ZR-1 donor car wanted, inexpensive - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

emmvette · 02-05-2022

I have a nice drive train, but need a body and frame for it. Anyone have a decent body and frame to sell? It doesn't make sense to spend a lot of coin on this, so please don't contact me with a $10k+ car. Its unfortunate our cars aren't worth more, as it is it doesn't make sense to spend much to put one of these together.

A good example of what I could use would be a project car that someone doesn't have time to finish, or a car with a blown engine, etc.

A partially parted out car may work, but since I need a body, just a bare frame won't be enough. I'd prefer a car with intact wiring, as I'm not wanting to go that far into a project. I'm fine to remove and replace an engine and trans, brakes, etc. But I'm busy at work so beyond that is really outside of reasonable for me.

I'd love any suggestions or contacts if you know of someone with a potential donor car. I've considered finding a non-ZR-1 for cheap and using it, but that is a loosing proposition as it will never be worth even 1/3 what I'll spend to put it together. The value of a non-ZR-1 with a 402 CI LT-5 isn't much.......

Plant B: Anyone want to find me fast boat to put this in? I'd be game for making the Merc Cruiser Wette Vette #3, but honestly I don't have the skill or knowledge to make the headers needed, wiring, or a new brain. But a Baha with a 550 HP LT-5 would be pretty fine....Does anyone know what happened to the Wette Vette engine that sold on BAT a couple years ago? It is getting used? Maybe they don't want to fuss with it? Hmmmm.

Plan C: Buy a Factory 5 kit and put my drive train in it. Not sure it would fit.

Plan D: Make this an off-road rally race car, but I'd need significant time and work to do that.....

Plan D: Sell the drive train. That's my least favorite option and sounds lame

G8nightman · 02-05-2022

Sad to say plan D seems most realistic but you might get lucky.

Sent from my iPhone using ZR-1 Net Registry

spork2367 · 02-05-2022

Quote:

Originally Posted by G8nightman

Sad to say plan D seems most realistic but you might get lucky.

Sent from my iPhone using ZR-1 Net Registry

Yup.

The time of the cheap zr-1 project car has come and gone (at least for the time being). There are virtually no "cars with blown motors." Most cars are taken out of service for body damage or fires. Once people pull the drivetrains and pay too much for them, they scrap the bodies. There is a pretty rough, but repairable shell on ebay right now. There have been two others that pop up from time to time. One that's been sitting outside, and Kurt White's. I've seen pretty rough fire cars going in the 7k range.

Sucks, I bought a complete engine and ECU in 2012ish for 2100 shipped. In 2016 I bought a complete running driving low mileage car with a clean title that needed body work for 6500 shipped from Washington to PA....The good ole days.

OP: What is your budget for this project?

onethumb · 02-05-2022

I would think that you could find any number of interesting homes for the drive train. I always thought it would be fun to use in a 70s era Camaro/Firechicken.

A26B · 02-05-2022

Quote:

Originally Posted by onethumb

I would think that you could find any number of interesting homes for the drive train. I always thought it would be fun to use in a 70s era Camaro/Firechicken.

I know a guy, who shall remain un-named, considering putting an LT5 in a Dodge Charger. Another who installed an LT5 in a Hudson Hornet, a myriad of installations in pickups, 55~57 chevys, Corvettes, Camaros, Chevelles and a few others I don't recall offhand. Only your imagination limits the possibilities.

emmvette · 02-05-2022

Love this group! A real bunch of enablers..... :-)

Corvettes White · 02-05-2022

There was a 1990 shell convertible for sell last year here.
George.

spork2367 · 02-05-2022

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corvettes White

There was a 1990 shell convertible for sell last year here.
George.

That is Brett's. That is a MAJOR project. I've considered it a couple times, but you really need a c4 convertible donor car to go with it.

GOLDCYLON · 02-05-2022

Quote:

Originally Posted by G8nightman

Sad to say plan D seems most realistic but you might get lucky.

Sent from my iPhone using ZR-1 Net Registry

Concur you unfortunately have started about 8 years too late. However you just never know.

XfireZ51 · 02-06-2022

Quote:

Originally Posted by onethumb

I would think that you could find any number of interesting homes for the drive train. I always thought it would be fun to use in a 70s era Camaro/Firechicken.

One of my dream resto-mods using full C4 suspension. Back in the day I had a 71 Camaro F41 4speed.

02-05-2022	#1
emmvette Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Central Iowa Posts: 190	ZR-1 donor car wanted, inexpensive I have a nice drive train, but need a body and frame for it. Anyone have a decent body and frame to sell? It doesn't make sense to spend a lot of coin on this, so please don't contact me with a $10k+ car. Its unfortunate our cars aren't worth more, as it is it doesn't make sense to spend much to put one of these together. A good example of what I could use would be a project car that someone doesn't have time to finish, or a car with a blown engine, etc. A partially parted out car may work, but since I need a body, just a bare frame won't be enough. I'd prefer a car with intact wiring, as I'm not wanting to go that far into a project. I'm fine to remove and replace an engine and trans, brakes, etc. But I'm busy at work so beyond that is really outside of reasonable for me. I'd love any suggestions or contacts if you know of someone with a potential donor car. I've considered finding a non-ZR-1 for cheap and using it, but that is a loosing proposition as it will never be worth even 1/3 what I'll spend to put it together. The value of a non-ZR-1 with a 402 CI LT-5 isn't much....... Plant B: Anyone want to find me fast boat to put this in? I'd be game for making the Merc Cruiser Wette Vette #3, but honestly I don't have the skill or knowledge to make the headers needed, wiring, or a new brain. But a Baha with a 550 HP LT-5 would be pretty fine....Does anyone know what happened to the Wette Vette engine that sold on BAT a couple years ago? It is getting used? Maybe they don't want to fuss with it? Hmmmm. Plan C: Buy a Factory 5 kit and put my drive train in it. Not sure it would fit. Plan D: Make this an off-road rally race car, but I'd need significant time and work to do that..... Plan D: Sell the drive train. That's my least favorite option and sounds lame __________________ [CENTER][SIZE=4][COLOR=red]1990 ZR-1 Red / Red[/COLOR][/SIZE][/CENTER] Last edited by emmvette; 02-05-2022 at 12:07 PM.

02-05-2022	#2
G8nightman Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 1,188	Re: ZR-1 donor car wanted, inexpensive Sad to say plan D seems most realistic but you might get lucky. Sent from my iPhone using ZR-1 Net Registry __________________ 90 Chevy ZR1 LPE #2315 'SOLD' 90 Chevy ZR1 LPE #2774 'SOLD' 91 Chevy ZR1 Callaway aerobody 91 Chevy ZR1 #1512 91 Chevy ZR1 #951 95 Chevy ZR1 #338 'SOLD' 91 BMW 850i 94 BMW 850csi 95 BMW 850csi 94 Lotus Esprit S4 07 Benz CLS550 06 BMW M5 "SOLD"

02-05-2022	#4
onethumb Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 36	Re: ZR-1 donor car wanted, inexpensive I would think that you could find any number of interesting homes for the drive train. I always thought it would be fun to use in a 70s era Camaro/Firechicken. __________________ Stacy Faught - 1978 Alfa Romeo Alfetta, 1983 Alfa Romeo GTV6 (3.5L), 1991 Corvette ZR1, 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

02-05-2022	#6
emmvette Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Central Iowa Posts: 190	Re: ZR-1 donor car wanted, inexpensive Love this group! A real bunch of enablers..... :-) __________________ [CENTER][SIZE=4][COLOR=red]1990 ZR-1 Red / Red[/COLOR][/SIZE][/CENTER]

02-05-2022	#7
Corvettes White Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 477	Re: ZR-1 donor car wanted, inexpensive There was a 1990 shell convertible for sell last year here. George.