Parting out perfectly good cars

[James W.]

Re: Parting out perfectly good cars

You got it.

When the 2008 is paid for, then I'll start looking for a ZR1.

Really, the ZR-1 is the motor. The rest of it is basically a C4. That's a hard sell. You might get $12k or $15k for the drive train, but after that it's pushing it up hill

Jim

[Patrick H.]

Re: Parting out perfectly good cars

Really, the ZR-1 is the motor. The rest of it is basically a C4. That's a hard sell. You might get $12k or $15k for the drive train, but after that it's pushing it up hill

Jim

No, I'll never own a ZR-1.
I want a ZR1 like Mike said, the C6 on uber-steroids.
I very much don't like C4's.

[James W.]

Re: Parting out perfectly good cars

No, I'll never own a ZR-1.
I want a ZR1 like Mike said, the C6 on uber-steroids.
I very much don't like C4's.

Each to his own. I have a 90 and there's nothing quite like the rush of the secondary system kicking in. That, the bullet-proof nature of the motor and the uniqueness make it my kind of car

Jim

[Pat M.]

Re: Parting out perfectly good cars

Count me in the C4 fan club, Jim. And the fact that they're not loved by all makes me love them even more!

[Troy P.]

Re: Parting out perfectly good cars

I'm helping the owners of a 53 that has been in their family for 40 years. It was restored (to the poor standards of the time) in the late 70's. According to a Vette magazine article I have from the period, they destroyed three other 53's to restore this one. Ouch!

This week I sold a 54 for less than the parts were worth because I wanted to see it returned to the road rather than parted out.

[Erik S.]

Re: Parting out perfectly good cars

You got it.

When the 2008 is paid for, then I'll start looking for a ZR1.

This ties in to another topic; this is the way to go to support your product!!

[Joe R.]

Re: Parting out perfectly good cars

No, I'll never own a ZR-1.
I want a ZR1 like Mike said, the C6 on uber-steroids.
I very much don't like C4's.

Patrick,

Would you settle for that yellar ZO-6 we took that ride in?

JR

PS. Talk to Clem

[Mark K.]

Re: Parting out perfectly good cars

No, I'll never own a ZR-1.
I want a ZR1 like Mike said, the C6 on uber-steroids.
I very much don't like C4's.

What is it about C4s that causes these types of reactions? I never hear people with such reactions to either the C1, C2, or C3 generations. It's almost as thought if you have those opinions you keep quiet and respectful with the those owners. But C4s - go ahead and let loose - because they're just a bunch of bland no personality cars anyway, right? Except:

- Unlike the prior two generations of Corvettes, the C4 was actually a consistently successful racing platform. In fact the whole Challenge Car program was because the mid 80s Corvettes were too quick for any of the other marques and were banned from competing.
- The 90 ZR-1 set a world record for 24 hours and 5000 miles with an average speed of about 175 miles per hour with a COMPLETELY STOCK ENGINE. I would be hard pressed to believe that even the new ZR1 could match those speeds over 24 hours without blowing up. The new ZR1 in internal testing has performed at WOT for 24 hours too, but the LT5 has been tested at WOT for a straight 7 days!
- There is no better looking Corvette engine than the LT5 - bar none. Even my 67 435 L71 doesn't have the same awe factor when the hood opens up. For that matter, there is no smoother Corvette engine at any RPM (thanks to the DOHC design).
- The C4 generation , unlike the prior generation, is a story of consistently increasing performance. From the '84 with the 205HP L83 to the '95 405HP (actually higher with the Dunn heads), there was unceasing engine performance improvement over the generation. The last of the Gen I small blocks, the LT4 was a better (straight line) performer and had higher horsepower than the vaunted '71 LS6, the last solid lifter big block. And had the decision to go with the LS series of engines NOT been made, Lotus had a 475HP LT5 ready for production in 1995. How many years did it then take to achieve that kind of power (in a significantly larger displacement engine no less)?
- The ZR-1 was the first magazine tested road Corvette to reach under 13 seconds in the quarter since the 66/67 Corvettes. Even the tested L88s as delivered were never that fast (Yes I know it's because of the severely restricted exhausts).
- The C4 Corvettes were the first generation to have reputation for world class handling - since improved with every generation.
- And as a throw out comment (because this is where many seem to like to criticize the C4), the general consensus at GM styling about the most and least successfully styled Corvettes does NOT have the C4 at the bottom of the list.

So why is the C4 so generally and publicly maligned?

[Clem Z.]

Re: Parting out perfectly good cars

What is it about C4s that causes these types of reactions? I never hear people with such reactions to either the C1, C2, or C3 generations. It's almost as thought if you have those opinions you keep quiet and respectful with the those owners. But C4s - go ahead and let loose - because they're just a bunch of bland no personality cars anyway, right? Except:

- Unlike the prior two generations of Corvettes, the C4 was actually a consistently successful racing platform. In fact the whole Challenge Car program was because the mid 80s Corvettes were too quick for any of the other marques and were banned from competing.
- The 90 ZR-1 set a world record for 24 hours and 5000 miles with an average speed of about 175 miles per hour with a COMPLETELY STOCK ENGINE. I would be hard pressed to believe that even the new ZR1 could match those speeds over 24 hours without blowing up. The new ZR1 in internal testing has performed at WOT for 24 hours too, but the LT5 has been tested at WOT for a straight 7 days!
- There is no better looking Corvette engine than the LT5 - bar none. Even my 67 435 L71 doesn't have the same awe factor when the hood opens up. For that matter, there is no smoother Corvette engine at any RPM (thanks to the DOHC design).
- The C4 generation , unlike the prior generation, is a story of consistently increasing performance. From the '84 with the 205HP L83 to the '95 405HP (actually higher with the Dunn heads), there was unceasing engine performance improvement over the generation. The last of the Gen I small blocks, the LT4 was a better (straight line) performer and had higher horsepower than the vaunted '71 LS6, the last solid lifter big block. And had the decision to go with the LS series of engines NOT been made, Lotus had a 475HP LT5 ready for production in 1995. How many years did it then take to achieve that kind of power (in a significantly larger displacement engine no less)?
- The ZR-1 was the first magazine tested road Corvette to reach under 13 seconds in the quarter since the 66/67 Corvettes. Even the tested L88s as delivered were never that fast (Yes I know it's because of the severely restricted exhausts).
- The C4 Corvettes were the first generation to have reputation for world class handling - since improved with every generation.
- And as a throw out comment (because this is where many seem to like to criticize the C4), the general consensus at GM styling about the most and least successfully styled Corvettes does NOT have the C4 at the bottom of the list.

So why is the C4 so generally and publicly maligned?

i wanted a ZR-1 back then as mrs clem worked at the dealership and people would trade in 1 year old ones with less than 5000 miles to get a new one. i loved the motor but hated the car because it was a rattle trap as everything shook when you drove over rough pavement. the dash and the steering wheel look like has saint vitus dance it shook so badly. a friend had a C-4 and i asked about the shaking and he said wait till you take off the roof panels if you think it shakes now.

[Michael F.]

Re: Parting out perfectly good cars

What is it about C4s that causes these types of reactions? I never hear people with such reactions to either the C1, C2, or C3 generations. It's almost as thought if you have those opinions you keep quiet and respectful with the those owners. But C4s - go ahead and let loose - because they're just a bunch of bland no personality cars anyway, right? Except:

- Unlike the prior two generations of Corvettes, the C4 was actually a consistently successful racing platform. In fact the whole Challenge Car program was because the mid 80s Corvettes were too quick for any of the other marques and were banned from competing.
- The 90 ZR-1 set a world record for 24 hours and 5000 miles with an average speed of about 175 miles per hour with a COMPLETELY STOCK ENGINE. I would be hard pressed to believe that even the new ZR1 could match those speeds over 24 hours without blowing up. The new ZR1 in internal testing has performed at WOT for 24 hours too, but the LT5 has been tested at WOT for a straight 7 days!
- There is no better looking Corvette engine than the LT5 - bar none. Even my 67 435 L71 doesn't have the same awe factor when the hood opens up. For that matter, there is no smoother Corvette engine at any RPM (thanks to the DOHC design).
- The C4 generation , unlike the prior generation, is a story of consistently increasing performance. From the '84 with the 205HP L83 to the '95 405HP (actually higher with the Dunn heads), there was unceasing engine performance improvement over the generation. The last of the Gen I small blocks, the LT4 was a better (straight line) performer and had higher horsepower than the vaunted '71 LS6, the last solid lifter big block. And had the decision to go with the LS series of engines NOT been made, Lotus had a 475HP LT5 ready for production in 1995. How many years did it then take to achieve that kind of power (in a significantly larger displacement engine no less)?
- The ZR-1 was the first magazine tested road Corvette to reach under 13 seconds in the quarter since the 66/67 Corvettes. Even the tested L88s as delivered were never that fast (Yes I know it's because of the severely restricted exhausts).
- The C4 Corvettes were the first generation to have reputation for world class handling - since improved with every generation.
- And as a throw out comment (because this is where many seem to like to criticize the C4), the general consensus at GM styling about the most and least successfully styled Corvettes does NOT have the C4 at the bottom of the list.

So why is the C4 so generally and publicly maligned?

Hmmm? Let's see. The C4 was devoid of any real styling. The quality control was weak at best. And lets not forget the arcade dashboard and the cheapest plastic interior on Gods green earth. And EVERYTHING breaks. Not until the later C5s has Chevy come close to fixing these issues. I don't think their racing heritage makes up for these short comings. Except for the ZR-1 The C4s will always be the lowest value Vettes in my book. Just my .2 cents. My appologies and condolences to C4 owners.

[Pat M.]

Re: Parting out perfectly good cars

Hear, hear, Mark, very well said.

How easily people forget the stories from original owners about how their C3s broke ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP, how the paint was crap, how they leaked terribly when new, etc. Yet our fellow members don't seem nearly as eager to bash C3s, or any other generation.

[John G.]

Re: Parting out perfectly good cars

Ditto what others have said. For all the time and trouble to cover that 3K spread .. ? .. No Way . .. Owner blowing histrionic smoke.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Parting out perfectly good cars

Patrick,

Would you settle for that yellar ZO-6 we took that ride in?

JR

PS. Talk to Clem

Yeah, I was thinking that a used Z06 like that would be a nice substitute if a ZR1 is still too much $ by then.

Yeeeeehaaaah!

Patrick

[Patrick H.]

Re: Parting out perfectly good cars

i wanted a ZR-1 back then as mrs clem worked at the dealership and people would trade in 1 year old ones with less than 5000 miles to get a new one. i loved the motor but hated the car because it was a rattle trap as everything shook when you drove over rough pavement. the dash and the steering wheel look like has saint vitus dance it shook so badly. a friend had a C-4 and i asked about the shaking and he said wait till you take off the roof panels if you think it shakes now.

Hmmm? Let's see. The C4 was devoid of any real styling. The quality control was weak at best. And lets not forget the arcade dashboard and the cheapest plastic interior on Gods green earth. And EVERYTHING breaks. Not until the later C5s has Chevy come close to fixing these issues. I don't think their racing heritage makes up for these short comings. Except for the ZR-1 The C4s will always be the lowest value Vettes in my book. Just my .2 cents. My appologies and condolences to C4 owners.

My thoughts lie similarly to Clem. Did I think that they were nice cars when they were new and I was in college / med school / residency? Absolutely.

Now realize, my Dad owns a very nice 92 convertible and I've driven it a fair amount. So, I don't make my comments due to lack of experience.

There is a lifetime supply of cowl shake that is worse than my 70 Cutlass convertible. Squeaks and rattles are always present even though I've tried to quiet many of them. They're worse than my 72 coupe. Thanks to Lloyd Reuss the ingress/egress over that stupid sill is absolutely horrible. I always think of them as a great motor and chassis in search of a car, and that same analogy comes back to mind each time I get inside the car and drive it for a while.

Patrick

[Clem Z.]

Re: Parting out perfectly good cars

Yeah, I was thinking that a used Z06 like that would be a nice substitute if a ZR1 is still too much $ by then.

Yeeeeehaaaah!

Patrick

the yellow ZO-6 with the katech motor is for sale.