Why no ZR-1 Pacecar? - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

Z51JEFF · 07-11-2011

Anybody ever think about this?

Kevin · 07-11-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z51JEFF

Anybody ever think about this?

no zr-1 convertable...

Jetjock · 07-11-2011

I've thought about it a lot and I have only conjecture. I don't know how the selection process works but I'm guessing that whatever company has the car has to pay big bucks up front to have a pace car. They should have done it in 90 or 91 but the drop off in sales in 92 and the financial climate at that time at GM probably took care of any chance for a ZR-1 pace car. They knew in 93 that the ZR-1 was going away, so no point at that time. If you look at the cars from 1990 to 1995, they had a Chevy Beretta, a Cadillac Allante and a Chevy Camaro along with a Chevy Corvette. There was no need for a convertible model as a lot of these cars were coupes. I feel that with all of the money expended on the LT5 motor, they just didn't want to go down that path. My best guess. Of course, it was probably something totally different.

mike100 · 07-11-2011

1991 Indy used a viper prototype so they missed that opportunity. I still feel the Viper was the second reason besides price that sales of the ZR-1 tanked.

btw I was at that race and saw the old man drive that Viper around Indy. V10 sounded terrible, but I remember the hype at the time.

cvette98pacecar · 07-11-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike100

1991 Indy used a viper prototype so they missed that opportunity. I still feel the Viper was the second reason besides price that sales of the ZR-1 tanked.

btw I was at that race and saw the old man drive that Viper around Indy. V10 sounded terrible, but I remember the hype at the time.

In 91 the Viper only paced the first lap after that it was a stealth that paced the remainder of the race. Dodge was fearful that it would break down.

Kevin · 07-11-2011

the side pipe vipers always sounded like crap. the firing order on this is all wrong so it ends up sounding like a pair of 5 bangers

Jetjock · 07-11-2011

I talked to a guy that had a Vette and his wife made him sell it and get the Viper. He hated it. It's cramped, noisy for all of the wrong reasons and he burned his legs getting out of it. He had a drop dead gorgeous Z06 and I couldn't believe he let his wife made him sell it. Frankly, they should have used a 93 40th ZR-1 as a pace car. They finally did that with the 50th car. It takes them awhile, sometimes.

Kevin · 07-11-2011

i think viper owners call that "the kiss of the snake"

Mystic ZR-1 · 07-11-2011

Why no ZR-1 Pacecar?

Easy answer, they needed a car the racecars could keep up with!

PS: The Vipers with the side exhaust sound like an old flathead Ford with a couple of loose plug wires and a rusted thru muffler...

USAFPILOT · 07-11-2011

race cars couldn't keep up with it

07-11-2011	#1
Z51JEFF Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Fremont,Ca Posts: 3,079	Why no ZR-1 Pacecar? Anybody ever think about this?

07-11-2011	#3
Jetjock Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Auburn, KY Posts: 554	Re: Why no ZR-1 Pacecar? I've thought about it a lot and I have only conjecture. I don't know how the selection process works but I'm guessing that whatever company has the car has to pay big bucks up front to have a pace car. They should have done it in 90 or 91 but the drop off in sales in 92 and the financial climate at that time at GM probably took care of any chance for a ZR-1 pace car. They knew in 93 that the ZR-1 was going away, so no point at that time. If you look at the cars from 1990 to 1995, they had a Chevy Beretta, a Cadillac Allante and a Chevy Camaro along with a Chevy Corvette. There was no need for a convertible model as a lot of these cars were coupes. I feel that with all of the money expended on the LT5 motor, they just didn't want to go down that path. My best guess. Of course, it was probably something totally different. __________________ Roy L. Carman If I feel the need for speed, I just think about flying the B-777. 1989 Dk Blue Coupe lost in divorce 1991 Black Coupe SOLD 1992 Black ZR-1 #423 SOLD! 1993 Ruby Red 40th Anniversary ZR-1 #334 1995 Black ZR-1 taken by ex-wife 2002 Pewter Coupe no idea where it is 2003 50th Anniversary Corvette #No idea what number SOLD! ZR-1 Net Registry #516 Grand Sport Lifetime Member NCM Lifetime #1468 ZR-1 Net Registry Board Secretary

07-11-2011	#4
mike100 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: San Marcos CA Posts: 1,802	Re: Why no ZR-1 Pacecar? 1991 Indy used a viper prototype so they missed that opportunity. I still feel the Viper was the second reason besides price that sales of the ZR-1 tanked. btw I was at that race and saw the old man drive that Viper around Indy. V10 sounded terrible, but I remember the hype at the time.

07-11-2011	#6
Kevin Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: pittsburgh Posts: 4,632	Re: Why no ZR-1 Pacecar? the side pipe vipers always sounded like crap. the firing order on this is all wrong so it ends up sounding like a pair of 5 bangers __________________ It's not the car, it's the people - Doug Johnson 90 r/r "KEYS ON" nick named "T.L.B"

07-11-2011	#7
Jetjock Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Auburn, KY Posts: 554	Re: Why no ZR-1 Pacecar? I talked to a guy that had a Vette and his wife made him sell it and get the Viper. He hated it. It's cramped, noisy for all of the wrong reasons and he burned his legs getting out of it. He had a drop dead gorgeous Z06 and I couldn't believe he let his wife made him sell it. Frankly, they should have used a 93 40th ZR-1 as a pace car. They finally did that with the 50th car. It takes them awhile, sometimes. __________________ Roy L. Carman If I feel the need for speed, I just think about flying the B-777. 1989 Dk Blue Coupe lost in divorce 1991 Black Coupe SOLD 1992 Black ZR-1 #423 SOLD! 1993 Ruby Red 40th Anniversary ZR-1 #334 1995 Black ZR-1 taken by ex-wife 2002 Pewter Coupe no idea where it is 2003 50th Anniversary Corvette #No idea what number SOLD! ZR-1 Net Registry #516 Grand Sport Lifetime Member NCM Lifetime #1468 ZR-1 Net Registry Board Secretary

07-11-2011	#8
Kevin Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: pittsburgh Posts: 4,632	Re: Why no ZR-1 Pacecar? i think viper owners call that "the kiss of the snake" __________________ It's not the car, it's the people - Doug Johnson 90 r/r "KEYS ON" nick named "T.L.B"

07-11-2011	#9
Mystic ZR-1 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Mystic CT Posts: 2,633	Re: Why no ZR-1 Pacecar? Why no ZR-1 Pacecar? Easy answer, they needed a car the racecars could keep up with! PS: The Vipers with the side exhaust sound like an old flathead Ford with a couple of loose plug wires and a rusted thru muffler...

07-11-2011	#10
USAFPILOT Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Spring TX Posts: 1,348	Re: Why no ZR-1 Pacecar? race cars couldn't keep up with it