1989 ZR 1 Pilot s/n 00004 - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

Tyler Townsley · 07-10-2006

As most of you know I get excited about the early ZR1s and thier stories. After 'Queenie' I thought I had it all but I have found another 'hallmark' ZR1 that deserves a name so I will call her 'Princess Di'.

The car was not really lost but unclaimed. I do not have pictures yet and it will be 2 weeks or so before I can make that happen.

Last week I get a call from a chev sales manager I know. He told me the dealers corvette mechanic had been to a tech school and seen a 90 ZR1 with 120 miles on it and s/n 4. I contacted Mom to see if the NCM would take the car as it cannot be purchased since it was a car given to the tech center with the priviso that be crushed or given to a recognized meseum. Dave contacted Wendell and the offer was accepted.

On Saturday I went by and talked to the mechanic and what he described kept me sleepless for 2 nights. What he described was not a 1990 but a 89 pilot car. 120 miles, has some kind of special pain job, black with blue pearl, white pin stripes some kind of ghost graphics. Tan interior in perfict shape. It is under an awning outside, not getting wet but outside. He had seen it 2 weeks earlier.

WOW WOW and the place is CLOSED on Saturday. First thing today I call the instructer. He returned my call about noon. Yes it is still there, yes the car is a 89, yes its a ZR1 and was told s/n 1,2,3 were crushed. Yes it cannot be sold (10 yrs ago someone had offered $250k for it) and yes they would be interested in having it go to the NCM. In fact 3/4 years ago they had contacted the NCM about donating the car to the NCM but were told that the NCM did not have a budget for acquiring any cars and unless he paid to get the car to the NCM they were not interested!!!!

We chated some more and have an understanding. He has to clear it with GM and his boss who is Germany for 2 weeks but it is our intent to have the car go to the NCM. My goal is to have the car at Carslile if I get the car by then and score a room. At this point we do not know what exactly needs to be done to get the car in servicable shape but I have previous experience with Queenie that will help.

Hopefully we will be able to offically present it to the NCM in May at the Gathering.

Tyler

Corvette95 · 07-10-2006

WOW! What a story, I would love more details...I also have access to a world class Automotive museum that would love to have the car of the NCM doesnt take it. email me at corvette95@gmail.com .... Thanks for the story!

tomtom72 · 07-11-2006

That is an amazing find!

Way to be Tyler!

Do you guys think that GM would let the NCM display the car or would they prefer to put it with the other cars that they have in their own collection? I hear that they have a warehouse full of prototypes somewhere. I just hope that they don't destroy 'Princess Di'.

Sherlock Holmes has nothing on you!

Tom

Z Factor · 07-11-2006

Great find, and hopefully it will happen.

I think I've heard about this one a little while back from someone who claimed to have seen it down here in S. Florida, but I never got any further details. I too love these stories and always hope the prototypes survived the crush order.

TommyL · 07-11-2006

Very cool find Tyler...lets hope they decide to let it reside at the NCM. If you were to ask me, these cars belong in the NCM for the public to see, not with GM where you have to be invited to see the cars.

Aurora40 · 07-11-2006

Awesome! Thanks for sharing the story with us, and I can't wait to see it unfold!

WB9MCW · 07-11-2006

WAY TO GO TT YOU DA MAN.... THE ZRONER MAN 4 SURE

rkreigh · 07-12-2006

thanks for the call tyler, this is an amazing car and needs to be preserved.

I will do my best to help see that it is and thank you again for the find and stepping up to save this beast. this is a serious part of the zr-1 history and needs to be given a nice warm place to sleep.

I will be in touch as I learn more.

BlackWidow#2 · 07-12-2006

Hi Tyler,
That's a great find and needs to be preserved! Over the years I have heard similar stories of 89s used for training purposes. I'm glad this one is still around. I may be able to help with a room at Carlisle.
George

Tyler Townsley · 07-12-2006

Well the big boys weighted in today. GM aparently has a keeper of special cars and cars like this fall under his perview. Up front if the car is as described it will be peserved however (always a however) cars like this were usually loaned with the privisio that they be destroyed or returned to GM. Since the guy at the school who was involved with the initial loan is in Germany until the end of next week we decided to wait until he returns to discus any furthur actions. He did say normally once the school released the car back to GM he would send a truck by for pickup and in this case they would go through the car and fix anything that may be a problem and the car would become part of the GM Heritage fleet. It could then be avaiable for display at the NCM but ownership would reside with GM.

Told him I would be glad to act like Reliable and transport the car for him. As it stands we all agree the car is special and will be preserved. Will update all as things happen. These cars are the

Tyler

07-10-2006	#1
Tyler Townsley Join Date: May 2005 Location: Nichols, FL Posts: 615	1989 ZR 1 Pilot s/n 00004 As most of you know I get excited about the early ZR1s and thier stories. After 'Queenie' I thought I had it all but I have found another 'hallmark' ZR1 that deserves a name so I will call her 'Princess Di'. The car was not really lost but unclaimed. I do not have pictures yet and it will be 2 weeks or so before I can make that happen. Last week I get a call from a chev sales manager I know. He told me the dealers corvette mechanic had been to a tech school and seen a 90 ZR1 with 120 miles on it and s/n 4. I contacted Mom to see if the NCM would take the car as it cannot be purchased since it was a car given to the tech center with the priviso that be crushed or given to a recognized meseum. Dave contacted Wendell and the offer was accepted. On Saturday I went by and talked to the mechanic and what he described kept me sleepless for 2 nights. What he described was not a 1990 but a 89 pilot car. 120 miles, has some kind of special pain job, black with blue pearl, white pin stripes some kind of ghost graphics. Tan interior in perfict shape. It is under an awning outside, not getting wet but outside. He had seen it 2 weeks earlier. WOW WOW and the place is CLOSED on Saturday. First thing today I call the instructer. He returned my call about noon. Yes it is still there, yes the car is a 89, yes its a ZR1 and was told s/n 1,2,3 were crushed. Yes it cannot be sold (10 yrs ago someone had offered $250k for it) and yes they would be interested in having it go to the NCM. In fact 3/4 years ago they had contacted the NCM about donating the car to the NCM but were told that the NCM did not have a budget for acquiring any cars and unless he paid to get the car to the NCM they were not interested!!!! We chated some more and have an understanding. He has to clear it with GM and his boss who is Germany for 2 weeks but it is our intent to have the car go to the NCM. My goal is to have the car at Carslile if I get the car by then and score a room. At this point we do not know what exactly needs to be done to get the car in servicable shape but I have previous experience with Queenie that will help. Hopefully we will be able to offically present it to the NCM in May at the Gathering. Tyler __________________ 55 Polo White (Project) 61 Jewel Blue (Sold to buy above) 66 Nassau Blue 68 Torch Red 88 ZR1 Blue 90 ZR1 White

07-11-2006	#3
tomtom72 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Jacksonville, FL USA Posts: 4,645	Re: 1989 ZR 1 Pilot s/n 00004 That is an amazing find! Way to be Tyler! Do you guys think that GM would let the NCM display the car or would they prefer to put it with the other cars that they have in their own collection? I hear that they have a warehouse full of prototypes somewhere. I just hope that they don't destroy 'Princess Di'. Sherlock Holmes has nothing on you! Tom __________________ 1990 ZR-1, Black/grey, #2233, stock. ZR-1 Net Reg Founding Member #316 & NCM member

07-11-2006	#4
Z Factor Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: S. Florida Posts: 2,667	Re: 1989 ZR 1 Pilot s/n 00004 Great find, and hopefully it will happen. I think I've heard about this one a little while back from someone who claimed to have seen it down here in S. Florida, but I never got any further details. I too love these stories and always hope the prototypes survived the crush order.

07-11-2006	#5
TommyL Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 204	Re: 1989 ZR 1 Pilot s/n 00004 Very cool find Tyler...lets hope they decide to let it reside at the NCM. If you were to ask me, these cars belong in the NCM for the public to see, not with GM where you have to be invited to see the cars.

07-11-2006	#6
Aurora40 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Leesburg, VA Posts: 2,713	Re: 1989 ZR 1 Pilot s/n 00004 Awesome! Thanks for sharing the story with us, and I can't wait to see it unfold! __________________ Bob Saveland Former owner of #2517 [IMG]http://a.random-image.net/aurora40/vette.jpg[/img]

07-10-2006	#2
Corvette95 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Decatur, AL Posts: 1,119	Re: 1989 ZR 1 Pilot s/n 00004 WOW! What a story, I would love more details...I also have access to a world class Automotive museum that would love to have the car of the NCM doesnt take it. email me at corvette95@gmail.com .... Thanks for the story! __________________ Corvette95 Registry and Forum (*************) 1989 C4 Conv Wht/Gry Auto Hardtop Top Flight SOLD 1995 C4 Coupe Purple/Blk 6 Speed 1989 C4 Conv Wht/Red Auto SOLD 1996 C4 Conv Black/Tan Auto SOLD 1994 C4 Coupe Wht/Blk SOLD 1995 C4 ZR-1 White/Gry #278 Dual Dunn Head SOLD 1986 C4 Coupe Black/Red 4+3 SOLD 1990 C4 ZR-1 Red/Red #0454

07-11-2006	#7
WB9MCW Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: McHenry, Il. Posts: 6,607	Re: 1989 ZR 1 Pilot s/n 00004 WAY TO GO TT YOU DA MAN.... THE ZRONER MAN 4 SURE __________________ http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...9mcw/SIG-2.jpg http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o128/wb9mcw/vcm.gif "The Budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed, lest Rome will become bankrupt. People must again learn to work instead of living on public assistance." - Cicero, 55 BC " We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution." - Abraham Lincoln

07-12-2006	#8
rkreigh Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Alex VA Posts: 1,087	Re: 1989 ZR 1 Pilot s/n 00004 thanks for the call tyler, this is an amazing car and needs to be preserved. I will do my best to help see that it is and thank you again for the find and stepping up to save this beast. this is a serious part of the zr-1 history and needs to be given a nice warm place to sleep. I will be in touch as I learn more. __________________ 95 390 LPE ZR1 (505 rwhp) LSV = Lingenfelter Super Vette Twin Turbo 2003 Z06 (800 RWHP)

07-12-2006	#9
BlackWidow#2 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 149	Re: 1989 ZR 1 Pilot s/n 00004 Hi Tyler, That's a great find and needs to be preserved! Over the years I have heard similar stories of 89s used for training purposes. I'm glad this one is still around. I may be able to help with a room at Carlisle. George __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]George C 91 Black/Black ZR1, #2 of 8 black widow cars 15 black/red Z06 :hello:

07-12-2006	#10
Tyler Townsley Join Date: May 2005 Location: Nichols, FL Posts: 615	Re: 1989 ZR 1 Pilot s/n 00004 Well the big boys weighted in today. GM aparently has a keeper of special cars and cars like this fall under his perview. Up front if the car is as described it will be peserved however (always a however) cars like this were usually loaned with the privisio that they be destroyed or returned to GM. Since the guy at the school who was involved with the initial loan is in Germany until the end of next week we decided to wait until he returns to discus any furthur actions. He did say normally once the school released the car back to GM he would send a truck by for pickup and in this case they would go through the car and fix anything that may be a problem and the car would become part of the GM Heritage fleet. It could then be avaiable for display at the NCM but ownership would reside with GM. Told him I would be glad to act like Reliable and transport the car for him. As it stands we all agree the car is special and will be preserved. Will update all as things happen. These cars are the Tyler __________________ 55 Polo White (Project) 61 Jewel Blue (Sold to buy above) 66 Nassau Blue 68 Torch Red 88 ZR1 Blue 90 ZR1 White