A remarkably preserved 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle Z-16 has reemerged after more than five decades in storage, drawing significant attention at the 2025 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals. The car, long hidden from public view, is considered one of the most original surviving examples of Chevrolet’s limited-production performance model. Only 201 Z-16s were built, including a prototype, and the official registry accounts for just 75 remaining. Seven appeared at this year’s show, but the newly uncovered time capsule stood out for its authenticity and one-owner history.
The Z-16 represented a major step in Chevrolet’s expansion into high-performance mid-size cars. Although the Chevelle line had entered the market only two years earlier, the brand quickly escalated its power offerings. By 1965, the new 396-cubic-inch big-block V8 became the headline engine, replacing the smaller 327. Two versions produced 375 horsepower: the well-known L78 and the short-lived L37, the latter reserved exclusively for the Z-16. Featuring hydraulic lifters and a more moderate cam profile, the L37 helped make the Z-16 one of the strongest performers in its segment.
The newly displayed example was purchased new by Cliff Gottlob, a U.S. veteran working at General Motors during the car’s launch year. According to its history, Gottlob secured a discount after agreeing to test tires for Goodyear using the new Chevelle. He drove the car for only six years before parking it permanently in 1971. The vehicle remained untouched for 54 years, still coated in storage dust and resting on flat, decades-old tires when it was rolled out for the show.
Aside from the tires, the owner reports the Chevelle remains entirely original, preserving its Regal Red finish and factory equipment. Plans are underway to clean the Z-16 and return it to running condition without undertaking a full restoration. The goal is to keep it an unrestored survivor, offering a rare benchmark for factory-correct reference.
Interest in the model continues to climb. Current market data places average Z-16 values in six-figure territory, with standout examples bringing significantly more. Given its condition and authenticity, this barn-stored survivor may set a new mark once it is cleaned up and running again.
