1991 ZR-1 with Haibeck 510 Package and More!

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

Very Good customer trading up again!!! INCOMING

1991 ZR-1 with Haibeck 510 Performance Package!!! Black with Black Interior - LT-5 5.7 Liter DOHC 350CI originally 375HP, now 510HP Engine with 6 Speed Manual Transmission. ONLY 20K Miles!!! There were only 2044 ZR-1's produced in 1991, and only 553 in this Striking Sinister Color! Near flawless Exterior with equally flawless Leather Interior. Equipped with Anti-Lock Power Brakes, Power Steering, Driver Air Bag, Pass-Key Anti-Theft System, Dual Electric Heated OSRV Mirrors, Cruise Control, Power Door Locks, Power Windows, and Rear Window Defogger. The Factory ZR-1 Special Performance Package includes the LT-5 Engine, 275 40 ZR-17 Front and 315 35 ZR-17 Rear Tires, Electronic Air Conditioning, Selective Ride and Handling Package, Leather Adjustable Sport Seats, 6 Way Power Driver and Passenger Seats, Low Tire Pressure Warning System, Delco Bose AM/FM Stereo with Cassette and CD Player, Dual Roof Package, Fiberglass and Blue Tinted Removable Roof Panels. All else has been inspected and found to be as expected for a car with this mileage. Newer Michelin Tires all around on a set of C-6 ZR1 Replica Wheels. A Corsa Exhaust System has been added as well. Both of those mods make the car look even more exceptional if that is possible! This car, while never judged, certainly shows a lifetime of indoor storage when you look at the paint, the weatherstrip, the interior etc.

Now for the Really Good Stuff!

On April 8, 2008 this ZR-1 was sent to Haibeck Automotive Technologies a.k.a The ZR-1 Specialist! The car underwent the 510 Horsepower Engine upgrade consisting of Cylinder Head Porting, Top End Porting, Emissions Compliant Long Tube Headers, The Corsa Exhaust System as well as dozens of smaller performance improvement tricks! The Transmission was also sent out to Bill Boudreau at ZR51 Performance for a Complete Rebuild and Blueprinting before being installed with a new OE type Valeo Clutch and Pressure Plate as well as a shortened shifter.

Let's not forget 4.10 gears in the rear and a Simply Stunning Re-Finish of the Engine Plenum, Intakes and Cam Covers! The Bose System was completely gone through, and Dyna-mat was added throughout the Interior as well as much, much more!


This is an unbelievably well-maintained and documented example in nearly As New Condition with a many expensive and very tasteful modifications. Its price is as exceptional as the rest of the car! Do Not Procrastinate! If you do, someone else will surely beat you to this Magnificent ZR-1!


$48,000.00


Marty

marty@contes.com

[XfireZ51]

Marty,

This sort of leads into a discussion especially given that you are a purveyor of these cars. With the recent action we have seen in the C4 ZR(finally) what is your sense regarding modified examples. Particularly w ones that have been modified by well regarded members of the community like Haibeck or Pete Polatsidis.

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

Each of us see the world from many different perspectives.

When I look at the customers calling and buying, there are a few groups that are representative of the main segments of the collective market. Some are entirely in one segment, while others may fall into multiple segments with differing intensity.

Easiest to identify are the absolute " as built" buyers. They demand perfection down to the correctly coded valve stem caps. ANY deviation from factory original causes them to tally "correction costs" into the equation, or they simply seek out, evaluate and buy NEW old cars.

Next are the ones who CRAVE mods. Some want blowers, cams, while others want wheels, tires and suspension, and some want all of that or more.
They view a stock car as a blank canvas, often discussing upgrades while considering the purchase.

Then you have those that just want a "driver", code word for inexpensive.
They like the NCRS cars and the modded cars, but their wallet, though often full, will not open far enough to get anything other than the driver.

Historically the "factory correct cars" lead and set the price for a particular model.

However, "Resto-Mod" growth has been explosive, yet highly volatile. A resto mod from 5 years ago may no longer command what a just completed one will bring due to it's "fresh" look and current tech components.

The final segment are "restoration required" cars. These may be sought by all three groups, as they envision their desired end result.

OK, so where are we today with ZR-1's.
Here is what buyers that I deal with seem to want the most.

Pristine Factory Originals command the highest price by a BIG margin.
The lowest mile, best condition, fully documented cars with maintenance records are the ones selling at well over the rest of the market.

Next come, near pristine, "reversibly modded" cars.
I will use my car as an example for mods.
It is a DRM500 car, but enough of the mods were removed to achieve multiple Top Flights. All original stock parts are there, but not all installed.
Judges cannot see cams and internal head work, so the engine looks stock.
Suspension, shifter, exhaust, brake mods are all reversible so if one wants a factory correct car, they can have it. If they want mods, they have it and can do more if desired.
So cars that appeal to multiple buyer pools now are experiencing an increase in demand and therefore price.
A DRM, Callaway, Lingenfelter, Haibeck, Pete, etc. car appeals to those who know what they are and understand what the mods cost originally. Buyers will not pay dollar for dollar mod cost, but 25-50% now seems recoverable.
But the real plus is the number of buyers that actually want a modded ZR-1.

That segment of the pool has grown in the last couple of years, and pricing for those cars has also strengthened.

The above are generalizations and are patterns that I have observed and helped buyers find particular cars.
I am confident there are numerous exceptions, but the trends have been actual and growing.

Prices are FAR stronger today than ever in the ZR-1 market with the exception of the early $100,000.00 days.

Five year ago few ZR-1's commanded $50,000.00 plus.
That is no longer a true statement.

In the 70's you could buy a Yenko or a Baldwin Motion car for pennies on the dollar.
Look at those cars today.

If you really do not think that the same will not happen with ZR-1's, simply take a look at Callaway prices the last few years.
It IS happening.

Will that trickle down to lesser modded cars?
It seems to have done so already.

And no, I do not see this simply as part of today's "bubble".
There is much more to it.

ZR-1's have begun to come into their own as recognizable super cars.

My Ruby was nearly invisible at car shows 25 years ago.

NOT TODAY!

Things ARE changing.

Those are observations, not simply opinions.

The mod fever keeps the cars competitive with the newer, more technologically advanced and faster cars of today.

No I may not beat a C-7 Z06, but it won't be an embarrassment either.

Not bad for a twenty nine year old car.

C-7 owners still know what a 427 435 is.
But more also recognize and respect a C-4 ZR-1 also.

Hope that helps!

Marty

[XfireZ51]

Marty,

Thanks for a very thorough discussion of the market. My sense is that there is a market for ICE motivated vehicles particularly those w manual transmissions. Its become clear that the horizon is bringing a day when the Corvette and other ?toys? will no longer be available with that configuration. I believe this is one of the drivers of the uptick in values for the C4 ZR after having been ignored for the past 30years. Also, the LT6 highlights the existence of its progenitor, the LT5 DOHC, in the C4 generation.

Should be interesting how it shakes out. Thanks for your thoughts. I think we as a community need to do more to bring attention to the C4 ZR and the variants that this community has built w little to no assistance from the mainstream aftermarket.
Talk about one of ones!

[CamP]

Originally Posted by DRM500RUBYZR-1

In the 70's you could buy a Yenko or a Baldwin Motion car for pennies on the dollar.
Look at those cars today.

I think the big cube and TT Lingenfelter and Callaway cars have the greatest chance of having Yenko/Baldwin desirability someday.

[bowtiguy]

On point as usual Marty! It must be fun watching things from the front row.

[jad1014]

Nice breakdown Marty.