Places You Wish GM Spent A Few Extra Dollars on Your ZR-1?

[Erik]

As much as GM spent on the ZR-1, and as much as the option cost, there were still some choices that they made that seem forced on them by the accountants. Then there was the still contentious decision to make the ZR-1 visually almost indistinguishable from the regular Corvette. Would the ZR-1 have sold more, had the car looked more dramatically different?

Seeing as how the ZR-1 market, at least in the first years, was pretty price insensitive, I figure GM could have added an extra $10k to the price easily, with no negative effect on sales.

Where do I wish they had spent the extra?

1) Structure - They knew from racing, and from the changes forced on them with the last minute change to the targa, that the structure was too flimsy. They could have easily added something like Killebrews frame reinforcements, and had a more solid car. Or maybe a stronger version of the the convertible X frame, but cast from aluminum.

2) Interior - If you really gonna take on Lamborghini or Porsche with your car, the interior should have been upgraded accordingly. Just too many pieces inside that feel like they are sourced from a Cavalier. They could have even used the same pieces, but finished them differently. I don't know. Maybe a piano black finish on the plastic, instead of grey, just so your $60k Vette doesn't look exactly the same as the $30k one your neighbour just bought.

3) Exterior - I do think that a little more could have been done to differentiate the ZR-1 from regular corvettes. It doesn't need to be dramatically different, just enough.

What do you guys think?

[XfireZ51]

Your criticisms are echoed for subsequent generations as well.

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

1- The paint used on the engine.
2- The teensy tiny radio knobs.
3- OK OK the grey plastic on the earlier ones with the yellow/orange letters
4- The sun visors
5- The way the dashboard coming down to the right from the binnacle just abruptly ends, why not contour it to match and meet the console.
6- ROOF DRIP RAILS, must have ben my dry cleaners suggestion to not have them, he got to clean and press far more suits.
7-The(quality?) of the STEENKIN solar glass windshield
8-The drop down bolts on the spare tire carrier, you try getting it to stay in the higher position after you load the spare back. tired of trying to get it back together after NCRS Judge finished with it.
9- all of the weatherpack connectors, fuse holders, etc on the hood light wires but no on and off switch???? I think I have bought 35 10 amp fuses and lost 34 of them.
10-the bolster switch UNDER your leg! Brilliant!

It's still LOVE, faults and all!

Marty

[Young1]

A larger radiator. More hp equals more heat.
A proper screen to keep sand and dirt and debris out of condenser and radiator.

[Demps]

Bigger bore spacing...
Ted

[Jagdpanzer]

Agree with Ted
4.5" would have been great.
While we're at it another 1/8" on the block deck.


Sent from my iPhone using ZR-1 Net Registry

[Corvette95]

I think all the replies are great but how about spending more money in parts support for a car that they knew was going to a legend or selling / giving the designs away to the aftermarket..i.e. ECM, DIS, thermostat housing, etc. NLA waaay to soon.

[Vette73]

How about lighter body panels ? Ala Z06....Frame structure without a doubt..Ditch the Targa top....

How about a different hood design to dissipate heat maybe ...