It Might’ve Been an Impulse Buy, but My Corvette ZR-1 Is a Keeper
This story first appeared in the November/December 2024 issue of Hagerty Drivers Club magazine. Join the club to receive our award-winning magazine and enjoy insider access to automotive events, discounts, roadside assistance, and more.
I am a 37-year-old man child who buys motorized vehicles that upset my financial advisor and wife in equal parts. This impulsiveness is what turned a casual conversation at a cars and coffee into the purchase of a ZR-1. The previous owner bought the car at auction a decade prior expecting values to take off, but it largely sat and had less than 30,000 miles. The price was right, and I decided to jump on it.
Under my ownership, I didn’t want my ZR-1 to be a garage queen. However, I was worried that there would be potential maintenance pitfalls as the car wasn’t used frequently. So I took my Corvette to ZR-1 specialist Marc Haibeck for a thorough checkup, and after changing the fluids, filters, and tires, my ZR-1 was ready to be driven.
This is such a capable and fun car on the curvy roads around southern Ohio. The steering feel and visibility are great. The ZR-1 is modern enough that it’s comfortable and easy to use, but old enough that it doesn’t have traction or stability control. So you need to pay attention when the road gets twisty, but getting a corner right is so rewarding. When I’m not listening to the glorious sounds of the dual-overhead-cam V-8, I like to pop in a cassette with period-correct music. Tapes from Europe, George Thorogood, and Big Daddy Kane are currently in rotation.
I still regularly attend cars and coffee events and I love talking to passersby about my ZR-1, although I don’t think I’ll sell my Corvette to another attendee like the previous owner. This thing is a keeper.
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Ha. I’ve taken photos of many of my cars in Devou Park, overlooking Cincinnati! I lived in NKY for almost 10 years.
The web has a major fixation on promoting the ZR1 of late. Same with the 928.
The ZR1 is a cool car and special car but not one of great value as the auctions houses would like to see.
The ZR1 is a collector car that we were told had great promise. Many collected them and horded them away like the 78 pace cars. In the end no real market arrived and we have a large number of low mile cars at a good price.
The real issue is getting parts for the engine. They are rare and expensive.
How is this “promoting” the ZR1? It’s 4 paragraphs written by a person who enjoys driving the one they own.
My observations is the number of stories on ZR1 Corvettes in the last two years on the web.
This one is just about the owner but many are promoting the ZR1 every time you turn around.
I see the same on the 928 that has been way under values. At times I suspect the auction companies are trying to draw out these cars and try to make a buck.
Author is talking about why they like their car. Chill out, man. Your analysis is completely off topic and elitist.
Elitist? Never been called that one. Red neck at times but never elitist.
Joe it is just an observation of the web collectively how it has been pushing a ZR1 narrative heavy the last couple years.
The ZR1 has been way under valued but for a number logical reasons. It just feels like there is a force in the market trying to manipulate values.
You read so little on cars like a 70 LT1 that are under values yet or other very specials Corvettes that are much more rare.
I see the same on the 928 Porsche. Good car but not really ever been embraced by the Porches fans and a money pit if it breaks negating the bargain it is.
I am glad this guy loves his car and is even driving it vs letting it rot. I hope he never encounters the part issue many have had on this car.
I just hate to see outside forces manipulate the market. Yes it happens. This drives up the cost for all of use who just want to enjoy the cars. Some auctions not all can drive some real false values.
I think it might have more to do with folks who thought ZR-1s and 928s (German Vette) were cool when they were teens are now hovering right around 50 years old and make up an influential portion of the collector car enthusiast demographic – whether they are clicking articles for ad revenue or buying cars.