1988 ZR-1 'King of the Hill"
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 337
Likes: 87
From: Harrodsburg KY
1988 ZR-1 'King of the Hill"
I am in the process of restoring #38 P8Y079 (EX5006) and hope to begin body & paint in January or February. It's a cool piece, having never been crushed but missing its original Phase II LT5 and 6-speed transmission. I recently found and purchased a Phase II LT5 and Haibeck Automotive will soon begin its rebuild. I will, for now, use a production line tranny until I can find a period correct unit.
The Corvette only has 13,942 original miles so my hope is, most components will still function well, such as the 8K tach. Whatever interior/exterior components need attention will be R&R'd. The original rear camo panel is still with the vehicle and will be used as a template to create a new one.
When completed, I hope to recreate a scene from 1988 that can be seen on page 96 in the book, Heart of the Beast. I will trailer the car to the Magnolia Motel in Silverton, CO. Once there, I'll unload it and take some shots across the street. Who knows, maybe that's my car in the pic. My car did spend time in MI and AZ and also Hethel. I'll use the trip to visit friends along the way. The motel is 1,483 miles from our home.
Hey, I like road trips!
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The Corvette only has 13,942 original miles so my hope is, most components will still function well, such as the 8K tach. Whatever interior/exterior components need attention will be R&R'd. The original rear camo panel is still with the vehicle and will be used as a template to create a new one.
When completed, I hope to recreate a scene from 1988 that can be seen on page 96 in the book, Heart of the Beast. I will trailer the car to the Magnolia Motel in Silverton, CO. Once there, I'll unload it and take some shots across the street. Who knows, maybe that's my car in the pic. My car did spend time in MI and AZ and also Hethel. I'll use the trip to visit friends along the way. The motel is 1,483 miles from our home.
Hey, I like road trips!
Safety Car
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From: Fredonia WI
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Amazing. What a great piece of history.
I'll be following your progress.
I'll be following your progress.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 337
Likes: 87
From: Harrodsburg KY
Here are several pics of my recently acquired Phase II LT5. I thank Mike Yager for selling me this unit as it is a natural fit for this Corvette. I will change the plug wires because the ones you see here are production line pieces. As this motor is being rebuilt, I will be having the vehicle's underside dry ice cleaned. Next will be paint prep...
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Race Director
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Compound in the Grove, Ga.
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St. Jude Donor '16
Please keep this thread alive and the progress updated.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,505
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From: Mullica Hill New Jersey
Mark,
I can only imagine how many countless hours you spent dreaming of doing exactly what you have been and continue to do.
Those many nights and days away from home and your Corvettes.
Sitting in airports, hotels and on flight decks when quiet, thinking of those other things that you love.
I am so very glad and happy that you are having the opportunity to live your dreams, not only with ZR-1's but with NCRS as well.
Yes, continue to post as often as possible with updates of your quests as many of us truly enjoy your progress.
I toast you my friend!
Marty
I can only imagine how many countless hours you spent dreaming of doing exactly what you have been and continue to do.
Those many nights and days away from home and your Corvettes.
Sitting in airports, hotels and on flight decks when quiet, thinking of those other things that you love.
I am so very glad and happy that you are having the opportunity to live your dreams, not only with ZR-1's but with NCRS as well.
Yes, continue to post as often as possible with updates of your quests as many of us truly enjoy your progress.
I toast you my friend!
Marty
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 337
Likes: 87
From: Harrodsburg KY
Phase II loaded and on its way to Haibeck Automotive Technology for a rebuild in preparation of, again, powering a Corvette! Russell Hedger, out of Louisville, is the transporter and does excellent work...
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,932
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From: LPE Aerobody 416 ci, Oklahoma
Trip to Silverton
I was checking to see what route you might take on your way to Silverton, CO, for the Motel photoshoot with the 88 when done. The purpose was to see if your plan might take you down Rt66 at some point,and invite you to stop & visit.
I-70 is a straight shot West, should you decide to go to Silverton first. If so, there's only one road to take from I-70 South the Silverton. Pretty famous/infamous depending on your perspective. It gets pretty hair-raising, especially the last leg between Ouray & Silverton, especially if you are pulling a trailer. However, the South to North approach looks pretty thrilling too.
Open invitation, should you Choose a route passing through Arcadia, OK.
Jerry
Note the absence of guard rails... Zooming in on the photo, shoes some pretty small shoulders.
I-70 is a straight shot West, should you decide to go to Silverton first. If so, there's only one road to take from I-70 South the Silverton. Pretty famous/infamous depending on your perspective. It gets pretty hair-raising, especially the last leg between Ouray & Silverton, especially if you are pulling a trailer. However, the South to North approach looks pretty thrilling too.
Open invitation, should you Choose a route passing through Arcadia, OK.
Jerry
Note the absence of guard rails... Zooming in on the photo, shoes some pretty small shoulders.
Last edited by A26B; Dec 18, 2025 at 01:40 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Fredonia WI
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 1999
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From: Raymore Missouri
Fantastic Mark! Marc H looks thrilled - he's got a new toy to play with!
Thank you for sharing developments on this car (and your others), as always. Can't wait to see its progression.
It'll be awesome to see you recreate that picture once it's done. The Million Dollar Highway is something! We rented a Jeep Rubicon a couple of years ago and thoroughly enjoyed taking it up in the mountains. Lots of really good semi drivers on that road - I would have to take it very slow!
Mike
Thank you for sharing developments on this car (and your others), as always. Can't wait to see its progression.
It'll be awesome to see you recreate that picture once it's done. The Million Dollar Highway is something! We rented a Jeep Rubicon a couple of years ago and thoroughly enjoyed taking it up in the mountains. Lots of really good semi drivers on that road - I would have to take it very slow!
Mike
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 337
Likes: 87
From: Harrodsburg KY
During the winter, in preparation for dry ice cleaning, many components were removed. With no engine, transmission or exhaust in place, the dry ice guys will have plenty of room to work. At a later date, I will return the rear suspension components to dry ice. While at it, the gas tank was removed which allowed access to the original build manifest...
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,644
Likes: 634
From: Lake Bluff IL
Was that Daytona Blue or similar as the original color? Wish they would bring back such a blue for new ones.
Edit--Looked a bit more closely--it says on the build sheet RPO 28U, which in 1988 and 1989 was Dark Blue Metallic (Even though build sheet says "28U Blk Saph Met"). Whatever it is, I like Blue Corvettes! --Bob
Edit--Looked a bit more closely--it says on the build sheet RPO 28U, which in 1988 and 1989 was Dark Blue Metallic (Even though build sheet says "28U Blk Saph Met"). Whatever it is, I like Blue Corvettes! --Bob
Last edited by ZR1Bob; May 27, 2026 at 10:55 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 337
Likes: 87
From: Harrodsburg KY
The dry ice cleaning is underway. I'll post pics, soon.
Note it has 'pilot' grease penciled on the frame in two places, just in this pic...
Note it has 'pilot' grease penciled on the frame in two places, just in this pic...
Last edited by BoeingDriver; May 27, 2026 at 02:02 PM.