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Location: Isle of View "Mofo skated me, that was my up!"
Corvette Magazine
Just got the May issue in the mail today. 'What Was Behind The First Corvette Exotic?' Great cover shot, ZR1 in three inch letters. If ya don't have a script very easy to spot on the rack.
Just got the May issue in the mail today. 'What Was Behind The First Corvette Exotic?' Great cover shot, ZR1 in three inch letters. If ya don't have a script very easy to spot on the rack.
MMMM i just saw Corvette Magazine and it was celebrating the C4 and the LT1 motor and it took some cheap shots at the LT5. Maybe you have next months edition?
-wasn't differentiated enough from LT1 car.
-LT1 engine was so close in speed 0-60MPH that most people wouldn't pay the $.
- Engine was heavier
- #'s dropped on ZR-1s when the LT1 came out.
-Chevy made a mistake
BLAH BLAH BLAH
While some is true- I don't know why they rip on the LT5.
I have a 93 LT1 and I'm sorry, the LT5 is a major difference over a LT1, is it worth $30,000 more now for that extra 105HP over a LT1, not in todays dollars but in 1990, The LT5 blew everything away on the street.
-wasn't differentiated enough from LT1 car.
-LT1 engine was so close in speed 0-60MPH that most people wouldn't pay the $.
- Engine was heavier
- #'s dropped on ZR-1s when the LT1 came out.
-Chevy made a mistake
BLAH BLAH BLAH
While some is true- I don't know why they rip on the LT5.
Except for the last one (Chevy made a mistake) I can't really take issue with that list. It's not ripping, it's the truth.
Except for the last one (Chevy made a mistake) I can't really take issue with that list. It's not ripping, it's the truth.
I'm not arguing the points, its just funny how the magazines wrote what a bad azz car it was back in the day and it was worth every penny but now they say it was overpriced for what it was..... Give me a break. Thats like talking out of both sides of your mouth
Except for the last one (Chevy made a mistake) I can't really take issue with that list. It's not ripping, it's the truth.
I'm not arguing the points, its just funny how the magazines wrote what a bad azz car it was back in the day and it was worth every penny but now they say it was overpriced for what it was..... Give me a break. Thats like talking out of both sides of your mouth
**** some ZR-1's are still 3X what a base coupe cost and it's worth every penny in my opinion. You can't compare driving a LT1 to a LT5.
Regardless how much they deny it. Car magazines are influenced by the car manufactures as to what they write. I'm sure that after G.M decided to drop the ZR1 option, they concentraded on selling the current models. Untill you own one for a while, and drive it to it's full potential, you really can't make an honest evaluation. You have to really question how some of these dweebs arrive on their conclusions.
People don't really appreciate the ZR-1 unless they own one, it is a great time to buy one but a bad time to sell. It's still the benchmark that a lot of Corvettes are compared to FWIW. Sorry to get a little off topic here but I think a C5 Z06 would be a really fun car to own but not worth the 10-15k it would cost me to trade for a used one. Plus they aren't perfect either, cheap base model seats, generic looking engine, etc. A really easy car to mod though, they're getting around 375-380 rwhp. with just an airbox and longtube headers. Not trying to start a peeing match with the C5 guys, I really like both cars. Car magazines are all about bragging up the latest and greatest but about the time you think you own a dinosaur you see a stock mid 80's C4 totally kick butt at an autocross with a good driver.
I thought it was a positive (but mostly technical) article about the "All American Exotic" car of it's time - the Corvette ZR-1.
It was alot of the stuff we all know about from "The Heart of the Beast", but stuff the average new Corvette owner may not be aware of.
It makes me appreciate guys like Dave McLellan and Lloyd Reuss, who put their careers on the line for this car.
It's all there: Acceleration second to none; performance with driveability; and 26 MPG fuel economy all in a 350CI package. Add in all the world speed/endurnace records and you have the "King of the Hill"; a true automotive legend.
Where's the negativity? They couldn't agree on plain or fancy? Years later, they came up with better technology? As a Corvette owner, I would expect GM to do that. But the Legend lives.
I think it's great that the ZR-1 gets the respect of this front page coveage. It only helps to raise awareness.
They may need to look a little closer to notice, but the new Corvette enthusiasts who read this article will be more likely to recognize the things that legends are made the next time you drive by.
I have a LT1 and while I really like how smooth it is (stock) it does't approach the LT5. I can't say I'm happy at the resale values of the ZR-1, but for buyers the "flagship" vette now comes at bargain prices.
while I like the C5 & C6 and can't wait to try out the new Z06, none of them have the look and appeal that the ZR-1 has for me.
the style of the car, the LT5, and the overall package really is pretty cool. the c6 has some great technology but seems to tilted towards a luxo cruiser while the LT5 is an axe swinging barbarian at full song.
I am happy to see the build on the z06, if it just had a DOHC with an 8500 RPM powerband I would be a bit more impressed. the zr-1 is the "american exotic" and hasn't been bested in that category just yet.
Except for the last one (Chevy made a mistake) I can't really take issue with that list. It's not ripping, it's the truth.
I don't agree with the fact that they looked to much like the LT1. The ZR-1 was introduced first. If anything the LT1 tried to look like the ZR-1. Also, didn't the LT1 do 0-60 in 5.0-5.2. While the ZR-1 was 4.3-4.6 (according to motor trend). To me that isn't even close. That is still half a car lenghth. Don't get me wrong, I like all Vettes. Chevy should have seen the outcome of the LT5 (not being a Chevy motor) before they even started with the project. The whole project was about being the best. At the time it was. They set out and accomplished their goal. IMO, if they were going to end up hating it anyway, why start it in the first place. Hell, Chevy set becnch marks with the ZR-1 that Ford still can't match. Ford can't get any power out of their OHC cars without adding a supercharger.
As I have metioned before as an owner of both a C5-Z06 and a 90 ZR-1,if one had to go it would be the Z06. As nice as the C5 is, opening the hood does nothing for me. On the other hand ,open the hood on the ZR-1 ......... no need to say more. And I still enjoy sliding in to the ZR-1 over that huge frame rail. Feels like you are actually getting in to a race car.
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