New ZR-1 Owner

[Hotdogand6pack]

I would like to introduce myself; my name is Aaron, and I just bought a ZR-1. I live just outside of Buffalo, NY and I love Corvettes. I am a commercial Electrician who smartly saved his money and smartly (or so I truly believe) invested it into a ZR-1. Judging the market, the recession, and many other factors, I truly believe that the ZR-1 Corvette will be the next big collector item. Those of my generation (I am 28) have no loyalty to the 69 chevelles or comaro's, the shelby or mach I mustangs. They weren't from my time, and while they all deserve the honor they receive they have no true emotional impact of being 6 or 8 years old and dreaming of the car like the one I just purchased. I truly believe that the ZR-1 will become the hot ticket item as those of my generation come of age (and money.)

That being said, I found the Z for me. I searched the internet high and low for the right one. I spent over four months searching, but to no avail. I was about to give up and just grab a new Mustang 5.0 GT (I have a soft spot for Mustangs.) Then I stumbled upon a very shortly worded message on the Corvette Forum boards. All the others I had considered had been posted on many boards, sites, and blogs. Owners desperately trying to sell their car. To me that raised a flag. But this post I could not replicate anywhere. It was short, to the point (3 sentences,) and contained no pictures. It was obvious to me that the owner was not truly committed to selling the car. And that was exactly what I was looking for.

After several e-mails, I decided to drive down to the seller's house (which happened to be only 4 hours down the interstate.) I brought no money, and no intention to purchase; only a camera. I took several (about 40) pictures and drove home.

I slept like a baby the first night, after many hours of driving it was necessary. But after the first night, sleep became labored. I would find myself waking up after midnight just to boot the laptop and examine the pictures. This endured several days. I started to go to work late, and often times caught myself hearing the sounds of the LT-5 in my head until being interrupted by one of my apprentices. It was at this point that the devil on my left shoulder pierced the heart of the angel on my right with his trident of cast aluminum (with Iron inserts by the Devil's demand of course.)

A series of e-mails followed and I was offered a price I simply couldn't refuse. Guided by the devil on my left shoulder I allocated the funds, horse-traded the use of an enclosed track-trailer and dually, and made my way down the Interstate.

The man I purchased my Z from was, in my opinion, the best of what Mankind has to offer. It is rare to find such a caring, honest, gentle, true-hearted and true-minded soul who has a love for automobiles. It is my regret that I do not live closer because he is a man that I can look up to and strive to become. (Charley K, Although I have your Z, you have my full respect and admiration. You will never be Z-less, for your Z will endure as a tribute to your love of it which I share.)

The car it self has a lineage of owners of near retirement age. The maintenance records are near complete. The flaws are as follows:
1) carpet pulling away from the dash on the passenger side, L and R of the glove box (easy fix)
2) Shift boot nearing detachment
3) Stone chip very center of hood
4) OEM oil cooler and radiator hoses need replacing
5) Clutch slave, master, and lines should be replaced
6) Spark plug wires need replacing (want to keep the LT-5 marked ones in good working order)
7) Driver seat left lateral support shows some minor wear (as it should)

The car has a Corsa exhaust (installed at the Corsa factory itself) The OEM exhaust is in AZ awaiting arrangements to be shipped in. It has a K&N air filter installed but the modifications were made to an aftermarket intake and I have all the original parts intact. Every part that was replaced I was given the original component that was removed, beit the brake master cylinder, or the PCV valve. I have all the original parts. I even have the stock battery (non fiunctional.) Add to that the car still has the sticker on the dash plexiglass stating that all gauges are not linear, consult manual , for customer removal only.

The car is a black/saddle 93 with 17500 odometer.
I won't say what I paid, but it would be interesting to see you guys tell me what it's worth.

Best regards,
Aaron

EDIT: The car has new Vredestein tires on OEM A-molds. The original tires are in good condition on the original sawblades (one has very minor curb rash which is able to be covered by a weight.) The LTPS light is on because the tire pressure sensors are on the sawblades with the original tires, which still have OEM air in them and I don't want to remove them.