The era of the muscle car is unmatched in American automotive history. It was a highly competitive period of intermediate sized cars and big engines and the youth market that fueled the era became some of the most resolute brand partisans in the history of the automotive industry. Today, many of the remaining muscle cars roaming the streets are revered as living legends, and it comes without great surprise that the dividing lines between brand devotion is still irrefutably distinct. Even so, the most devout of brand loyalists would be lying if they denied the fact that monumental cars like the 1970 Chevelle LS6 454 was one of the most intense muscle cars of the era. Be that as it may, the intensity of the Chevelle's early beginnings in 1964 was more restrained than it's A-body siblings, introduced with a 220hp 283 V8. Even with the mid-year introduction of the top of line 300hp 327 V8, the 64 Chevelle was still relatively sleepy compared to Pontiac's first year Tempest based GTO, packed with the explosive tri-power 348hp 389 V8. Nonetheless, the 64 Chevelle models were a success and the 65 model-year Chevelle would introduce a ground-breaking option that would put the Chevy A-body on top of GM's muscle car heap.

While the performance numbers for the 65 Chevelle were rising well above the respectable range with the introduction of the L79 350hp 327 V8, it was a more exotic option package that put the heat to the street, known as RPO Z-16. The 65 Chevelle Z-16 stunned the newly born muscle car market with Chevy's new blacktop bruising powerhouse, the L37 396 big block V8 cranking out 375hp @ 5600rpm and 420lb-ft of torque @ 3600rpm, although these ratings were rumored to be very underrated. Certain dealerships were in gridlock with clamoring customers hoping to acquire what Chevy advertising gurus touted as "one of the meanest, wildest pieces of equipment on wheels". Even so, while the Z-16 was one of the most desirable of the 65 Chevelles, it was also one of the rarest with only 201 Z-16's built in 1965 - 200 hardtops and 1 ultra rare convertible.

Built on the Malibu SS model, the Z-16 benefited from several different installments such as a Muncie 4-speed transmission, slightly wider Firestone gold-line tires, and simulated mag wheel covers. To compensate for the heavier engine-bay-filling 396 V8, the Z-16 was constructed on a stronger convertible frame along with a brawnier suspension that included front and rear sway bars, heavy duty control arms, as well as mammoth 11-inch brakes and hydraulic power-assisted steering for more responsive handling. Additional interior appointments included front and rear seat belts with retractors, a wood grain steering wheel, a dash-mounted clock, a 160mph speedometer and 6000rpm tachometer, and a multiplex AM/FM stereo system with underside dash mounted controls. All of these features brought the Z-16 option to a very expensive $1500 over the standard price of the Malibu SS. Surprisingly, given all the options loaded into the Z-16, Chevy built their high performance Chevelle with a not so high performance open rear axle, stressing the success of an appropriately built chassis.

While the Z-16 was strikingly different than its other 65 Chevelle siblings on the inside, identifying a Z-16 from the exterior alone was easier said than done unless you were aware of the subtle differences between the Z-16 and other models in the Chevelle lineup. For starters, the Z-16 was available in only 3 colors - Regal Red, Tuxedo Black, and Crocus Yellow. Other subtle Z-16 identifying cues included Malibu emblems reassigned to the front fenders behind the front wheel wells and a blackened out rear taillight panel as well as front fender mounted 396 flag emblems and a rear trunk lid Malibu SS 396 emblem being the most significant designations of the Z-16. The 1965 Z-16 was arguably the highlight of the 1965 model-year Chevelle, laying the foundation for the Chevelles of the coming years culminating in 1970 with the LS6 454 powered Chevelle SS.

Thanks to the multi-talented craftsmen at the Exact Detail division of Lane Automotive, the ultra rare Z-16 has been painstakingly replicated in grand 1/18 scale diecast to be enjoyed for years to come. Just as the actual Z-16 cars were the highlight of the 65 Chevelle models, the Exact Detail replica of the Z-16 is the highlight of Lanes in-house diecast lineup. This isn't meant to take away from the other releases in the Exact Detail product line, its just a testament to how damn good of a job they did on this first release in their 1965 Chevy Chevelle series. It's also verification of the dedication Mr. Lane has to the collectors of this hobby by investing in a team that produces the finest high quality replicas, led by Eric Trapp who is arguably one of the most talented individuals in the diecast model muscle car business with an eye for detail like no other. Of course, watchful assistance was provided on the 65 Chevelle project by the very knowledgeable Rich Cummings, who happens to be the very proud owner of a multi-award-winning and heavily publicized Maderia Maroon 1965 Chevelle Malibu SS powered by the 350hp L79 327 V8. In fact, it was this dynamic duo that put together a hit list of over 50 items to be addressed on the pre-production samples, many of which were accomplished and worthy of mentioning, which you'll see listed throughout the rest of this review.

There are very few words that can accurately sum up the quality of craftsmanship Lane has put into this latest Exact Detail diecast model car release. It is simply breathtaking, literally. Right out of the highly decorated red and black box - adorned with plenty of information on the Z-16 - the "new car" odor will surely tickle your nose hairs. As for the replica itself, never before has one of Lane's diecast releases lived up to the namesake "Exact Detail" as the 1965 Chevelle Z-16 does. From every angle, inside and out, Lanes 1965 Chevy Z-16 is an impeccable reproduction of the original. The casting of the bodylines are dead on, the fit of the opening panels is securely flush, and the authentic appointments of chrome trim are accurately applied with the perfect amount of polished shine. Swathed in a sumptuous coat of authentic Regal Red paint, the silhouette of Lane model's 65 Z-16 captures every nuance of the original from the properly located Malibu SS and 396 flag emblems to the simulated bowtie center capped mag wheel covers wrapped in gold line tires. A raised Malibu SS396 tag can be found mounted to the rear deck lid just above the Z-16's blackened out rear taillight panel. The front grille is also appropriately blacked out, sandwiched between several chrome bars, wrapped around an accurately red white and blue painted center grille emblem. You'll even discover a miniature painted-on black rubber gasket surrounding the base of the antenna as well as painted on weather-stripping around the wing widow in the door. If you think this is Exact Detail, you ain't seen nothing yet!

The engine bay of the Exact Detail 65 Z-16 is a perfectionists dream come true. For starters, the Z-16 model's unique 396 big block is an all new casting, distinctively different from the 396 found in the Exact Detail's Camaro series. For example, the 396 found in the Z-16 comes wearing a fresh twin snorkel air cleaner mounted above a cast aluminum intake squeezed between a pair of wide chrome-plated valve covers. The housing and snorkels of the air cleaner are faithfully finished in flat black with a chrome-plated lid decorated with an outstandingly replicated raised 396 flag emblem. Painted in authentic Chevy orange, the Z-16's 396 V8 rests snuggly between the inner fender wells among a jungle of hoses and wires. What's neatest about all these wires and hoses is just about everything imaginable that should have a wire, hose, or cable actually does, and more impressively, each line runs a complete and accurate path from point a to point b. For example, the line running from the radiator travels underneath the washer fluid container to the black radiator overflow bottle which is jammed in between the washer fluid bottle and fender lip. The washer fluid bottle, filled with accurately colored green fluid, has a line that runs a path to the upper edge of the wiper motor located on the firewall to the right of the brake booster. The battery is also wired on two different paths, the positive cable takes one path to the starter and the ground takes the other path to the front of the engine block. Lastly, the brake line dumps downward from the painted master cylinder on its appropriate path along the Z-16's frame, and on a return path, you can follow the fuel line from the painted gas tank back along the frame, to the painted fuel pump, out of the fuel pump up along the front edge of the engine block running parallel to the passenger side valve cover ending back at the carburetor. As amazing as the wiring details are, additional details such as the silver painted wiper motor and lower radiator hose clamp, painted battery caps and hood latches, as well as the labeled clear spare washer fluid bottle all combine to further add to the realism of the engine bay.

The interior of the Z-16 is equally as majestic as the engine bay, brilliantly finished in contrasting black and white. From the detailed black and white door panels - decorated with chrome plated Chevy emblems and window cranks as well as painted armrests with chrome plated bases - to the white front buckets - trimmed with chrome-plated side support arms and fabric seat belts attached to chrome plated buckles decked out in style with impressive red coach emblems - the contrasting colors make for a complimenting relationship. The other half of the front seat belts are mounted to the floor in boot retractors located alongside the outter edge of each seat. The rear seat belts are fixed to a white bench seat, cozily tucked in between white and black rear panels ornamented with white armrests and chrome plated ashtrays and window cranks. The details continue to abound with a silver painted dash face - housing a highly legible triple gauge cluster - recessed in a black dashboard with the Z-16 dash mounted clock and multiplex stereo controls attached to the underside of the dash just behind the Z-16's center console positioned shifter which caps off with a white painted courtesy light. A detailed headliner with molded in sun-visors and dome light, rear window ledge speakers, door sill plates, and a wood grained steering wheel with photo-etched spokes, bowtie center emblem, and steering column mounted turn signal lever, finish off an extremely detailed and luxuriously appointed reproduction of the Z-16's control center.

The remainder of the Z-16 continues to impress with a spare tire filled opening trunk with a detailed splatter-effect paper trunk-mat and instruction labels affixed to the underside of the trunk lid. The undercarriage is another pleasant surprise, with bare metal paint accents to the front and rear anti-sway bars as well as the driveshaft, and of course, the fuel and brake lines and painted gas tank mentioned earlier. Add to that detailed, non-functioning suspension components, a stainless steel finished exhaust system and floor pans accented with 4 steel painted galvanized plugs and these areas make for a nice closer to a homerun hitting diecast replica.

Lane's Exact Detail 1965 Chevelle Z-16 is the latest and truest example of the replicas brand name. Any true muscle car enthusiast should heavily consider this replica of Chevy's first 396-powered Chevelle that paved the way for the future big block powered SS Chevelles that have since gone down in the history books as some of the greatest muscle cars of the era. Just as the 201 Z-16 models produced in 1965 have become highly collectible items, the "first-in-the-series" Exact Detail 1965 Z-16 is sure to share the same destiny, limited to an already evaporating 3000 copies. If you're still on the fence about this one, consider all the details pointed out above and the under-$100 retail price. Diecast model cars with half the detail of Lane's 65 Z-16 have sold for more. Taking all these factors into consideration, I think the fence just got a lot lighter.