1 of 1 ZR1 / LT5 "model"engine made by Lotus in early 1987

[bob@tradeshowconsulting.c]

Here is a 1 of 1 ZR1 / LT5 "model" engine made by Lotus in early 1987 . Made by Lotus's Program Manager of the LT5 project A. Manias and given to a GM (CPC ) executive as a thank you for working with Lotus for the LT5 development project.

Its actually the first incarnation of the LT5 motor ( in model form) before any prototype engines/cars were built. The model LT5 engine was hand crafted by J. Elford and the corvette body was a 1/8 scale model kit from Monogram that was built with great detail by A. Manias ..Lotus's Project Manager for the LT5 project.

I have recently contacted Anthony Manias in the UK to confirm the models heritage, legacy and authenticity. He was " Blown Away" ( his words) when I found him and emailed him pictures of the model that he and his friend J. Elford made in early 1987.

This one full car model ZR1 / LT5 prototype and only 3 LT5 model engines were given to GM Executives/management team that were spearheading the LT5 project and worked with Lotus for design/Engineering of the LT5

Anthony Manias confirmed there was only one full complete 1/8 scale corvette car with the prototype 1/8 scale LT5 engine squeezed in .
( and now I own it ) . Its quite large and very impressive in real life.

Pictures don't do it justice. Its 1/8 scale ..about 22" long , 9.5" wide and 5" tall

This one and only prototype LT5 /ZR1 model was then given to Bud Agner Plant Manager of Mercury Marine at the time they were selected to produce the LT5. Given to him by a GM Exec who received it from Lotus.

I was able to acquire this very unique and rare piece of LT5/ZR1 history from the Family of Bud Anger. and so I am sharing this story with you all.

Anthony Manias of Lotus told me that this LT5 engine model was made from using the first blueprints of the of the LT5 before any prototype real engines were made.

So in actuality this is the first incarnation of the ZR1 / LT5 prototype

perhaps the holy grail ? in model form of course ..no offense to actual real prototype ZR1 owners.

Of course since there was no ZR1 Corvette body at the time in model form . But just like the eventual actual prototype cars built on 1986 and later cars . This model was built from a 1985 Monogram Kit. However, the LT5 engine was hand crafted in the UK based on the blue prints of the actual engine at the time that did not exist in real life form yet.

Its a very rare model and unless you worked with Bud Agner in Stillwater Oklahoma at Mercury Marine or knew one of the GM execs at the time ..most people never knew this model existed.

I wanted to share this Legacy item and pictures with this group here as it pertains to the actual prototype real cars which I think are so very ,very cool. I hope you all don't mind as its not a real car obviously, but was hoping this story and pictures would interest you all in this prototype section .


Bob V
40th ZR1 owner