The Corvette collecting hobby began gaining momentum in the 1970s when enthusiasts started recognizing these vehicles as valuable collectibles. Over the decades, models with high-performance packages from the 1950s to the early 1970s became particularly sought after. As a result, rare finds such as fuel-injected models, big-block engines, and special suspension packages became the focus of serious collectors.
Despite the assumption that all surviving examples had already been discovered, the 2024 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals (MCACN) proved otherwise with the unveiling of an exceptionally rare 1963 Corvette Z06 with a big tank option—one of only 75 ever produced.
The History of This 1963 Corvette Z06
This Corvette Z06 was originally painted in Saddle Tan with a matching Saddle interior. By 1970, the car had been repainted yellow with black stripes, giving it a distinct racing appearance. The Z06 option package, introduced in 1963, was a true racing enthusiast’s dream. It featured a 360-horsepower fuel-injected engine, a four-speed manual transmission, a Positraction rear axle, and a heavy-duty suspension and brake system.
Initially, the package was supposed to include a 36.5-gallon fiberglass fuel tank and aluminum knock-off wheels. However, manufacturing issues caused delays, leading to these parts being offered as standalone options. Out of the 199 total Z06 Corvettes built in 1963, only about 75 were fitted with the massive fuel tank, making them some of the rarest and most desirable Corvettes ever made.
The Racing Past and the Forgotten Years
The journey of this extraordinary Corvette began with Second Lieutenant Scott Andrew Briley, a decorated B-17 co-pilot during World War II. Briley was an avid road racing enthusiast who worked as a sales manager at a California Chevrolet dealership. When the Z06 package was introduced, he wasted no time ordering one for himself.
Briley raced the car extensively along the West Coast, taking full advantage of its performance capabilities. In 1967, he sold the vehicle to fellow racer Doug Williams, who continued to compete with it until the car suffered a catastrophic engine failure in 1970. Unable to repair it immediately, Williams partially disassembled the engine, and the car sat outdoors in the San Francisco Bay area for two years before being placed inside a trailer—where it would remain hidden from the world for the next 54 years.
The Rediscovery and Restoration Effort
When this Corvette was tucked away in 1970, it was just another worn-out race car with a blown engine. Over time, 1963 Z06 models, particularly those with the big tank option, became highly valuable collector’s items. However, this particular car faded into obscurity, known only to a few individuals.
That changed when a knowledgeable car enthusiast shared details about the car with Scott Andrews, a restoration specialist known for working with classic Packards and Auburns. Despite not being a Corvette collector, Andrews recognized the car’s historical significance. After successfully purchasing it in October 2024, he decided to bring it to MCACN for public viewing.
The car was displayed in its found condition, with only new tires installed to make it movable. Its engine bay, covered in years of dust and rodent nests, provided a glimpse into its long period of hibernation.
The Future of This Legendary Z06
Unlike many rare car restorations aimed at achieving Bloomington Gold or NCRS awards, Andrews has a different vision for this Z06. Rather than making it a museum piece, he and his sons plan to restore it to a race-ready condition and continue its legacy on the track.
Interestingly, the car still holds its original title under Scott Briley’s name and has never been registered for street use. Its entire history revolves around racing, and the Andrews family intends to honor that by continuing to race it in vintage events.
