Buying a Used ZR-1

Last Update 12/24/2011

Most common question I get asked is, "are ZR-1's reliable?"
The answer is YES! When taken care of like any other car a ZR-1 will last a lifetime. I've heard of ZR-1's with over 270,000 miles and still running strong. See our 100,000 club.

I'm not going to get into the obvious things to look for when buying a ZR-1 because it applies to any used car you buy. For example looking for obvious damage or repaint, worn seats, tires etc. What I will touch on is items particular to the ZR-1 that you should look for when buying a ZR-1 vs any other car.

Trace a VIN number.

Known ZR-1s Totaled

Below is a table of known totaled ZR-1's. If you totaled your ZR-1 or know of any that have been totaled please email me at zr1net@zr1.net with the date, year, VIN and any other info that might be helpful.

1990

DATE TOTALED	YEAR	COLOR	VIN NUMBER	OTHER INFO
????	1990	?	1G1YZ23J8L5801154	ZR-1 was burnt and totaled in FL.
10/95	1990	Red/Black	1G1YZ23J9L5801356	Totaled by dealer during test drive, 13,621 miles. Car was shipped to Australia. ZR has since been restored to original condition and converted to right hand drive.
6/1/01	1990	Red/Red	1G1YZ23J0L5800208	Hit a pole at 40 mph.
2000	1990	Black/Black	1G1YZ23J2L5800596	Totaled by tornado.
??	1990	Red/Black	1G1YZ23J7L5802070	Roll over, parted out.
1/01	1990	Red/Tan	1G1YZ23J7L5801517	-
3/01	1990	Black/Black	1G1YZ23J3L5801109	ZR was totaled with 60K miles, hit by truck, sold and being rebuilt.
10/24/02	1990	Red/Saddle	1G1YZ23J5L5800897	.
5/30/03	1990	Charcoal/?	1G1YZ23J7L5800741	Hit a pole. Not rebuildable in several opinions, engine/tranny are questionable. Car was located in Dallas Texas.
12/4/04	1990	Red/?	1G1YZ23J5l5801726	ZR-1 was flooded and is being parted out.
12/4/03	1990	Red/Tan	1G1YZ23J2L5802428	Wrecked in the nose, California salvage certificate, being rebuilt.
7/27/03	1990	Black/Gray	1G1YZ23J1L5801027	Totaled by owner. Hydroplaned in a Severe sudden thunderstorm at 49 mph. Spun 180° , rear end hit a culvert, ripped the right rear wheel from the drive shaft and flipped the car onto the roof. Car slide on its roof for a hundred feet to the guide rails. Car sold at salvage.
7/25/96	1990	Red/Beige	1G1YZ23J2L5800999	ZR-1 was issued a Salvage Title by the Loveland, CO DMV on 7/25/1996
10/30/04	1990	Black/Black	1G1YZ23J3L5801918	The ZR had 23,503 miles but the insurance company considered it totaled. The water got up to the top of the power seat motors. The engine, transmission, front and rear suspension now reside under a '58 corvette.
12/27/04	1990	Black/Black	1G1YZ23J3L5801689	Hit something hard on the left front. ZR was being parted out.
1/7/05	1990	Black/Black	1G1YZ23J3L5801253	Was being parted out.
?/?/?	1990	Red/Saddle	1G1YZ23J3L5802549	Car was wreck at track buckled the body at the firewall parted out.
3/5/05	1990	Red/Red	1G1YZ23J5L5801726	Seen on Ebay being parted out, was flooded this winter in PA.
09/22/05	1990	Black/?	1G1YZ23J4L5801698	Found in salvage year.
1/06	1990	?/?	1G1YZ23J6L5802707	Received info from owner overseas.
2/20/09	1990	Red/Black	1G1YZ23JXL5801480
2/07	1990	Black/?	1G1YZ23JXL5801650	Engine and trans bought off Ebay in Feb 2007
4/16/08	1990	Black/?	1G1YZ23J1l5802212	Totaled
10/9/07	1990	White/Red	1G1YZ23J1l5802713	Totaled
9/12/06	1990	Black/Red	1G1YZ23J1L5802582	Seen being parted out on EBay,23,546 miles.
8/1/90	1990	?/?	1G1YZ23J8L5801901	Carfax states a salvage title was issued in New Jersey 08/01/90 , then again 8/16/90 in New Jersey with 5 miles on car. Then again reissued in Virginia. No date given. Factory warranty was voided. We assume car was parted out.
10/17/06	1990	Black/Black	1G1YZ23J3M5801032	ZR-1 being parted out on Ebay - Quote from seller: "This car was wrecked and given a salvage title in CA. The frame is out pushed in 3 inches on the rear drivers side and they just used a wheel spacer...as well as many other issues.
11/11/06	1990	Red/Red	1G1YZ23J3L5802194	ZR-1 was in a light roll over. Frame and body was sold off.
12/23/06	1990	Red/?	1G1YZ23J2L5800887	Parted out salvage title THE CAR WAS HIT HARD IN THE RIGHT 1/4 PANEL.
1/30/07	1990	?/?	1G1YZ23J2L5800999	ZR-1 was seen in South Seattle a couple of years ago. It was for sale cheap and it looked like it. Really hacked up wrong windshield, paint was falling off in sheets, interior was used for a dog house. No mufflers, engine had lots of leaks and smoked/clattered on start-up.
8/24/95	1990	?/?	1G1YZ23J6L5800293	Destroyed/crush in 1995. Was an early GM test car.
8/16/08	1990	Red/?	1G1YZ23J2L5801666	Engine was for sale on EBay.
6/16/09	1990	Red/Red	1G1YZ23J0L5800936	Vehicle had 60000 miles when parted out.
12/29/09	1990	Red/Black	1G1YZ23J8L5802854	Car totaled and motor on sale on eBay. Car hit from rear at stoplight, pushed into car in front. Took out both ends of the car.
4/4/10	1990	Red/Red	1G1YZ23J9L5802202	Totaled, dismantled and the frame crushed several years ago.
4/17/10	1990	Red/Saddle	1G1YZ23J85801901	Currently installed in a 1963 split window.
7/1/2011	1990	Red/Red	1G1YZ23J8L5801512	5554 miles, bought at Salvage in NC, being parted out.
10/28/11	1990	Red/Red	1G1YZ23J1L5800444	This car sold in August on Ebay for $13k out of Texas and is being parted out on Ebay. 77,000 miles.
11/11/11	1990	Red/Red	1G1YZ23JXL5801687	Parted out on utube hit in the driver side front wheel well and does have certificate of destruction.
12/23/11	1990	Red/Red	1G1YZ23JXL5801687	Wrecked Corvette ZR-1 with 59,000 miles for parts. http://123exchanges.com/pu-2122-0-0-QualityAutoPartsRUs-Just_in__Wrecked_Corvette_ZR_1_with_59_000_miles_for_parts_or_complete_parts_car_for_sale_.aspx

1991

DATE TOTALED

YEAR

COLOR

VIN NUMBER

OTHER INFO

1999

1991

Red/Black

1G1YZ23J7M5800384

Flipped over. Was rebuilt and is back on the road.

11/99

1991

1G1YZ23J8M5801365

Hit pole

08/01

1991

Polo Green/Saddle

1G1YZ23J6M5800909

Rolled over and totaled.

1991

Dark Red/Beige

1G1YZ23J8M5801513

ZR has Florida salvage title stamped rebuildable.

1991

Black/?

1G1YZ23J5M5800383

ZR was stolen off the new car transport. The engine, transmission, and rear end were removed. Original drive train was put back in the car. Car has a salvage/rebuild title from Pennsylvania. ZR now has clean South Carolina title

-/-/03

1991

White/Gray

1G1YZ23J6M5801459

This Corvette hydroplaned and rolled over in the rain landing back on its tires.

12/4/03

1991

White/?

1G1YZ23J6M5801459

Was parted out.

1/20/04

1991

White/Red

1G1YZ23J5M5800853

Had 9,000 miles on it. Believed it was wrecked in 1998, hit in the rear then hard roll over. Car was parted out.

5/18/01

1991

Black/Black

1G1YZ23J5M5800364

ZR-1 was totaled during an autocross.

9/1/05

1991

Red/Grey

1G1YZ23J2M5800244

Totally burnt Sept 05 in California

8/05

1991

Red/Red

1G1YZ23J1M5801644

Was driven into a lake.

7/17/06

1991

Red/Red

1G1YZ23J9M5801729

IAA Auction, 63,274 miles

8/28/06

1991

Polo Green/Black

1G1YZ23JM58000658

Was being parted out, 80,000 miles salvage title.

3/23/07

1991

Dk Red Met/Beige

1G1YZ23J6M5800893

Wrecked and rebuilt

5/20/08

1991

Red/?

1G1YZ23J7M5801194

CAR WAS BURNT INSIDE. SALVAGE TITLE ISSUED 3/04/1994 TO HART’S AUTO SALES IN RADCLIFF, KY. PURCHASED CAR ON 9/01/1994 AND STRIPPED. ENGINE AND TRANS WERE INSTALLED IN A 1957 CHEVY. BODY WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DUMP.

12/5/08

1991

?/?

1G1YZ23J1M5800610

Engine was for sale on ebay seller stated the car was a rollover

9/23/08

1991

Black/Saddle

1G1YZ23J7M5800534

Rolled numerous times and was totaled by the insurance company.

6/96

1991

Red/Black

1G1YZ23J2M5801197

Accident occurred in the State of Florida, interstate I-4, West bound near Deland, Florida.

The ZR-1 submarined under a trailer along I-4 and top end of the motor, along with the hood, was sheared off the block. At the time, the car had around 98,000 miles.

9/5/09

1991

?/?

1G1YZ23J0M5800033

Engine and transmission for on sale on EBay. ZR had 29445 miles on it.

1/7/10

1991

Black/Black

1G1YZ23J1M5801966

Parted out.

4/4/10

1991

Black/Black

1G1YZ23J6M5800540

Totaled, dismantled and the frame crushed several years ago.

4/4/10

1991

Red/Saddle

1G1YZ23J3M5800009

ZR-1 was severely damaged and is in a Spanish junkyard.

1992

DATE TOTALED	YEAR	COLOR	VIN NUMBER	OTHER INFO
4/97	1992	Black Rose/Black	1G1YZ23J1N5800379	Totaled by owner.
??	1992	White/Red	1G1YZ23J5N5800045	Class A State of Virginia rebuildable insurance wreck.
12/27/03	1992	?/?	1G1YZ23J7N5800306	Salvage title.
5/14/04	1992	Polo Green/Beige	1G1YZ23J5N5800160	ZR-1 was totaled at Spokane Raceway Park. Pic1 Pic2
9/6/05	1992	White/White	1G1YZ23J0N5800406	Flood totaled, it was a 30 minute fresh water flood that only got as high as the side moldings and wicked into the interior carpets.
3/21/10	1992	Black Rose/Black	1G1YZ23J1N5800088	Totaled, salvage title. Parted out.

1993

DATE TOTALED	YEAR	COLOR	VIN NUMBER	OTHER INFO
9/11/02	1993	Ruby/Ruby	1G1YZ28J6P5800042	The owner hit a tree in his own yard.
8/15/08	1993	Black/Black	*1G1YZ23J2P5800393*	Salvage Title. Total Loss Reported on 04/02/2003

1994

DATE TOTALED	YEAR	COLOR	VIN NUMBER	OTHER INFO
08/01	1994	Adm Blue/Gray	1G1YZ22J0R5800395	Totaled in Ensenada, Mexico in an Open Road Race.
10/14/01	1994	Black Rose/Gray	1G1YZ22JXR5800114	ZR-1 suffered extensive damage in a high speed autocross and was totaled. ZR has been rebuilt.
12/12/04	1994	Red/Black	1G1YZ22J5R5800442	Engine and tranny was sold on EBay, so we assume ZR-1 is totaled.
?/?/?	1994	Red/Black	1G1YZ22J5R5800263	Crash during the rain (spinout) and drove over a large concrete medium.
?/?/01	1994	Black/Black	1G1YZ22J2R5800026	17,000 miles, burned to the ground in car trailer fire in 2001. No fiberglass or interior left. Engine, drivetrain, front and rear suspension sold. Frame last known was in Indiana. This was a Tommy Morrison modified motor (plenum, injector housings, heads ported, BIG cams of unknown origin), purported to be the engine that powered one of Morrisons ZR-1s to it's best finish in the 24 hours of Daytona
2/20/08	1994	White/Black	1G1YZ22J2R5800226	Totaled
9/27/08	1994	Red/Black	1G1YZ22J2R5800135	Totaled

1995

DATE TOTALED	YEAR	COLOR	VIN NUMBER	OTHER INFO
Summer 1999	1995	Black/Black	1G1YZ22J3S5800283	Only had 4,000 miles when totaled.
5/01	1995	Black/Black	1G1YZ22J2S5800145	ZR-1 caught fire and was totaled.

Buying a Used ZR-1

(WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING a ZR-1)
(Cheap) Less than $100*
(Moderate) $100 to $1,000*
(Expensive) Over $1,000*

*NOTE: (Assuming you do the work yourself)

YEAR	PROBLEM	REPAIR
ALL	Look at the engine, very easy to stain the plenum and cam covers.	Can be repainted but may not be cheap. (Expensive)
ALL	Check tires for unusual wear that might indicate autocross racing or drag racing.	May have to replace tires. (Moderate)
ALL	Check wheels for damage from curbs, brake dust, etc.	May have to replace one or more wheels. (Moderate)
ALL	Check the plastic clear roof top for cracking, specially around the mounting points. Sometimes you'll see spider web like cracking from the inside looking out.	You'll have to replace the top or do an exchange (Moderate)
ALL	Check to see if the ZR-1 has the option for both roof panels, painted and tinted and if so, that the seller has both.	.
'90 -'91	Check to see if car has original owners kit which is a box that was sent after the owner purchased the ZR-1. This box contains items like another copy of the window sticker, soft leather case, a couple of books, video tape and ZR-1 key chain.	Aftermarket for one of these can cost you several hundred dollars (Moderate)
'92 - '95	These owners kits are just a zippered pouch with a video tape, owners manual, etc and in '92 and '93 owners kit a black ZR-1 key chain.	You can still purchase an owners kit from GM (Moderate)
ALL	Check for oil leaks especially around the oil pan. Common problem for the oil pan screws to become loose.	In most cases tightening the bolts will work, some are hard to get at (Cheap)
ALL	Check fans behind radiator for not working, being loose, missing hardware, common problem.	Replace missing hardware or fan (Cheap)
ALL	Check that CD player works.	You'll have to replace or find a shop that will repair it (Moderate)
ALL	Check that each speaker is working, not uncommon to have a bad speaker/amp.	Most common for the capacitors to go. Find someone who might be able to just replace the caps (Moderate)
ALL	Check for a vacuum leak. Open hood, turn ignition key on but don't start the car. Listen for vacuum pump to come on which is located under front right headlight. It should come on only for a few seconds and turn off. If pump stays on or comes on every few seconds then you have a vacuum leak.	If pump doesn't run at all, replace pump. If runs all the time then trace and repair vacuum leak which in most cases is under the plenum. Moderate)
ALL	Check that all 3 lumbar air bladders in the seats inflate.	If they don't inflate most likely bad seal on pump under seat or vacuum leak (Moderate)
ALL	When the LT5 is cold, some owners may experience a rapping noise on start up until oil pressure comes up. Once oil pressure is up the noise goes away. Most likely this is the cam chain tensioner (CCT). Doesn't seem to cause any problems.	You can replace CCT with newer update but you don't need to (Moderate)
'90-'91	When you come to a stop the idle may stay high for a few seconds and then drop to normal.	This can be fixed with a new updated PROM from GM.(Cheap)
ALL	The windshield may have a problem with distortions in the glass or glass delamination. Normal in that almost all ZR-1 windshields do this new or used. Check and make sure it has a ZR-1 windshield with the cutout in the middle just above the dash.	You can replace the windshield if you can find one. (Expensive)
ALL	Check to make sure the oil pressure gauge is working and steady. In '90-'91 the oil sending unit is know to leak/low pressure which is false and should be replaced.	Replace oil sensor. (Cheap)
'94-'95	Some ZR-1 owners may experience glass scratching on the side window glass. This can be caused by several different problems. Cleanliness, number of window cycles, etc.	Replace glass. (Moderate)
ALL	Check the Oil lines running from the oil cooler to the front of the engine. They maybe leaking where they connect into the block or at the connection where the rubber meets the metal line.	Replace with newer lines from GM.(Moderate)
ALL	Oil leak from header studs.	May have to remove, coat bolts to keep from leaking and retighten. (Cheap)
ALL	Check clutch fluid level under ECM. If low it may indicate a bad slave cylinder.	Replace slave cylinder. (Moderate)
ALL	When driving make sure there are no grinding noises in any gear. If so, you may need a transmission rebuild.	Rebuild transmission. (Expensive)
ALL	Watch water temp gauge when driving. If over heating it could be several things. Make sure secondary fan is coming on. Check around radiator for debris, not uncommon for leaves and such to get behind radiator where you can't see it.	May have to remove radiator to clean behind it. (Cheap)
'90-'91	Transmission may sound a little noisy at times. Noise changes with clutch in vs clutch out.	Replace the throw out bearing and pilot bushing. (Moderate)
ALL	Under hard acceleration you may find the shifter will lift 3/4" or more.	Check the front two torque beam bolts for the transmission, you will probably find them loose. Retorque to spec. (Cheap)
ALL	The fuel injectors in the ZR-1 use a steel ball. So it's not uncommon for these injectors to rust and start to leak or not flow correctly.	Only fix is to have them flow tested and cleaned or replaced. (Moderate)
ALL	Make sure the antenna works correctly.	Repair or replace antenna. (Cheap)
ALL	Before starting car, check information center for proper functioning of information/lights, etc. Sometimes owners will have a warning light and remove the bulb rather than fix the problem.	Have bulbs replaced and fix problem.
'90	On 90's low coolant light may be displayed as it's a known problem.	Simply add small amount's of coolant until light goes off (may only come on when driving car and turning vehicle). (Cheap)
ALL	Check and make sure the backup light is working.	Replace backup light switch. (Cheap)
ALL	Check and see if any error codes are stored in the computer.	This can be done shorting out two pins on the computer connector under the dash. (Cheap)
ALL	ZR-1's stored for long periods of time with a low tank of gas can damage the fuel pumps. They will rust and have to be replaced costing as much as $1100. However you can now just replace the fuel pumps with '96 Suburban for less than $100. It uses the same fuel pump and is a direct replacement. GM part number is 25163473.	Make sure the ZR-1 was stored with a full tank of gas. (Moderate)
'90 - '92	Power on key switch might not be working. Due to use the contacts inside spread apart.	You can either take it apart and squeeze the contacts back together or replace the switch. (Cheap)

CORVETTE and ZR-1 are Trademarks of General Motors Corporation
All GM Trademarks are used under written agreement with GM/Chevrolet/EMI


	Following is a check list of items to look for when buying a used ZR-1. As always follow common sense whenever buying a used car. Check to make sure the car hasn't been in an accident. Check to make sure the ZR-1 has a clean title. Don't let your emotions drive you into buying a ZR-1 and most of all do your homework. Remember "buyer beware".

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