Is Super Low Mileage A Negative in ZR-1 Values?

[Erik]

Was watching this auction over the past week, thinking this would be a likely candidate for a good finish. Even started with an early, strong bid. However, the end result is disappointing, to say the least.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1990-chevrolet-corvette-zr-1-39/

I'm wondering if the lack of use was seen as a negative in the market. Any oil changes? Lots of tired rubber parts. And likely a lot of money to be spent to make a driver out of it. If not a driver, there can't be that many private collection or museums to put it in.

Thoughts?

[Mikey]

There?s no point in not driving them

[Erik]

There?s no point in not driving them

Agreed. Sad how many sat unused.

[tccrab]

To answer your question about if super low mileage is a detriment to the sales price, the answer is no.
In fact, NCRS kind of guys will pay LOTS more for untouched/unloved/ignored/forgotten cars.
Crazy, I know.
These are the same folks who walk away from modded cars like they're made of plutonium.
"Oh, it's got a Haibec 510 package, I'm not interested."

Now your unasked question, do museum cars make good daily drivers?
The answer is, It depends.
If it was stored correctly, a simple change of fluids and road rubber and an ignored/unloved/un-cared for car will maybe drive like new.
Maybe.
If it was stored badly, all bets are off.
If you buy a museum car, the smart, least stressful thing to do is put it back into a museum.

If you want a daily driver, buy one that has been loved and cared for.
Buy one from someone who really cares about what he/she drives and was willing to go the extra mile to make sure it drives even better than they day it came into their possession.
Buy one with enough miles so that all the normal wear stuff has already been taken care of.

The mighty LT5 is good for a couple hundred thousand hard driven, white knuckled, adrenaline packed miles.
The C4 it lives in, well, not so much, but the good news is there's lots of them out there so there's lots of spare parts.


Just my $0.02

'Crabs

[Erik]

To answer your question about if super low mileage is a detriment to the sales price, the answer is no.
In fact, NCRS kind of guys will pay LOTS more for untouched/unloved/ignored/forgotten cars.
Crazy, I know.
These are the same folks who walk away from modded cars like they're made of plutonium.
"Oh, it's got a Haibec 510 package, I'm not interested."

Now your unasked question, do museum cars make good daily drivers?
The answer is, It depends.
If it was stored correctly, a simple change of fluids and road rubber and an ignored/unloved/un-cared for car will maybe drive like new.
Maybe.
If it was stored badly, all bets are off.
If you buy a museum car, the smart, least stressful thing to do is put it back into a museum.

If you want a daily driver, buy one that has been loved and cared for.
Buy one from someone who really cares about what he/she drives and was willing to go the extra mile to make sure it drives even better than they day it came into their possession.
Buy one with enough miles so that all the normal wear stuff has already been taken care of.

The mighty LT5 is good for a couple hundred thousand hard driven, white knuckled, adrenaline packed miles.
The C4 it lives in, well, not so much, but the good news is there's lots of them out there so there's lots of spare parts.


Just my $0.02

'Crabs

I get what you are saying. What I still don't get is why in this crazy hot vintage car market, a 150 mile, un-pdi'd 1990, would only fetch $40k. Other, much higher mileage cars, and not as NCRS perfect, have gotten the same or more.

There is just no understanding the ZR-1 market.

[GOLDCYLON]

If you want a NCRS trailer queen to drag from show to show I would have to say no.

Otherwise a Uber low mileage car CAN have many maintenance issues if you tend on wanting to actually drive it. Then adding mileage will lower the value.

If I had a lot of cash to put a car in a large collection I would say no again.

I however bought my Z's to drive and enjoy. As stated above who knows what is what in the current Market.

GC

[A26B]

It is incorrect to assume that all ultra-low mileage ZR-1's will have problems. Some will and some will not. I think it all depends on the environment.

Dry rot rubber items (hoses, connectors & such, is not a given.

When it comes to tires, age is important but dry rot does not occur automatically.

The fuel system is sensitive to problems, more than any other issues. a fuel tank with low level is damaging to the Fuel Sender Assy... it rusts badly when exposed to vapor in the tank. Fuel will deteriorate and "varnish" lines, rails & injectors. The only real solution to that problem would be to start & run periodically, maintaining fresh, stabilized fuel.

Hardened, leaking seals has not been a problem in my experience, not with new crate engines or the 168 mile 93 Anniversary Ruby ZR-1 I once owned.

It all depends on the environment and storage maintenance, deserving of a good inspection, just as you would with any purchase.

There is no repair/replacement for a documented low mileage car. It is what it is and they don't make them any more. So if that's your game, then go for it.

[Karl]

I am sure this did not help the selling price:

", and the oil was changed in June 2021. The oil filter was not changed. The selling dealer notes that a misfire has been detected."

[AirbusDriver]

A Green/Saddle 1990 with 400 miles recently sold for 75K (if you include the juice) on BaT. Seems like low miles didn't hurt that one😁

[AirbusDriver]

...The only real solution to that problem would be to start & run periodically, maintaining fresh, stabilized fuel...It all depends on the environment and storage maintenance, deserving of a good inspection, just as you would with any purchase.

Sounds like good information. We have two 90s which don't drive but do get started and ran for 20 minutes, once per month. They only get VP C9, which is 96 octane, unleaded, non-oxygenated, non-ethanol and has a 5 year shelf life, if stored properly. Once in the car, VP recommends use within 2 years.

One car has the original fuel injectors and runs beautifully. The other, we just bought, and I'm not sure about the injectors. It runs beautifully, as well.

[Z51JEFF]

It had to have been just that car,maybe people are tired of red,who knows. I'd by a no mile car,go through and drive the piss out it. A low mile 91 just went for $41,000.

[Matt B]

In auctions things can go terribly wrong at any time. Outliers in pricing are good or bad luck (a matter of perspective...) but they are normal. Maybe it was just a very bad day for the seller with the oil change and knock information helping the buyer?

Sent from my SM-G991B using ZR-1 Net Registry mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=90383)

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

Some folks simply want a "NEW" ZR-1.
They are also quite willing to pay what it may take to get one.
Some may not understand or agree.
No Matter.
Those that won't , won't.
Those that will frankly do not care what the others may think.

If one could buy a "new" 67 427 435 car today for original sticker, who would not?

Say what you wish, but I assure you there are those out there who are quite OK with buying a low mile ZR-1 AND paying up for it.
Some may think it foolish, but those that BUY could not care less what others may think.
Some drink box wine; others have different tastes and means.
To each; their own.
:cheers:
Marty