New Guy

[Dime]

Alright fellas I hope to have a camaro ss or a high performance corvette soon. I have been looking everywhere and constantly for the past couple of weeks and I found two vettes that caught my attention and I was wondering if someone with more knowledge than me could identify them. I don't think either are ZR1s but both have a few characteristics of ZR1s; the first looks like a 1990 ZR1, has a ZR1 badge under the right taillights, but has the interior of an 80s model. The second has no ZR1 badges, appears to be a 1991 ZR1, but does have a ZR1 logo on the console above the radio. Neither have the engine that I have seen the ZR1 come with.

First one: Asking $16595

Dealer Notes:
One nice 1985 Corvette with plenty of power & toys!! Only 53,577 Actual Miles!! Professionally installed Carroll Supercharger, Stainless Borla exhaust, racing wheels, a killer sound system & removable glass top!!

Pics:

Second one: Asking $15,595

Dealer Notes:
1991 Chevrolet Corvette. This C4 has an upgraded power plant. It has a ZZ4 block with the L98 top end Isky cam and internals and a ZR1 exhaust that was tuned to about 400 HP. Backing all this power is the desirable 6 speed transmission. There is lots of chrome under the hood and it also has chrome ZR1 wheels. The Dark red Metallic paint was repainted in 08 and is very appealing with the wheels.

Pics:

 

[Rob]

Welcome to the Corvette Action Center.

Neither Corvette in the pictures you posted are 1990 - 1995 ZR-1s.

The first one appears to be be a heavily modified 1985 - 1989 Corvette made to look like a ZR-1 on the outside.

The second one appears to be a modified 1991 L98 Corvette.

If the car does not come with this (click on the thumbnail):



and doesn't have a unique VIN (the letter "J" in the vin for the engine type) that is specific to the 1990 - 1995 ZR-1s, then it isn't a true ZR-1.

 

[Dime]

Yeah I figured seeing as how neither had that engine then neither were zr1s, but what do you think of them? Do they seem like a good deal, and do they seem like they would have a decent amount of power?

 

[jonszr1]

just my 2 cents , when you are buying a modded car ,i would really ck out the motor trans and suspension . do a compression or leakdown test ck the trans operation and rear end and 1/2 shafts .to many buy a car like this that becomes a money pit due to bad workmanship or worn out parts . spending 2-300 to ck it out fully can save tons of cash later . finally offer 13.k for them and see what happens . for the prices you are looking at spending you could add 5 k and get a zr1 with low miles and a rare car to boot ,that will make the hair on the back of your neck standup @7000rpms.dont hurry take your time and you will find the perfect car for you!!!!!!!!!!

 

[rhipsher]

Brad is right. For some extra cash you could have the real deal. Although those vettes are nice looking you would kick yourself later for not getting the real deal. You need to take advantege of how low the prices are on a real ZR-1 before they start creeping up in price. The difference in power will blow you away. Just go test drive one of those. And then test drive a ZR-1. You won't ever want to go back after that.
Here are some easy clues to distinguish Z from non Z.
Notice the area of the licsense plate is much wider.

Also of course the full power key on the lower dash is a give away.

Also another is the delamination on the windshield.

And of course the engine.

 

[GS Diva]

I agree with Brad and Rickster...keep looking for the real deal. The '85 is way overpriced and in the end, is just an '85 (no offense intended to '85 owners ). At the very least, concentrate on the later C4s as major improvements were made during that generation.

Let us know how your search goes.

Elaine