I Bought a ZR-1!!!! 1995 #121

[RichieDMD]

So, I first came here early last year (not long before the shutdown) with an interest in learning about ZR-1s. I made a long post about my goals and what I was thinking and I received a bunch of replies with a ton of information. You can see it here: http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?t=31442

I owe a big thank you to all of you who gave me advice and info as I was learning and looking.

At the time, I was wanting an earlier ZR-1 for a couple reasons...but the more I researched, the more I came to the conclusion that later was better.

I ultimately came to the conclusion that what I wanted was a 1994 or 95 (preferably 95) Torch Red ZR-1. I wanted an original car, lowish-moderate mile driver in good condition. I wasn't really concerned with interior color...any would do if the rest of the car matched but I will admit that Red/Red was more red than I wanted.

I started looking seriously a couple months back...watching websites like BaT and keeping an eye on eBay and here. A red/red 1994 sold a few weeks back with 21K miles for $35,500 (plus premium) and I considered bidding but I let it go (frankly, I couldn't get my wife to have me a 100% green light and I wasn't going to do it without one).

Speaking of my wife, she was fine with me buying one but she told me I needed to part with one of my other cars to make room. It was more about the space than the cost...but apparently 3 cars is my current max. At the time, my "collection" comprised of my daily driver (2017 BMW M3) and two "fun cars" (1993 Camaro Z-28 Indy 500 Pace Car Festival Car, 2002 Camaro SS 35th Anniversary Edition).

Basically, I needed to commit to selling one of the Camaro's. In the past, I had reached the conclusion that the Pace Car was the one to go...and had listed it for sale a couple times before being unable to go through with it once offers started rolling in. My wavering on committing to selling it impacted her green lighting the 1994 ZR-1 (she knew full well that I would get the ZR-1...and then "not be able to sell" the pace car...she knows me).

Not deterred, I continued to look for a ZR-1 and followed up on a couple cars that just weren't "right." At the same time, I did list the 1993 Camaro Pace Car.

I made a WTB post on the Corvette Forum a couple weeks ago figuring the chances of something coming out of it were low...and within a couple days I was contacted by a guy in California with a 1995 he was considering selling. 1995, red/beige, 38K miles. Car is not a double Dunn car and it has a transparent top only.

We ended up making a deal that I felt was very fair and the car is now mine.

I haven't had a chance to look at in person, but I've closely examined the photos, maintenance records, and had a mechanic friend look over the images and data. The car looks good. It also recently passed the California smog testing so it clearly runs well.

Meanwhile, I got a very fair offer on the Pace Car about 10 days ago. The guy is an older gentleman from the east coast who just wants a car to enjoy with his wife for Cars and Coffee. Seemed like a really nice guy and a good home...so I accepted the offer. The car was picked up last week. I miss it, but it was time.

As for the ZR-1, I'm hoping the shipping company will have it here this weekend. But, we will see. It's always a wait.

Here are a few of the sellers photos. I will post more photos when the car arrives.

https://i.imgur.com/hisuh4R.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/SN4gaje.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/KZD68S3.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/fvDCajQ.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/yK7kvhq.jpg

[Demps]

Congrats! It looks great. Look forward to your impressions once you get it.

Ted

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

Congratulations!
Very Nice!!!
Get ready for some FUN!
:cheers:
Marty

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Congrats! It?s a beauty and you will love it. Enjoy.


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[zyal8r]

Congratulations! Looks beautiful! The windshield appears to be in very good shape, too - definitely a win!

Enjoy it and post more pictures when you get it!

Mike

[dredgeguy]

Have fun with it and you will always be happy you did not settle for anything other than what you wanted. Well done!
The perfect car is always out there, you just have to wait for it to find you!

[Matt B]

Congratulations! I wish I'd have your patience. I FIRST bought my ZR and THEN asked all the questions [emoji28]
I hope you will enjoy her as much as you expected or even more. And by the way - pace cars are always kinda cool cars but in that case your trade off was more than fair. Z28 out, ZR-1 in sounds like a pretty good option!

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[RichieDMD]

Congratulations! I wish I'd have your patience. I FIRST bought my ZR and THEN asked all the questions [emoji28]
I hope you will enjoy her as much as you expected or even more. And by the way - pace cars are always kinda cool cars but in that case your trade off was more than fair. Z28 out, ZR-1 in sounds like a pretty good option!

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Thanks.

The pace car was cool...but the problem was it was too boring to drive. I loved looking at it, but when I got it my daily driver was a 2002 SS Camaro...and LS1 car with a 6-speed. The pace car, being the same generation but a decade older, was very similar in many ways but worse. It was an LT1 car (so cast iron, lower HP, and that dreaded Optispark was always looming) and it was an automatic. When I upgrade my daily driver, I kept my beloved 2002 Camaro and I found that when I wanted to drive a V8 I always picked the 2002. The Pace Car just sat in the garage. Even though I really liked both...when the time came to finally get a ZR-1 and I needed to let one of the Camaro's go, the choice was obvious.

[Jagdpanzer]

Beautiful car and great score.
You will surly enjoy it.


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[RichieDMD]

Well, she got delivered a couple hours ago and I took her for our first spin. It was awesome...everything that I was wanting.

The condition of the car is superb. It has a couple very minor paint chips but for a 26 year old car...I don't think they get much better outside of a museum.

The car drives very nice. It's fast...but not insanely so. I honestly figured it would be a little faster than my 2002 SS Camaro (which has some minor aftermarket work done) and slower than my daily driver 2017 BMW M3. I think my expectations were accurate.

What really drew me to the ZR-1 was the fantastic history and cool story.

When I decided to sell my 1993 Camaro Pace Car...I did it because it was too similar of driving experience with my 2002 Camaro (but worse in every measurable way)...but it had a better story/history. I choose to keep the more fun car to drive and sold the story. So, I wanted a car with just as good of a story but that was just as fun to drive (but also had a different feel).

I think this is exactly that...I'm in love.

If I'm honest, it doesn't feel like it has the brutish raw power of the Camaro even though it has more HP. I think the reason for that is the ZR-1 is so well balanced and refined. It's really drivers car and not a V8 deathtrap (like the Camaro).

I think my little car collection suits me really well. I have a luxury performance daily driver, one of the coolest Corvette's ever built, and a sentimental deathtrap Camaro.

[Matt B]

Thanks.

The pace car was cool...but the problem was it was too boring to drive. I loved looking at it, but when I got it my daily driver was a 2002 SS Camaro...and LS1 car with a 6-speed. The pace car, being the same generation but a decade older, was very similar in many ways but worse. It was an LT1 car (so cast iron, lower HP, and that dreaded Optispark was always looming) and it was an automatic. When I upgrade my daily driver, I kept my beloved 2002 Camaro and I found that when I wanted to drive a V8 I always picked the 2002. The Pace Car just sat in the garage. Even though I really liked both...when the time came to finally get a ZR-1 and I needed to let one of the Camaro's go, the choice was obvious.I did some quick research on the model and your summary ist what I thought. Might be a bit boring...
I like the C3 & C4 pace car but very much. But nothing beats a ZR-1 :)

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[Norwegianmopar]

Well, she got delivered a couple hours ago and I took her for our first spin. It was awesome...everything that I was wanting.

The condition of the car is superb. It has a couple very minor paint chips but for a 26 year old car...I don't think they get much better outside of a museum.

The car drives very nice. It's fast...but not insanely so. I honestly figured it would be a little faster than my 2002 SS Camaro (which has some minor aftermarket work done) and slower than my daily driver 2017 BMW M3. I think my expectations were accurate.

What really drew me to the ZR-1 was the fantastic history and cool story.

When I decided to sell my 1993 Camaro Pace Car...I did it because it was too similar of driving experience with my 2002 Camaro (but worse in every measurable way)...but it had a better story/history. I choose to keep the more fun car to drive and sold the story. So, I wanted a car with just as good of a story but that was just as fun to drive (but also had a different feel).

I think this is exactly that...I'm in love.

If I'm honest, it doesn't feel like it has the brutish raw power of the Camaro even though it has more HP. I think the reason for that is the ZR-1 is so well balanced and refined. It's really drivers car and not a V8 deathtrap (like the Camaro).

I think my little car collection suits me really well. I have a luxury performance daily driver, one of the coolest Corvette's ever built, and a sentimental deathtrap Camaro.I suppose your car has stock rear end gears which doesn't make it feel rocket fast. Myself just love the 4.10 rear end gears which makes it a whole different experience. Test drove a stock one once and it felt "slow" compared to mine. Of course I have Watson headers and Corsa exhaust as well as lightweight flywheel that also makes a difference, but the rear end gears are the most bang for the buck upgrade wise in my view. 16219

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[RichieDMD]

I suppose your car has stock rear end gears which doesn't make it feel rocket fast. Myself just love the 4.10 rear end gears which makes it a whole different experience. Test drove a stock one once and it felt "slow" compared to mine. Of course I have Watson headers and Corsa exhaust as well as lightweight flywheel that also makes a difference, but the rear end gears are the most bang for the buck upgrade wise in my view. 16219

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Lower gears would certainly liven it up a bit...but honestly I really like it as is stock. I think I might hot rod the Camaro a little but keep the ZR-1 original.

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Lower gears would certainly liven it up a bit...but honestly I really like it as is stock. I think I might hot rod the Camaro a little but keep the ZR-1 original.


Richie, You have other cars that are faster than the Z so keeping it stock might be a great idea. At least until you get tired of it and no longer exciting. I went through the modding phase on my 90Z with 500+HP with cams and gearing with light weight flywheel and all. It was fun. When I got my 95Z it was supposed to stay totally stock. That lasted maybe a month. [emoji38] But I vowed I?m not going to overdo and put too much into this one. All I did was get crazy with the extra power and pounded it all the time. I guess I?m getting older so going more looks and comfort, concentrating on the handling and suspension. You?ll know in time. I wish I left mine totally stock. I?m at the point of no return now. [emoji23]


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