What was the most desireable, rare, collectible, etc. version ever produced?
What was the most desireable, rare, collectible, etc. version ever produced?
ZR1 or a Callaway if that counts?
In reply to 92CelicaHalfTrac:
Nah, just a stock one.
Even though it was just stickers, I would have to say one of the Indy pace cars.
Besides that, they were all the "same".
Then i'm sticking with ZR1.
ZR1 I've had an unhealthy lust for an LT5 in something since I was young. Otherwise Grand Sport, or something Lingenfelter had their hands on.
I don't know if it'd be the ZR1 or the Grand Sport. ZR1 was the ultimate version and the only time I'm aware of that chevy deviated into DOHC for a performance car outside of a few Caddies. BUT, that DOHC motor is probably more of a liability at this point, and the Grand (Gran?) Sport has all the suspension and whiz-bang of the ZR-1 only it still used the normal C4 motor (LT1, I think).
Were I hunting a C4, a GS would probably be what I was chasing.
To actually drive, a later model with the LT1 motor and the 6-speed manual. To collect for resale value I have no idea.
ZR1, plus a great investment
i'd go for a 90 ZR1 for the one year only style.
i want an LT5 so bad but the few crate motors left all sold for $10k+
otherwise i love the 96 grand sport.
either way i have a base 91 automatic car. the single best thing i did was put on a real intake and carb when i messed up the computer/harness installing the $$$$ superram intake. it went from dying at 4300 to pulling hard to 6000.
What determined whether the car got the LT1 or the LT4?
Copper C4 ZR1, only one made and GM has it.
GS had the LT4. Highly desireable. ZR1 rare. Especially the later ones cause the LT motors were capable of mathcing power without the complexity. Try getting parts.
Any z51 suspended car is a good one.
First and last year models tend to appreciate well(just see the 63 vs the 64).
Black over white 35th anniversary model a good bet too.
GS had the LT4. Highly desireable. ZR1 rare. Especially the later ones cause the LT motors were capable of mathcing power without the complexity. Try getting parts.
Any z51 suspended car is a good one.
First and last year models tend to appreciate well(just see the 63 vs the 64).
Black over white 35th anniversary model a good bet too.
GS had the LT4. Highly desireable. ZR1 rare. Especially the later ones cause the LT motors were capable of mathcing power without the complexity. Try getting parts.
Any z51 suspended car is a good one.
First and last year models tend to appreciate well(just see the 63 vs the 64).
Black over white 35th anniversary model a good bet too.
Holy triple post. My bad. 
I don't honestly think the first-year 84's will ever be worth anything. Crossfire injection, low power, and the bizarre 4+3 trans will conspire with the digital dash to make it really awkward to drive and own. The later ones are where all the money is in C4's.
As far as Pace Car's go, no "Replica" one has ever brought money. If it wasn't actually used at the race (with ironclad documentation) (and as a driver intro car, courtesy car, etc, obviously not the actual pace car) then it's worth about 5% more than a same-year non-replica.
If you want the actual rarity, it's gotta be the ZR1. The Yamaha-headed DOHC LT5 is a freaking amazing engine and sounds totally wicked. Lots of power, very smooth. Parts are getting $$$, but still cheaper than a 911 or a 308.
If you actually want to drive the thing though, the 96 Grand Sport was the king. LT4 power, ZR1 suspension, Le Mans paint, and T56. Dirty little secret though - all 1996 Vette's had the LT4, so there's your cheaper alternative. 
The Z51 option is definitely worth having over a normal suspension, but I'm not sure the Z51 sport suspension models seem to command a price premium - it has no visible markings, and a lot of sellers don't even seem to be aware they have it. It also appears some people think the Z51 is too harsh, but I don't think most GRMers will feel that way. The one I had was pretty streetable.
The only reason I mention the 84 is because there is always someone who wants the first example of anything. You make very valid points regarding driving, but Vette collectors are a strange breed. Rare combinations of exterior and interior colors with specific drivelines help collectability. 84 z51 pulled about 1g back in the day, but journalists complained about the harsh ride so GM softened the car the next year. I would still grab one, upgrade the trans to 6 speed and rebuild the digi dash.
If I had to pick one, I'd probably agree with the GS. But I don't know any of the C4s are really at the collectible/desirable level yet.
Javelin wrote: . Dirty little secret though - all 1996 Vette's had the LT4, so there's your cheaper alternative.
not quite...
all MANUAL 96 cars got the LT4
and the LT5 has nothing to do with yamaha. gm worked with lotus to design the DOHC engine in 86.
Hmm... ZR1... a classic dealer around the corner from me has one in stock and brought it to a local car show a few weeks ago:
http://www.lraautosales.com/autoDetails.php?auto=118&beep=1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
IIRC, they're asking about $32K. The car is like new and has only one owner (they're selling it on consignment). Considering the MSRP was about $60K new, the guy is losing a boat-load of money...
ReverendDexter wrote: BUT, that DOHC motor is probably more of a liability at this point,
It was a liability when it was new. Certain ZR-1 specific parts were very hard to find even when they were in production. IIRC one of them was the ignition module. A GM with a rare/impossible to find ignition module might as well be a statue.
And then Chevy went and started making more power with less displacement and pushrods.
Javelin wrote: If you want the actual rarity, it's gotta be the ZR1. The Yamaha-headed DOHC LT5
Lotus, not Yamaha.
patgizz wrote:Javelin wrote: . Dirty little secret though - all 1996 Vette's had the LT4, so there's your cheaper alternative.not quite... all MANUAL 96 cars got the LT4 and the LT5 has nothing to do with yamaha. gm worked with lotus to design the DOHC engine in 86.
Doh! Thanks for the corrections.
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