This exceptional, multiple award-winning 1964 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible is one of just 29 Corvettes equipped that year with the very rare J56 Special Sintered Metallic Brake Package that was a central feature of the legendary RPO Z06 Special Performance Equipment Package introduced for model year 1963. The Z06 package was offered only in 1963 as a comprehensive group of race-ready features comprising the L84 327/360 HP fuel-injected engine, M20 4-speed manual transmission, Positraction, exclusive heavy-duty springs, front stabilizer bar and shocks, heavy-duty drum brakes with sintered metal linings, vented backing plates, finned aluminum brake drums and internal cooling fans, and a dual-circuit brake master cylinder with vacuum power booster. Only 199 1963 Corvettes were produced with the Z06 package before GM announced its official withdrawal from sanctioned racing. Because of that decision, the Z06 Special Equipment Package was not officially available for 1964. However, thanks to engineering chief Zora Arkus-Duntov’s insistence, most Z06 features remained on the factory option list as separate items. Some of those features required the buyer to order other specific options, the sum of which essentially achieved the same end: a factory-built, race-ready Corvette such as this prize-winning convertible. Specifically, the J56 Special Sintered Metallic Brake Package required also ordering the L84 327 CI fuel-injected engine (upgraded in 1964 to 375 HP), the Muncie M20 4-speed manual transmission and G81 Positraction, all factory features on this example. It is also equipped with the very rare RPO F40 “Z06-type” Special Front and Rear Suspension, one of only 82 Corvettes produced with this option for 1964 and one of a small handful of 1964 Corvettes produced with both the “Z06-type” brakes and front and rear suspension. Sold new at Jim Connell’s Chevrolet in Cleveland, Ohio, this 1964 Sting Ray convertible combines Satin Silver paint with a matching auxiliary hard top, Dark Blue leather upholstery and spinner wheel covers over white-stripe tires. It’s powered by a matching numbers RF-suffix L84 327/375 HP engine, M20 4-speed and 4.11:1 Positraction rear end and is additionally optioned with off-road exhaust, power windows, tinted glass and a Delco pushbutton AM/FM radio. It was Bloomington Gold certified on June 22, 2012 and previously awarded a Regional NCRS Top Flight on July 15, 2006. This rare and splendid 1964 Corvette convertible is offered with substantial documentation that includes the Bloomington Gold judging sheets, NCRS ribbon and judging sheets, correspondence between Corvette historian Noland Adams and a previous owner, receipts and copies of previous registrations dating back to 1989, three owner’s manuals, a 1964 Corvette brochure, an AM/FM radio operation guide and an extra set of keys. The original window sticker is also included in the sale and will be made available for viewing on-site at the auction.
