Zr1 a true muscle car

[cvette98pacecar]

It is a shame, but the truth is our cars are now true muscle cars, their parts are worth more than the whole.
As I see more and more ZR1 being gutted because you can get more for the parts than the whole car. At what point will all of us have enough parts that their no longer be a necessity for this to happen. Any comments?

[JThomas]

I think the cars being gutted are those that owners think are worn so bad that it would cost more to repair or they have been wrecked. There are still a number of people that buy with the intent to fix it up and drive.

For example my '92 that I just got rid of, was original, yet a high miler when I purchased it three years ago. I bought it with the plan of keeping it as original as possible yet making it more reliable, where I could make trips with confidence.

In three years I put 12,000 miles on the car and enjoyed every mile. So I think there are a lot of cars still out there to be seen.

[cvette98pacecar]

Originally Posted by JThomas

I think the cars being gutted are those that owners think are worn so bad that it would cost more to repair or they have been wrecked. There are still a number of people that buy with the intent to fix it up and drive.

For example my '92 that I just got rid of, was original, yet a high miler when I purchased it three years ago. I bought it with the plan of keeping it as original as possible yet making it more reliable, where I could make trips with confidence.

In three years I put 12,000 miles on the car and enjoyed every mile. So I think there are a lot of cars still out there to be seen.

Joe, I love mine and dont believe I will ever sell her, but with that being said I talked with a gentlemen last week while I was in Miami, I saw a ZR1 while driving down Dixie Hwy (route 1) at a body shop with a for sale sign, I stopped in and asked what they had wanted for the car and the owner of the shop replied we are parting the car out. I asked him if the engine was blown and he replied the car ran just fine, I than asked if the engine was not blown why would he part out the car. His reply was he could sell the engine, trans, rear end, interior for what the car would be worth on a trade in.
As Short as a year ago I would have never guessed to see a ZR-1 sell for less than 20K, Since that time I have seen Three low mileage (less than 60K) ZR-1 be auctioned off for less than 12K, 368 Cu in LPE sell for 9k that I personally looked at and drove (and still kick myself in the Azz for not buying the car on the spot), 415 sell for 15K, TT LPE sell for 45K, 415 LPE sell for 36K. The engines alone in those last four cars were worth more than the sale price.

[JThomas]

Who knows, maybe they just need the cash and have time to part a car out. I enjoy the search for something special and enjoyment of driving a unique and historical automobile. Even looking for the hard to find parts is what I like about the hobby.

[mike100]

One one hand the community needs parts cars, on the other hand, there are so many willing salvage operations and individuals making these cars more rare every month.

[mike100]

Originally Posted by cvette98pacecar

It is a shame, but the truth is our cars are now true muscle cars, their parts are worth more than the whole.
...

That is an interesting definition- one I hadn't thought of.

[Kevin]

i've heard of ferrari owners doing this same thing because getting parts from Italy can be near impossible

[tomtom72]

Yea, that is an interesting "definition" you applied here. I like that...I think!

I'm a bit too old to contemplate what the future value of our cars maybe because it seems another 10 to 20 yrs has to pass. That 40 yr mark seems to be the big turning point in corvettes, maybe a bit less IDK.

I think all the younger guys, if they keep them long enough, are going to have the time of their lives explaining what kind of 'game changer' our motor's engineering brought to the table. JMHO.

When I tell all my ZO6 buddies that we have a true main/rod priority oiling system founded upon a center oiled crankshaft they all have this astounded and envious look on their faces! I get a chuckle because eventually they all seem to loose bottom ends at track days once they go to real racing rubber! I'm not trying to rub it in on them, it's just a statement of fact! They all are kind of astounded to learn that alot of "new engineering ideas" in their LSx motors started out in ours.

Just my two cents on the subject! I'm gonna drive the wheels off of mine & enjoy every minute of it!


Tom