New Owner Checking In - Happy Father's Day to me!
 

Hello, all! Wanted to check-in and share my story with you.

Yesterday was Father's Day and my wife surprised me with a 1995 ZR-1, which has been in the family for about 15 years now. It is #257 and belonged to her grandfather. I've always been in love with that car and yesterday it became mine for good.

When I met my wife, we were in high school and her grandfather had four Corvette's: a '59, '66 (427), '71 (454), and '82 Collector's Edition. Two of those had been promised to her ('59 and '82) and two to her brother ('66 and '71). Shortly after, her grandfather retired from his practice and started really collecting. He added the 1995 ZR-1, a 1996 Grand Sport, 2000, 2004 Z06 (24 hrs of LeMans Edition), 2010 Grand Sport, and 2015 Z06.

He is 89 now and has started to think about the long-term. About 3 months ago, he mentioned to me that he was thinking of selling the ZR-1 and Grand Sport. Just too many cars and too hard for him to drive them any longer. I told my wife that I would really like to look for a way to buy the ZR-1 from him. She promised to visit with him about it. I didn't hear much else, and I knew her well enough to know that she understood I was serious and would do all she could.

Fast forward to yesterday and what I learned is that she had indeed approached him about buying the car. He absolutely refused to sell it to her. He would only give it. She was too proud for that. Where they ended up is that they agreed that a trade of her '82 Collector's Edition (6,000 miles) for the ZR-1 (36,000 miles) was fairly equitable from a value perspective today. Since then, they got it ready for me by changing the title over to me, acquiring insurance, putting new Goodyear's on it, replacing the battery, changing fluids, etc.

Can't tell you guys how surprised and excited I was! This car has been my dream for a long time now, despite all of the other cars in his collection.

https://uniim1.shutterfly.com/ng/ser...041064/enhance

Thanks for allowing my long story, and I appreciate being a part of your community now.

Congrats on the acquisition! Wonderful wife and grandfather you have there. As I always say these cars are an addiction to most. So welcome to the club. Be sure to sign up over on the ZR1.net forum and registry. Between here and there you will find all the information and support you will need as an owner. In what part of the country are you located?
H
:cheers:

Thanks so much, ccmano! Very blessed indeed. I live in Waco, Texas. I'd be honored to meet up with those nearby, gain some new friends, and learn more about my car. I've loved it for a long time, but I'm finally digging into the history of the car, light modifications made, things needed, etc.

Congratulations! That is a wonderful story. :thumbs:

Welcome to the madness that is ZR-1!

Congrats. That's a great story. Father's Day presents are the best.
Ted

Outstanding! You have a great family. I hope to be able to give my ZR-1 to my son in the future..... Congratulations and welcome to the ZR-1 group.:cheers:

Congrats, and Welcome. :cheers: to many miles of smiles at WLT5@7200RPMs

Congratulations. Great story, wife & family for sure. :thumbs:

Welcome to the Land of Z.

Incredible story ! Congrats and welcome !!:thumbs:

Welcome! We have a pretty good Texas group. We meet up in Buffalo State Park from time to time or in Austin area. Haven't done it in a while. Maybe its time. Keep your eyes open here or on the ZR1 Net Registry, something will come up.

Mike

Absolutely will do. Both would be very convenient for me coming from Waco. I'd enjoy it a lot.

The Waco kid!

Damn...too late to change my screenname? Haha!

Wonderful story!
Great family!!!
You must be doing something right to be so blessed and loved by your family!
Keep doing whatever you are doing, just add enjoying the ZR-1 to the mix!
Your smile says it all!
Congratulations!!!
:cheers:
Marty

Awesome story and congrats on an amazing machine!

New Z
 

Great car and story. Thanks for sharing!