Looking for the owner of 1989 ZR-1 pilot car

[Tworacy]

I’m hoping someone on this website might be able to identify the owner of the white 1989 ZR-1 pilot car that is shown in the Images section of this web site. I would like to determine if the pilot car is 1 of the 27 cars painted in Arctic Pearl (31U). I’m interested because I own a 1989 Z51 Coupe that is also painted in the rare Arctic Pearl color. One of only 5 non-pilot cars. This color was a test color that was intended to be used for the introduction of the ZR-1 but due to consistency problems, the color wasn’t used.

ZR-1 Pilot car picture is located here on this web site:
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/gallery/

I’m also trying to find the early history on my car as it was shipped directly to the Milford Proving Grounds and wasn’t publicly registered for 3 ½ years.

Anyone that might have information on the ZR-1 pilot car, the owner or any suggestions on where I might get more information on my own car, please respond here, or e-mail me at mpollard@unocal.com.

Thanks.

 

[*89x2*]

I thought the car in question was in the Detroit Suburbs - maybe in the Late 90's...

Sorry

 

[Tyler Townsley]

The car in question was rescued from the Lotus graveyard and shipped to the states in 94/95 by Ed Simmons/Keith Belish/Joel Stigletz. It was sold to Joe Robuck and rebuilt by Gene Tucker of Macon Ga in 1996. It was later sold 2(I think) more times and the current owner has no interest in any contact about the car. It is in fact a Caddy and was the Artic Pearl color and was never a production color on the Corvette. Some people have had some success with getting info on theier cars from GM as long as they are not prototypes. Check bak I will put up some picts later.

Tyler

From this document and your vin you get a better feel for what it was used for:

http://www.sirgalahad.org/tyler/prototype/87-89production.jpg

Car in restoration:

http://www.sirgalahad.org/tyler/prototype/89_14_restore1.jpg

Graveyard pictures:

http://www.sirgalahad.org/tyler/prototype/sJoel_11.jpg
http://www.sirgalahad.org/tyler/prototype/sJoel_9.jpg

 

[*89x2*]

It was sold to Joe Robuck and rebuilt by Gene Tucker of Macon Ga in 1996. It was later sold 2(I think) more times

Thanks - Whew, I didn't want to name any names

That's who had it

 

[Tyler Townsley]

Well it has been posted before and is factual.

Tyler

 

[B17Crew]

Pearly Whites...

Tworacy,

Several years ago, I saw one of the ‘89 ZR-1s treated to the pearl paint job. It was at Bob McDorman Chevrolet in Canal Winchester, Ohio. From what I recall, the car was there on consignment. I think it had a display that went with it as well.

I remember noticing it when I went to pick up my Corvette up from service. (whenever I see ZR-1s, I’m attracted to them like bears to honey). The service manager (sm) was nice enough to let me take a closer look at it. When I got right up to it, I noticed the pearl white paint. Asked the sm if it was a repaint, he let me know that it was a factory color.

I can’t remember what color the interior was, but I remember that I had to do a double take because it had the ‘89 flat dash interior, not the ‘90 redesigned interior. I also remember the sm telling me it was very rare and the seller was asking a hefty price for it. I think part of the display that I had mentioned above had documentation to go with the car.

I am attaching a link to the dealers site where I saw the Z-R1:

http://www.bobmcdormanchevrolet.com/

Bob McDorman Chevrolet
5885 Gender Rd.
Canal Winchester, OH 43110
Phone: 614-834-6063
Toll Free: 1-888-445-3328

Not sure if he’s still there, but the service manager who let me take a closer look at the car was Steve Alexander.

B17Crew

 

[Tyler Townsley]

Same car. I think at the time it was 100K+ but finally sold for 80K. I have a copy of the build sheet around here somewhere.

Tyler

 

[B17Crew]

Wow! $80,000. It was a good looking Z though.

B17Crew

 

[Tworacy]

Thanks for the info Tyler and B17. I'm glad to hear it is a Pearl car. I also have the build sheet on it, if you happen to have the VIN handy. I have copies of the build sheets on all 27 Pearl cars. You are correct in that Arctic Pearl wasn't a regular production color. All but 5 of the Pearl cars were ZR-1 or L98 pilot cars. My car is 1 of the 5 actual production (non-pilot) L98 cars that were special ordered in Arctic Pearl and sent directly to the MPG.

You mentioned that the current owner isn't interested in any contact on his car. Do you think he would be interested in having a matching bookend Pearl car to go with his pilot car? 8^) While it's not a ZR-1, it has a unique tie to them due to the color and possibly comparison testing at Milford.

Here is the info on my car that I have also posted in the "General" section on this web site. If any of you have contacts at GM or the Milford Proving Grounds that I might be able to contact it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again.


RE:1989 Corvette Z51Coupe, Arctic Pearl White (31U)
VIN 1G1YY2180K5103655

The following are various details regarding this vehicle that make it rare & unique:

- Exterior color is Arctic Pearl (31U, special order). This car is one of only 27 cars painted this color. Of the total of 27, at least 22 were pilot cars built in February or March of 1988 (15 were ZR-1 pilot cars and 7 were L98 pilot cars) and were never sold to the public. Supposedly only the remaining 5 cars could have possibly been sold to the public. The 27 Arctic Pearl cars are specifically mentioned in several books related to Corvettes. This color was a new color which was intended to be used for the introduction of the 1989 ZR-1 which was delayed. Troubles with the color consistency lead to the color being dropped and has never been used again.

- Interior color is Medium Blue leather (RPO 211,212). This was the only Arctic Pearl car produced with blue interior.

- The build sheet indicates that the car was special ordered (hand written) with the Arctic Pearl color on 09/27/88 by initials “CLJ”(?).

- The build sheet also indicates that the car was an “Engineering Driveaway to Milford PG (56-052)” by M. Boling 9/27/88. The other 4 Pearl cars also went straight to the Milford Proving Grounds.

- The radiator shroud still bears the markings “-20’f 10-19-88” by “KL”. Apparently this was written while at Milford for testing.

- The first time the car was publicly registered was in Mississippi in May 1992 with 43,524 miles. I would like to determine if the car was at the Milford Proving Grounds for this period of 3 ½ years or was being driven by someone at GM.

- The build sheet indicates the car was built with many rare options as follows:
Option Quantity
Code Option Description Produced Comments
31U Arctic Pearl exterior paint 27 Max. of 5 sold to public. Rarest C4 color (possibly ever?).
FX3 Selective Ride suspension 1,573
ML9 Six speed transmission 4,113
Z51 Performance handling package2,224
AQ9 Leather Sport Seats 1,777 Only 55 in blue.
FE7 Heavy Duty Suspension
GH0 3:54 rear axle ratio Possibly only year offered. Very rare.
G87 8.5” ring gear
J55 Heavy Duty Brake system Front 12.9” vs 11.9” standard

- Fast steering ratio (2 turns) available during only first 3 months of 1989 production.


QUESTIONS FOR MILFORD PROVING GROUNDS OR GM:

RE: 1989 Corvette Z51Coupe, Arctic Pearl White (31U)
VIN 1G1YY2180K5103655

I’m trying to find the following information on this car. Any help you may be able to provide would be greatly appreciated.

- What was the car used for while at the Milford Proving Grounds? Tests on the paint? Comparison performance tests to early ZR-1s? Promotional photos/test drives?

- Would it be possible to get copies of any information related to this car while at the MPG?

- Where/who did the order to change the color to Arctic Pearl (31U) originate from? Was this some type of COPO order or equivalent?

- Possible to get copies of any preproduction documents such as any initial documents/memos requesting the change in color and shipment to the MPG?

- The first public registration on the car was on 05/12/1992 in Mississippi with 43,524 miles. Did it spend the entire time at the MPG or is it possible that a GM executive or engineer may have driven the car during this period up to May 1992? If so, who?

- What was done with the car once the MPG was finished with the car? Was it sold to a dealer?

- Considering the unusual handwritten color change on the build sheet and delivery directly to the Milford Proving Grounds, would this be considered as a “COPO” car or something equivalent?

- Who are the 2 people whose handwriting appears on the build sheet, that 1) requested the special order for the Arctic Pearl paint (“CLJ”?) and 2) requested delivery to MPG (M. Boling)?

- Considering the rarity of the paint, the relationship to the ZR-1 and it’s history at the MPG, could this car be of any unique interest to the Corvette Museum or GM?

 

[B17Crew]

Tworacy,

You are welcome for the info. Unfortunately, I do not have contact information at GM or Milford. Picking up my car that day... I was in the right place at the right time to see one of those rare pearl cars.

I have another Z-R1 service story.

At one time, I had an ‘86 coupe that I was picking up from service. I was in the showroom looking at new Corvettes when I overheard one of the employees say; “Dave Thomas [he’s the founder of Wendys] is picking up his ZR-1 from service.” I made my way back to the service department to try to meet him and ogle his Z-R1. Well... I missed him, they told me he had his ZR-1 in for and oil change, and that it was a red one. I like to think of that one as my near miss ZR-1 story.

B17Crew


P.S. Good luck with your Arctic Pearl endeavors!

 

[Rob]

We also have a special ZR-1 Prototype Center here that contains a lot of the information that Tyler has presented here:

http://corvetteactioncenter.com/specs/c4/zr1/prototypes/

 

[Rob]

Tworacy,

Do you have any pictures of the car that you can post here? If possible, I'd like to build an additional page in our 1989 Model Center containing the informationa you've posted here.

 

[Tworacy]

Rob, I don't have any really nice pictures that would do the car justice at this point. I've been intending to get some close up shots to try to show the paint and the notation on the radiator shroud from the MPG testing. Having the car included in your 1989 Model Section would be great. I'll send you the pics as soon as I get them taken. For now, I've attached a photo of the car "in action" with it's prior owner. This is from an ad that runs in several car magazines. Another part of it's unique history.

Monty


Apparently, the pic file is too big.

 

[Tworacy]

I see you have the notation from Mike Antonick's Corvette Black Book. My car is one of those 27 Arctic Pearl cars. Hey the pic made it as a jpg.

* - Note: According to the Corvette Black Book by Michael Antonick: "Though not listed on 1989 exterior color availability charts, Chevrolet records indicate 8 code 35 Yellow/Bucksin, and 27 code 31 Arctic Pearl 1989 Corvettes were built."

 

[Tworacy]

Rob, I recently read some comments about posting full VIN numbers on the internet. Is there any reason why this might not be a good/safe thing to do? What could anyone do with a VIN number?

Just being naive.

Thanks.

Monty

 

[Rob]

Rob, I recently read some comments about posting full VIN numbers on the internet. Is there any reason why this might not be a good/safe thing to do? What could anyone do with a VIN number?

Just being naive.

Thanks.

Monty

Monty,

I'm not aware of any concerns with publicly posting a VIN. I guess I've never quite understood what all the concern was about but maybe someone else here could shed some more light?

 

[Rob]

Monty,

Tell me what you think:

http://corvetteactioncenter.com/specs/c4/1989/89arcticpearl.html

 

[Tworacy]

Rob,

Overall it looks great. I've made a few changes below. I'm not sure that "Prototype" would be a proper description. As I've noted, it is 1 of only 5 that was was built during the regular production cycle. It's also not one of the "pilot" cars as is stated in some of of the corvette books. I also would rather not advertise that I have copies of the build sheets on all the Pearl cars. I've also determined that the 3.54 diff. was only offered in '89.

My changes are shown like (delete - ) below.

Thanks for the help in finding any info.

Monty



1989 Arctic Pearl (31U) Corvette (delete "Prototype)


The following article is by the owner of a special 1989 Arctic Pearl (Delete - prototype) Corvette. Only 27 Corvettes were painted with this color known as RPO 31U - Arctic Pearl. These 27 Corvettes consisted of 24 coupes and 3 convertibles. The owner of the one described below is owned by Corvette Action Center Forum Member Tworacy.

He is looking for more information on his car. If you can provide more information, please contact us and we will forward the information to him.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(delete - I have copies of the build sheets on all 27 Pearl cars.) Arctic Pearl wasn't a regular production color. All but 5 of the Pearl cars were ZR-1 or L98 pilot cars. My car is 1 of the 5 actual production (non-pilot) L98 cars that were special ordered in Arctic Pearl and sent directly to the Milford (delete - Michigan) Proving Grounds.

Here is the info on my car. If anyone has contacts at GM or the Milford Proving Grounds that I might be able to contact it would be greatly appreciated.

1989 Corvette Z51Coupe, Arctic Pearl White (31U)
VIN 1G1YY2180K5103655

The following are various details regarding this vehicle that make it rare & unique:

Exterior color is Arctic Pearl (31U, special order). This car is one of only 27 cars painted this color. Of the total of 27, at least 22 were pilot cars built in February or March of 1988 (15 were ZR-1 pilot cars and 7 were L98 pilot cars) and were never sold to the public. Supposedly only the remaining 5 cars could have possibly been sold to the public. The 27 Arctic Pearl cars are specifically mentioned in several books related to Corvettes. This color was a new color which was intended to be used for the introduction of the 1989 ZR-1 which was delayed. Troubles with the color consistency lead to the color being dropped and has never been used again.


Interior color is Medium Blue leather (RPO 211,212). This was the only Arctic Pearl car produced with blue interior.


The build sheet indicates that the car was special ordered (hand written) with the Arctic Pearl color on 09/27/88 by initials “CLJ”(?).


The build sheet also indicates that the car was an “Engineering Driveaway to Milford PG (56-052)” by M. Boling 9/27/88. The other 4 Pearl cars also went straight to the Milford Proving Grounds.


The radiator shroud still bears the markings “-20’f 10-19-88” by “KL”. Apparently this was written while at Milford for testing.


The first time the car was publicly registered was in Mississippi in May 1992 with 43,524 miles. I would like to determine if the car was at the Milford Proving Grounds for this period of 3 ½ years or was being driven by someone at GM.


The build sheet indicates the car was built with many rare options as follows:

Code Option Description Produced Comments
31U Arctic Pearl exterior paint 27 Max. of 5 sold to public. Rarest C4 color (possibly ever?).
FX3 Selective Ride suspension 1,573 NA
ML9 Six speed transmission 4,113 NA
Z51 Performance handling package 2,224 NA
AQ9 Leather Sport Seats 1,777 Only 55 in blue.
FE7 Heavy Duty Suspension NA NA
GH0 3:54 rear axle ratio NA (Delete - Possibly) Only year offered. Very rare.
G87 8.5” ring gear NA NA
J55 Heavy Duty Brake system Front 12.9” vs 11.9” standard NA NA


Fast steering ratio (2 turns) available during only first 3 months of 1989 production.

QUESTIONS FOR MILFORD PROVING GROUNDS OR GM:

What was the car used for while at the Milford Proving Grounds? Tests on the paint? Comparison performance tests to early ZR-1s? Promotional photos/test drives?


Would it be possible to get copies of any information related to this car while at the MPG?


Where/who did the order to change the color to Arctic Pearl (31U) originate from? Was this some type of COPO order or equivalent?


Possible to get copies of any preproduction documents such as any initial documents/memos requesting the change in color and shipment to the MPG?


The first public registration on the car was on 05/12/1992 in Mississippi with 43,524 miles. Did it spend the entire time at the MPG or is it possible that a GM executive or engineer may have driven the car during this period up to May 1992? If so, who?


What was done with the car once the MPG was finished with the car? Was it sold to a dealer?


Considering the unusual handwritten color change on the build sheet and delivery directly to the Milford Proving Grounds, would this be considered as a “COPO” car or something equivalent?


Who are the 2 people whose handwriting appears on the build sheet, that 1) requested the special order for the Arctic Pearl paint (“CLJ”?) and 2) requested delivery to MPG (M. Boling)?


Considering the rarity of the paint, the relationship to the ZR-1 and it’s history at the MPG, could this car be of any unique interest to the Corvette Museum or GM?

 

[Rob]

Monty,

I made the corrections as requested.

-Rob

 

[Tyler Townsley]

The build sheets are available from the NCM, however the ones in the frame are sightly different than what is on file especially the ones that have handwritten changes.

Tyler