1989 ZR-1 for sale at BJ

[1989ZR1#74]

Research Update:

Amelia never made it accross the Atlantic (Amelia is #004s new name. My daughters have the honor of naming all of the Jackson houshold cars. They felt that she is a girl, and she is a pilot, and I thought she was flown to France so they picked Amelia....).

All period references and Dave McLellan's book, reference that the 12 to 15 (depending on source) ZR-1s flown accross the pond for the world unvailing were built just prior to their air shipment to Europe. In the June 1989 Corvette Fever Paul Zazarine states "Fifteen other pilot-production ZR-1s all built in late January (1989) at Bowling Green were also air-shipped to Geneva..." I thought that would end up being the case. I also learned today that #010 was build in March of 1988. I would speculate that all of the France cars have S/N#s after #010 and probably after #16. The yellow Geneva car at the NCM is #016.

Now the dilema. I would guess that Amelia did not have a ZR-1 emblem on the rear bumper:



More then likely it had an LT-5 emblem as #014 did and all the long lead press cars at Riverside, CA press debut had. Talk about Unobtanium! Well the search begins.

I am also not 100% convinced the trade school painted this car. When I first saw Amelia unter the tent on a very overcast day with a layer of dust, dirt and hand prints it look like a cheap quick respray. I though there were three layers, Red, Black and Blue. It appears that there is a black base coat with multiple metalics candied over it. Until I learn more about their program, I find it hard to believe that a big 3 automotive trade school would paint this car with a teriffic quality very expensive multi metalic layered paint including all of the doorjams with all of the door panels, trim, tail lights etc removed. This is a very very high quality paint application. I would think that a trade program would spend more time on repainting damaged panels etc. So although it may be true, I am not going into it with preconcieved ideas.

More to follow.

[WB9MCW]

Congrats on your 2nd Proto score.

It is like a mystery novel reading along as you uncover all the info on this Z.

[bdw18_123]

Originally Posted by 1989ZR1#74

Research Update:

...

Now the dilema. I would guess that Amelia did not have a ZR-1 emblem on the rear bumper:



More then likely it had an LT-5 emblem as #014 did and all the long lead press cars at Riverside, CA press debut had. Talk about Unobtanium! Well the search begins.

...

You are probably right about the emblem that is supposed to be there, as every picture I have ever seen of the '89 ZR-1's always has the LT5 emblem instead of the ZR-1 emblem. I guess they decided to change it at the last minute.

EDIT: Here is a quote from a website (http://maxchevy.com/events/2009/iv_2-autopsy-10.html) that explains why they changed the emblem. Most of you probably already know this, but I'll post it anyway:

"The ZR-1 emblem affixed to the right corner of the special extra-width rear fascia was the brainchild of Corvette Development Manager, Doug Robinson. Initially the plan was to use the LT-5 moniker for the King of the Hill project but a change in GM rules prohibiting engine RPO codes from appearing as external nomenclature nixed the plan. Though plastic LT5 emblems appeared on early engineering prototypes and are seen on David Kimble’s cutaway illustration, Robinson’s ZR-1 moniker was the final production choice."

I don't know if you'd ever be able to locate an original prototype LT5 emblem (though anything is possible), but I know the ZR-1netregistry store used to sell the LT5 emblems that look pretty much exactly like the original prototype ones. I bought the last one they had, they said no more were going to be made. The package the emblem came in says it's an officially licensed GM product, but I don't know if that really means anything.

Here is a picture of the one I have:


And here is a picture of one on a restored '89 pilot ZR-1. They look identical to me (other than the difference in color):


So, I'm sure someone has some extras of the ones like I have they are willing to part with that you could use in the event you can't find an original one.

[1989ZR1#74]

Well that's good news. #16, #74, and #78 have ZR-1 emblems. All the European debut cars had ZR-1. The Riverside 89s (1 red, 1 yellow) had LT-5s. The pearl white Z in the picture is #14. Since that was a crush car I don't know what it originally came with, but probably an LT-5. Not sure what #3, the Hertiage Centers ZR-1, has or originally had. Knowing they reproduced something close is a good start. Thanks. Eric

[1989ZR1#74]

I am moving the updates to here:
http://www.zr1netregistry.com/forum/...0402#post80402

That way you can follow along without the Auction info.

Eric

[zedrone]

cool deal, makes me want to give Minnecker a call and ask him about his statement that "GM will never sell these cars for liability reasons" lol.

Ed