Convertible ZR-1?

[hand_coder]

I've been told that there were no convertible ZR-1s sold. I have also heard rumors of a convertible ZR-1 built by GM for executives. True?

I ask because I have an interesting photo on my "The Corvette Story" web site at http://web-cars.com/corvette.

Click on the photo:

I noticed three things.
1) It is a convertible with a hardtop.
2) The rear wheel seem to be early ZR-1, based on the deep dish of the bolts area.
3) The rear bodywork looks like it would be that of a ZR-1 in that the wide wheels and tires fit just right.

So is this a convertible ZR-1? FWIW I got the photo from an exotic cars CD-ROM collection, which identified it as a ZR-1.

My guess is that someone outside of GM created a convertible ZR-1.

Any other ideas?

~paul

 

[XLR8]

Paul, welcome to the CAC! As for your question, although there were a few ZR-1 convertible prototypes built, apparently body flex issues kept it to only a few.

The subject is being discussed in this thread - Click ME!

And here are a few photos:

Jane Ann

 

[*89x2*]

So is this a convertible ZR-1? ~paul

No. That car is the ZR2 big block Corvette. One of a kind

 

[hand_coder]

ZR2 big block, one of a kind?

Was this produced by GM?

Thanks for the photos XLR8. I see the Corvette Museum has one of the prototypes, very interesting. Is the blue car in the middle photo one of the prototypes? Is it in private hands?

An inquiring mind wants to know!

 

[vetteboy86]

The hood is noticeably different in that first pic!

 

[XLR8]

ZR2 big block, one of a kind?

Was this produced by GM?

Thanks for the photos XLR8. I see the Corvette Museum has one of the prototypes, very interesting. Is the blue car in the middle photo one of the prototypes? Is it in private hands?

An inquiring mind wants to know!

The first photo is a ZR-1 prototype owned by GM on loan to the NCM. The second is a shot of the Corvette designated DR-1 - I think it's owned by GM as well and was on display at Carlisle. It's a ZR-1 convertible with hardtop installed. The third is the ZR-1 Spyder at the Museum - photo compliments of member nstg8r.

Check the link in my first post. There is some great information in that thread regarding convertible ZR-1s.

Jane Ann

 

[*89x2*]

ZR2 big block, one of a kind?

Was this produced by GM?

Thanks for the photos XLR8. I see the Corvette Museum has one of the prototypes, very interesting. Is the blue car in the middle photo one of the prototypes? Is it in private hands?

An inquiring mind wants to know!

The red car at the top was aka, the "Big Doggie" and had a 454 efi big block, all done by General Motors.

The cars in the NCM are/were on loan by Chevrolet. Really, they were "one offs" and excercises in what could be done, or in the "DR1's" case, told to build it by Don Runkle of GM (hence, the DR in DR1)

 

[hand_coder]

The red car at the top was aka, the "Big Doggie" and had a 454 efi big block, all done by General Motors.

The cars in the NCM are/were on loan by Chevrolet. Really, they were "one offs" and excercises in what could be done, or in the "DR1's" case, told to build it by Don Runkle of GM (hence, the DR in DR1)

Interesting. As I said the source of the photo was a commercial CD-ROM that labeled it as a ZR-1. That's not the only mistake on that CD, BTW.

I did some web searching and was not able to locate a photo but I did see this nice write up: http://www.post-ers.com/Corvette/ics90.html

Thanks to all who responded.

 

[Z51JEFF]

As stated the red car with the big block-Big Doggie- is not a ZR-1.G.M. only produced one wide body ZR-1 convertible,the DR-1 and also produced several narrow body ZR-1 convertibles.

 

[Towu4free]

Jane Ann where did you find this picture? i Love this car. and the wheels. thanks

Jane Ann[/QUOTE]

 

[Towu4free]

check this ouT Google Image Result for http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2001/december/news/wreckzr13.jpg

 

[yenkoguy]

Wasn't the "Big Doggie" sold last year at Barrett-Jackson in January when they had the cars from the GM Collection ??

 

[Z51JEFF]

I've been told that there were no convertible ZR-1s sold. I have also heard rumors of a convertible ZR-1 built by GM for executives. True?

I ask because I have an interesting photo on my "The Corvette Story" web site at The Corvette Story.

Click on the photo:

I noticed three things.
1) It is a convertible with a hardtop.
2) The rear wheel seem to be early ZR-1, based on the deep dish of the bolts area.
3) The rear bodywork looks like it would be that of a ZR-1 in that the wide wheels and tires fit just right.

So is this a convertible ZR-1? FWIW I got the photo from an exotic cars CD-ROM collection, which identified it as a ZR-1.

My guess is that someone outside of GM created a convertible ZR-1.

Any other ideas?

~paul

This car is the Bid Doggie.This is the picture that is used for an advertisement for an insurance
company I think.This car doesnt have the ZR-1 body work but it does have a taller hood and ZR-1 rear wheels.

 

[Hib Halverson]

That car is not a ZR-1, much less a "convertible ZR-1"

That car is a GM development vehicle of the mid 1980s which was used to test the effects of an engine more powerful than an L98 on the C4's driveline. The car was a base Corvette convertible into which was swapped a 454 cuin Big-Block V8.

The car was known inside GM as the "Big Doggie" or "Big Dog." When the development program was complete, the car was given an official name "ZR2" and was use as a show car. Later, it was loaned to the National Corvette Museum. Last year, when GM had a "firesale" to dispose of many concept and development vehicles the car was auctioned.

 

[XLR8]

Jane Ann where did you find this picture? i Love this car. and the wheels. thanks

Here, onsite, in CAC gallery:
Corvette Gallery - Main Index

Jane Ann

 

[C2C3C4]

Here are some pics from the NCM that I took in 2005:

 

[C2C3C4]

 

[C2C3C4]

 

[Sunstroked]

Ok, I've seen these cars discussed. Here is a picture of the GM exec's one off built

ZR1 this picture was snapped by me at the Jan 2009 Barrett-Jackson auto auction is Scottsdale AZ.

Here is the ZR2 the big block developmental car.

Now I do not profess to knowing any more about the cars than what what was displayed at the auction, but the sign board next to the cars told me that the DR1 was the ONLY ZR1 convertible built. And it was for a GM exec.

The ZR2, a developmental project. Other than actually seeing these cars in person and snapping the pictures that I posted I claim no other knowledge, either fact or fiction.

 

[Sunstroked]

Here is a link to "Big Dog"
Barrett-Jackson Lot: 97 - 1989 CHEVROLET CORVETTE ZR-2 "BIG DOGGIE"



Lot Number: 97

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Auction: SCOTTSDALE 2009 Sale Price: *$71,500.00 Year: 1989 Make: CHEVROLET Model: CORVETTE Style: ZR-2 "BIG DOGGIE" Exterior Color: ORANGE Interior Color:
Cylinders:
Engine Size:
Transmission:
Summary: An experimental vehicle used to determine how to convert from a small block to a big block. Its 454 big block V8 along with its orange paint make this high horsepower engineering study a one-of-a-kind standout in Corvette history. Sold on a Bill of Sale. Details: This vehicle is autographed by it's Corvette development engineer/driver John Heinricy. Experimental vehicle used to determine how to convert from a small block to a big block. Its 454 Big Block V8 along with its orange paint treatment makes this high horsepower engineering study a one-of-a-kind standout in Corvette history. THIS IS A CONCEPT VEHICLE. NEITHER GM NOR BARRETT-JACKSON MAKE ANY WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, CONCERNING THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING NO WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE VEHICLE IS NOT CERTIFIED TO COMPLY WITH ANY FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL LAWS, RULES OR REGULATIONS AND MAY NOT BE DRIVEN ON PUBLIC ROADS. This vehicle will be conveyed to Buyer with NO MANUFACTURER STATEMENT OF ORIGIN (MSO) or title and the vehicle does not have a complete VIN. SOLD ON BILL OF SALE ONLY.