OK clarification required. Keith and Ed have a mule/component/prototype 86 Corvette used by Lotus for engine development. It is one of the graveyard cars:
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/clubs/...otypefield.jpg

It was as pointed out a production car pulled from the line and shipped to England sans engine and transmission. The P8Y044 number is the GM engineering number assigned to keep track of the car, P=prototype, 8=year of planned production, Y=Corvette and XXX is a sequence number. It is the earliest of these P8YXXX known to be in existance and is a neat car. It was however a powertrain development car of which there were at least 10 in 86/87/88(Narrow bodied cars with LT 5/ZF 6 transmission driven incognito for testing). They all were used to test/develop the powertrain. None of these cars were classified as ZR1 prototypes. The first ZR1 prototypes (Cars that had the wide rims, wide rear end, laid down radiator, AC systems, LT 5 motors and ZF transmissions, center mounted brake light) built on the production line were done on the 87 line as 88's with starting with a 100034 vin. and ending with 100054 vin. (see below)
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/clubs/...production.jpg

Of these cars two survive one from the graveyard P8Y088:
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/clubs/...WreckFront.jpg

and one hidden in the US which is the only one that was never crushed and left for dead P8Y087:
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/clubs/...production.jpg

It came to light sans engine/trans with 3700 miles original in every other way. It will get a correct Phase 2 motor and prototype ZF trans in January and be displayed at the January Winter regional NCRS meet and Bloomington in June. It was shown last May at the NCM:
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/clubs/...useum_rear.jpg

All these cars are unique and I am glad to see the EUROVETTE web page with Ed and Keiths saga presented for us to learn even more about these remarkable cars.

Tyler

1988 ZR1 prototype EX5014/P8Y087/100043

 

Thanks, Tyler! I love the stories and history of the Beast.

 

I totally agree...the only comment I would like to add is that I couldnt help but notice the one shown at NCM is a beautiful Quasar Blue.... :blueangel:

 

Hate to be the bearer of color correction news but the color is actually 88 light blue, which is very close to Nassau Blue. The lights had a strange effect on the color in the NCM shot. This picture is closer to the correct color as it was shot with more daylight.
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/clubs/..._prototype.jpg

As an aside the Phase 2 motor for the car is being done by Geoff Jeal who did the motor in the 86 for Ed and Keith.

Tyler

 

:cool:

 

Great story!

 

There is a guy here that has an 89 prototype zr1 that he bought from ED. It is the dark blue and has been crushed. It would be a great restoration project. He has the 89 11 inch wheels, but I don't know if it has a dash cluster with it.
Shawn

 

i use ramps instead. its seems to be easier on the body work.

 

Thanks for posting,

Many of the people involved are true Corvette lovers, and I was lucky enough to meet and know many of them.

It brought back a lot of great memories seeing the stories again......

:chevy :flag :chevy

 

Per Tyler, "and one hidden in the US which is the only one that was never crushed and left for dead P8Y087: http://temp.corvetteforum.net/clubs/...production.jpg "

Yet Tyler's signature shows that he owns this car. So what's the scoop, Tyler? If its yours, why not say I have it hidden in a high school buddy's barn in North Dakota someplace.

Seriously though, great story everyone! Good job.

Now if the NCM could only find my build sheet life would be great ... I've been asking for a copy of it for 5 months with no luck.

Does anyone know of another source? I cannot get to the one that might be on the gas tank.

Thanks in advance for any help.


:boxing

 

FYI,

This same thread is on the ZR1 section with other detailed posts.

JIM.

 

:cool:

 

:cool: :cheers:

 

HEY GUYS IT DOESNT MAKE SENSE TO HAVE 2 THREADS ON THE SAME SUBJECT
PLEASE REFER TO 'ZR1 Discussion ' THREAD

I HAVE MADE A DETAILED REPLY THERE

CHEERS
Keith Beschi (UK/MOSCOW)
:seeya