The ZR-1: My dream car.

[pologreenvette]

Hi all, I've posted here before and have done plenty of lurking, I'd like to start off by saying that you're all so nice here compared to other forums, that says something about you all :cheers:

A little bit of a background..... I'm a junior at WPI in Worcester MA, studying mechanical engineering. I've been a car nut since I was born, thanks to my Dad, a former owner of 3 Corvettes, including a 1961 and a 73 LT-1. I am proud to say that I own a 1992 Corvette 6-spd (LT1), and even more proud to say that I bought it myself by working my butt off!

I love my car (makes the girlfriend jealous sometimes ;)) and there is only one car that can replace it: I'm sure you all know where this going. As an engineer, I have a fascination with engines of all kinds; I plan on getting a random engine block or maybe some LT1 heads just to play with this summer. But the LT5 is truly a one-of-kind motor and I want a ZR-1 in the worst way! I read on here about the "permagrin" you get when behind the wheel? I want that. The brotherhood that you have formed? I want to be a part of it. The look on people's faces when their new car gets smoked by a de-badged ZR-1? Now that's what I want to see! :dancing:

Being a Corvette owner in the young car community is tough. I have met very few people my age who are interested in my car, or any older cars for that matter. They all like their little turbo cars and German cars.... I think they forget what country they live in! :flag:
Plus, they either take out massive loans to buy new cars, or more often have their rich parents buy them a brand new car (Massachusetts.....). Not many things I hate more than spoiled kids who don't know what they're driving.

I want to become more a part of the Corvette community and join the ZR-1 brotherhood someday, hopefully in not too long. I don't see any other car that is more special than the Z; it's such a great piece of engineering and it has a great story behind it (I still need to read Heart of the Beast though!). And the C4 is the best looking vette IMO.

I hope to meet some of you this summer, I live in Peabody MA so let me know if you're close by! Some of you have offered me test drives, I will gladly accept! :)

See you at Carlisle!

- Vinnie

P.S. What if I test drive one of your cars and can't get rid of the grin? Any solutions? :mrgreen:

[PhillipsLT5]

I sold my 92 LT1 to get a ZR-1, you can too

[Kevin]

- Vinnie

P.S. What if I test drive one of your cars and can't get rid of the grin? Any solutions? :mrgreen:
work hard

[VetteVet]

Vinnie,

Keep working hard and you'll get what you want. Sounds like you've got the right mindset and are on the right track.

IMHO, if you share the love of the car, you're a Brother of the Beast whether you own one yet or not.

Jep

[USAFPILOT]

Sold my 96 LT4, and 98 C5 for my 94 ZR-1. I have never looked back, and the time is NOW to get one. I posted a thread on a sweet 93 DRM 600 car I found for sale. To bad I bought a new house a year ago or I would snatch that thing up.

[scottfab]

Great to see a "next gen" guy with the spirit.
It is indeed a "special" international vette.
A magic moment in time where a "disruptive technology" was invented.
(google disruptive technology)
After 15 some years owning her she still pleases me to drive.
My roller-coaster ride.
You've chosen a good career! I've known a few mec-eng in my life. Be the best you can.
Ownership is the beginning.

[Mystic ZR-1]

Vinnie
You're welcome to attend a GTG with some of us old farts in the brotherhood. Meet some of the inmates in the asylum! Maybe you can use the experience as a subject for a paper in your Psych class... So far there's about a dozen guys signed up. Unfortunately, there probably won't be any Zs there, after all it's still winter here in the NE.
Doug

The Northeast ZR-1 group (BONE?) is getting together for lunch and a ZR-1 related shoot the s### and also to plan some "local" 2013 events.
:cheers:
Sunday, March 3 2013 @ 12 noon at the Chili's restaurant (near Bradley airport) 1035 Kennedy Rd, Windsor CT 06095 BRING YOUR IDEAS!

From North: RT91, exit 40, RT20 toward airport, 1st exit, Old Country/Kennedy Rd, left at bottom of ramp, restaurant is on your right about a quarter mile
From South: RT91, exit 39, Kennedy Rd, left at bottom of ramp, restaurant is on the left just after going under hiway overpass

It's easy to find and the food's not too bad and it's quieter than Buffalo Wild Wings.... Meeting at noon should give us all time to get home at a reasonable hour. Windsor is sort of centrally located for the the NE Group.
Of course this is weather dependant and ZR-1s are optional, I know mine won't be there...
Hope you can make it and bring some ideas. Invite anyone else you think may be interested. Noobies are especially encouraged! Meet the rest of the inmates in the NE asylum!
For planning purposes, please post up, PM or call if ya think you can make it. Last year we had about 12 people show up!
Doug
dmarshall2003@comcast.net (dmarshall2003@comcast.net)
c860-287-9923

[B17 Crew]

Couldn’t help but relate to your post. I’m working on my RN, want to work in pediatric oncology, second choice would be on a Med Flight. I’ve got a ’96 LT4 with 56,000 miles that I’ve owned for 15 years that I am going to sell in order to purchase a ’94 or ’95 Z. Will be looking for Competition Yellow or Bright Aqua Metallic.

Good luck with school!

B17 Crew
:hello:

[ghlkal]

Hang in there Vinnie. You've a goal worth working toward.

I'd like to start off by saying that you're all so nice here compared to other forums, that says something about you all

I agree ... lots of good folks and very little of the crap that you put up with on other forums.

[pologreenvette]

Thanks for all the replies guys, I appreciate it. I have just a little more than a year left in school, then it's ZR-1 time! I'm going to buy one as a graduation present to myself, I think I deserve after all these years of hard work in school.

This summer I'd like to make a point of meeting some of you and learning more about the beast. I've met a few guys with them at cars shows near my house, but I didn't really talk to them too much. I will next time!

I love my '92 but I yearn for something more.... the ZR-1 is the only car that I would rather have!

Maybe I'll make my way over to one of the meetings in New England, it would be cool to meet you guys and get a closer look at the Z. In the meantime, I'll be on here lurking and soaking in LT5 info :)

- Vinnie

[tomtom72]

:hello: Vinnie & welcome to our corner of the asylum. I second Doug's (MysticZR1) invite to our GTG in March. I'd be great if you could make it.

You need not bother to 'de-badge' your ZR-1....most people have no clue what they are and Dave M & company didn't go in for garish emblems anyway. You'll shock most people just having a ZR-1 & by showing them just what lives under the clam shell. Trust me as most other drivers miss the emblems on our cars easily. I was in B to B traffic alongside an R32 and complimented the guy on his ride & he said "What yr? That vette is clean!" We moved a bit & he saw the ZR-1 on the bumper, got back even with me and said "Holy S&%t! That's a ZR-1!" I just smiled & thanked him for the nod & told him "You don't see many R32's. You have a rare one too!" Our cars get kudos from real car guys of any stripe. Trust me on that one. Don't de-badge her when you get her.:thumbsup:

:cheers:
Tom

[pologreenvette]

:hello: Vinnie & welcome to our corner of the asylum. I second Doug's (MysticZR1) invite to our GTG in March. I'd be great if you could make it.

You need not bother to 'de-badge' your ZR-1....most people have no clue what they are and Dave M & company didn't go in for garish emblems anyway. You'll shock most people just having a ZR-1 & by showing them just what lives under the clam shell. Trust me as most other drivers miss the emblems on our cars easily. I was in B to B traffic alongside an R32 and complimented the guy on his ride & he said "What yr? That vette is clean!" We moved a bit & he saw the ZR-1 on the bumper, got back even with me and said "Holy S&%t! That's a ZR-1!" I just smiled & thanked him for the nod & told him "You don't see many R32's. You have a rare one too!" Our cars get kudos from real car guys of any stripe. Trust me on that one. Don't de-badge her when you get her.:thumbsup:

:cheers:
Tom

I will certainly try to make the meeting, but my car is in the shop (got hit by someone running a light :() and I'm putting headers on soon too!

Very good point, keeping the badges on will pick out the real car people, not the flukes that I'm used to seeing. I bet if I bought a polo green ZR-1 and left the badges on it, half the people I normally hang out with wouldn't even know that I bought another car! I'll keep the badge :thumbsup:

I'm getting way ahead of myself, I need a ZR-1 first..... :cry: