Finally Bought A "ZR1"

[Blue Flame Restorations]

Well, I finally made the deal on the ZR1 of my dreams. My good friend, Tyler, put me in touch with Geoff and said some kind words on my behalf.

I am purchasing Geoff Jeal's 1988 Prototype EX5023 car. I've watched this car for a couple of years. After speaking with Geoff, we both felt that this special car needed to be built and preserved for all to see and appreciate. And since I have the means and ability to do so, a deal was struck.

Being a fan of history in general, I feel very privledged that Geoff chose me to sell the car to. Geoff will be involved in the restoration of the car as much as he wishes.

I just ask, from a monetary aspect, not to ask me the selling price of the car. I felt it was fair and gladly paid the price. Thanks

My plans are to rebuild the car to it's original condition and preserve all of the P8Y numbers and codes as original. This will be alot like restoring a 53 back to it's original configuration for me.

What a great day!!
Thanks again to Geoff!!

Brett

[vettebrett]

Congrats, Finally you can tell us.
:cheers::cheers::cheers:

[bdw18_123]

Very, very awesome!! :thumbsup: You are lucky to be able to own a prototype ZR-1. The rest of us (me included) can only dream about such things.

Make sure to keep us updated with lots of pictures and info on your restoration progress. :thumbsup:

Now we will have 2 prototype ZR-1 threads to look at!

[RHanselman]

Congrats!

[flyin ryan]

Cool :cheers:

[tccrab]

:cheers:
Very freakin' cool!!!

If I recall correctly, it's one of the Lotus "Graveyard" cars right?
Which one was it?

TomC
'Crabs

[1989ZR1#74]

Great news Brett, I know you will have fun finding all the odd stuff and information. It is deserving of a proper restoration... Can't wait to see it with a Stove Bolt 6 in it. Are you going to convert it to 6 Volts so you can understand it? Just kidding.. Eric

[ScottZ95ZR1]

Fantastic news Brett. Glad to hear you've sealed the deal. CONGRATS :thumbsup:

[Blue Flame Restorations]

Thanks for the kind words, guys. I've been working on the deal for about a month. Had to sell a car or two to make it happen.


Tom, it's nearly identical to Tyler's Queenie.
:thumbsup:

[ZZZZZR1]

Woah!!!!!!!!!!!


Great news Brett!


Couldn't go to a nicer guy... Look forward to seeing you work your magin on that beast!!!!!

:thumbsup:


David

[Z51JEFF]

Welcome to the madness Brett:thumbsup:

[scholtmj]

Impressive collection! Please keep us posted on the progress!

[LGAFF]

So when is the road trip to see it?:cheers:

[Blue Flame Restorations]

So when is the road trip to see it?:cheers:

I go Saturday morning to see the car.

[BlackWidow#2]

Congratulations!!
This one 'needs' to be put back together, glad it will happen!
This will be another great history lesson.
Best wishes with this new Z.
George

[Blue Flame Restorations]

Thanks again, guys. Don't worry. This car will be a priority to get put back together. I'll have to dedicate weekends to my own cars in order to get them done.

[Tyler Townsley]

http://deliquescence.net/~tyler/prototype/BlueWreckFront.jpg

Tyler

[Blue Flame Restorations]

Geoff has done a lot of tear down and bagging and tagging. It'll be neat to see what it looks like in person.

[LGAFF]

Thats a ZR-3/4

http://deliquescence.net/~tyler/prototype/BlueWreckFront.jpg

[ZZZZZR1]

I hope you can bring that beaty to BG for the 20th!


:thumbsup:


Regardless, great news!


David

[Blue Flame Restorations]

That picture has been my screensaver for about a month now. Geoff has all of the body panels but a hood and top. I just happen to have an extra hood and tops are cheap, so once I get done with the frame rack and installing a new windshield frame and halo, it'll be assembly as required.

[1989ZR1#74]

Thats a ZR-3/4

http://deliquescence.net/~tyler/prototype/BlueWreckFront.jpg

I like how it has "48 Pilot" written in grease pencil in front of the passenger side tire on the front bumper bar. Car was VIN #0048. Have to remember to put that back on when it goes back together.

[Tyler Townsley]

You are going to have to change your screen name now.

Tyler

[Tyler Townsley]

I like how it has "48 Pilot" written in grease pencil in front of the passenger side tire on the front bumper bar. Car was VIN #0048. Have to remember to put that back on when it goes back together.

Eric does your # 4 car have a clear copy of this sticker?

http://deliquescence.net/~tyler/prototype/88%20hood%20sticker%20(Large).JPG

Tyler

[tomtom72]

I'd just like to add my best wishes and a hearty congratulations and Welcome to the Brotherhood of The Beast!:handshak::thumbsup:


:cheers:
Tom


I know this is getting old, but same as I offered Eric about the OE rubber from my 90 Z. If you need/want them just say the word. They cost whatever the UPS shipping charges are.

[Blue Flame Restorations]

I'd just like to add my best wishes and a hearty congratulations and Welcome to the Brotherhood of The Beast!:handshak::thumbsup:


:cheers:
Tom




Thanks Tom...and everyone. It's good to be a part of the fraternity.

[Blue Flame Restorations]

Well, I got to see my newly acquired 88 ZR1 today. I'm not posting a gallery of pics yet but I just have to post this one. This tag is on the K member. Very cool!!!!

http://i39.tinypic.com/wslcvc.jpg

[Tyler Townsley]

Well, I got to see my newly acquired 88 ZR1 today. I'm not posting a gallery of pics yet but I just have to post this one. This tag is on the K member. Very cool!!!!

http://i39.tinypic.com/wslcvc.jpg

Same tag, picture taken 10+ years ago.

http://deliquescence.net/~tyler/prototype/dana%20tag.JPG

Tyler

[Blue Flame Restorations]

I've never seen that pic before. I took this pic yesterday. I figured your car had to have the same tag though. Geoff said that the two cars were built the same day. That would make sense. Can't wait til mine looks like yours.

[vettebrett]

Glad to see things finally going your way and that you were able to see the car after all this time. Nice pic, I really like that they put that on that car.

[Tyler Townsley]

I've never seen that pic before. I took this pic yesterday. I figured your car had to have the same tag though. Geoff said that the two cars were built the same day. That would make sense. Can't wait til mine looks like yours.

That is a picture taken of the tag on Geoffs car when I was over there in the 90s.

Tyler

[Blue Flame Restorations]

It was great to actually see the car yesterday. Geoff has the doors, entire rear clip and front bumper from P9Y094 for the rebuild. That car was cut in half, instead of crushed. He also saved nearly every piece of the 88.

With my donor car, it will be an easy build once the A and B pillars are repaired. The main part of the structure was undamaged during the car's initial destruction. I have offered for Geoff to be as much a part of the restoration as he wishes. We are just four hours apart. Geoff in MI and myself in Central IN.

This is going to be a great deal of fun, for sure.....Can't thank Tyler enough for putting me in touch with Geoff for the purchase.

I feel extremely fortunate to have acquired this car.

[Tyler Townsley]

It was great to actually see the car yesterday. Geoff has the doors, entire rear clip and front bumper from P9Y095 for the rebuild. That car was cut in half, instead of crushed. He saved nearly every piece of the 88. .

This is going to be a great deal of fun, for sure.....Can't thank Tyler enough for putting me intouch with Geoff for the purchase.

Does he have the 8k dash cluster?

Tyler

[Blue Flame Restorations]

Does he have the 8k dash cluster?

Tyler

Unsure. We didn't talk about it. If not, I'll have a lens produced. If it was in the car when he bought it, I'm sure he still has it. He kept everything, from what he said.

[1989ZR1#74]

Eric does your # 4 car have a clear copy of this sticker?

http://deliquescence.net/~tyler/prototype/88%20hood%20sticker%20(Large).JPG

Tyler

Sorry missed this ?? Both #74 and #004 have the Cal emission exempt stickers.

[1989ZR1#74]

It was great to actually see the car yesterday. Geoff has the doors, entire rear clip and front bumper from P9Y094 for the rebuild. That car was cut in half, instead of crushed. He also saved nearly every piece of the 88.

With my donor car, it will be an easy build once the A and B pillars are repaired. The main part of the structure was undamaged during the car's initial destruction. I have offered for Geoff to be as much a part of the restoration as he wishes. We are just four hours apart. Geoff in MI and myself in Central IN.

This is going to be a great deal of fun, for sure.....Can't thank Tyler enough for putting me in touch with Geoff for the purchase.

I feel extremely fortunate to have acquired this car.

Brett what's the VIN on P9Y094? Any idea? I will add it to the "gone" list. Must be high up around 65ish

[Tyler Townsley]

Sorry missed this ?? Both #74 and #004 have the Cal emission exempt stickers.

The Jeal car will need a copy made and it would work better from a clear copy.

Tyler

[Blue Flame Restorations]

Brett what's the VIN on P9Y094? Any idea? I will add it to the "gone" list. Must be high up around 65ish

Not sure. Is there a vin number on the 89 P9Y094 rear clip somewhere on the frame rail? If so, when I tear it apart, I can get it for you.

[phrogs]

I cant wait to see the pics of it as is right now.

[Blue Flame Restorations]

For now, until I begin to work on it in ernest, this will probably be the only picture I'll post of it. The frame is straight. Just need to replace the A and B pillars and the fun can begin.

http://tinypic.com/r/24wriw2/5

[vettebrett]

At least it looks better in this pic than it does in the other one.

[Blue Flame Restorations]

It'll be a pretty straight forward build once the A and B pillars are repaired.
I'll probably start a Thread on it soon.

[1989ZR1#74]

The Jeal car will need a copy made and it would work better from a clear copy.

Tyler


Can do. I will take pictures of both #004 and #074. Minor detail in the big picture, but will take car of that.

Do you have the right wheels?

Eric

[Blue Flame Restorations]

Can do. I will take pictures of both #004 and #074. Minor detail in the big picture, but will take car of that.

Do you have the right wheels?

Eric


Thanks Eric. Yes. I have all four correct wheels and brand new center caps, though Geoff stated that they never used the center caps while the cars were at Lotus. PhaseII engine, proto ZF trans and all body panels to build the car. Geoff had also acquired the seats from the 89. It was a black/tan car. He also said that the pic in the HOB book taken in the desert was taken by him and used in the book. He said that the blue car was EX5023. Tyler and I will have to arm wrestle over it.:mrgreen:

[1989ZR1#74]

Thanks Eric. Yes. I have all four correct wheels and brand new center caps, though Geoff stated that they never used the center caps while the cars were at Lotus. PhaseII engine, proto ZF trans and all body panels to build the car. Geoff had also acquired the seats from the 89. It was a black/tan car. He also said that the pic in the HOB book taken in the desert was taken by him and used in the book. He said that the blue car was EX5023. Tyler and I will have to arm wrestle over it.:mrgreen:


For those not familiar:

http://www.syreal.com/88ProtoEX5008EX5023sm.jpg

[Tyler Townsley]

He said that the blue car was EX5023. Tyler and I will have to arm wrestle over it.:mrgreen:

Well he was there. I figured that his car went to England from BG. Guess not.

Tyler

[Blue Flame Restorations]

Well he was there. I figured that his car went to England from BG. Guess not.

Tyler


I was waiting on that response! Is that 55 bolted down and doors gapped yet? Hope so.:handshak:

[vettebrett]

Well I see you changed your avatar picture already:p

[phrogs]

Man I wish I still had the steel parts from that ZR-1 I cut up a few years ago I would have had the parts you need..

oh well.

[Blue Flame Restorations]

Man I wish I still had the steel parts from that ZR-1 I cut up a few years ago I would have had the parts you need..

oh well.


Thanks for the thoughts, Johnny. Actually, I only need to purchase a widshield frame. The complete clip still has the roll over hoop. I can get a windshield frame locally for cheap.

[Blue Flame Restorations]

In the code "P8Y094", what do the numbers stand for?

P = Prototype?
8 = Year of manufacture
Y = ??????
094 = engineering tracking number?

Does anyone have a difinitive answer?

Thanks

[1989ZR1#74]

In the code "P8Y094", what do the numbers stand for?

P = Prototype?
8 = Year of manufacture
Y = ??????
094 = engineering tracking number?

Does anyone have a difinitive answer?

Thanks

Y is the Corvette Body line Like the F line was firebird an the J line was the Cavalier.

094 was the sequence number. so it would have been the 94th Y P number assigned. 8 was the "Model Year" your car was build during the 87 manufacture year.

There are differeing opinions on exactly what the P stnads for. I will let others discuss that, but there appears to be at least 4 different types of tracking numbers:

P numbers like P8Y094
S numbers like S9YKH1
PR numbers like 9PR110 (#074)and 9PR450 (#003)
and 1 numbers like:
19Y0123 1989 ZR-1 #081 Snake Skinner
19Y133 1989 ZR-1 #016 Yellow Geneva show car
19Y170 1989 ZR-1 France Press Tour car

[Blue Flame Restorations]

Well, after six months of a car deal, I'm finally bringing the 88 home to begin work. Geoff and I made the deal and I have been waiting for a 53 to sell so I could pay for this car. The 53 sold this week and I'll be bringing the 88 home next weekend.

It will go straight to the frame shop for the windshield frame repair as well as the rear bodywork install. Once complete, I will begin preparing the rest of the car for paint, while Geoff builds the PhaseII LT5.

A special thanks to Tyler for setting me up in this deal and especially for Geoff's patience. I never dreamed this would take six months. Worth the wait!:dancing

[vettebrett]

Yeah, you finally get a car that is yours to work on. We all want pictures next weekend.

I will call you tomorrow.:cheers:

[Blue Flame Restorations]

Had a very good week this week. Sold a customers 53 and also one of my own 53's. I need to buy a lottery ticket this weekend.

[rhipsher]

Wow! That S.O.B is trashed. But a proto type car is worth the massive effort thats going to have to go into bringing it back from the dead. Is that a younger Corey Henderson with less gray hair in the background?:sign10:

[Blue Flame Restorations]

I've always liked a challenge. LOL. Actually, the structure is in great shape. It'll be easier than it looks.

[rhipsher]

I've always liked a challenge. LOL. Actually, the structure is in great shape. It'll be easier than it looks.Oh it definetly looks straight. Its just everything else. I know what goes into restoring a car. I've got a 1968 J code 302 4V all #'s matching Mustang that I planned on making it an MCCA Concours show winner. And thats an easy car to restore. Not allot to them. But these Z's have a boat load of electronics/sensors/computer wireing everywhere. Holy cow. And to top it of yours is not a run of the mill Z. I'm sure you will probably have to have quite a few things fabed up that you just cant get. Maybe even some wiring harnesses. But your avitar name suggests that you restore cars for a living. But that one is gonna be a challange. I'm sure you'll get it done.:cheers:

[ZZZZZR1]

Congrats Bret!!!!

Pictures when you get it and open that Champagne!!!

:cheers:


David

[Paul Workman]

Wow! Congratz! :thumbsup::thumbsup: Looking forward to some pix and maybe see it at the Bowling Green GTG?

[WB9MCW]

We will look forward to the resurrection of the 88 - Kudos to you for such an ambitious project.

[Blue Flame Restorations]

I'll bring it to BG next year for the Gathering, for sure.

[Blue Flame Restorations]

Does he have the 8k dash cluster?

Tyler


Yes. He does have the 8k tachometer. Needs some repair and also has some interesting markings on the back of the housing. You or Eric may be familiar with the markings. I'll post a picture of it when I get it home.

[Blue Flame Restorations]

Finally....leaving in the morning to pick up the car at Geoff's place. I'll post pictures tomorrow evening after I get it unloaded.:cheers:

[ScottZ95ZR1]

Glad you're finally bringing the car home Brett. If you need any help getting her off the trailer and situated in your shop just give me a call at 610-5300. Be happy to help, anytime.

[vettebrett]

You be careful bringing my inheritance home tomorrow, DAD. Remember I get pics first

[Blue Flame Restorations]

Glad you're finally bringing the car home Brett. If you need any help getting her off the trailer and situated in your shop just give me a call at 610-5300. Be happy to help, anytime.

Thanks, Scott. Come by anytime, Sunday.

[Blue Flame Restorations]

You be careful bringing my inheritance home tomorrow, DAD. Remember I get pics first

Inheritance??? What the???? Oh, I get it now.......just waiting for me to die, huh? Haven't even had my prostate out yet and already trying to get my cars!!:p

[Tyler Townsley]

Who do I collect the finders fee from??

Tyler

[Blue Flame Restorations]

I think you found him....you should probably collect on both ends.hahahahaha

[vettebrett]

I swear I will put you in a NICE nursing home when the time come, I promise. Just staking my claim early vs. my little sister. :)

[Blue Flame Restorations]

http://i54.tinypic.com/m7unn8.jpg

Got everything home this evening. My buddy thinks I'm nuts. He's probably right.

In a few weeks, though, it will resemble a car again. I'll have the windshield frame and roll over hoop replaced and the all of the body panels attached from the doors back.

More pics afterwards.....

[LGAFF]

He paid you to take it away, right?:)

[Blue Flame Restorations]

If it only worked that way....;)

[tomtom72]

:jawdrop: God Bless You! That is certainly going to be a labor of love!:thumbsup:




:cheers:

[-=Jeff=-]

He paid you to take it away, right?:)

Lee, I bet he paid more then either of us did for our 90s.. and ours were full cars, drivable and everything

:eek:

[Blue Flame Restorations]

It's all in the fun, boys. I'll post some more pics after I get it back from the frame shop.

[Blue Flame Restorations]

STARTED A NEW THREAD IN THE PROTOTYPE SECTION. PICS!!!!!