New Member Looking at a ZR1…

[G-Sting]

Greetings!

Having previously owned a '96 LT1, I made the mistake of letting my son-in-law (24) talk me into test driving a local '90 ZR-1 this weekend at a local dealership. He also drove it. "Intoxicating" was his summary remark. I knew it would be… and now we can't stop thinking about it (you guys know this!)

I was able to get the previous owner's name and number (required here by law) and had a very nice chat with him. It has 32k miles, runs well. We went over things he had done to it, and it appears to be reasonably well cared for. But I have a few questions to start.

1. There is a horizontal windshield crack about 2" long, and about 6" down from the top on the passenger side. Doesn't appear to be a rock chip, nor growing. Are new ZR-1 windshields hard to come by? What would you do here?

2. There is an on/off toggle switch right below the steering column that appears to have been installed by another previous owner. Any idea what this could be?

Thank you in advance.

cheers,
G

[We Gone]

Welcome, You would be better off replacing the windshield with a reg one, if you can find a replacement ZR-1 windshield it will be big $ $2500+.

Not sure what the switch would be maybe a fan switch?

[Paul Workman]

Welcome to the "Brotherhood of the Beast!"

I can identify with your reaction to your first ride in a Z. I had a pristine 95 LT1/M6 car at the time I test drove my 90. Before starting the drive, I was already having seller's remorse. But, when I returned from the test, I gladly tossed in the 95 as part of the deal and bought the ZR-1 and never regretted it!

Ah, but that was 100+ rear wheel hp ago. The power delivery, the unique sound they have...nuttin' like it with a bowtie badge on it!

Good hunting!

[G-Sting]

Originally Posted by Paul Workman

Welcome to the "Brotherhood of the Beast!"

I can identify with your reaction to your first ride in a Z. I had a pristine 95 LT1/M6 car at the time I test drove my 90. Before starting the drive, I was already having seller's remorse. But, when I returned from the test, I gladly tossed in the 95 as part of the deal and bought the ZR-1 and never regretted it!

Ah, but that was 100+ rear wheel hp ago. The power delivery, the unique sound they have...nuttin' like it with a bowtie badge on it!

Good hunting!

Thank you for the warm welcome!

… and I appreciate all the comments, advice, and… humor! I suppose a thorough pre-buy inspection would possibly clarify many issues of the more expensive type. Though, I do understand on 'older' cars things can come up very unexpectedly.

The Z sat for 2 years in a show room. So the previous owner replaced the serpentine belt, all fluids, all 4 shocks, and a few other things. He had a leak in the tranny (dripping fluid), and had it taken apart and a new seals put in. Idled beautifully smooth, Shifted like butter, accelerated like a bat. New Nitto 555 tires. They are asking 19.9. It's number #1020 if anyone has more info on it.

Here is a photo of the engine compartment. I'm sure the sharp eyes here might be able to comment. Thanks again.

[mike100]

The zr-1 windshield has a special reflective layer, was made in small numbers, and you can't get them anymore (for the most part). Just get a $300 standard C4 unit without the solar ray tint. The solar ray ones delaminate and get white streaks in them anyhow.

The stuff you really want to know about is if the injectors are still original, if the trans doesn't grind in any gear on a high rpm shift, the clutch hydraulics are replaced, and any major services or mods that it has. Don't forget about the regular C4 stuff like missing the original fiberglass top, old tires, or a bad sound system- you know those can really add up.

[ghlkal]

Originally Posted by G-Sting

1. There is a horizontal windshield crack about 2" long, and about 6" down from the top on the passenger side. Doesn't appear to be a rock chip, nor growing. Are new ZR-1 windshields hard to come by? What would you do here?

As others mentioned, get a regular C4 windshield. Mine had a crack in it too. I considered spending the $2K on a reproduction replacement, but my wife talked me out it. "You'd be afraid to drive it worrying about picking up a stone chip." So true. As it turns out, I did pick up a chip on the replacement windshield from a flying rock. I'm glad it was the $300 windshield! If you're going to drive your Z, as I do, you want to enjoy driving it.

When you get the windshield replaced, be sure to ask the shop if they've done C4s before. I talked with several glass places and found someone who did an excellent job. Instead of using their weatherstrip, I bought some good stuff and had them use that.

Good luck.

[Dynomite]

Originally Posted by ghlkal

As others mentioned, get a regular C4 windshield. Mine had a crack in it too. I considered spending the $2K on a reproduction replacement, but my wife talked me out it. "You'd be afraid to drive it worrying about picking up a stone chip." So true. As it turns out, I did pick up a chip on the replacement windshield from a flying rock. I'm glad it was the $300 windshield! If you're going to drive your Z, as I do, you want to enjoy driving it.

When you get the windshield replaced, be sure to ask the shop if they've done C4s before. I talked with several glass places and found someone who did an excellent job. Instead of using their weatherstrip, I bought some good stuff and had them use that.

Good luck.

Can you give us some specifics on the $300 windshield and some specifics on the weatherstripping you found?
I guess the regular C4 windshield does not have and does not need the radar cutout?

[ghlkal]

Originally Posted by Dynomite

Can you give us some specifics on the $300 windshield and some specifics on the weatherstripping you found?
I guess the regular C4 windshield does not have and does not need the radar cutout?

Like Paul, I found a Safelite shop where the manager had installed a number of C4 windshields. The regular C4 windshield was $230 and it was $70 to install it.

I forgot the exact supplier I used for the weatherstripping, but it was good stuff.

No "cutout" on the regular windshield. I tried to get someone to install "airblue" or similar tint on the windshield, but ... that was another story.

[Z51JEFF]

Most will tell you that the trim will get destroyed removing but this is false. The trim is glued in but lacquer thinner will break down the glue and its then possible to get the trim off. Keep in mind that the holes in the WS frame are drilled with the trim at the time is installed at the factory meaning if a different set of trim is used the holes won't line up, at least it was like this on an 84 I had on the past.

[Tony Davila]

Originally Posted by G-Sting

Greetings!

2. There is an on/off toggle switch right below the steering column that appears to have been installed by another previous owner. Any idea what this could be?

Thank you in advance.

cheers,
G

Possible use of switch:
1. Nitrous
2 Flux Capacitor
3 Kill Switch for Warp Drive
4 Neon light kit for under carriage
5 Wife ejection seat
6 Dixie "Dukes of Hazard" Horn

Other than that, I have no clue.