Revision Corvette ZR-1 model year 1990 #125

[Thomas ZR-1]

I purchased the ZR-1 in Los Angeles from the previous owner (former member of this forum) in December 2018. The car only had 52000 miles on the odometer and was in quite a good and original condition. Carfax showed a little damage to the left hand side at the rear (no big thing...comments on this later). All the necessary documents such as the original dealer contract (09/22/1989) and the well-known ?pizza box? came with the car. After finishing the restoration the ZR-1 passed the regular technical and historical check at the German T?V for the official registration in Germany.

With more than 20 years experience with Corvettes C4 and ZR-1 I did all the restoration by myself. Only the paintwork, the saddler job and the total overhauling of the original rims were performed by expert companies.


Index:
1. Initial condition
2. Disassembling
3. Paintwork
4. Overhauling suspension, steering and brake system
5. Exhaust system
6. Saddler job
7. Overhauling BOSE sound system
8. Wheel rim restoration
9. Installation of axles, suspension, brakes and steering
10. Body and interior assembling
11. Assembling engine compartment
12. Engine rebuild
13. Installation powertrain
14. Wheel alignment, test drive, technical check and car dyno
15. Operating liquids

[Thomas ZR-1]

1. Initial condition

First some pics showing the car?s original condition on the arrival at my workshop.

[Thomas ZR-1]

The condition wasn?t bad for a 30 year old vehicle but not really important for my intention. The engine and the car ran smoothly and was in good condition, no parts were missing inside and outside the car. Only the California sun had worked hard on the paint and the weather strips over the years.

In preparation for the planned frame-off restoration everything had to be dismantled because the body would be sprayed in the original black color. At the end of the project the Corvette should be rebuilt almost to factory condition such as on the day of delivery plus some small and useful timely modifications.

[Thomas ZR-1]

2. Disassembling

First of all the engine and the complete powertrain had to be removed from the car, 30 years of dirt came out to the daylight.

[Thomas ZR-1]

The transmission tunnel was prepared and cleaned up for later on. Special heat protection foil should reduce the heating of the interior.

[Thomas ZR-1]

Body and interior were dismantled as well. The body painter should have all the parts delivered in raw condition. There should be no washer or nut left installed.

[Thomas ZR-1]

Much work...

[Thomas ZR-1]

Raw material:

[A26B]

Great work Thomas! You now have a beautiful, frame-on restored ZR-1, and the satisfaction of having done it all yourself. Well done! Congratulations!!

[Thomas ZR-1]

Thank you Jerry...I prepared a restoration report for the forum with lots of details...next steps will follow tomorrow...