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View Full Version : Proud new owner of a '94 Haibeck Z!


VetteFantasy
03-29-2017, 05:11 PM
Hi all, I'm really thrilled to be here, and honestly I'm still pinching myself that there's a Z in my garage! They've always had a special place in my heart, but as a kid I always thought they were unattainable.

My love of Vettes began when my older brother brought home a gorgeous triple black '92 vert. I was too small to see over the dashboard, but the memories I have of that first ride remain some of my most vivid. He had no idea, but he changed the course of my life that night! Fast forward many years, and I bought my pristine '96 Collector Edition a year after I finished college. A year later, I added a rough '97 to the collection and began "saving" it with my now-husband. Over the next few years we got married, bought a garage that happened to have a house attached to it, and started stumbling upon really great cars that we talk each other into buying. Last year I accidentally found my dream C5, a Nassau Blue FRC with a C5-R 427 and a bunch of other goodies. It became the replacement for the '97, and then a couple weeks ago I stumbled upon this work of art:

1994 ZR-1, Polo Green/Beige
Mods: Haibeck 350 500hp package, DRM coilovers, 4.10 gears, Wilwood brakes, roll bar, Ron Davis radiator, Fluidyne oil cooler

It started out as a normal Cars 'n Coffee cruise-in for my husband and me. As we made our way through the rows of cars, he spotted something exciting in the next aisle: "ZR-1!" he said, and there it was in all its glory. Parked by itself in a far-off corner, it wasn't getting much attention. After sprinting toward it (hey, you don't see them every day!), we quickly noticed a subtle "Haibeck 350 500hp" decal on the rear bumper, not to mention several not-so-subtle track day stickers on the windshield.

Backing up a bit, the previous weekend was our first HPDE, and we were hooked. I drove my '96 for the HPDE but felt its automatic transmission held it back. We'd been tossing around ideas for track toys, and a C4 ZR-1 was at the top of my list; I'd always wanted one anyway, so I would be so excited to have one of those instead of some other car.

Back to Cars 'n Coffee; the hood was closed, so all I knew for sure was that it had a roll bar and big brakes. I proceeded to hover near that ZR-1 for over an hour as I waited for the owner to return. I realized he was near when I heard the distinctive C4 horn honk from the PKE. After I figured out who the owner was, I introduced myself and started asking him about C4 track prep and his experiences with tracking the ZR-1. He gave me an overview of what had been done to his car, and then he said those magic words: "I'll sell you this one." He gave me his business card and told me to call him, so I waited a few hours (didn't want to seem overeager, though I certainly was!), and negotiations began shortly thereafter.

About a week later, it was mine! I'm looking forward to making the car my own, and I can't wait for the next HPDE.

Thanks for the incredible wealth of knowledge that all of you provide; I hope I can contribute something worthwhile soon!

efnfast
03-29-2017, 05:35 PM
You already contributed something worth while.
Congratulations on the car and welcome aboard!

XfireZ51
03-29-2017, 06:17 PM
Send the car back to Haibeck and have him install the other 10hp he now has in his 510 package update.

LGAFF
03-29-2017, 06:18 PM
94-444?

VetteFantasy
03-29-2017, 06:30 PM
Hey, I know you (sorta) - yep, that's it :)

94-444?

secondchance
03-29-2017, 06:54 PM
Welcome!
Congratulations for getting such a beautiful beast!
94 #256

5ABI VT
03-29-2017, 08:14 PM
welcome and congrats sounds like a beauty with perfect mods !

Roadster
03-29-2017, 08:26 PM
Congrats and enjoy, looks great......:)

ZRapid-1
03-29-2017, 08:53 PM
Very nice. Good choice.

If I were to buy again, it would be definitely have an upgraded engine.

Jagdpanzer
03-29-2017, 08:58 PM
Welcome aboard to our special section of the Corvette nation.
Congratulations on your acquisition of an excellent ZR-1 with all the right mods.

RichS
03-29-2017, 10:12 PM
Congrats! Love the color! Back in 99 my first Vette was a 95 Polo coupe.

DRM500RUBYZR-1
03-29-2017, 11:43 PM
Congratulations!
Exceptional car!
Wish you many years of fun with it!!!
:cheers:
Marty

ghlkal
03-30-2017, 12:03 AM
Great story.

Congratulations and welcome to the madness :)

-=Jeff=-
03-30-2017, 12:23 AM
congrats on the new addition..

RussMcB
03-30-2017, 12:36 AM
Welcome. Beautiful car! We certainly understand your excitement.

I know a fun group ("Jzilla") will be renting Charlotte Motor Speedway July 29. The event will go into the evning, so some running will be under the lights. Should be a fun time. For details, see:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1208388415883181/
(or if you don't have Facebook: https://www.evensi.us/jzilla-under-the-lights-at-charlotte-motorspeedway/199553559)

We Gone
03-30-2017, 12:51 AM
Grats and Welcome.

HAWAIIZR-1
03-30-2017, 06:04 AM
Welcome and congratulations. It sounds and looks like a great Z!


Sent from my iPhone using ZR-1 Net Registry (https://siteowners.tapatalk.com/byo/displayAndDownloadByoApp?rid=90383)

JThomas
03-30-2017, 07:17 AM
Welcome to the madness, it's a fun group to be around. :cheers:

1LEZ
03-30-2017, 08:09 AM
Very nice. welcome!

G8nightman
03-30-2017, 10:42 AM
Welcome always liked the Green Z.

Paul Workman
03-30-2017, 10:59 AM
Congratz, and welcome to the BROTHERHOOD OF THE BEAST!

george1945
03-30-2017, 12:39 PM
That would be my next year and colour combo. You got a great one.

Jagdpanzer
03-30-2017, 01:24 PM
Congratz, and welcome to the BROTHERHOOD OF THE BEAST!

and SISTERHOOD

KILLSHOTS
03-30-2017, 01:38 PM
Beautiful car. The engine looks amazing. I'm guessing the wheels are from a '96 Grand Sport, as the offset in the rear is off. Get some spacers and take advantage of the full Z width. :dancing

Congrats!

VetteFantasy
03-30-2017, 01:56 PM
Thanks! Yeah, the tires are the right size, but how it sits now will drive me crazy until it gets fixed. Spacers are a great idea, at least until I figure out what cool aftermarket rims will suit it best!


Beautiful car. The engine looks amazing. I'm guessing the wheels are from a '96 Grand Sport, as the offset in the rear is off. Get some spacers and take advantage of the full Z width. :dancing

Congrats!

XfireZ51
03-30-2017, 02:05 PM
Thanks! Yeah, the tires are the right size, but how it sits now will drive me crazy until it gets fixed. Spacers are a great idea, at least until I figure out what cool aftermarket rims will suit it best!

If you add spacers I would suggest using racing studs for strength.

daviddu79
03-30-2017, 02:09 PM
Welcome .Very nice.

billschroeder5842
03-30-2017, 10:10 PM
and SISTERHOOD

A woman with a ZR1. That is class.

ZR1North
03-30-2017, 10:17 PM
That is indeed a great story - congratulations! Welcome to the Registry. You've bought just in time to meet everyone and have a great track day at NCM in mid-May.

KILLSHOTS
03-30-2017, 11:39 PM
Thanks! Yeah, the tires are the right size, but how it sits now will drive me crazy until it gets fixed. Spacers are a great idea, at least until I figure out what cool aftermarket rims will suit it best!
IMHO, the black wheels look AWESOME. All you need are 1" spacers.

VetteFantasy
03-31-2017, 11:31 AM
IMHO, the black wheels look AWESOME. All you need are 1" spacers.

I like the black too, so for now I'll probably get some spacers and enjoy it like that for a while. Here's the long-term conundrum:

-Fronts are powdercoated originals
-Rears, I'm guessing, are powdercoated GS

-Have the original rears, not powdercoated
-Have a set of front GS, not powdercoated

So, what to do? Need a set of track wheels and a set for the street.

I'd feel bad powdercoating the original rears; then again, the fronts are already not original.

I'm not opposed to finding aftermarket wheels for the street, but I'd rather not run the originals on the track. I also don't want to run spacers on the track!

Any ideas would be most appreciated :) My idea right now is to get the front GS powdercoated to match the rear GS and sell that set in favor of a track set that fits properly. Then maybe have the original fronts powdercoated to match the originals (is that even possible?). Maybe I'm just fooling myself since the car is modded, but the purist in me hates for anything to be done to the originals.

cvette98pacecar
03-31-2017, 11:44 AM
Congratulations, welcome to the group.

93RubyZ
03-31-2017, 11:25 PM
Very nice car! Congrats. If you want to keep the wheel black, I'd get an extra set of OEM rears and get them powder coated black.

rush91
04-04-2017, 12:57 PM
Congrats on the beautiful Beast!!! Oh and everyone knows, the Green ones are the fastest :proud:

Meanmyz
04-04-2017, 02:15 PM
Congratulations! Nice car!

Ccmano
08-26-2017, 03:36 PM
Congrats on the car, just saw this post. I was recently gifted a brand new set of 1994 shop manuals. I have a 90 and already have manuals. If you don't already have a set I will give you the manuals for free just pay for the shipping.
Let me know and have fun with the Z.
H
:cheers:

VetteFantasy
08-27-2017, 10:21 AM
Wow, what a kind and generous offer. Sending you a PM!

Congrats on the car, just saw this post. I was recently gifted a brand new set of 1994 shop manuals. I have a 90 and already have manuals. If you don't already have a set I will give you the manuals for free just pay for the shipping.
Let me know and have fun with the Z.
H
:cheers:

jss06c6
08-27-2017, 11:08 AM
Congrats on the car, just saw this post. I was recently gifted a brand new set of 1994 shop manuals. I have a 90 and already have manuals. If you don't already have a set I will give you the manuals for free just pay for the shipping.
Let me know and have fun with the Z.
H
:cheers:
Great example of why this is the best Forum! Good work Hans!! Very gracious offer, passing it forward.

Steve

Sent from my XT1585 using ZR-1 Net Registry mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=90383)