1970 Zr-1?

[D S.]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevrolet-Corvette-1970-Chevrolet-Corvette-LT-1-ZR-1-1-of-25-Cars_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6168QQihZ007QQitemZ170221570844QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

[Dick W.]

Re: 1970 Zr-1?

And where is the documentation?? Picture of the stamp pad.

I have 10 '67 L/88's for sale but with no documentation

[Stuart F.]

Re: 1970 Zr-1?

It looks like a pretty nice car, seemingly original. I'm not a C-3 person, but I like the looks of the earlier ones such as this. What is the significance of the ZR-1 designation? Was there such a model or is that a typo. I know about the LT-1. Has anyone contacted the seller?

Stu Fox

[Terry M.]

Re: 1970 Zr-1?

I don't want to start criticizing this car and advertisement, but much of what I see in the engine compartment is not original. I'll leave it at that because to properly assess any car one has to see it "up close and personal." Pictures on the net just don't do it.

[D S.]

Re: 1970 ZR-1?

Production of only 25 ZR-1s in 1970. From the Idavette Home Page for 1970 Corvettes:
The ZR1 included the LT1(350ci 370hp) Engine, M22 Transmission, heavy-duty power brakes, transistor ignition, special aluminum radiator, and special springs, shocks, and front and rear stabilizer bars. ZR1's also had metal fan shrouds.

http://www.idavette.net/facts/70.htm

[Floyd B.]

Re: 1970 Zr-1?

Yes. ZR1's were built by chevy 1970 thru 1972. They built about 20 per year. It was an engine package that included the LT1 engine, an M22, heavy duty brakes, transistor ignition, aluminum radiator, rear stabilizer bar, heavy duty shocks/springs, etc. They were meant to race so luxury options like A/C, power windows, etc. were not available w/ RPO ZR1.

In '71 only they built an even more rare ZR2. It replaced the LT1 with the monster LS6. I think only about 12 of these were ever built. Don't even ask what one of these would cost - if you've been following the prices on '70 and '71 LS6 Chevelle's you get the picture.

But the Holy Grail of C3 Corvettes (if you go by rarity and price) is the ZL1 which is an L88 with the aluminum block 427. As far as I know only 2 were ever built by the factory - both in '69. You would have to be Reggie Jackson rich to purchase a ZL1 Camaro in today's market but you would have to be Warren Buffet rich to purchase a ZL1 Corvette!

[Stephen B.]

Re: 1970 Zr-1?

It will be interesting to see if it's the real deal. I have a '70 ZR-1 at home myself. Just let me fiberglass over the hole for the antenna...

[Dennis D.]

Re: 1970 Zr-1?

Yes. ZR1's were built by chevy 1970 thru 1972. They built about 20 per year. It was an engine package that included the LT1 engine, an M22, heavy duty brakes, transistor ignition, aluminum radiator, rear stabilizer bar, heavy duty shocks/springs, etc. They were meant to race so luxury options like A/C, power windows, etc. were not available w/ RPO ZR1.

In '71 only they built an even more rare ZR2. It replaced the LT1 with the monster LS6. I think only about 12 of these were ever built. Don't even ask what one of these would cost - if you've been following the prices on '70 and '71 LS6 Chevelle's you get the picture.

But the Holy Grail of C3 Corvettes (if you go by rarity and price) is the ZL1 which is an L88 with the aluminum block 427. As far as I know only 2 were ever built by the factory - both in '69. You would have to be Reggie Jackson rich to purchase a ZL1 Camaro in today's market but you would have to be Warren Buffet rich to purchase a ZL1 Corvette!

Care to estimate the worth of the only convert ZR1 produced in 71?

[Floyd B.]

Re: 1970 Zr-1?

Production records would indicate that there were only 8 ZR1's built in '71 and 12 ZR2's. Assuming the stamp pad indeed sports the 'CGY' suffix it's almost impossible to say. A car this nice and rare is no longer in the category of collector car but has crossed over into the world of fine art. It's like trying to place a value on a Hemi Cuda Covertible with 4-spd or the Mona Lisa - it's worth whatever a really rich person is willing to pay for it.

LS6 Corvettes are six figure cars these days and I'm sure this one is too.

[Mark R.]

Re: 1970 Zr-1?

I don't want to start criticizing this car and advertisement, but much of what I see in the engine compartment is not original. I'll leave it at that because to properly assess any car one has to see it "up close and personal." Pictures on the net just don't do it.

Terry:

Truer words have never been said. You are absolutely on the mark that only an "up close and personal" inspection and if I might add "by an experienced eye" will reveal the true originality and condition of a Corvette.

Regards,
Mark

[Joe L.]

Re: 1970 Zr-1?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevr...spagenameZWDVW

Scott-----


The fact that the car has, REPORTEDLY, no evidence of there ever having been an antenna hole is a good sign that MIGHT point toward ZR-1 originality.

However, consider that there were also about 323 1970 Corvettes built without a radio option. Presumably, such cars would be "ripe" for conversion to "ZR-1".

[D S.]

Re: 1970 Zr-1?

Joe, I agree. I believe it was you that pointed out that other 1970 Corvette 350s had steel radiator shrouds. Anything could have been added or changed to clone one. Just looking at the engine, as Terry McManmon pointed out, indicates a lot of detail stuff not correct. I don't possess the knowledge of NCRS judges and of the people on the TDB who have far more expertise. I read with interest everyone's comments to learn from them. The owner wants potential buyers to believe it is a ZR-1. If you recall Mike McCaul posted a similar thread on the TDB about an eBay auction for another 1970 ZR-1 a while back.

[Dan P.]

Re: 1970 Zr-1?

As an owner of an authentic '70 ZR1 Coupe (with a drilled-out antenna hole Bubba added back in the 70's for his AM/FM behind-the-seats 8-track), I've talked to the dealer who owns the car. Here's the scoop:

This car appears to have authentic documentation. The dealer sent me pics of the order copy (tank sticker). He also emailed a few codes/dates that check-out with my research; codes that a few authenticated ZR1's have in common but are not common knowledge. Our conversation covered years of history on the car beginning with it's first sale from a dealer in FL.

This car come with a 456 posi from the factory (as mine), so this makes four known examples of ZR1's with that ratio.

As a side note, this was the ZR1 that sold at BJ for $102k - and was apparently bought to flip. He was asking $189k for it a few weeks ago. I believe the car was cosmetically restored a number of years ago, and was missing a few parts (like the original 884 alternator, correct hoses, etc.) which they were working on bringing back to correct. The dealer, Bo, strikes me as a straight shooter, but does not know Corvettes in great detail as demonstrated by the presentation. I have a feeling somebody could do well if they can strike a deal on this car. It's in SoCal. As always, I'd recommend looking at the car in person before any deals are made.

[Robert C.]

Re: 1970 Zr-1?

It bothers me that there's chrome sheilding on the car. I don't worry about the antenae hole being filled. I think they all were. But, I can't believe the guy didn't picture the pad for a rare car like this. If it was real, I would have to show that pad up front. Plus a pic of that M-22 etc.etc.

[Warren F.]

Re: 1970 Zr-1?

Maybe, its just me, but the pictures look more like '71, '72 Mille Miglia red than the correct '70 Monza red, which is more of a red with orangish hue.