1990 zr1 production run

[Hog]

Originally Posted by edram454

so are you saying that my build sheet date 6/28/1990 was not the date it was built?? Whether 3028 was built before 3021 is true or a possibility is one thing. If the build sheet is to be believed then by simply checking the build date that would determine when the car was built. June 28 is very late in the production run considering that in 1996, for example, the production run ended June 15 for that year. Also as a member stated, GM stopped production runs before July 4th since they stopped production for two weeks before starting the next production year. I have not seen any 1990 zr1's later than mine that are around. I heard of a red/saddle 1990 zr1 with vin 3032 somewhere in alabama. I have never seen or heard of any cars over 3032 and neither has GM archives since they should no record of anything past 3032. I have to believe the build sheet because it also states where it was delivered too. 6/28 is very, very late production date for a 1990 zr1. Mine was sent to a dealer in Morristown, New Jersey. If anybody has a production vin older than #3028 I would love to know. Thanks.

I never mentioned anything about a build date, just the build sequence number and how the car could be built of sequence to that number.
Build date is another question, it all depends on where in the plant the car is considered built? When it rolls off the assembly line, rolls onto the dyno, its rolled out of the plant. No matter though, it would be consistent throughout the model year. There's going to be a few after your car, based solely on VINs.
1990 ZR-1's used VIN's 1G1YZ23JxL5800001 through 1G1YZ23JxL5803049.

I used to work beside the online VIN printer, access to it was limited.

[USAZR1]

Originally Posted by edram454

The person working there, her name is Stacy, said there is no information past #3032. There is a confirmation of a red/saddle interior 1990 zr1 #3032 car. So if this information was correct, mine was 4th from the last zr1 built and sold to the public. Interesting.
ed ramos #3028

Ed,the owner of #3032 is a member of this site. His handle is maroon88iroc.

[BigJohn]

I like #3032 it's my favorite 90!

[edram454]

Oh cool. Its nice to know. I knew that a car dealer owned 3032 a few years ago and that it is or was a red on saddle car. That's great. That could be the last one. At least based on GM Archives it is the last serial number that sold to the public. I would like to see what the built date was on his paper work just to figure out the time line. It is just pure coincidence that the car I bought was 3028. I could not care less what number it was. All I cared was that it is a black on black couple with good mods. I could have probably bought a better red car with less miles but black is just my favorite color combo. Not a lot of black on black cars with good mods and two owner for a good price. I can't say 3032 is my favorite but maybe one of my favorites.

good day.

[edram454]

Originally Posted by Hog

I never mentioned anything about a build date, just the build sequence number and how the car could be built of sequence to that number.
Build date is another question, it all depends on where in the plant the car is considered built? When it rolls off the assembly line, rolls onto the dyno, its rolled out of the plant. No matter though, it would be consistent throughout the model year. There's going to be a few after your car, based solely on VINs.
1990 ZR-1's used VIN's 1G1YZ23JxL5800001 through 1G1YZ23JxL5803049.

I used to work beside the online VIN printer, access to it was limited.

Build date to me would be whatever the build sheet says with the date and time. The rest would be speculation. Mine actually says 23:00 and that's 11 p.m. military time. I found that odd. It also had the dealer it was going too. It is probably not exactly when it was built but it is all we really have that is concrete on paper. Maybe it was when it was totally finished and ready to be dispatched to the assigned dealer. who knows? Back then not all dealers could order this car since they had to have a zr1 trained technician working there to receive one if my sources are correct. I like the 90 model the best anyway so it worked out best. The front end with the different rear end combination along with the tight seats make it feel like a serious car and well tucked in. My c5 coupe felt like I was sliding all over the place. I like them all but some a little more than others. May they all live a long and safe existence.

[BigJohn]

They could have built 30 cars that day, but they were not all ZR-1's.
I too like the 90 body styling including the black line around the body.

[Hog]

Originally Posted by edram454

Build date to me would be whatever the build sheet says with the date and time. The rest would be speculation. Mine actually says 23:00 and that's 11 p.m. military time. I found that odd. It also had the dealer it was going too. It is probably not exactly when it was built but it is all we really have that is concrete on paper. Maybe it was when it was totally finished and ready to be dispatched to the assigned dealer. who knows? Back then not all dealers could order this car since they had to have a zr1 trained technician working there to receive one if my sources are correct. I like the 90 model the best anyway so it worked out best. The front end with the different rear end combination along with the tight seats make it feel like a serious car and well tucked in. My c5 coupe felt like I was sliding all over the place. I like them all but some a little more than others. May they all live a long and safe existence.

I agree, of course the build date, is what GM assigns as it's build date. My "speculation" is to when GM considered the car "built".
I was test driving LT1 cars, the GM discount was substantial off of the sticker.
The cars at the factory I worked had a "rider" that was taped to the open hood. It was a pice of paper with its options list etc. It also had it's build date. This was the 90's when I worked there. I just looked at some Bowling Green videos and a lot of the systems are very similar.

Later on in life I worked at a heavy truck plant, each truck was built custom and teh chassis rode around on roller carts just like the C6 ZR1 did. A cart for each axle, so if the truck had 3 axles, it got three carts

I would lift the frame rails off of a truck from Mexico and then set them into the production sequence. The guys in the "jig" would lift the frame rails and install crossmembers, they buoilt the chassis upside down and if equipped used a HUCK gun to lighten te frame together. These Hucks require a torch to remove, they were an upgrade over a bolt truck.
then the axle guys would drop down the axles front and rear and bolt them in place using gravity to drop the axles down, instead of fighting gravity and lifting them up from underneath.

The chassis was on stands and progressed laterally, then 2 cranes grbbed each end picked the chassis up and then after strapping the driveshaft so it didnt slap around, they flipped the chaissis 180° then they lowered the chassis onto the roller carts, the pins on teh carts were kicked down and then the chassis proceeds down the line in a motion as if it were driving.
Our TAC time was 11 minutes, a Class 8 heavy truck came off the line every 11 minutes. After chassis paint, the rad, engine/trans was lowered in within the 11 minutes. Each truck was chassis dynoed. When I 1st started we built 2 trucks a night, this progressed as new hires were brought in and we got up to 44 trucks in an 8 hour shift. The plant even had a test track. I enjoyed that place, but the workers ended up boxing up their own jobs and shipped them to Mexico. Great feeling.

[edram454]

Originally Posted by Hog

I agree, of course the build date, is what GM assigns as it's build date. My "speculation" is to when GM considered the car "built".
I was test driving LT1 cars, the GM discount was substantial off of the sticker.
The cars at the factory I worked had a "rider" that was taped to the open hood. It was a pice of paper with its options list etc. It also had it's build date. This was the 90's when I worked there. I just looked at some Bowling Green videos and a lot of the systems are very similar.

Later on in life I worked at a heavy truck plant, each truck was built custom and teh chassis rode around on roller carts just like the C6 ZR1 did. A cart for each axle, so if the truck had 3 axles, it got three carts

I would lift the frame rails off of a truck from Mexico and then set them into the production sequence. The guys in the "jig" would lift the frame rails and install crossmembers, they buoilt the chassis upside down and if equipped used a HUCK gun to lighten te frame together. These Hucks require a torch to remove, they were an upgrade over a bolt truck.
then the axle guys would drop down the axles front and rear and bolt them in place using gravity to drop the axles down, instead of fighting gravity and lifting them up from underneath.

The chassis was on stands and progressed laterally, then 2 cranes grbbed each end picked the chassis up and then after strapping the driveshaft so it didnt slap around, they flipped the chaissis 180° then they lowered the chassis onto the roller carts, the pins on teh carts were kicked down and then the chassis proceeds down the line in a motion as if it were driving.
Our TAC time was 11 minutes, a Class 8 heavy truck came off the line every 11 minutes. After chassis paint, the rad, engine/trans was lowered in within the 11 minutes. Each truck was chassis dynoed. When I 1st started we built 2 trucks a night, this progressed as new hires were brought in and we got up to 44 trucks in an 8 hour shift. The plant even had a test track. I enjoyed that place, but the workers ended up boxing up their own jobs and shipped them to Mexico. Great feeling.

Thanks for the insight. I know many things must go on in an assembly line and at times mistakes are made I suppose. Very sad to hear about jobs going abroad.

ed ramos #3028

[maroon88iroc]

I own #3032 and I have extensive history on the car, it was purchased new in Washington DC and moved to SC then to FL where I bought the car. I have all the original paperwork and service history on the car. I am looking to sell the car, but am also working a trade with a guy that owns a '69 convertible non #'s matching car that is said to be an original big block car.

Anyone have any advice for me on my #3032 if it is this rare I would prefer to sell to a collector.

Can anyone give more info on the 17 pilot cars, what is a pilot car and what were they used for?

[edram454]

I can tell you that 3032 is the last serial numbered car sold to the public. there is no record of 3033-3049 in the GM Archives. The pilot cars were probably the first non sequenced cars produced and used for all kinds of experiments, mods, driving, etc.... pilot cars are used to make tests, corrections and to iron out gremlins before the cars are sold to the public. they are also used by the press to drive on roads tests etc... they built 3049 cars. 3032 sold to the public. 17 pilot cars. could have been some crash test cars etc... durability testing cars...

I think you car is unique because it is the last 1990 ZR1. do you know your build date?? By the way I would never trade for a 1969 convertible without its original motor. I had a 1969 and I love them but a big block without an original motor loses lots of value. they are a dime a dozen. It is only worth while if you are going to drive the crap out of it or put a 572 big block in it or something like that. You could also build an (original stamped) engine but then you are stuck in the fact that you must disclose what it is when you sell it so the value on that car is very limited. At least get an original engined big block car. Get a 1970 big block car. It is more rare and the last of the high compression.