Greetings muscle car fans — get ready for a brand new installment of Muscle Car of the Week. This week I bring you a Chevy that was the first of its kind. While most people associate Chevelle’s with high horsepower big block power, up until this car was created, the most powerful engine available was a 327. Hit the jump to read more on the 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle SS optioned with the Z-16 package.

The Chevelle was  introduced in 1963 to compete against the likes of other Detroit iron (Ford Falcon, Dodge Dart) in the mid-size car market as the full-size lineup was headed by the vicious 409 Impala. However, from the get-go it was apparent that if you wanted some serious horsepower, the Chevelle was at the bottom of your list. Base power options for the first Chevelle’s included a couple 283 V8’s making a maximum of 220 horses and a 327 that cranked out 250 ponies. The only saving grace for the Chevelle was a hotter version of the 327 that made 300 horsepower, but even this would be no match for what was to come from brother Pontiac.

In 1964 Pontiac caught every car manufacturer with their pants down then they introduced the 1964 GTO. Anyone serious about performance opted for the 389 tri-power V8 that was available in the GTO as opposed to a semi-potent small block 327.

Chevrolet stepped their game up in 1965 and boosted power across the board. That same 327 V8 that was producing 300 horsepower received a shot of adrenaline (code L79) and turned out 350 horses. That was all fine and dandy, but what about a loyal Chevy guy that wanted to edge out a GTO on the street and strip? Chevrolet had an answer for that man and its answer was the Z-16 package. Built in very small numbers, the Z-16 package featured a host of performance goodies making the Chevelle a serious contender. The biggest news was a limited run special version of the new Chevrolet 396 cubic inch V8 that scorched the pavement with 375 horsepower and 420 lb ft of torque. The beefy V8 was backed by a Muncie 4-speed transmission to feed the power to a rear end geared at a gas guzzling 4.56:1 if the buyer so desired. When equipped with this package the Chevelle could tear down the 1/4 mile at 14.66 seconds, faster than the GTO by a few hundredths.

Production numbers for the Z-16 Chevelle’s was extremely low — only 201 units were produced in 1965 and of that 201, only one convertible was produced (hence why a convertible is the main picture although that car is not a Z-16). These Z-16 Chevelle’s are important because they set a precedent for the coming years when the stout 396 became standard equipment in the Chevelle SS. The GTO might have introduced the Muscle Car, but the Chevelle SS democratized horsepower for the masses. Thanks to Muscle Car Club for some data on the Z-16.