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Back in 1990 I was a junior in high school, driving a 1979 Chevy Monza, dreaming of owning my own L98 Corvette. At the time, my Dad was on his third Vette, an '86 silver beige monster that I believed was about as fast as a car could be. I had read every article on the upcoming ZR-1 and looked on it as the "bigfoot" of cars. I figured they may be out there, but I certainly would never see one.
I'll never forget the day. I had run in town and was about 3 miles from my house and something caught my eye. Something so red, and so beastly, it was bigfoot! As my brain absorbed what I was looking at, my eyes immediately went to the square taillights. "Oh my God, a ZR-1!" I vividly remember saying out loud to myself. I flew home and told my Dad so we immediately hopped in his Vette and went to see it. By this time, it had started to drizzle, so the owner already had it in his garage. But he let Dad and I look over it in absolute amazement.
For years every time I would go past that house, I'd look for it sitting outside, and when it was I'd just slow down and gawk. I actually ran into the owner a few times since and he's always bought me a beer and we'd chat about that ZR-1. I'll never forget him telling me it was the 63rd ZR-1 built. Red with saddle interior.
To this day, I have never had a car make an impression on me like the red 1990 ZR-1 did.
Now that I've owned 6 Corvettes myself, 2 Vipers, Shelby's and now a '15 Z/28, the time has come to look for my very own Bigfoot. This is a car I have been dreaming of for 27 years, so I will buy a very specific car. It has to be a red '90. I'd love it to have a saddle interior, but black or red would be just fine. When I do buy one, I'll be sure to show tons of pictures to you all here.
Besides autotrader, where is a place to look for ZR-1's, so I could perhaps look somewhat locally.
There is a Red 90 with 17,000 miles the owner wants to sell. It was on a Facebook page I'd have to find it. Really like that ZR-1 story except to me it was a white 91 somewhere in my neighborhood. I'd see it every once in awhile but never did find out where the guy lived until after I bought my white 91 Z.
A Red/Saddle '90 should not be a difficult to find... that was a common combo and MY90 saw relatively high production numbers (about half the ZR-1s made were '90s, which works in your favor). There are so many good deals out there on ZR-1s right now... it's a great time to be a buyer. Stay patient and you should be able to find a nice example around $20k. Hands down, this is THE BEST group of owners you'll ever find and people will happily check out a car for you if they are local. Check out the ZR-1 Net Registry also, if you have not already. Most post in both sites. There is a large group of owners in the MD/PA/VA area to team up with, so you're also in luck geographically speaking. Good luck and keep us posted on your search!
Almost an exact same story and obsession with a '90 ZR-1. Had to be a '90, red on red. My dad's boss (at the time) paid a $20,000 premium to be one of the first ZR1 owners. Finally got mine!
good percentage of these were red and many many Zs out there with low or next to no miles so be picky. Youll know when the right one comes along. Dont buy a roached out ie fixer upper youll probably regret it.
Since your in the northeast check out evolution motor sports in fredricksburgh Virginia...Dempsey Anderson specializes in these cars ( matter of fact my 91 is there now getting some performance work....I believe he has a 90 red for sale....Early production model I believe....Car is really clean I have seen it up close...
He's great to deal with...Just mention my name, John with the black 91 that's in his shop...
It's an early production (#077) in Red/Red. I'm sure that he has the car completely sorted and running right, and he'll be able to show you all the early unique aspects of the car. Plus he should be able to handle any additional items you want fixed right at his shop. I'd recommend taking a short drive to meet him and see the car. Bring all your ZR-1 questions and he'll be a great resource for you in your search and any med to large scale upgrades/repairs that are needed in the future.
I would also recommend that you get in touch with Jim ("QB93Z" on the forum) and come out to meet several of the local ZR-1 owners at their next maintenance weekend in Westminster, MD, or other get-together. At least you'll get a chance to view, ride/drive, and learn about the cars. Many, like myself, own multiple cars and won't steer your wrong in your search.
good percentage of these were red and many many Zs out there with low or next to no miles so be picky. Youll know when the right one comes along. Dont buy a roached out ie fixer upper youll probably regret it.
if you see a roached out one for a roach discount id bite and rebuild it. i love doing it.
Get one and never look back. I've owned a lot of cool cars and even some faster ones. That said, every time the LT5 comes to life I get a huge grin on my face. It's such a unique engine, unique story and cool car. It's a super car at an affordable price.
I just acquired a beater Porsche 944 turbo too. I'm not sure how or what it will end up as, but I've always held them in high regard too. Viking... my 951 is roached out. I hope I enjoy fixing it up as much as you love doing it.
My '78 Corvette's days are likely numbered, but I will leave the ZR-1 to my kids. It will never be for sale.
Get one and never look back. I've owned a lot of cool cars and even some faster ones. That said, every time the LT5 comes to life I get a huge grin on my face. It's such a unique engine, unique story and cool car. It's a super car at an affordable price.
And that's exactly why I want one. Although I'm about to buy some Fikse FM5's for the Ruby, so that is slowing me down a bit.
I just acquired a beater Porsche 944 turbo too. I'm not sure how or what it will end up as, but I've always held them in high regard too. Viking... my 951 is roached out. I hope I enjoy fixing it up as much as you love doing it.
My '78 Corvette's days are likely numbered, but I will leave the ZR-1 to my kids. It will never be for sale.
And that's exactly why I want one. Although I'm about to buy some Fikse FM5's for the Ruby, so that is slowing me down a bit. I'm still up for helping you work on the LT5
And that's exactly why I want one. Although I'm about to buy some Fikse FM5's for the Ruby, so that is slowing me down a bit. I'm still up for helping you work on the LT5
the new forgestars for the ZR-1 should arrive at my house soon. They were ordered 12/12.
Im travelling 33% of the year for work this year too which should lead to very nice bonuses at year end. That money will go into my cars (some of it anyway).
the wife really likes the Porsche so it's going to have to be restored. I have to fix the wipers and left turn signal and then get it inspected next. Then I need to find a body / paint shop to arrange for this winter. I want to get the estimate then I will remove all the stuff needed plus interior in the next 6 months.
If I'm not careful, I'm going to talk myself into buying another car while looking for one for you. There is also a nice black/black '90 that I've been looking at with a $19.5k BIN (not your desired colors, though).
If I'm not careful, I'm going to talk myself into buying another car while looking for one for you. There is also a nice black/black '90 that I've been looking at with a $19.5k BIN (not your desired colors, though).
Scott
Oooh that one is nice! God I love the back end of these cars!
the new forgestars for the ZR-1 should arrive at my house soon. They were ordered 12/12.
Im travelling 33% of the year for work this year too which should lead to very nice bonuses at year end. That money will go into my cars (some of it anyway).
the wife really likes the Porsche so it's going to have to be restored. I have to fix the wipers and left turn signal and then get it inspected next. Then I need to find a body / paint shop to arrange for this winter. I want to get the estimate then I will remove all the stuff needed plus interior in the next 6 months.
I always liked the 944 Turbo's It's gonna look great on the Forgestars
Originally Posted by Crushinator
Oooh that one is nice! God I love the back end of these cars!
Demps has a great shop and we can help you locate and check out a ZR-1 and service it going forward
what is your budget? really nice cars seem to be in the 18-22k range, but I've seen a few dip below that. Condition of the car is really more critical than price. Buy as nice a car as you can afford as "fixer uppers" rarely work out to be cheaper (ask me how I know).
They are a the low end of the price curve right now so it's a great time to buy.
02-26-2017, 07:27 PM
My 27 year ZR-1 itch
It's gonna look great on the Forgestars
