Places You Wish GM Spent A Few Extra Dollars on Your ZR-1? - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

Erik · 12-12-2020

As much as GM spent on the ZR-1, and as much as the option cost, there were still some choices that they made that seem forced on them by the accountants. Then there was the still contentious decision to make the ZR-1 visually almost indistinguishable from the regular Corvette. Would the ZR-1 have sold more, had the car looked more dramatically different?

Seeing as how the ZR-1 market, at least in the first years, was pretty price insensitive, I figure GM could have added an extra $10k to the price easily, with no negative effect on sales.

Where do I wish they had spent the extra?

1) Structure - They knew from racing, and from the changes forced on them with the last minute change to the targa, that the structure was too flimsy. They could have easily added something like Killebrews frame reinforcements, and had a more solid car. Or maybe a stronger version of the the convertible X frame, but cast from aluminum.

2) Interior - If you really gonna take on Lamborghini or Porsche with your car, the interior should have been upgraded accordingly. Just too many pieces inside that feel like they are sourced from a Cavalier. They could have even used the same pieces, but finished them differently. I don't know. Maybe a piano black finish on the plastic, instead of grey, just so your $60k Vette doesn't look exactly the same as the $30k one your neighbour just bought.

3) Exterior - I do think that a little more could have been done to differentiate the ZR-1 from regular corvettes. It doesn't need to be dramatically different, just enough.

What do you guys think?

XfireZ51 · 12-12-2020

Your criticisms are echoed for subsequent generations as well.

DRM500RUBYZR-1 · 12-12-2020

1- The paint used on the engine.
2- The teensy tiny radio knobs.
3- OK OK the grey plastic on the earlier ones with the yellow/orange letters
4- The sun visors
5- The way the dashboard coming down to the right from the binnacle just abruptly ends, why not contour it to match and meet the console.
6- ROOF DRIP RAILS, must have ben my dry cleaners suggestion to not have them, he got to clean and press far more suits.
7-The(quality?) of the STEENKIN solar glass windshield
8-The drop down bolts on the spare tire carrier, you try getting it to stay in the higher position after you load the spare back. tired of trying to get it back together after NCRS Judge finished with it.
9- all of the weatherpack connectors, fuse holders, etc on the hood light wires but no on and off switch???? I think I have bought 35 10 amp fuses and lost 34 of them.
10-the bolster switch UNDER your leg! Brilliant!

It's still LOVE, faults and all!

Marty

Young1 · 12-12-2020

A larger radiator. More hp equals more heat.
A proper screen to keep sand and dirt and debris out of condenser and radiator.

Demps · 12-12-2020

Bigger bore spacing...
Ted

Jagdpanzer · 12-12-2020

Agree with Ted
4.5" would have been great.
While we're at it another 1/8" on the block deck.

Sent from my iPhone using ZR-1 Net Registry

Corvette95 · 12-13-2020

I think all the replies are great but how about spending more money in parts support for a car that they knew was going to a legend or selling / giving the designs away to the aftermarket..i.e. ECM, DIS, thermostat housing, etc. NLA waaay to soon.

Vette73 · 12-13-2020

How about lighter body panels ? Ala Z06....Frame structure without a doubt..Ditch the Targa top....

How about a different hood design to dissipate heat maybe ...

12-12-2020	#1
Erik Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: New Brunswick Posts: 939	Places You Wish GM Spent A Few Extra Dollars on Your ZR-1? As much as GM spent on the ZR-1, and as much as the option cost, there were still some choices that they made that seem forced on them by the accountants. Then there was the still contentious decision to make the ZR-1 visually almost indistinguishable from the regular Corvette. Would the ZR-1 have sold more, had the car looked more dramatically different? Seeing as how the ZR-1 market, at least in the first years, was pretty price insensitive, I figure GM could have added an extra $10k to the price easily, with no negative effect on sales. Where do I wish they had spent the extra? 1) Structure - They knew from racing, and from the changes forced on them with the last minute change to the targa, that the structure was too flimsy. They could have easily added something like Killebrews frame reinforcements, and had a more solid car. Or maybe a stronger version of the the convertible X frame, but cast from aluminum. 2) Interior - If you really gonna take on Lamborghini or Porsche with your car, the interior should have been upgraded accordingly. Just too many pieces inside that feel like they are sourced from a Cavalier. They could have even used the same pieces, but finished them differently. I don't know. Maybe a piano black finish on the plastic, instead of grey, just so your $60k Vette doesn't look exactly the same as the $30k one your neighbour just bought. 3) Exterior - I do think that a little more could have been done to differentiate the ZR-1 from regular corvettes. It doesn't need to be dramatically different, just enough. What do you guys think? __________________ 1990 ZR-1 # 996 "All Corvettes are red. The rest are mistakes." - John Heinricy

12-12-2020	#2
XfireZ51 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chicagoland, IL Posts: 9,691	Re: Places You Wish GM Spent A Few Extra Dollars on Your ZR-1? Your criticisms are echoed for subsequent generations as well. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Former Membership Chairman Former ZR-1 Registry - BOD 1972 Corvette 4speed base Coupe SOLD long time ago 1984 Corvette Z-51/4+3 SOLD 1992 Corvette ZR-1 Aqua/Gray #474 SOLD 1992 Corvette ZR-1 Black Rose/Cognac #458 2014 Honda VFR Interceptor DX

12-12-2020	#3
DRM500RUBYZR-1 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Mullica Hill, New Jersey Posts: 2,566	Re: Places You Wish GM Spent A Few Extra Dollars on Your ZR-1? 1- The paint used on the engine. 2- The teensy tiny radio knobs. 3- OK OK the grey plastic on the earlier ones with the yellow/orange letters 4- The sun visors 5- The way the dashboard coming down to the right from the binnacle just abruptly ends, why not contour it to match and meet the console. 6- ROOF DRIP RAILS, must have ben my dry cleaners suggestion to not have them, he got to clean and press far more suits. 7-The(quality?) of the STEENKIN solar glass windshield 8-The drop down bolts on the spare tire carrier, you try getting it to stay in the higher position after you load the spare back. tired of trying to get it back together after NCRS Judge finished with it. 9- all of the weatherpack connectors, fuse holders, etc on the hood light wires but no on and off switch???? I think I have bought 35 10 amp fuses and lost 34 of them. 10-the bolster switch UNDER your leg! Brilliant! It's still LOVE, faults and all! Marty

12-12-2020	#4
Young1 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Ocala, FL Posts: 889	Re: Places You Wish GM Spent A Few Extra Dollars on Your ZR-1? A larger radiator. More hp equals more heat. A proper screen to keep sand and dirt and debris out of condenser and radiator. __________________ Steve Young 1991 ZR-1 Quasar Blue Metallic/Black #729 Second Owner 1991 ZR-1 Dark Red Metallic/Black #2040 SOLD 1990 ZR-1 Dark Red Metallic/Saddle #1670 SOLD Double your happiness.....complain half as much.

12-12-2020	#5
Demps Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Niceville Posts: 997	Re: Places You Wish GM Spent A Few Extra Dollars on Your ZR-1? Bigger bore spacing... Ted

12-12-2020	#6
Jagdpanzer Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 2,650	Re: Places You Wish GM Spent A Few Extra Dollars on Your ZR-1? Agree with Ted 4.5" would have been great. While we're at it another 1/8" on the block deck. Sent from my iPhone using ZR-1 Net Registry __________________ Phil Wasinger 1994 Torch Red ZR-1 WAZOO Member George Braml Intake

12-13-2020	#7
Corvette95 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Decatur, AL Posts: 1,107	Re: Places You Wish GM Spent A Few Extra Dollars on Your ZR-1? I think all the replies are great but how about spending more money in parts support for a car that they knew was going to a legend or selling / giving the designs away to the aftermarket..i.e. ECM, DIS, thermostat housing, etc. NLA waaay to soon. __________________ 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

12-13-2020	#8
Vette73 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Brooklyn ny Posts: 1,045	Re: Places You Wish GM Spent A Few Extra Dollars on Your ZR-1? How about lighter body panels ? Ala Z06....Frame structure without a doubt..Ditch the Targa top.... How about a different hood design to dissipate heat maybe ...