Thoughts on Lingenfelters
 

Looking for the brotherhood's thoughts on the future appreciation potential for the Lingenfelter-built cars, and what you would do in my situation?

I have an opportunity to purchase a '90 with a Lingenfelter 368 package in the next couple of weeks, but it would probably require me to sell one of my other two ZR-1s. The Lingenfelter car is not perfect, but it's a very nice car that is pure joy to drive. I just don't have the garage space, free cash, time, or an accommodating enough wife to manage adding and maintaining third ZR-1 right now. I currently have a stock White '91 (98k) which was my first Corvette, and a mildly modified Turquoise '90 (58k) that I drive and do enjoy.

Do you think that the Lingenfelter cars will be the Yenko's of the future, and would it be worth moving into one? I would drive it sparingly, and maintain it for future value (like I do now with the '90 that I currently own).

Thanks for your thoughts...

Scott

Re: Thoughts on Lingenfelters
 

IMO they are the cream of the crop C4. I have my '92 for sale in hopes of purchasing a LPE 415 car.

Re: Thoughts on Lingenfelters
 

...and after we get Marc Haibeck inducted into the Corvette Musuem Hall of Fame , Lingenfelter (who I also think the world of) will have some comptition as far as the cream of the C4 crop!

Re: Thoughts on Lingenfelters
 

HEAR, HEAR!! :cheers:

Re: Thoughts on Lingenfelters
 

could'nt agree more, his cars are rock solid. I believe his 350 500/510hp pkg. have more power than the old 368 pkg's or close to it. Im sure someone here would know better. That being said I would i would gladly trade up to a 368 for one of your other cars. Good Luck and keep us updated. I dont see any Yenko comparisons but I feel the Lindy name does add some value as being a top tuner. I would love one of their TT cars

Re: Thoughts on Lingenfelters
 

Scott,

IMHO, I don't think you could go wrong. I would ensure you have all the original documentation and invoices from Lingenfelter that would validate it. I almost bought one from Maui in Hawaii that sounds like what you are interested in. Surely more valuable, rare and collectible than a standard ZR-1. I would say go for it if you can part with one of yours. You only live once. I believe these cars are truly only worth was someone is willing to pay like many others and finding the right buyer in the end is key. Jim V our VP made good sense to me when we discussed value and what we want to pay for these cars about a month ago (both of us were in the market for a new Z so I sought his advice). Calculating the cost of ownership over the years and just enjoying these cars instead of mothballing them and hoping the value will increase. Get out and drive it!

I want one of these: http://www.thelingenfeltercollection...zr1-wide-body/

Re: Thoughts on Lingenfelters
 

Gents,

Thanks for the thoughtful replies... I'll see Jim this afternoon, so I'll definitely pick his brain about values.

Scott

Re: Thoughts on Lingenfelters
 

We are at the point where automotive icons like Enzo Ferrari, Carroll Shelby, John Lingenfelter are passing on. Much like artwork, the value of their works increase since it can never be reproduced and will only get rarer. Of the Chevy tuners, I hold JL in the highest esteem in terms of quality of work and reliability. He walked the walk and talked the talk. And died that way.

Re: Thoughts on Lingenfelters
 

Scott, I am going to make this simple for you. Once the 368 is sold to someone else you are going to kick yourself in the Azz everyday. Get rid of one of the other Z's to make room for the LPE "368" with the AVIC Z aftermarket radio. I know the owner and he is meticulous with maintaining his vehicles.

Re: Thoughts on Lingenfelters
 

did you buy the 90 turq from Bill Maloney in NJ?

Re: Thoughts on Lingenfelters
 

Owning and driving Lingenfelter cars is very enjoyable. I would say the only drawback is that outside of a relatively small group of enthusiasts, most people will have absolutely no idea what they are looking at, and do not have the automotive knowledge to process what you are telling them even if you try to explain it to them. Even Corvette enthusiasts will fall into this seemingly total ignorance. It can be frustrating sometimes. Sub 5 figure cars will routinely win at shows over Lingenfelter cars, due to ignorance, and of course the usual car show biases. That said, they can be a blast. John L. was an automotive genius. It still boggles my mind, that I can drive a car to an event across the country, achieve 23+ MPG in relative comfort, and throw down a near 10 second pass at the strip. Just own them for yourself, not for show or anyone else.

:cheers:

Re: Thoughts on Lingenfelters
 

I go back and forth on this. LPE c4's aren't b2k cars, they're not factory cars, they don't have RPO's. Maybe they're going to go the way of the Yenko cars, maybe they're going to go the way of rampage cars. Either way they're never going to be NRCS cars which is where the money is

Re: Thoughts on Lingenfelters
 

Couldn't agree more.

Re: Thoughts on Lingenfelters
 

The other problem is the old lpe cars...aren't really that optimized. Times have changed, tech has moved on and now what we'd need a 368 for we can get out of a ported/polished car and keep the awesome liners

Re: Thoughts on Lingenfelters
 

Yes... are you familiar with that car?

Scott

Re: Thoughts on Lingenfelters
 

I'm seriously considering the sale of my white '91 and reached out to one person who is local but wasn't even considering selling the car until last week, so I've got some work to do in putting an ad together if I want to strike a deal quickly.

If it were not for this opportunity, I wouldn't even consider selling the white car... it's not the lowest mile, quickest, loudest or most collectable, but you only have one first Corvette.

Scott

Re: Thoughts on Lingenfelters
 

Sleep on that statement!