How many 1990 ZR-1's were Made?

[QB93Z]

Conventional wisdom has been that there were 3049 1990 ZR-1's built.

Does anyone know where the number 3049 came from?

When I completed my project to use a VIN search site to get the colors of all the ZR-1's, I could not find any data for 1990 ZR-1's after #3032.

Thanks to more research by WVZR-1 (Dave), we have concluded that there were only 3032 1990 ZR-1's built.

That means that the total number of ZR-1's built was 6922 instead of 6949.

Here are Dave's comments from the color combo thread:


I don't believe there were builds beyond #3032 and all of those I believe are accounted for. For the "assumed" missing information I used the VIN's compiled by the VIN generator Jim used. I also confirmed this information using a second VIN generator/comparator.

There's NO RPO information for any of these VIN's. Using the same information there are NO records using CARFAX for transactions regarding these VIN's and as a final check there was a seatbelt recall that was specified for ALL VIN's. A GM inquiry for these VIN's revealed "NO INFORMATION". Sales and build history is deleted after maybe 10 years but RECALLS that aren't completed remain recorded as "open" until completed by a GM dealer.

It's difficult to believe that the GM RPO information isn't found, there's no CARFAX records for any of these builds and that the RECALL information was "skipped" by the GM VIS (Vehicle Information System).

After this research I also found this article:

http://www.vettefinders.com/index.cf...e101Story/ID/6 (http://www.vettefinders.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/corvette.Vette101Story/ID/6)

I'd say it's safe to assume the color combination information for MY '90 is complete?

I believe Jim was going to attempt a confirmation from the NCM but I haven't heard from him for a few days.

Thoughts??

I haven't contacted the NCM yet, too much snow removal here in Westminster.

Jim

[LGAFF]

Values may skyrocket! Interesting find, whats the next project.

[QB93Z]

Values may skyrocket! Interesting find, whats the next project.


I agree, My first thought was that my Red/Saddle 1990 just went up in value by 100.893%

My next project is to shovel out the 6 foot pile of snow that is in front of my Red/Saddle 1990 ZR-1's garage.:wink:

Jim

[tomtom72]

shucks, I was just about getting used to the idea that my 90 was one of 3049. I guess our 90's are a bit rarer than previously thought.....;)

How many cars did they send to Europe for that press evaluation event in France? Could they have been considered 90 ZR-1's? Were they even production cars?:happy1:

[QB93Z]

How many cars did they send to Europe for that press evaluation event in France? Could they have been considered 90 ZR-1's? Were they even production cars?:happy1:

Hi Tom, how much snow did you get? Are you dug out yet?

The press relaease cars were all pre 1990 production I believe.

There is a really neat thread in progress here on the Net Registry Forum about the "prototype" cars:

http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?t=11073

The first 16 1990 ZR-1's built have an RPO code YE8 which decodes to Performance Evaluation Program and a Not-For-Sale status. I believe these cars were used for testing, promotion and brass hat cars. If any are in private hands now, it would be interesting to know their history.

The first 1991 ZR-1 was a YE8, and the first 14 1993 ZR-1's were RPO VS7 which is also a Performance Evaluation Program Not For Sale code.

Jim

[ZR1Vette]

Good work Jim! What an effort... the color matrix you did and posted in the members section is right on for #566 (still like the fact my ZR was built in 1989...image having one of the ZRs in 1989...must have been a real show stopper :dancing )

[tomtom72]

:hello: Jim, we didn't get much snow at all, maybe 8". I feel for you people down south as you were clobbered. We have more coming for Tuesday of this week, maybe another 6". I was getting spoiled for a while as we were getting 2" or 3" at a shot....I was beginning to believe those climate guys, almost. Now I'm ticked off that I really have to put up with "real" winter for a few more months!:mad:

Yes I have been following the two threads about the "engineering" cars. It is very interesting to get a look at how our production cars came to be. A lot of history in those cars.

Then only 3032 were made & sold in 90? I wonder where we all got the 3049 number from? Man that was a lot of work to account for all of the production ZR-1's. You have dedication man!:thumbsup:

:cheers:

[1989ZR1#74]

They built 7 1990 Pilots with 89 VINs #033 through #039 They may count these.

[QB93Z]

They built 7 1990 Pilots with 89 VINs #033 through #039 They may count these.

Were those pilot cars numbered with ZR-1 type production sequence numbers 800033 through 800039 and a 1989 VIN?

We have not found any documentation for the source of 3049 as the number of 1990 ZR-1's built.

Jim

[GrayZ]

They built 7 1990 Pilots with 89 VINs #033 through #039 They may count these.


my Car, "oprah" is 1990zr1#74

it would be great to get them together at the gathering this year...:cheers:

P.S. Jim, "Cappy" thanks for goin to the trouble to research this info..you da main man

[1989ZR1#74]

Were those pilot cars numbered with ZR-1 type production sequence numbers 800033 through 800039 and a 1989 VIN?

We have not found any documentation for the source of 3049 as the number of 1990 ZR-1's built.

Jim

They would have been K5800033 through K5800039 1989 VINS. but classified as 1990 Pilots.

[QB93Z]

They would have been K5800039 through K5800049 1989 VINS. but classified as 1990 Pilots.

Thanks for the info. I don't know if someone included Pilot cars in the build totals in the past, but if they did, if would cause confusion.

My cars built totals are based on regular production VIN cars.

Jim

[1989ZR1#74]

1990 ZR-1s
VIN L5800001 to L5800016 were 1990 VIN'd ZR-1 Pilots
VIN L5800017 was a ZR-1 Engineering Lead unit
VIN L5800018 Was a Chevrolet Advertising Vehicle
VIN L5800019 was first public customer ZR1

L98 VINS with LT5 engines
L5100005
L5100020
L5100023
L5100024

1990 Active suspension ZR-1s had their own VIN sequence:
L5700001 to L5700017 were Active Suspension Pilots.

[QB93Z]

1990 ZR-1s
VIN L5800001 to L5800016 were 1990 VIN'd ZR-1 Pilots
VIN L5800017 was a ZR-1 Engineering Lead unit
VIN L5800018 Was a Chevrolet Advertising Vehicle
VIN L5800019 was first public customer ZR1

L98 VINS with LT5 engines
L5100005
L5100020
L5100023
L5100024

1990 Active suspension ZR-1s had their own VIN sequence:
L5700001 to L5700017 were Active Suspension Pilots.

Very interesting data. Thank you.

If I count the 1990 Active Suspension ZR-1's and ignore the narrow body LT5 cars, the 1990 ZR-1 build total would be 3049. (The previously accepted number for 1990 ZR-1's.)

Does anyone think this is the source of the 3049 number?

Jim

[RedRiderZR1]

1990 ZR-1s
VIN L5800001 to L5800016 were 1990 VIN'd ZR-1 Pilots
VIN L5800017 was a ZR-1 Engineering Lead unit
VIN L5800018 Was a Chevrolet Advertising Vehicle
VIN L5800019 was first public customer ZR1

L98 VINS with LT5 engines
L5100005
L5100020
L5100023
L5100024

1990 Active suspension ZR-1s had their own VIN sequence:
L5700001 to L5700017 were Active Suspension Pilots.

This is great info. I was always curious having #41 what number VIN was the first to the customer. Thanks for the research. :cheers:

[Scrrem]

Great work Jim :thumbsup:
Rich

[Hammer]

Jim,

I show Vin #3049 as belonging to Jerry Ogles in Virginia. It shows to be a Red/Red car with only 8,417 miles. I don't have a date but it was at www.vettefinders.com (http://www.vettefindrs.com) . No longer there.

[Hammer]

Car #3032 was on Ebay on 3/23/08 in California. It was a Red/Saddle car.

[Hammer]

I show car #0004 as belonging to Roy Barnes in Alabama.

[QB93Z]

Jim,

I show Vin #3049 as belonging to Jerry Ogles in Virginia. It shows to be a Red/Red car with only 8,417 miles. I don't have a date but it was at www.vettefindrs.com (http://www.vettefindrs.com) . No longer there.

Car #3032 was on Ebay on 3/23/08 in California. It was a Red/Saddle car.

I show car #0004 as belonging to Roy Barnes in Alabama.

Thanks for the info John.

The #3049 data has to be wrong because a #3049 ZR-1 was never built. There is no documentation for #3033 to #3049 in any data we have been able to find.

The #3032 Bright Red/Saddle is special, I guess, because it is the last 1990 ZR-1 built.

the #0004 car was built with a YE8 RPO which designates it as a performance evaluation program not-for-sale car. If is really in private hands there must be a story that goes with it.

Jim

[WVZR-1]

Jim,

I show Vin #3049 as belonging to Jerry Ogles in Virginia. It shows to be a Red/Red car with only 8,417 miles. I don't have a date but it was at www.vettefindrs.com (http://www.vettefindrs.com) . No longer there.

Jim also thought he had run across #3049 through the same source but with no names. The VIN has no CARFAX records recorded which with 8400 miles it would seem very unlikely. Using any search engine available the only reference to the VIN is directly linked to build sequences for the ZR-1

Jerry Ogles is I believe local to the area here and used to be either the owner or was affiliated with a "classics" of sorts car dealer. The name sounded familiar, I guess I'll need to ask!!

[WVZR-1]

Thanks for the info John.

The #3049 data has to be wrong because a #3049 ZR-1 was never built. There is no documentation for #3033 to #3049 in any data we have been able to find.

The #3032 Bright Red/Saddle is special, I guess, because it is the last 1990 ZR-1 built.

the #0004 car was built with a YE8 RPO which designates it as a performance evaluation program not-for-sale car. If is really in private hands there must be a story that goes with it.

Jim

Jim,

Bob might recognize the name Jerry Ogles. He either owned or was affiliated with "The Auto Gallery" in Leesburg VA. I thought I recognized the name and I believe I've a friend who did paint work for him. I was doing the previous post while you were posting also I guess!

It might have been interesting had the eBay seller realized he was "offering up" the last '90 MY build when #3032 was auctioned!

[Hammer]

Thanks for the info John.

The #3049 data has to be wrong because a #3049 ZR-1 was never built. There is no documentation for #3033 to #3049 in any data we have been able to find.


Dave stated he might know the guy who sold the car. They might have records for that and it would be beneficial to this research if they did. I think there is someone local to Leesburg that might be able to check with him. This is critical info is it not?


The #3032 Bright Red/Saddle is special, I guess, because it is the last 1990 ZR-1 built.

Special, maybe. Someone has it.


The #0004 car was built with a YE8 RPO which designates it as a performance evaluation program not-for-sale car. If is really in private hands there must be a story that goes with it.

There may be current contact info on the car in the members Registry section.

Good luck guys, this is great stuff, as are the threads on Eric's 89's.

[Hammer]

1990, #4
Roy BarnesVIN: 1G1YZ23J6L5800004Birmingham, AL Color: Bright Red / Saddle USAMileage: rjb48@bellsouth.net

[Aurora40]

Jim,

Bob might recognize the name Jerry Ogles. He either owned or was affiliated with "The Auto Gallery" in Leesburg VA. I thought I recognized the name and I believe I've a friend who did paint work for him. I was doing the previous post while you were posting also I guess!
Sure, I've met him before. Though it wouldn't have rung a bell if you didn't mention it. That was sort of a curious dealership, they'd have all sorts of stuff in there from old muscle cars to Aston Martins and anything in between.

They were setting up some kind of new vehicle dealership to sell some Czech version of a Hummer, I think out around Purcellville. I don't know what happened with that, but the Leesburg location closed like 6-12 months ago.

[QB93Z]

1990, #4

Roy BarnesVIN: 1G1YZ23J6L5800004Birmingham, AL Color: Bright Red / Saddle USAMileage: rjb48@bellsouth.net (rjb48@bellsouth.net)

Interesting. VIN 1G1YZ23J6L5800004 shows as a Polo Green / Black Interior, Production Evaluation Program NFS car.

Jim

[1989ZR1#74]

I just got a reply to my question to the GM Media Archive. That's where you order copies of dealer invoices. Stacy has been very helpful at answereing some of my VIN questions. Here is her answer:

"Hi Eric, very interesting.......... the last vin I have ends in
L5803032. I have nothing after that.


Eric W Jackson wrote:
>
> Stacy, I made a mistake on the VINs I sent you. These are the
> corrected VINS:
>
>
>
> 1G1YZ23J6L5803033
>
> 1G1YZ23JXL5803049
>
>
>
> Eric"

So total production must be 3032 + the 17 Active ZR-1s...

[ZZZZZR1]

I just got a reply to my question to the GM Media Archive. That's where you order copies of dealer invoices. Stacy has been very helpful at answereing some of my VIN questions. Here is her answer:

"Hi Eric, very interesting.......... the last vin I have ends in
L5803032. I have nothing after that.


Eric W Jackson wrote:
>
> Stacy, I made a mistake on the VINs I sent you. These are the
> corrected VINS:
>
>
>
> 1G1YZ23J6L5803033
>
> 1G1YZ23JXL5803049
>
>
>
> Eric"

So total production must be 3032 + the 17 Active ZR-1s...


Wow this info gets figured out 20 years later!

:cool:


David

[1989ZR1#74]

Wow this info gets figured out 20 years later!

:cool:


David

Only took me 1 year!

[A26B]

1990 ZR-1s
VIN L5800001 to L5800016 were 1990 VIN'd ZR-1 Pilots
VIN L5800017 was a ZR-1 Engineering Lead unit
VIN L5800018 Was a Chevrolet Advertising Vehicle
VIN L5800019 was first public customer ZR1


Cool!! I have L5800017 engine in my garage.

[QB93Z]

Thanks Eric.

I am now convinced that in 1990, Chevy made 3032 Regular ZR-1's (VIN: 1IG1YZ23J0L5800001 to 1G1YZ23J4L5803032) and they made 17 ZR-1 Active Suspension Pilot cars with 70000x VIN sequence numbers.

That accounts for the 3049 production that has been used for so many years.

Jim

[QB93Z]

Cool!! I have L5800017 engine in my garage.

:cool: That's cool Jerry.

Did you have any of the 1990 Active Suspension ZR-1 engines?

VIN's were:

L5700001 to L5700017

Jim

[1989ZR1#74]

Thanks Eric.

I am now convinced that in 1990, Chevy made 3032 Regular ZR-1's (VIN: 1IG1YZ23J0L5800001 to 1G1YZ23J4L5803032) and they made 17 ZR-1 Active Suspension Pilot cars with 70000x VIN sequence numbers.

That accounts for the 3049 production that has been used for so many years.

Jim






Good stuff, The Myths of the King are slowly disolving.

[QB93Z]

Eric, Jerry has confirmed that ZR-1 # 17, a Lead Engineering Test Unit had it's LT5 removed. Do you know what happened to the other (first 16) 1990 ZR-1's? Were they all destroyed? Is there a chance that any are in private hands?

Jim

[1989ZR1#74]

Eric, Jerry has confirmed that ZR-1 # 17, a Lead Engineering Test Unit had it's LT5 removed. Do you know what happened to the other (first 16) 1990 Zr-1's? Were they all destroyed? Is there a chance that any are in private hands?

Jim

Number 1 may be. Either the first 1990 or the first production saleable 1990 (VIN19) went to Rick Hendrick. Depending on what source you believe. The others I am usure of but will look around. I would bet that some where made into EX VINS.

[A26B]

:cool: That's cool Jerry.

Did you have any of the 1990 Active Suspension ZR-1 engines?

VIN's were:

L5700001 to L5700017

Jim

Jim,

Heckuva great research project with a new discovery!!!

No 57xxxxx numbers. Wish I would have to add some verification.

I had 3 Active Suspension engines;
K5800026
K5800029
No VIN, MM 0507 CZA 233 on the pan rail. Judging from the head/cvr numbers, it would have been an 89 vintage.

[A26B]

Eric, Jerry has confirmed that ZR-1 # 17, a Lead Engineering Test Unit had it's LT5 removed. Do you know what happened to the other (first 16) 1990 ZR-1's? Were they all destroyed? Is there a chance that any are in private hands?

Jim

I can add a little bit here too.

L5800005 was also in the lot of engines I had and I know where it is presently. it has head/cvr #927 & #966, 0526 ZSH 649 on the D side pan rail.

[bdw18_123]

I noticed something on the spreadsheet. The "Summary by Year" & the "Production Summary" pages have the unknowns listed as numbering 16, but it should be 17, according to this new information.

I think this error came from the fact that VIN supposedly ending in 3049 (which apparantly doesn't exist based on the new info) had the colors listed as Bright Red/Red. Not sure where this info came from if the VIN doesn't exist. This "car" was then counted in the production '90 color calculations, which is probably why 16 is listed for the number of unknowns on the first two pages.

The 744 Bright Red/Red production '90 ZR-1's needs to be changed to 743 and the 16 unknowns changed to 17 active suspension pilot cars. Probably no way to get the color combos of those though.

[QB93Z]

Thanks for pointing out the discrepancies.

The data that is currently displayed on the Net Registry Site is a few days out of date.

We have made a lot of new discoveries in the last week and it is not practical to update the site daily.

I am waiting for some data to double check all my hand entered data and then I will give the full, complete and up to date data to the Website guys.

Please bear with us for a short time.

BTW, My error rate when I did the color combo lists by hand was about 1% for the 1990's. That doesn't sound like much but is ~30 cars with errors (mostly in the top options).

Jim