. What makes this exclusive Chevelle variant so desirable? If you’re not familiar with the Z16 model, when introduced it boasted the then-new 396 ci Mark IV V8 “mystery motor.” This 375 hp L37 featured forged pistons and crank, 4-bolt mains, ported heads, hydraulic cam and aluminum intake topped by a Holley 3310 four-barrel carb. While not the hottest mill available (since larger Chevys and the Corvette were blessed with the 425hp version), it was still a real sweet setup, backed by a Muncie 4-speed. The Z16 moniker was actually the RPO (Regular Production Option) number for this engine upgrade, used only in-house. Chevy’s official name in 1965 was Malibu SS 396.

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To handle the big-block’s higher output, Chevy engineers added several heavy-duty upgrades, such as frame reinforcements (usually found on a convertible model), bigger brakes (11-inch drums from an Impala), and a stiffer suspension (a 1.06-inch front sway bar, a stabilizer bar in the rear, and stronger springs), plus an open 3.31:1 rear end, just for good measure. Wider rims and a boosted 15:1 steering system tailored for just this model all made for extra toss-ability in the turns. Even the spindles and A-arms were unique to the Z16. Such a custom configuration was very unusual back in the day, considering that muscle cars were just catching on.

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The interior came loaded as well, with items that might seem ordinary by modern standards, but were unusual for the era. These included a 160 mph speedo, tachometer, front and rear seat belts, AM/FM Multiplex stereo with speakers in the foot wells, a toggle stick to adjust the side mirror, and a pedestal clock on top of the dash.

How someone came to own two of these coveted cars adds to their allure. The first owner of the red Z16, named Bob, was a close personal friend of John Daniels. They enrolled—and rolled—together at the Pennsylvania Military College in Chester, PA. Like most young men, Bob and John shared a consuming interest in muscle cars. On summer break, John bought a new ’65 Pontiac GTO convertible with Tri-Power and a 4-speed, while Bob purchased a Z16 from a high-volume Chevy dealer in the Pittsburgh area.

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No surprise that these two high-spirited military cadets often waged mock warfare on the local streets in their battle wagons, just to see who had the most firepower. John admits that Z16 always bested the GTO off the line.

Bob then got a hankering for a ’67 Corvette, and sold the Z16 to his brother, Ben. After serving in the U.S. Army and then marrying his sweetheart Mollie, Bob also sold his ’67 Corvette to brother Ben. About a dozen years later, Ben passed away and Bob inherited the cars, both of which were showing their age.

Now here’s where the second Z16 entered the picture. After transporting the cars to his home in Clearwater, Florida, Bob set to work restoring the Chevelle – his sentimental favorite. The bodywork was in pretty bad shape, as he had to purchase several ’65 Chevelle parts cars for their sheet metal.


While on the hunt for parts cars, incredibly enough, he came across another Z16 in pieces, with no engine. He knew it would be a crime to scavenge off any parts, so he began restoring that one as well. All the more remarkable, he was able to locate the original matching-numbers engine, and talked the owner into selling it.

Unfortunately, while Bob was midway through restoring his two prized Z16s, his health began to decline. He passed away in November of 2011, and never lived to see these treasured muscle cars brought back to their former glory.

John Daniels always considered Bob and Mollie to be family, and traveled from California to Florida to attend the funeral. After the service, Mollie led him back to the garage and showed him the Corvette and Z16s, along with an impressive pile of NOS and used parts. All the elements were there, but they needed a new benefactor, since Mollie was saddled with a pile of medical bills.

Even though John wasn’t looking to do anymore restorations, his sentimental memories about Bob, along with his wife’s encouragement, prompted him buy the half-finished Z16s, along with Corvette. When the cars and parts arrived in California, the Z16s headed over to Mike Filion of Pro Design Hot Rods in Santa Ana.

While all the pieces were pretty much intact, plenty of work and bird-dogging lay ahead of Filion and his crew. “The hardest part is getting the correct information,” he admits, referring to the Z16’s relative obscurity. That included getting a special fan shroud, since it’s thicker and has different brackets than the one on a regular Chevelle. Also, the unique L-brackets surrounding the taillights needed careful restoration, since they are made from fragile pot metal, and can melt away. Pro Design also did quite a bit of work on the engine seals, intakes, carburetors and fuel systems to get them in good working order, and made sure to include all the brackets, pulleys and dress-up chrome items that are unique to the Z16’s engine.

Upon completion, all this precious metal was put on display at the 2013 Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, where it not only drew huge crowds but also won First and Second place trophies in the restoration division. Even more important to John than these awards, however, was making good on a promise to Bob’s widow, Mollie: Take her for a ride, so she too can relive those good times they all enjoyed together in the red Z16.

SOURCE:

Pro Design Hot Rods

2020 S. Susan Street

Santa Ana, CA 92704

714/436-1158

prodesignhotrods.com

SPECS (Red Z16)

Year Make Model: 1965 Malibu SS 396

Owned by: John Daniels, Los Angeles, CA

Restored by: Mike Filion, Pro Design Hot Rods, Santa Ana, CA

Engine: 1965 396 ci/375 hp L37 V8.

Transmission: M20 4-speed

Rearend: 3:31 ratio, Posi not available; custom large-diameter full-size Chevy outer wheel bearings with the narrower track Chevelle 12-bolt housing, unique to the Z16

Interior: black

Wheels: 14 x 6 wide base, riveted-rim spider construction

Tires: 7.75 x 14 nylon gold stripe

Special parts: Z16 package

SPECS (Black Z16)

At a glance

Year Make Model: 1965 Malibu SS 396

Owned by: John Daniels, Los Angeles, CA

Restored by: Mike Filion, Pro Design Hot Rods, Santa Ana, CA

Engine: 1965 396 ci/375 hp L37 V8.

Transmission: M20 4-speed

Rearend: 3:31 ratio, Posi not available; custom large-diameter full-size Chevy outer wheel bearings with the narrower track Chevelle 12-bolt housing, unique to the Z16

Interior: red

Wheels: 14 x 6 wide base, riveted-rim spider construction

Tires: 7.75 x 14 nylon gold stripe

Special parts: Z16 package

captions:

ENGINE:

The Z16 RPO not only featured a 375 hp L37 V8, but also a number of chromed dress-up items, such as the fuel lines between the pump and carb, the vent tube for the crankcase, and the dipstick handle. These were simply not available on any other production Chevrolet big-block, including, surprisingly enough, the 425 hp 1965 Corvette.

Front end:

Even the grille of the Z16 has a slightly different paint scheme from regular Chevelles.

Rear end:

The L-shaped bracket surrounding each taillight is unique to the Z16, and requires some careful handling to restore, since it’s made of fragile pot metal.

OVERALL SHOTS OF BOTH CARS:

Out of the 200 or so production cars ever made (not counting one or two prototypes), virtually all were hardtops, except for one convertible for Chevy General Manager Semon “Bunkie” Knudsen that no longer exists.