Aluminum engines aren’t a big deal today, but back in the late ‘60s, this was exotic stuff. The Corvair used an aluminum engine and there was a small Buick V6 engine in the early ‘60s. But it was the ZL-1, all-aluminum 427 engine that really captured the attention of Chevy fans.
Essentially, Mr. Buyer got a 500 + horsepower big-block Chevy engine that weighed as much as a small-block Chevy engine. This would be the perfect ticket for Corvette road racers, as Corvettes tended to be a bit on the heavy side. But all this exotica didn’t come cheap. The ZL-1 engine was a $3,000 option! And this was on top of the $6,000 Corvette! Only 2 ZL-1 Corvettes were ever made.
Very quickly, ZL-1 engine began showing up under the hoods of Pro Stockers and most notably in Bruce McLaren’s awesome Can-Am racers. In 1972 Top Fuel drag racer Jim Butcher set the NHRA Top Fuel National ET Record with a blown and nitro fueled ZL-1.
Unframed Print
Framed Print
What's under the hood has always been of prime importance for Corvette lovers. So much so that some Corvette engines have become legends in their own right.
Be sure to check out the NEW Illustrated Corvette Series Portfolio.
This portfolio of Scott Teeters' "Vette Magazine" series, covers every production Corvette from 1953 to 1996. Also included are all of the major Corvette show cars, engineering prototypes, concept cars, and several Corvette racers.
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