Another Nice ZR-1 on Bat - 14k mile 1991.

[Erik]

Very nice white 1991 with only 14,000 miles. Wonder if the trend to continue.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1991-chevrolet-corvette-zr1-7/

[Erik]

Up to $19750 with 3 days left.

[bowtiguy]

Up to $19750 with 3 days left.

go baby go! a rising tide lifts all ships!

[Erik]

go baby go! a rising tide lifts all ships!

Here's hoping!

[Erik]

Up to $20,021. 3 days left.

[Erik]

And now, $21,000.

[Erik]

$22,345 with 2 days left.

[bowtiguy]

$22,345 with 2 days left.

Planning on adding this one to the fleet?

[Erik]

Planning on adding this one to the fleet?

Nope.
Hoping it goes for way more money then I can swing.:)

[Erik]

Up to $26k with 30 minutes left. Not bad.

[Erik]

With a lot of activity in the end, it closed at.....

$37,000!

Damn. Wasn't expecting that.

[Corvette95]

Bottom line is...Corvette's will be electric soon. Gas burning Corvette's will become more desirable. There are really only a limited numbers of "special" Corvette's from each generation. I won't speculate on the others, but I know one for SURE.... it is the LT5 ZR-1. The nice one's (cared for and maintained) will continue to appreciate.

[bowtiguy]

solid money for what looks to be a decent car in need of some TLC. The flippers will disagree, but Gone are the days when cars like this or better are $17-25K buys. I think we are beginning to see these cars get the recognition they deserve.

[Erik]

Bottom line is...Corvette's will be electric soon. Gas burning Corvette's will become more desirable. There are really only a limited numbers of "special" Corvette's from each generation. I won't speculate on the others, but I know one for SURE.... it is the LT5 ZR-1. The nice one's (cared for and maintained) will continue to appreciate.

While I'd hate to see them go to stupid money, just because they'd end up back hidden in the garages of collectors again, this type of money seems very fair for them. Actually, as you say, the LT5 ZR-1 is truly unique.

[Erik]

solid money for what looks to be a decent car in need of some TLC. The flippers will disagree, but Gone are the days when cars like this or better are $17-25K buys. I think we are beginning to see these cars get the recognition they deserve.

I figure last summer, I could have gotten one like that for probably $22k. Stupid low fir such a special car. Nice to see the market starting to appreciate them.

[Corvette95]

While I'd hate to see them go to stupid money, just because they'd end up back hidden in the garages of collectors again, this type of money seems very fair for them. Actually, as you say, the LT5 ZR-1 is truly unique.

Either way, some will be driven, values for really nice ones will go up. Thing is, the costs to make one new again still is not cost efficient yet, but if prices keep climbing maybe someone will start reproducing the hard to find parts...IDK. The 90 I restored went waaaaay over budget, but it was for me , not to resell, honestly, I have more in my 90 than any of these cars brought , but again, it was for me not to resell. It will be driven...probably like my 95, about 500 or so miles a year and never see rain again...but I do have it booked for a track day later this month ..so it will be appreciated and exercised!

[Erik]

Either way, some will be driven, values for really nice ones will go up. Thing is, the costs to make one new again still is not cost efficient yet, but if prices keep climbing maybe someone will start reproducing the hard to find parts...IDK. The 90 I restored went waaaaay over budget, but it was for me , not to resell, honestly, I have more in my 90 than any of these cars brought , but again, it was for me not to resell. It will be driven...probably like my 95, about 500 or so miles a year and never see rain again...but I do have it booked for a track day later this month ..so it will be appreciated and exercised!

And for that, you have one of the finest ZR-1s in existence. Beautiful work and a sensational car. Out of curiosity, considering all the work you did, why did you start with a 90?

My car is great cosmetically, and hopefully all the stuff I have done will being it something close to reliability. I still have a thought of doing a Route 66 drive with it.

[Corvette95]

And for that, you have one of the finest ZR-1s in existence. Beautiful work and a sensational car. Out of curiosity, considering all the work you did, why did you start with a 90?

My car is great cosmetically, and hopefully all the stuff I have done will being it something close to reliability. I still have a thought of doing a Route 66 drive with it.

I didn't start with a 90, I have had dozens of C4 of almost every year and configuration including a 7k miles NCRS 95 ZR-1 . The 90 was local and had an electrical issue with it (15 minute repair) was not being taken care of, it was in everyday driver condition, maybe less but low mileage. I really bought it to fix up a little and drive it, my other C4's never see the rain, unfortunately my OCD took over again and I made the 90 perfect, so it will never see a rain drop again! Still going to get a dyno tune with Heibeck or Aaron Scott (he did my 95-great work). I just want to break 500 hp. I have a track day coming up for the 90, not going to abuse it, gonna wrap it track wrap so there are no chips, so it will get some use. I am trailing it there. It is built as high performance street but no competition parts, which is what I wanted, so it will be hitting the redline but not abused. I need some heel toe practice with stock pedals. Thanks again for the compliments on the 90!

[Erik]

I didn't start with a 90, I have had dozens of C4 of almost every year and configuration including a 7k miles NCRS 95 ZR-1 . The 90 was local and had an electrical issue with it (15 minute repair) was not being taken care of, it was in everyday driver condition, maybe less but low mileage. I really bought it to fix up a little and drive it, my other C4's never see the rain, unfortunately my OCD took over again and I made the 90 perfect, so it will never see a rain drop again! Still going to get a dyno tune with Heibeck or Aaron Scott (he did my 95-great work). I just want to break 500 hp. I have a track day coming up for the 90, not going to abuse it, gonna wrap it track wrap so there are no chips, so it will get some use. I am trailing it there. It is built as high performance street but no competition parts, which is what I wanted, so it will be hitting the redline but not abused. I need some heel toe practice with stock pedals. Thanks again for the compliments on the 90!

Sorry. I wasn't clear with my question, but you ended up answering it anyway. What I mean to say was why did you choose a 1990 as the basis of your restoration project.

I do also have to say that seeing outcome of your project, understanding the amount of work you put into it, has really inspired me to look at my car differently. It wasn't just a compliment when I said yours was the best looking ZR-1 I'd seen. It's not just a nice car, but it's almost definitive of how a ZR-1 should look. It looks like a later generation ZR-1, without the Jeep like stance (sorry later ZR-1 owners). You dropped it absolutely the perfect amount. It takes the gawkiness out of them at just makes it look like a proper supercar.

It's also made me rethink my car and what I want it to be. While my goals are different, there is a lot of what you have done that I will definitely be copying. Thanks for sharing your adventure with us!

[Corvette95]

Thanks again, if I can help, let me know. I documented the whole process..good and bad. There were a couple of things I would have done in a different sequence as several jobs were done more than once! Marc Haibeck and Jadgdanzer, Pete, Ccmano, Carter, Paul Workman and many other helped with tips and products!!!!

[Vette73]

With a lot of activity in the end, it closed at.....

$37,000!

Damn. Wasn't expecting that.
Neither was I...Right time right buyer...Lucky seller...

Have my 91 blk/blk 522 HP, powder coated engine listed for sale the past few months...Best offer I got on the car is 21,250....Car needs nothing....Can't figure it out .....Unless of course the usual stock low mile ones are bringing money from collectors....

[rush91]

What I find head scratching is how IROC-Zs, 80s Trans Ams, and the Japanese cars of the 90s ( RX-7, Supra, 300z ) are starting to go for insane $$$. I never bought my Z as an investment, but can't understand how the collector car market works.

[G8nightman]

Neither was I...Right time right buyer...Lucky seller...

Have my 91 blk/blk 522 HP, powder coated engine listed for sale the past few months...Best offer I got on the car is 21,250....Car needs nothing....Can't figure it out .....Unless of course the usual stock low mile ones are bringing money from collectors....

John try presenting the car better maybe on Bring a trailer or even ebay you reach more people not all new ZR1 buyers know the registry or corvette forum exists also facebook market place your listing get lost among all the base C4's.

[bowtiguy]

What I find head scratching is how IROC-Zs, 80s Trans Ams, and the Japanese cars of the 90s ( RX-7, Supra, 300z ) are starting to go for insane $$$. I never bought my Z as an investment, but can't understand how the collector car market works.

I think the answer to your question is: people buy what they once had or wanted to have when they were younger. That tends to be vehicles that are about 25-35 years old. When I was in undergrad, my father had a quasar blue ZR-1. My brother ended up with the car so I went and bought my own.

Because there were sooo many of those other cars produced, there are more people historically/emotionally tied to them. There weren't many people plopping down $65-100K for a ZR-1 back in the day compared to 3rd and 4th gen F-bodies. Just not relatable for most folks. Combine that with the fact that ZR-1s don't differ much from standard C4's cosmetically, and you can see why they haven't been in demand. It appears that is changing. why settle for 230hp L98 when you can have a 400+hp LT5!

[Erik]

Neither was I...Right time right buyer...Lucky seller...

Have my 91 blk/blk 522 HP, powder coated engine listed for sale the past few months...Best offer I got on the car is 21,250....Car needs nothing....Can't figure it out .....Unless of course the usual stock low mile ones are bringing money from collectors....

I'm guessing the BAT types won't go for modded cars. The peanut gallery there goes insane if anything is wrong. They compete to find flaws.

[Corvette95]

I'm guessing the BAT types won't go for modded cars. The peanut gallery there goes insane if anything is wrong. They compete to find flaws.

I have seen some powder coated engine/ cat back ZR-1's go for good money there. I think the restomod types won't get any love.

[Blownrunner]

https://bringatrailer.com/auctions/results/?search=zr-1

Check it out, consistently higher selling prices, looks like the good ol' days of $15k dollar cars are gone.

[Matt B]

Great to see that my factory original 18.5kmls 1st owner Z now appears to having been a steal with 29 grand paid. So far I thought I overpaid by a couple of thousand bucks but now I'm glad to see I apparently didn't :D

Another reason that very likely will have an impact on the C4 prices is Europe, in particular Germany. Let me give you an insight. To import a car less than 30 years since it was build this is what happens:

1. take the purchase price and add all (!!!) transportation cost (also those solely within the US)
2. That sum will be tortured with 10% import duty
3. Add the import duty to purchase price and transport cost
4. That sum will be tortured with another 19% VAT (yes, you're right, the import duty is taxed)
5. To actually RUN the car the annual (!!) tax will be 860?, currently approx. 1030 $US. Plus insurance.

Now, keep that in mind and see what happens if the car is older than 30 years:

1. take the purchase price and add all (!!!) transportation cost (also those solely within the US)
2. There is NO import duty
3. As there is import duty there's nothing to add
4. That sum will be tortured with a lowered rate of 7% VAT only
5. To actually RUN the car the annual (!!) tax will be cut down to 190?, currently approx. 230 $US

Now make your calculations... And that's why a car older than 30 years (which Z's actually now are) is as seductive as a big pot of honey whereas younger ones aren't.

But bear in mind that only factory original cars (plus some modifications to tires as per availability) can benefit from cut annual taxes. This is due to the restrictive classic car regulations. Duty and import VAT are not struck by that.

Matt

[Erik]

Great to see that my factory original 18.5kmls 1st owner Z now appears to having been a steal with 29 grand paid. So far I thought I overpaid by a couple of thousand bucks but now I'm glad to see I apparently didn't :D

Another reason that very likely will have an impact on the C4 prices is Europe, in particular Germany. Let me give you an insight. To import a car less than 30 years since it was build this is what happens:

1. take the purchase price and add all (!!!) transportation cost (also those solely within the US)
2. That sum will be tortured with 10% import duty
3. Add the import duty to purchase price and transport cost
4. That sum will be tortured with another 19% VAT (yes, you're right, the import duty is taxed)
5. To actually RUN the car the annual (!!) tax will be 860?, currently approx. 1030 $US. Plus insurance.

Now, keep that in mind and see what happens if the car is older than 30 years:

1. take the purchase price and add all (!!!) transportation cost (also those solely within the US)
2. There is NO import duty
3. As there is import duty there's nothing to add
4. That sum will be tortured with a lowered rate of 7% VAT only
5. To actually RUN the car the annual (!!) tax will be cut down to 190?, currently approx. 230 $US

Now make your calculations... And that's why a car older than 30 years (which Z's actually now are) is as seductive as a big pot of honey whereas younger ones aren't.

But bear in mind that only factory original cars (plus some modifications to tires as per availability) can benefit from cut annual taxes. This is due to the restrictive classic car regulations. Duty and import VAT are not struck by that.

Matt

Thanks Matt.
Very interesting post. I remember that the ZR-1 made some big waves in the European car magazines back then. It seemed more loved by a lot of them then it was by the American ones. There is likely a bunch of 45 year old guys who loved one then, but could never afford one. All of a sudden, they are available and have become a deal.

And yes, knowing German inspection standards, a stock vehicle will be much more desirable.

[bowtiguy]

WOW! thank you for that breakdown. Thats is CRAZY $$$. Makes importing to Canada look cheap, right Erik?

I bet there are quite a few potential buyers eager to pick up 90's and 91's now.

[Erik]

WOW! thank you for that breakdown. Thats is CRAZY $$$. Makes importing to Canada look cheap, right Erik?

I bet there are quite a few potential buyers eager to pick up 90's and 91's now.

Bad enough! We get killed my our Monopoly money dollar. A $25,000 usd car, was close to $42k by the time it landed here. Sure did a lot to narrow down my choices!

[Vette73]

Thanks Matt.
Very interesting post. I remember that the ZR-1 made some big waves in the European car magazines back then. It seemed more loved by a lot of them then it was by the American ones. There is likely a bunch of 45 year old guys who loved one then, but could never afford one. All of a sudden, they are available and have become a deal.

And yes, knowing German inspection standards, a stock vehicle will be much more desirable.

Ok so take my car for instance....Its a modified 91 ported heads, intake, cams, exhaust......Except for the headers and exhaust how could they tell if the car is internally modified ?

[Matt B]

Thanks Matt.
Very interesting post. I remember that the ZR-1 made some big waves in the European car magazines back then. It seemed more loved by a lot of them then it was by the American ones.

Interestingly yes. Typically if a car comes from the US German magazines are, to phrase it nicely, "biased". Hardly an American car gets praised by local mags. Plus in the 90's corvette had the reputation of being pimp cars back than. BUT! The ZR-1 was (and is) appraised as being one of the best early 90's cars on earth. That means a lot... However still only very few people know it exists. As it was written before: only the chosen few could afford one so it's not a commonly known car like a K.I.T.T. Trans Am or A-Team van is.

There is likely a bunch of 45 year old guys who loved one then, but could never afford one.
...just like me ;)

Vette73 - internal mods are a story of their own... If you can't see it, it ain't there. But that doesn't mean it's legal. There is room for judgement and some exceptions, e.g. any modification that was done within the first 10 years (if I remember correctly) would be accepted. Can be engine tuning, as well. Also you can repaint a car as long as the color is an original one. Also it's possible to license an 80s Impala low rider as in the 80s it was (sort of) common. Tricky stuff. Thing is: as saving on tax is tremendous and classic cars are exempt from certain low emission city zone rules you can imagine that many try to squeeze their worn and rusted Volkswagen Golf or Merc Diesel into classic car scheme. To avoid abuse the rules are becoming more and more strict. In theory even an aftermarket radio won't allow to benefit from classic car stuff. But well... In practice those things are usually accepted. We have a lot of rules here and are world famous for sticking to them. But there is a certain flexibility ;)