1970 ZR1

[Dan Pepper]

Re: 1970 ZR1

Chuck & Chuck-

Pretty groovy interior, huh? The car came out of the Highland Indiana area, so it could be from IL, IN or OH too. The interior was done sometime before 1976. Odd thing is, the car was originally optioned with NA9 California Emissions equipment. Who would order a ZR1 w/456 posi and a California smog system if they absolutely didn't have to? And would the factory build a ZR1 with NA9 if it wasn't going to be sold in CA? Interesting points to ponder...

I talked to the third owner (then a student, now a Dr. in Texas) and he said the car looks exactly the way it did when he bought it in '76. He had no clue it was anything other than an LT1 with a failing 1st & 2nd gear (read M22), so he didn't drive it that much.

The dealer code on the build sheet is #183, but the Zone is unreadable. I surmise it could have been purchased in San Diego by a military man back in '70, then brought "home" to the midwest (there was a dealer with the 183 code in San Diego in the early 70's, Guaranty Chevrolet). Researching the history is fun stuff - and somebody has to remember this car - if maybe only by it's funky interior!

[Chuck S.]

Re: 1970 ZR1

When I began looking for my first Corvette, one of the first cars I looked at was advertised as a ZR1. This was before I knew anything about Corvettes or NCRS.

It was in a well kept, but poor Mexican-American neighborhood, and I thought the seller was confused or running a tongue-in-cheek scam...the ZR1 was the latest model with a hot DOHC motor and square tail lights. If it WAS a ZR1, it bore little resemblance to the way it left St. Louis...the engine was covered with greasy and tired aftermarket bling, wiring harnesses were chopped, etc...I didn't know much about Corvettes, but I knew how factories built cars.

I think he was asking $7K or $8K, but it was ragged out...I didn't look back. Was it a real ZR1?...very likely not; but this guy knew a lot about Corvettes for a street racer. If he was running a scam, he chose a model that would be virtually unknown to all but a few, so what was gained? If I ran across the same car today, I know enough to probably say one way or the other. Sometimes, we are just unprepared for opportunity's knock.

Thanks for the history, Dan...You probably doubled what I knew about ZR1s, and the rest was a few lines I read in books.

[Jack Alexander]

Re: 1970 ZR1

Chuck,Chuck, and Dan,

Wow, I missed a lot yesterday. Even if this car turns out not to be a ZR1 I will be something of a minor expert on them before you guys finish with me. As I said before I knew nothing about the C3s beyond 69. I should also make clear to you guys also that the people I am dealing with are not presenting this as a ZR1. They are saying only that it is a high perpormance 350 engine car. I though there might be somethin spcial about it and may be off base. The guy I am dealing with is the 20 year old grandson of the original buyer and he is clueless. I would of course give him what the car is worth but do not want to get his hopes up or mine as to what it is until I know. Thanks guys again for all the help especially Dan for the photos.

Jack