I posted it over the ZR-1 Net. Dave Bright has taken a survey of ZR-1 owners and submitted the following letter to GM:
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June 20, 2002
Customer Relationship Manager
Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center
Dear Helene,
My name is David Bright, I am the founder and president of an internet ZR-1 Corvette club called the "ZR-1 Net" (
http://www..zr1.net ) . The ZR-1 Net is a world wide internet organization with a membership of over a 1,000 ZR-1 owners.=20
The reason I am writing to you is over the deep concern we have as ZR-1 owners in the design flaw with the special ZR-1 only windshield. The ZR-1 Corvette when built was installed with a special windshield to deter the amount of heat the interior of these cars can generate due to the volume of glass and the less then adequate air conditioning system in these cars.
The design flaw is the delamination of the windshield. Over time these windshields start to discolor and get dark. This first sign of glass separation usually starts first near the edge of the windshield. Over time as this continues the windshield becomes so dark that it is impossible to see inside the car. It may not be a safety issue, however, in some states the ZR-1 can fail inspection because the windshield appears to be tinted beyond allowable tolerances by law which forces the owner to purchase a new windshield which in it self is very difficult due to lack of inventory of these special windshields. If a replacement windshield is found the cost can be very high, in excess of $2,000.00.
The age, mileage or climate of the ZR-1 does not matter. If you look at the last ZR-1 built, a 1995 model donated to the National Corvette Museum, you will see this car's windshield has delaminated very badly and this ZR-1 has been stored inside since day one with no mileage. To just give you a sample of the number of ZR-1's with this problem I have attached a list of current ZR-1 owners with this problem.
As ZR-1 owners we are very concerned over GM's lack of interest in this issue. We feel very strongly that this is a design flaw and as such is the responsibility of GM to correct. We feel continual lack of action over this design flaw from GM will force ZR-1 owners to take legal action in order to get resolution.
I hope we can work together to find some way to resolve this issue quickly and satisfactorily for both parties.
Sincerely,
David W. Bright
President and Founder ZR-1 Net
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I decided to contact the manufacturer and learn more about the windshield itself *first* instead of pursuing an immediate request for action from GM. Basically, the way I see it, General Motors is under no obligation to correct the problem on cars that are so far out of warranty and were manufactured almost 7-12 years ago. Also, understand that the problem isn't something like a defect where a fuel line can catch fire etc., thus necessitating the need for immediate initiation of a campaign. I'm not saying the problem should be ignored, but I would prefer to learn more about a problem, it's origin and possible solution first.