Update on ZR-32's lineage.

[1989ZR1#74]

Originally I thought that the original donor car for the ZR-32, Pictured here:



Was 1989 ZR-1 #055. If you attended the seminar at the Gathering you may have noted that I retracted that, and the true origins of ZR-32 where a mystery. Well I have narrowed a bit of that down.

Initially I thought that this picture:



Was of 1989 #055. I was told this by someone who was at the shop at the time of its creation. Upon further reviewing this picture and comparing it to the build sheet for #055 I determined that that could not possibly be true. In fact I thought the Z was DRM, but when you really look at the color you will realize it has more of an Orange appearance. That coupled with the apparent lack of "Corvette" on the cam covers and the smooth white expansion tank lead me to believe that this was in fact an 88 prototype. Most likely The Dark Orange EX5009 or EX5024.



It could also be the Flame Red EX5010 or EX5018 as seen here:

EX5018


But I still could not connect the picture of the stripped 1988 Prototype ZR-1 at California Street rods to ZR-32 until today. Today I found the missing link. While searching the October 1989 issue of Hot Rod I came across this picture:



And there you have it... An LT5 that has bare cam covers shown in the frame of the ZR-32 during the build. So the true source of ZR-32 was a tired 88 Prototype EX5009, EX5024, EX5010 or EX5018 . Not sure if that Phase II LT5 ended up powering the final version, but I hope to have that confirmed soon. Eric

[1989ZR1#74]

I jumped back into some Street Rodder Magazines. In the March 1990 issue I found part of my answer:



Turns out according to the article, ZR-32 was completed the day after Thanksgiving 1989, or November 24, 1989. On that date the ZR-32 had a Phase IV LT5 installed. Note the "Corvette" on the Cam cover and the round PCV holes in the injector housing. So this had to be a post 6/15/1988 LT5.

Although ultimately the LT5 could have come from #055, I have my doubts since #055 was built the last week of January 1989 and was more than likely shipped to Geneva for the Press Intro. Dave McLellan stated all the France cars stayed in Europe. I would think a LT5 Crate motor would be a more reasonable source since they already had the 88 donor car. Hopefully I will be able to narrow down the source of the Phase IV LT5. Stay tuned.

[1989ZR1#74]

Jumped back over to my stack of Hot Rod Magazines and found my answer.
From Gray Baskerville's "Duece of a Vette" in the April 1990 Issue :

"What's under The Lady's multipanel hood isn't your mother's Mouse motor, either. You see, Uncle Chas (Chuck Lombardo) talked Herb Fishel (Former Head of Chevrolet Product Performance Group) out of a brand-new LT5 that's the four-valve, four-cam V8 that inhabits the engine bay in the new ZR-1 Corvette plus one of those ultra-exotic 6-speed 'Vette trannies as well. And then Woody spent the rest of the year fitting all the running gear before Ron Francis (of Wire Works fame) was called upon to finalize The Lady's complex wiring system."

So there you have it ZR-32 used 1988 Prototype suspension, brake, and trim parts and a brand new crate LT5 and ZF-6....

[Tyler Townsley]

You get the private eye of the year award. Sure would like to know where that phase 2 motor and tranny went.

Tyler

[1989ZR1#74]

Originally Posted by Tyler Townsley

You get the private eye of the year award. Sure would like to know where that phase 2 motor and tranny went.

Tyler

I will see what I can find out....

I should add "No 1989 ZR-1s were hurt in the creation of the ZR-32"

[Blue Flame Restorations]

It appears that in the third picture (with a test driver holding a helmet) had a rear "disguise bra or sorts" attached to the rear bumper at some point, according to the screw holes.

[1989ZR1#74]

Originally Posted by Blue Flame Restorations

It appears that in the third picture (with a test driver holding a helmet) had a rear "disguise bra or sorts" attached to the rear bumper at some point, according to the screw holes.

That was one of the Talledaga test cars. It's in the April 24, 1989 issue of Autoweek. It shows Corvette Challenge driver Bob Noakes with the car. It is either EX5009 or EX5024 since those are the only "Orange Metallic" Prototypes. Note the holes in the rear cover to hide the rectangular tail lights (see HOB page 93)

[W i l l]

Maybe the builders used a new LT5 motor in the street rod, but if so, they put the '88 water outlets and oil filter housing on it.

Will

Originally Posted by 1989ZR1#74

Jumped back over to my stack of Hot Rod Magazines and found my answer.
From Gray Baskerville's "Duece of a Vette" in the April 1990 Issue :

"What's under The Lady's multipanel hood isn't your mother's Mouse motor, either. You see, Uncle Chas (Chuck Lombardo) talked Herb Fishel (Former Head of Chevrolet Product Performance Group) out of a brand-new LT5 that's the four-valve, four-cam V8 that inhabits the engine bay in the new ZR-1 Corvette plus one of those ultra-exotic 6-speed 'Vette trannies as well. And then Woody spent the rest of the year fitting all the running gear before Ron Francis (of Wire Works fame) was called upon to finalize The Lady's complex wiring system."

So there you have it ZR-32 used 1988 Prototype suspension, brake, and trim parts and a brand new crate LT5 and ZF-6....

[1989ZR1#74]

Good catch! I suppose they mocked it up with the Phase II so they kept those parts. The stubby coolant pipes look like they would be easier to use. Eric

[Z51JEFF]

Back in the late 80s I saw this Metallic Orange on 2 base Corvettes.The odd thing,first I saw a coupe in a store parking lot.2 weeks later I saw a convertible parked in the same spot.I have never seen this color again anywhere.Great color.