local car show experience

[LancePearson]

A regular local informal car show with about a hundred cars here is each Friday night. I took the 91 ZR-1 and sat with it among the Corvettes. I know so much about the engineering of these cars and was between two C5's, either of which can't begin to keep up with mine, and people walked past my C4 ZR-1 with absolute total disinterest. I guess not many know what a zr-1 of our vintage is and when they see the hood up and the engine it just didn't stimulate much interest.

I got more conversation in years past with my 76 than I did with the Z which is such a fantastic car.

I was honestly surprised by it. Still a well kept secret I guess.

A couple knowledgable people did stop by and talk and that was fun but to most people I saw it isn't either old enough or new enough or unique enough to get any interest from them.

Kind of a surprising night and makes me think I won't go back.

Lance

[Paul Workman]

Not unusual, Lance. I've had the same experience at one of the popular local shows too, and I agree w/ you: most see "just another C4" and don't even realize what their looking at.

But, there are a few that do. And, it has been my surprise that it is the "Fast and Furious" crowd that gives it the most attention - snapping pics and the like, asside from the few Corvette aficionados. I don't mind tho; I know what I've got and listening to the BS comments is good entertainment.

One of my favorite memories of such car show outings I was sitting next to the owner of a stunning Olds 442 (don't know the year). We were BSn about cars for a while when a dude and his girlfriend stopped to look at the 442 and the Z.

The gal was intrigued by all that silver painted aluminum - of the LT5 - and apparently said something to her boyfriend about it, prompting some remark from the dude about how it was a C4 and how his C5 would stomp it.

The owner of the 442 asked the dude, "Do you have any idea what you're looking at?" The look on the dude's face when suddenly he was totally unsure of himself, and the exchange of looks between he and his now skeptical looking GF's face...PRICELESS! :p

I've thought about getting one of those posters made up that has the historical dialog about the LT5 and the ZR-1 FIA runs, but have yet to do that. (Hey, Robert!!! Maybe an item for the Registry Store???).

[LancePearson]

You got it right, Paul. Just wish the va speeding laws were not so tough as all they see is taillights and are surprised I would guess.

[tccrab]

During the summer months there is a small car show on Wednesday nights in the local Red Robin Restaurant's parking lot, usually no more than 50 to 75 cars.
About 6 or 7 years ago I took Girlfriend down and asked if I could participate.
I was told No, it was too new and not unique enough.
Seems they have a nothing newer than 1976 policy.
I argued that there were only 3000 made and they cost as much as a house back in the day.
Didn't matter.
*rolls eyes*

'Crabs

[Bob Eyres]

..... it has been my surprise that it is the "Fast and Furious" crowd that gives it the most attention - snapping pics and the like, asside from the few Corvette aficionados.

I've had the same reaction. The youngsters can see it's a "cammer" because of the heads, and they are intrigued because they are used to seeing the ubiquitous small block tin valve covers on what seems to be every other car at the show.

Two strategies to get some attention, if you want it:

- Next time that top-end is in service, polish all the aluminum. That'll catch everyone's eye.

- If you decide to make a fact sheet/poster for display, make the top line read, in big letters, "The Fastest Production Corvette of the Twentieth Century".

That will spark some comment, and maybe some protest among the Callaway people, ....."tuner car".

[LancePearson]

I sort of have concluded that if they can't read the letters, recognize what is clearly a race oriented engine and have no curiosity then they probably aren't my kind of people anyway. When talking with interested people they have no clue that it was the fastest car and if I tell them about March 2, 1990 and 24 hours of 175.885 mph I'm not sure they even know how to relate to it.

So, my conclusion is to use it.

My son and his wife and their 11 and 6 year old sons were here for a visit today and the boys saw the two red vettes in the garage and said: "Wow, Grandpa. Can we have a ride?" I asked their dad and took the 11 year old for a short ride and ran it up to 90 which even he knew was fast when the front end of the car lifts slightly with the acceleration. When I came back he was thrilled so I took his dad, my son, and ran it up a little faster until he got uncomfortable. I don't think he'd ever seen three numbers on a speedo before! We had a great day in the house, with the boys, with my two greyhounds and my son and daughter in law. Everybody went home satisfied and the dogs and I settled back down after the hubbub of having two grandsons around.

A great day and as far as the people who have no clue about our cars, it's their loss and if they have something to race they should give me a try and get their lesson that way, the hard way.

Scxx 'em, if they can't learn and aren't aware and curious!

Lance

[G8nightman]

I get the opposite people stop and take pictures and ask that's the special one maybe its the two big lines going down the middle. But seems people in my area are familiar with the zr1.

[LancePearson]

I get far more attention driving my 76 than the 91, by far.

[mike100]

I've had pretty good luck showing my 91 here in San Diego Co. Most recently, one of only 3 vettes they let park in the display area for the Symbolic Motors exotic dealership open house.

But mostly old timers and very young children are attracted to the C4. Funny that 8 yr old kids recognize the car as something not very typical.

[LancePearson]

what attracted me was not the appearance but the technology of the engine and suspension and the more I learned the more interesting it got. I think it looks fantastic from the rear but would only say I was lukewarm about the appearance from the front but then I am no c5 or c6 fan of their appearance either so the performance and technology were what hooked and hooks me. I appreciate excellence and the more you know the harder it is to get all gooey about a c5 especially. Most people don't get into that level of knowledge with cars so I understand why they tend to overlook our cars. They really ought to ask about those three little initials when they see them though: ZR-1!

[Paul Workman]

I get the opposite people stop and take pictures and ask that's the special one maybe its the two big lines going down the middle. But seems people in my area are familiar with the zr1.

Could that be because Frank has spanked so many of them that word has gotten out?

He said in a recent post something about soon as the 441 is reserected (sp?)...OMG...Let the spankings begin!:fahne:

[DaveK]

I've had much the same reaction Lance. I don't bother with the shows much anymore.

Dave

[Jim Nolan]

I usually look at a line of C5's as a tupperware party. Remove the plastic and it is kinda ugly looking.

[LancePearson]

A semi interesting journey for me. I bought and raced for a day for the experience, which I had never had by then at age 68, a 1976 Vette l48 four speed on VIR after prepping it well and love it then bought a 2008 TBSS with LS1 and 4:10 stock in it to pull a boat and got very used to more than 400 hp which the 76 even tuned lightly did not have. I started a couple years later looking for a c5 but had seen this black c4 with a different motor who never backed up to anyone on the question of power and speed but had not done any research on. I decided to find out what it was and discovered I would either skip C5 entirely or go with a truly amazing motor and car and never got past or want to the ZR-1 1991. Originally, as Paul said, I started looking for 60's muscle cars like GTO's and 442's but the ones in the shape I could buy a good Vette for were way out of what I was then willing to pay so I shifted to Vettes. Would not at all mind a 64-66 GTO with a tuned engine and a big four speed even today but I'm out of garage space and happy.

[Racinfan83]

I had the big block Nova with the goodies. Decent car, wouldn't win any shows but was more then good enough to take to shows. Problem was that it had no A /C and with the BBC and Holley double Pumper - gas mileage was non-existant.. So a guy wanted it worse then I did and offered me this Vette. Fast, cool, has A/C and stereo, and I can drive it most anywhere and get reasonably decent mileage. And I can go put it in a show if I wish. Or not. Didn't get it as a show car.... But I do like the idea of putting "fastest production Corvette of the 20th century" on the info sheet if I do one...

[Fully Vetted]

I've had exactly the opposite experience. In fact, In April when I went to Cars and Coffee I hooked up with the local Corvette Club and we caravanned over (15-18 of us - all C5's and C6's). After we parked I went walking around to see the other cars and I came back and the guy I was parked next to told me he wanted to park next to me everytime. When I asked why he said there has been a steady stream of people walking right up to the car and taking pics and asking about it. He said when they get done with mine then they see his. So, I stood there another hour and talked to people. They either knew exactly what it was or knew it was different but didn't know all the details.

I'm never shocked at the number of people that don't know what it is. But, I am totally shocked at the number of Vette owners that don't.

[Paul Workman]

I'm never shocked at the number of people that don't know what it is. But, I am totally shocked at the number of Vette owners that don't.

WAXERS...ALL OF UM R JUST WAXERS WHO HAVE LACE ON THEIR PANTIES AND ARE NO DOUBT CREAMIN' THERE JEANS OVER THE NEWEST PUSHROD C7:p

[Funracer]

I usually look at a line of C5's as a tupperware party. Remove the plastic and it is kinda ugly looking.

Haha. We've go to get together as soon as my car is back together!

My experience has been pretty much the same. I can understand non-
corvette folks not knowing about the Z, but no excuse if you are a
'vette guy. Usually I am the only ZR1 at a show along with a dozen
or more C5 and C6. Still no one looks.

One year I took my '91 Geo Metro Convertible- a bit of a rare
car, 3 cylinders- and parked it next to the '91 Z. Guess which one got more attention? Damn convertibles!

In my experience C6 guys are the worst tho. They don't want to
know anything about a car they can only pass with permission!:-D

Later

[LancePearson]

Now that's a great line: ".......They don't want to
know anything about a car they can only pass with permission..."

Lance

[Cal55]

The ZR 1's day will come and probably fairly soon,they are getting older. Maybe one day it will be as collectible as a 67 big block or a 63 split window fuelie, who knows. Then I'll be saying I should have kept that car, I can't afford one now,lol.
Joe