Location: This city NEVER sleeps! Frank's back yard!
I wouldn't expect the average ZR1 owner to feel a connection. Majority are simply buying a fast new car, and likely have no clue that Corvette existed before 2005.
Owning a red/red 90 ZR-1, admiral blue/red 94 ZR-1 (the only one ever built) and a jet stream blue/dark titanium 09 ZR1 I would say I feel a connection in fact the 94 and 09 have the same last seven digits in the VIN 5800074.
My question is "do any C4 or C6 ZR1 owners feel any connection to the original ZR-1 from the chrome bumper C3 era?"
I'm guessing most of you didn't even know there was one.
My question is "do any C4 or C6 ZR1 owners feel any connection to the original ZR-1 from the chrome bumper C3 era?"
I'm guessing most of you didn't even know there was one.
I wouldn't expect the average ZR1 owner to feel a connection. Majority are simply buying a fast new car, and likely have no clue that Corvette existed before 2005.
I have a poll running in the C6 General section about "First Corvettes" Most have responded the C6, is their first Corvette
I say, “ZR-1”. If you only think of the 1990-1995 C4 Mercury Marine, Lotus-designed OHC engined Vettes…..you're a Corvette n00b.
ZR-1 has an older heritage.
GM first introduced the ZR-1 package back in 1970. This beast included the LT-1 350ci 370hp [maybe more like 400hp] engine, the M22 transmission, transistor ignition, aluminum radiator, heavy-duty power brakes, special springs and shocks, front and rear stabilizer bars, and a metal fan shroud.
The package also included 4 fiberglass flared wheel wells (not installed).
A cold air induction hood and side pipes could be ordered separately.
Location: This city NEVER sleeps! Frank's back yard!
Please.
I've studied the history of the Corvette since I was 8 years old and yearning to drive my dad's big block 68 vert. Wanna talk rare knowledge, talking about the LS7 that never was? Think any current Z06 owners know about the real LS7? How about C5 Z06 owners knowing about the original LS6?
There was a dude in a small town close to where I grew up who had his daddy buy him an original ZR1 - and it was a fun ride! Revved like a monster, no frills (radio, heater delete), handled the part too. Good stuff!
Surprisingly, there are a number of current Z06 owners from the old big block days who were attracted to the new Z06 because of its 427.
The LS-7 was basically a 454 inch version of the 2nd design 1969 (open chamber) L-88 427. When dealers received their 1970 early ordering information it listed two 454 engines: the 390 hp LS-5 and the 465 hp LS-7. Shortly before 1970 Corvette production started the LS-7 was cancelled. So 1970 was the first year that no solid lifter big block was available (the all-cast iron 450 hp LS-6 was available in the Malibu but not the Corvette). The revvy 350 LT-1, especially with the ZR-1 package, became the "hot" Corvette for 1970. A number of LS-7 engines had already been built; they were available for a while as crate engines. All LS-7 parts were readily available for years, the parts book lists them as "454 special high performance heavy duty".
Then GM management decreed that all 1971 GM cars must be able to use unleaded regular fuel. This was the end of horsepower as we knew it. The 2-point compression loss dropped the LT-1 from 370 to 330 hp. The Malibu lost its 450 hp LS-6 entirely. But for the Corvette, they took that solid lifter cast iron 11:1 LS-6 and installed low compression pistons and aluminum heads, still calling it an LS-6 but with 425 hp. Big block fans weren't thrilled by the low compression and the option wasn't cheap either; less than 200 LS-6 Corvettes were sold. But it did allow a ZR-2 package to be offered in 1971.
When a 427 returned for 2006 it put the Z06 on the "gotta-have-it" list for a lot of the old big block fans.
I would think there would be a connection from past owners. The ZR1 of the 90’s was putting out 405hp while most other 350ci engines were putting out 225hp. I recall the amazement the first time I watched one race a 5.0 Mustang. I felt it again when I first drove one myself. It was unheard of to rev a 350 to 7k rpm. The car was a pinnacle.
I wouldn't expect the average ZR1 owner to feel a connection. Majority are simply buying a fast new car, and likely have no clue that Corvette existed before 2005.
I don't think that statement is necessarily true.
I have a new ZR1 but I have owned 7 corvettes dating back to 1966.
I wouldn't expect the average ZR1 owner to feel a connection. Majority are simply buying a fast new car, and likely have no clue that Corvette existed before 2005.
Quote:
Originally Posted by red vette nut
I don't think that statement is necessarily true.
I have a new ZR1 but I have owned 7 corvettes dating back to 1966.
Do C6 ZR1 Owners feel any ties or connection to ZR-1 Corvettes from the C4 era?
Most have responded the C6, is their first Corvette 
