Why isn’t the Chevy Corvette ZR-1 worth more?

[Roadster]

Great article Phil.......

[LGAFF]

Surprised to see GM produced 4900 2016 Z06s



2016 Z06s: Z06 PERF860 ORMANCE PKG (Z07) 4095 4955

2009 to 2013 ZR1 production: 4684

1992-1996 Dodge Viper: 6709

1984-1991 Ferrari Testarossa: 7177(9K plus with the 512TR)

Ferrari F40: 1300+

[ZR1North]

Originally Posted by LGAFF

The new 650hp Z06 hit me pretty hard, I turned to the Bottle....
nitrous bottle

This has my vote for quote of the year - priceless!!!!

Good article, and good points, Dom, about increase in value through association with anticipated new super Vette. We didn't see much of a bump in our ZR-1s when the C6 ZR1 was introduced, but repetition can be good - though it may take so long that it will be my grandson that sees the real appreciation in value. What the hell, as long as we can enjoy them in the meantime.

As for the comments about passion and pleasure from just looking at the car, I refer to a comment I've heard Dom make many times - "the C4 is the last of the pretty Corvettes". I love the wide-body C7s, but not so much so that I could let the ZR-1 go.

[Hog]

I don't think the fact that the ZR-1 package was saddled on the C4 production helped it at all. Then after 3'ish years GM decides to pull it, but then still produced the C4 for another year (MY1996) before going to C5.

There was media reports on the ZR-1 package circa 1988 IIRC namely Popular Science that reported that the C4's chassis wasn't up to the rigors imposed by the 400hp LT5. It even reported that the LT5 was originally designed for a Lotus car, and not the Chev product.

A C5 with a GEN 3 LT5 would have been amazing.

[Paul Workman]

Originally Posted by ZR1North

As for the comments about passion and pleasure from just looking at the car, I refer to a comment I've heard Dom make many times - "the C4 is the last of the pretty Corvettes". I love the wide-body C7s, but not so much that I could let the ZR-1 go.

Yep. That COP architecture is prudy oogly. Go to a car show now-a-days and it's a contest to see who has the prettier plastic engine cover! Pathetic...

[Hog]

I agree the CNP(Coil Near Plug) ignitions with those very short plug wires don't look very nice.

Somebody offered up that the GEN 1 SBC don't look nice either, but the 85-91 Y-bodies and 85-92 TPI F bodies with that TPI(Tuned Port Injection).

That SLP(Street Legal Performance) T-Ram which was a replacement for the TPI intake also looked quite nice. It was used on some of the SLP Firehawks



TPI

SLP T-ram





But its impossible to compete with this, the LT5. The headcovers, compliment the intake/runners, all framed perfectly and displayed nicely front and center by that clamshell hood. which allows one to view the engine from all sorts of angles. Simply Beautiful!

[edram454]

it should be worth more for sure. todays cars can be modified so much more inexpensively and produce so much more power. I think the lack of parts, along with the lack of qualified professional lt5 specialists and the complexity of the lt5 and expensive parts if you can get them, hurts the cars value for most buyers. It is iconic for sure but compared with c5 and up z06 or zr1 is no comparison. I have both and can tell you the c4 zr1 is nice to look at with its beautiful engine and good modified power but the z06 outhandles and outpowers with a few nice mods (not supercharging) that it leaves the zr1 in the dust.

It is the history and the uniqueness of the zr1 that I love. It is a fun ride also but compared to my modded z06 it is no contest except for a top end run. weight also plays a big factor in performance advantage for any z06. you put a cam and a blower in a z06 you are well over 600 hp in a very light car all for under 10k!! 10k wont even get you 450 to the wheels in a zr1 but it will get you 600 in a z06. Just saying, love them both but there are differences.

[Vette73]

I agree with edram 454.......And yes the uniqueness of the ZR1 and the rarity is why I purchased mine.......When you look to mod the car ( I mean why leave it stock) you just can't go to your neighborhood trusted speed shop to do it....LS motors are different...Like Ed says Z06 with some basic mods can put out 420-440 RWHP in a lighter version and I guess that's what sells the public......I have some nice mods on my 91.....But look to do head and cam work on the motor and it can get pricey....All in all right now is a great time to buy one and enjoy that unique powerband....

[Hog]

And I dug up that particular Popular Science issue and I see its dated July 1986. On page 12, this is what Dan McCosh had to say about our darling ZR-1.

"LOTUS CORVETTE IS COMING"

"Amidst rumours that the Corvette will be the first to benefit from General Motors' recent acquisition of Lotus Group (see "No-Springs, No Shocks Suspension," this issue) comes the story that GM engineers are trying to stuff the 400-horsepower, light-alloy V8 originally developed for the Lotus Etna into the current Corvette.
At this point, however, it doesn't appear that the chassis will take the strain.
That means the ultimate goal pursued by Corvette engineers-having the world's fastest production sports car-will likely have to wait until the next-generation chassis. As Porsche has just raised the ante to just over 190 mph with its limited edition 959, that'll be no small feat."


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On page 60 of the same issue, Dan McCosh talks of Lotus Cars Limited's "Active Suspension". Here are some excerpts.

We threw away all of the springs sway bars and shock absorbers says A.C. "Tony" Rudd, research director at Lotus, describing the companies first efforts to develop a computer controlled suspension. Lotus built the first active-suspension for a race car, then completed a prototype passenger-car chassis about 2 years ago. According to Rudd, that first effort was so unwieldy that it consumed over 20 horsepower and often stalled the engine. Since then power consumption has been cut dramatically. The Volvo system uses 6 horsepower at peak loads and out the same as a power steering pump.

Walk Up Stairs?
The system has other practical benefits. Ride height can be adjusted instantly. You can change a tire simply by telling the car to pick up the injured wheel. Theoretically, you could even teach your Volvo to walk up stairs.
Engineers are discovering that the computer also can be programmed to modify complex dynamics of the moving car. For instance, input from the yaw and steering-angle sensors can tell the computer whether the car is beginning to slide in a corner. The computer can then adjust the load on each wheel to help the driver regain control.
I tested this by flooring the throttle during a tight corner. The front suspension quickly settled, transferring weight and turning the skid I'd started into front-tire scrubbing understeer. It wasn't necessarily pleasant, but it was easily controllable.


Here is a Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 "Active Suspension" Prototype. It sold for US$150,700 in 2009 at Barret Jackson when GM was forced to sell most of its "Heritage Collection". If you are into steel braided lines, this car will scratch that itch.
Lotsa history in that collection.













[QUOTE]

[Polo-1]

"and the highest price at auction at this time remains $48,600, achieved by Mecum for a 1995 ZR-1 on January 24, 2015 at Kissimmee"

They must have missed my sale of the 180 mile for $55,000.

http://www.rkmotorscharlotte.com/sal...0ZR%201/132339