'96 Grand Sport Sold at Barrett Jackson

[gtabert]

http://www.barrett-jackson.com/application/onlinesubmission/lotdetails.aspx?ln=430&aid=443&pop=0

Check this out, results from the eveing of 1/18. Sad, I never liked the Grand Sport, really nothing special in my mind. $50,600??? WHY

We have something special and ours are worth nothing, at least in the monetary sense. To me it's worth more than the monetary value one puts on this car. I love my Z, had one new back in the day, got back into one recently after way too may years in the BMW ranks, and I could not be happier.

[PhillipsLT5]

Sold at 46 + fees
Dave Ressler was in at 42 but then let it go

[tomtom72]

Why?
Could it be that there were 3032 1990 ZR-1's made? That is almost double the amount of the entire GS production, no? Or maybe our total production of 6922 units?

Or maybe it's because unless people actually come here and do some reading the myth of "no parts" persists?

Or the myth about "nobody knows how to work on that motor" persists unless they come to our house and read up on the facts?

Could it be 330 hp from a familiar push rod V8 is easier to internalize than 375 to 405 from something that looks "foreign"?

IDK why and I sometime get a bit mad about it. But then I respect anyone who collects rare cars of any type. They're car guys, and we all are the same save for what the object of our passion is. I mean no offense by this, but my first vette was a 72 LT-1 and I loved that car. If someone told me I could have my 72, not just any 72, back but I had to give up my Z....it would be no sale! But LT-1 cars are worth twice as much as my 90 Z. So be it, but I drive to BG for the Gathering every year for the last 3 yrs. Try that in a 72 LT-1 w/factory side exhaust & F41 suspension...oh and the A/C worked too! I say give me my 90 Z all day long. JMHO:o

:cheers:
Tom

[avijay]

Being a previous GS Owner #614

http://images109.fotki.com/v146/photos/1/160532/577388/222042-vi.jpg

A total production number of 1000 and only 190 verts out of the 1000, hence the over inflated price. I was surprised at the price as well but they have the very limited number production on their side. I enjoyed the GS very much and still to this day regret selling it, likewise I love the Z too. The perfect solution for me is to eventually pick up another GS and have two bad *** C4's.

[Daniel_Mc]

WOW everyone on the GS list is commenting on how cheap that car went for... I wouldn't let my coupe go for that price! And that's my coupe in the pictures with it in the Sky Dome. Not a bad price @ 46K IMHO considering some red gutted verts were bringing +80K a few years ago.

[Kevin]

amazing what a paint job will do for a price

[VetteMed]

Can't understand how a paint job makes the car that much more valuable -- but the market is what it is. Even if the market decided that a base C4 was more desirable and valuable than the ZR-1, I'd still be driving mine at every opportunity.

[Paul Workman]

Can't understand how a paint job makes the car that much more valuable -- but the market is what it is. Even if the market decided that a base C4 was more desirable and valuable than the ZR-1, I'd still be driving mine at every opportunity.

Maybe it is a reflection on society? :icon_scra Certain people are more impressed by appearance and trying to impress others with it than they are about actual substance...or so it seems to this observer.;) I don't get it either.

[Torchred96]

Guys, I think that people are genuinely afraid of the LT5. I consider myself pretty mechanically inclined, though not a mechanic, competent at researching the internet if need be, and a diy type guy. However, for years I avoided the higher cost of the z for the fear of the engine breaking down and having no resources. It was only through finding a deal I couldnt say no to and then researching here that made me change my mind. And I was a c4 zr-1 lover from the beginning!

I hate to stereotype and this crowd here excluded for the most part, But I don't think most people who can afford a 50k corvette (what our z's should be worth and more) are mechanically inclined. and they would rather spend the money on a newer corvette for the warranty and service.

Personally, I can't afford a low mileage z or even a used c6, but would rather have a high mileage z any day of the week than a newer c6 at any mileage. I remember it as being the best of the best, and to me it still is. But I feel that working on these cars is at least half the fun of owning them. So I got what I paid for and more :) Oh yeah, I loved my lt4 too..but I always knew that as good as it was, the KING was even better! And I always counted my lucky stars that I never ran up against one on the street...NEVER EVEN SAW ONE!

[WB9MCW]

"A total production number of 1000 and only 190 verts out of the 1000, hence the over inflated price." - The real reason

THE SECOND REASON IS THE SKUNK STRIPE

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p110/HAMMERHATE/MrNitrousZR-1LT5Corvette1.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p110/HAMMERHATE/10311quentin91.jpg

[WB9MCW]

MORE C4 SKUNKS

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p110/HAMMERHATE/A.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p110/HAMMERHATE/B.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p110/HAMMERHATE/C.jpg

[WB9MCW]

AND EVEN MORE C4 SKUNKS

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p110/HAMMERHATE/D.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p110/HAMMERHATE/E.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p110/HAMMERHATE/F.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p110/HAMMERHATE/G.jpg

[Torchred96]

Arent those sawblades backwards on the white car?

Still, got to love the c4 in all her forms. Many of us were around for the ground breaking of the c4. Remember what a technological marvel it was at the time!! I remember rolling and sliding my 81 z28 around a corner, trying to keep up with a friend's brand new 84 xfire z51 and marveling at how it carved a corner with no roll, no tire noise, no sliding...a slot car!!!,...just stuck like glue.

And then 12 years later, the most refined of them all for us aging vette lovers, only made the c4 the epitome of "Made in the USA". Unless you happened to catch the ZR-1 that was introduced 6 years earlier :)

[C4Fanatic]

Gotta love them Skunk Stripes...

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa173/c4fanatic/1991%20ZR-1%20Grand%20Sport/IMG_0226.jpg

:icon_thum

[rhipsher]

My fellow ZR-1 brothers. All we have to remember is that our cars broke world records. The GS didn't. It wasn't built to. Our cars set the automotive world on fire. The GS didn't. I put the GS in the same category as the 2008 limited edition Zo6. There wasn't anything different about it than a Zo6 accept for 427 badges and a special color with a strip up the middle of the car. But you would pay $15K more for it. The GS is just another model with low numbers of production. But that's all it has on our cars.

[Kevin]

i don't know why but the gs painted zr-1's turn my crank like no other

[rhipsher]

Well if you can't afford to own both just paint a stripe on you Z.

[SurfnSun]

Love the stripes.

My old car.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3601/3386073272_837a7c4332.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/8220925@N04/3386073272/)
DSC00545 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/8220925@N04/3386073272/) by surfnsun1 (http://www.flickr.com/people/8220925@N04/), on Flickr

[rhipsher]

Guys why do you even care wether the grand sport sells for a higher price then our cars. This gets brought up everytime one goes accross the auction block over $50k. Just by bringing it up shows how much it bothers us that the KOTH is not commanding more $$$. We all know which one is the faster better car. One day the collector car market will bare out and bring back interest in the Z. Its just a metter of time.

[John Boothby]

Remember there were only 1000 GS's and 6.934 ZR-1's. And they had the LT4, which was a strong motor (330hp). Not an LT5, but gettin up there!!

[USAFPILOT]

It was a Vert w/ the Red Seats...the Holy Grail for paint job fanatics. Another just like it sold for 80K a few years ago.

[avijay]

That was my car, I bought it in 2000. Sold it @ Corvettes Carlisle. Boy I do miss it.

Such a small world, I miss it too, it's the one car I wish I never sold. Not to downplay the fun of the ZR-1, I think they are both great!!

[MickeyD]

Hey guys, as a newbie here, maybe I can offer a new perspective. Once the collector car market wakes up to our cars, and they will, I think we will see increased values. My guess is that maybe when they hit the 25 year mark we will see increased interest.

Just my 2 cents.

[mike100]

Hey guys, as a newbie here, maybe I can offer a new perspective. Once the collector car market wakes up to our cars, and they will, I think we will see increased values. My guess is that maybe when they hit the 25 year mark we will see increased interest.

Just my 2 cents.

The counter argument is that new cars have so much power, why spend extra? Depreciation may be reduced, but that is the best I am hoping for.

[BigJohn]

That would be cool, but the normal is about Forty years.

[Bob Eyres]

It was a Vert w/ the Red Seats...the Holy Grail for paint job fanatics. Another just like it sold for 80K a few years ago.

"Different strokes for different folks". But I wonder what Jerry Palmer the original designer of the C4 thinks of this car? Electric blue, white stripe, red interior, black wheels, white top. All distinctive and attractive color choices, but on the same car? Really? I think they made it stand out way too much for what it was, and didn't give the unique ZR-1 any respect from the styling dept.

I apologize in advance for the dissenting opinion, but Is there anyone else that just can't understand the appeal of this combo?

I would have liked to see more styling cues to make the ZR-1 distinctive. Maybe a slight rise in the hood like the active suspension car. A deep Cadillac silver with matching powder coat on the LT5, a different gill panel, and cast metal ZR-1 emblems. Plus distinctive wheels that were NOT available on other Corvettes.
Something like that could stand next to the Ferraris and Porsches and not look like a skunk at the picnic.

[BigJohn]

I like Skunked Cars!!!
Admiral Blue Cars didn't sale very well in 94 and 95.
But with the Skunk stripe on the 96 Grand Sports it became a hit.
I guess they found a way to sale an unpopular color.(Or get rid of it!)

[Daniel_Mc]

I for one LOVE the Admiral Blue color, with or without the skunk stripe. I also really love the Grand Sports they ARE IMHO a special car. And WERE raced, not huge like the Z’s had been campaigned. The GS’s also do not hold international records as the Z’s but were competitively raced none the less. For instance Ralph Giro of Gainesville, FL campaigned GS #749 in the early days of T-1 to the SCCA SARRC T-1 Championship and won the series in 00, 01 & 4th in 02 only to be outdone by the C5 Z06’s. This GS #749 with the full cage installed was still his daily driver and he drove the car to the races then back home. I for one think this is pretty darn cool! The GS was an end of the era car never intended to be what the Z was. The GS project had very little funding compared to the ZR-1 project. However with the limited numbers of the GS and knowing the background of the GS project shocks me that it was ever even done especially in such relatively small numbers. It is a unique car with a unique background and is not for everyone (love or hate thing). I for one HATED the GS when it was introduced but after seeing one in person just fell in love with it. I don’t think the Grand Sport takes ANYTHING away from the C4 ZR-1 at all. The ZR-1 is a different car with a completely different personality all together. The phrase “its Corvette… Just more so” couldn’t be more correct. I do agree with Bob Eyres the ZR-1 needed (after the 91 restyle of the base model) something more distinct but then again I like how it is under the radar. Both the Grand Sport and ZR-1 have great followings and the people assonated with each car are great people as well. I too feel the ZR-1’s day will come but if not I really don’t care I will still appreciate the car for with it was/is/and going to be.

Daniel

[C4Fanatic]

Why?
Could it be that there were 3032 1990 ZR-1's made? That is almost double the amount of the entire GS production, no? Or maybe our total production of 6922 units?

Or maybe it's because unless people actually come here and do some reading the myth of "no parts" persists?

Or the myth about "nobody knows how to work on that motor" persists unless they come to our house and read up on the facts?

Could it be 330 hp from a familiar push rod V8 is easier to internalize than 375 to 405 from something that looks "foreign"?

IDK why and I sometime get a bit mad about it. But then I respect anyone who collects rare cars of any type. They're car guys, and we all are the same save for what the object of our passion is. I mean no offense by this, but my first vette was a 72 LT-1 and I loved that car. If someone told me I could have my 72, not just any 72, back but I had to give up my Z....it would be no sale! But LT-1 cars are worth twice as much as my 90 Z. So be it, but I drive to BG for the Gathering every year for the last 3 yrs. Try that in a 72 LT-1 w/factory side exhaust & F41 suspension...oh and the A/C worked too! I say give me my 90 Z all day long. JMHO:o

:cheers:
Tom

I agree completely!

But ya got's to love a GS "bleeder"...

[BigJohn]

OK!
The truth be known; I want them all!!!!!!!!
:salute:

[USAFPILOT]

How many fully optioned LT4's were produced? That should be the question. All that thing was is a white LT4 with some blue paint slapped on top. Well that, fender flares and 11" black wheels. And, the vert didn't even get the fender flares and wide wheels.

[mike100]

I'm with Paul's comment (post #8).

[Daniel_Mc]

OK!
The truth be known; I want them all!!!!!!!!

I'm with BigJohn! I have a real problem with Corvettes and especially the C4 :cheers:

Daniel

[cvette98pacecar]

I told everyone the Auction houses are driving the prices up on the cars. The Same car is selling on Ebay for 26,900.00

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevrolet-Corvette-GRAND-SPORT-0631-WORLDS-BADDEST-GRAND-SPORT-LT4-WITH-475-HP-COLLECTORS-DREAM-/221038387879?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item3376ea22a7#ht_26055wt_1167

[Daniel_Mc]

A good friend in PA has been trying to sell her GS Coupe due to divorce for a long time now. Its a 383 with a V2 SC, C5 brakes, and other things. I thought it would have been an easy sell to the right person for the price but so far no luck...

Daniel

[Kevin]

that sounds like a hell of a car

[Daniel_Mc]

Yep, needs to be cleaned up a little but she has no where to store it and it has been sitting in a friends body shop under cover for a good bit.

http://www.grandsportregistry.com/ads/gs065.pdf

Daniel

[John Boothby]

Maybe the fact that it is not stock and has 74K is why it is not selling? Sounds like a nice car to me, but a purest NCRS type will scoff at it!

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Maybe the fact that it is not stock and has 74K is why it is not selling? Sounds like a nice car to me, but a purest NCRS type will scoff at it!

I'm with John. Probably at around $20K it would have been sold and I would not mind having it myself, but high mileage and modified so only few might be interested. I like those skunks myself.

[Bob Eyres]

The one on Ebay sounds a little "odd" to me. Listed as a 5.7 Liter engine, but with aftermarket forged crank, lightweight rods, billet pistons, "LT4 custom ground cams" (plural?, duh). It might be the first motor I've ever heard of with all that gear, and no increase in displacement. It doesn't ring true. :confused:

Or it could just be a sales person, who has no friggin idea what it is, wrote the ad.

[cvette98pacecar]

Dealership.

http://www.realmusclecar.com/index.php