![]() |
#11 |
![]() Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Eastern Missouri
Posts: 773
|
![]()
I had never even dreamed of owning a Corvette at all - until someone wanted my street/strip 71 Nova enough to trade me my Z for it. Before the trade I used this forum to research whether or not it was a good deal - and found that it was so I pulled the trigger. I am SO happy I did it!
This ZR-1 community is one that I have experienced mostly through the online world, mainly due to my crazy life which leaves me little time to actually DRIVE the Z - but a couple experiences are worth mentioning. I posted here about wanting to find a later year resonator to buy to upgrade my exhaust. Within hours I had multiple offers from Z owners willing to GIVE me one for shipping cost. Then I got an offer for an ENTIRE performance exhaust system for FREE as long as I would pay shipping. It was 5 hours away so I just drove there in my DD and picked it up. We could have talked for days even though we just met. All he asked was that if I ever wanted to get rid of it, that I pass it on to another member as he had to me. That is an example of "community" if I ever saw it. I have had my car worked on by one of the premier Z mechanics, he was gracious enough to let me in his shop while the work was performed, so that I could learn some tricks on how to work on these myself. My pilot bushing was making noise - posted up on here and within hours I had answers as to what I needed to do to fix it - and as I ran into little "hiccups" along the project all I had to do was post on here or make a phone call to get the info I needed. I was able to pull transmission, clutch, and bushing out of a ZR-1 Corvette (which while having mechanical knowledge I had never done this on a Vette before), and get it all back together better then it was before due to the members of the ZR-1 community. While I live in a "no Z zone" of the country I can have answers within hours. Hopefully in the next few years my time constraints and finances will improve to where I can meet more of these great guys in person. It is the people that make the community what it is.... ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#12 | |
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Chicagoland, IL
Posts: 9,686
|
![]() Quote:
Last edited by XfireZ51; 01-08-2017 at 07:23 PM. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#13 |
![]() ![]() Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: pittsburgh
Posts: 4,624
|
![]()
__________________
It's not the car, it's the people - Doug Johnson 90 r/r "KEYS ON" nick named "T.L.B" |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#14 |
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: MN
Posts: 72
|
![]()
I was in high school when the rumors of a high performance King of the Hill Corvette started. I followed everything I could about the car including all the press on the Geneva press introduction. I had no way to own one at the time, but my dad bought a 91 (he still has it). I remember going with him to pick it up on a cold February night. He won dozens of autocrosses with the SCCA and NCCC, including many as the Fast Time of Day regardless of class from 1991 to 1999 (when it was retired from competition). So it was always the King of the HIll as far as performance cars of that era for me.
I somehow talked him into letting me take it to my senior prom, but the deal was to take it without the "valet key" (meaning low horsepower). I had other plans though and made my own copy of the "valet key." I chose a restaurant 60 miles away to go to before the event and them made a 40 mile extra detour on the way to the actual prom, in order to do some cruising down the main drag in a bigger town. I was not going to waste my opportunity! We ended up getting to prom about 10 minutes before it was over, which did not make my date happy, but I had a great time! I didn't do anything too stupid with the car, but did get into in a few times... and from then I was hooked. I waited about 10 years to tell him about my key. I drove my dads car occasionally (read "whenever possible") over the years, including autocrossing it a couple times, but it took 25 years before I could afford one of my own. It is exactly the same color combination as the one I had a poster of in my room in high school. It puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. I have owned a few cars that are faster, but the sound and high revving power of the LT5 make it special. It represents a true American supercar of it's era and the story of it's development adds to the mystique. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#15 |
![]() Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 160
|
![]()
You should come to the Gathering in May and ask us all in person.
http://www.corvettemuseum.org/event/...nstance_id=587 There's not a gathering for any other generation of car, and plus there's probably a lot of great footage opportunities there that you won't get anywhere else. (Not to mention you can see all the people who love these cars and ask them in person)
__________________
--Marc 1990 ZR-1 #2530 Gone but not forgotten: 1988 Z52 4+3 1992 LT1 6 speed |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#16 |
![]() Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Decatur, AL
Posts: 93
|
![]()
I have and have had and driven a lot of different cars. I like the engine. That's what it's about. The sound. The feel. The looks. And do appreciate the durability. The car is connected to the road and the driver without putting too much electronics in the way. Easy to control or let loose. Driver is in control, not some computer. New vettes are faster, but are they more fun?
Sent from my iPhone using ZR-1 Net Registry
__________________
1990 ZR1, 1987 Mustang GT (since new), 1973 DeTomaso Pantera, 1987 928S4 Passed on: 1984 930S (gray market), 1988 Mustang Coupe Trooper car(drag) |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#17 | |
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Fremont, CA
Posts: 3,093
|
![]() Quote:
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#18 | |
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Chicagoland, IL
Posts: 9,686
|
![]() Quote:
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#19 |
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Fremont, CA
Posts: 3,093
|
![]()
Are you working closely with the ZR-1 base to clarify the info? Not to criticize but Lotus didn't build the motors. Please,before this goes to a final whatever the term is please make sure your info to 100% dead on accurate. If you have any questions you can feel free to ask one of us.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#20 |
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Stafford, Va
Posts: 7
|
![]()
Dominic,
I can certainly appreciate your inquiry. My interest in the ZR1 community began while I was filming an event called 'Dyno Days' at Dempsey Anderson's shop, Evolution Motorsport Engineering. Part of my skillset as a film producer is to be extremely observative of the interactions of people and the comradery that I observed actually gave me pause. I didn't grow up in nor have I lived in wealthy environments in my life so being around cars or trucks for anything other than necessity has always been very foreign to me. As a matter of fact, the only man I ever knew to own a Corvette was the preacher of our church in a small town called Colonial Beach, Va. (Go figure, ha ha) Of course, I have heard of car and truck clubs and the fun, competitive nature between the members but I never got a taste for the community, until that day. Up until these last few months, I didn't know an LT5 from a speedboat motor but what I do know is people. And what I've seen between that event, this registry, and speaking with Jim Voter (Director of the Net Registry if my memory serves) I honestly believe that the world needs to see more of this. The harsh fact is that we live in an age where this type of comradery is far and few between and I believe that the community that was built around the ZR-1 (a certainly remarkable machine just by itself) will set a spark in people's heart to build the same. Even if it's not a ZR-1 they rally around, it doesn't matter. Like Doug J. said "It's not the car, it's the people." and that's what I saw, and that's what I want to convey. The fantastic, world record breaking history of the car is a sweet bonus. About me, I'm an independent filmmaker. Thus far I've worked as the Executive of Operations for a small television station here in Fredericksburg, Va but I've also produced a history show titled Fredericksburg Under Ground. This will be my first feature length film. With the talent, I have on my side, the technical advisory from Dempsey and folks like yourself, and some great story telling I'm positive that we can not only refresh the legend of "The King of the Hill" but pass on the spark of passion for community that I've witnessed surrounding this supercar. I hope this sufficiently answers some of your questions. If you have more please do not hesitate to ask. You can reach me at dravinwolfproductions@gmail.com Best Regards, Stan |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Tags |
the zr1 documentary |
|
|