1970 Chevrolet Corvette

LT-1 ZR1 Convertible

8 - Cyl.

Manual

Gasoline

1970 Chevrolet Corvette LT-1 ZR1 REDUCED TO SELL!!! AND IT'S NOT GOING ANY LOWER... Before you read any further, I understand this is an investment grade Corvette, which certainly comes into play. BUT... I'm not looking for a dentist in Florida with more money than brains, buyer, who has no Corvette knowledge or interest, other than to turn a profit. Yes, I'm emotionally attached, my bad. This rare ZR1 needs a good HOME in a CORVETTE lover's garage. If you fit the bill, please read on... Rarest Corvette small blocks built. This 1970 Corvette original ZR1, street legal racer, successor to the L88 Corvette, came equipped with the LT1 small block and all the specialty options that were found on the L88s that were retired the previous year: LT-1 350CID/370HP which was underrated by GM as were all "Off-Road" (for racing use) only optioned Corvettes. This ZR1 has as stock 400+ HP. ZR1 Package: LT-1 engine, suffix CTV-1970 Transistorized ignition J-56 heavy duty brake package with dual pin front brake calipers (power). F-41 heavy duty suspension package, special front coil spring rates, 7 leaf rear spring, heavy duty shock absorbers, heavy duty 5/8" front sway bar (note: usually quoted GM literature indicates rear sway bar, to my knowledge they were never installed at the factory), and heavy duty rear spindle struts. M-22 (Rockcrusher), close ratio transmission. Large aluminum radiator with expansion tank (no other LT-1 equipped car has an expansion tank). Steel fan shroud (L88). Lightweight flywheel, clutch, and starter (L88). Goodyear Wide Tread Tires (with original set of all 5 tires in as new condition). Radio delete with block off plate (rear deck marked but not drilled for antenna). The ZR-1 package was for "Off Road" use only and could not be ordered with air conditioning, power windows, power steering, radio, alarm system, rear window defroster. This ZR1 is RARER THAN RARE: Only 25-1970 ZR1's (with the higher 370HP rating) were produced. Of the 25 produced only 13 have been verified as factory originals, the majority of which are coupes. This ZR1 is approximately 1 of 10 Roadsters, and could be the ONLY fully restored to NCRS/Bloomington Gold Certified standards, in existence. This ZR1 was prep'ed and sponsored for SCCA Autocross racing by the legendary Dick Guldstrand. Cover of Sports Car Magazine 9/88. Numerous SCCA Autocross National Championships. California, two owner ZR1, both owners available for contact, with completely known and documented history. NCRS Top Flight Bloomington Gold Certified Need I say... "MATCHING NUMBERS" Document History: Chevrolet Motor Vehicle Purchase Order (showing ZR1) Car Shipper Invoice (Dealer Copy, showing ZR1) Dealer Invoice (showing ZR1) Window Sticker (showing ZR1) Corvette Order Copy (Tank Sticker, showing ZR1) Warranty Card with Protect-o-Plate Various title/registration, part tags, insurance cards, smog checks, etc. The Story... Conception, Birthday, and Racing: George Lynch, the son of an Indy 500 race car driver, and his wife JoAnn, ordered this ZR1 in January 1970 for the purpose of SCCA Autocross racing. The GM factory was reluctant to deliver the ZR1 through a dealer "for street use", but with alot of effort and back door (via GM corporate) involvement, the ZR1 order was ultimately approved and the ZR1 was then shipped to Owen Keown Chevrolet in Marina Del Rey, CA. As soon as George was handed the keys, it was off to the races. The Lynch's autocross club was sponsored by the legendary Dick Guldstrand (can also verify this ZR1's history), who prep'ed this ZR1 for SCCA racing. With Dick's assistance, over the next twenty years, this ZR1 was a multiple time SCCA National Champion, with JoAnn at the wheel. Time and technology eventually caught up with this ZR1's ability to dominate the track and George put her up for sale. The Find, Rebirth, and Restoration: Me, as a certified Corvette LugNut from '68 on, had driven, raced, wrenched, bought, and sold, every Corvette generation to date. The one Vette that impressed me the most (even more than the '69 L88) was a '70 LT1 coupe I owned in '71 but sold in '73 to help pay for college. The near 50/50 front to rear power to weight ratio, , the trick shifter short throw position on the trans, and the quick steering holes on the tie rods, all led to the LT-1 being something very special. With the Corvette knowledge I had gained over the years, I knew my search for a replacement LT-1 had to include the ZR1 option. After three years of constant searching and contacting anyone/everyone that might help, thanks to Bob Kroupa of Vette-N-Vestments, this one owner, fully documented ZR1 turned up just 50 miles away. I drove out to George's place to find the ZR1 in racing configuration, which after 22 years, had taken it's toll. The good news was it was all there waiting for some TLC. The sale was made. Now for racing, George had removed any/all non essential parts (i.e,, passenger seat, soft-top, etc.), and other parts which had been replaced with racing equipment (M22 trans, radiator, distributor, Holley carb, etc.) and had them stored under his house. It took all morning to load these "as new" original parts into the van. which was fully packed in, before I left. Knowing the historical significance of this ZR1, I spared no expense in time or money in completing a full, body off, down to the every nut, bolt, and screw, restoration using NCRS and Bloomingtom Gold as the standard to achieve. Now I'm the guy you take your Corvette to after everyone else (especially dealers) has screwed it up, or can't fix it. At this point in time I had 25 years of Corvette wrenching behind me and had owned two '62's, a '68 big block, '70 LT-1, a '71 Vert, a '77 L82 4 speed, an '84 Z51 I ordered and saw on the Bowling Green assembly line, and a '90 ZR-1. The full blown restoration of a rare ZR1 was right up my alley and a once in a lifetime achievement. Folks, if you don't already know, it's way too much work and money. I'll never do another full restoration again. This auction is the ONLY way to go... LOL!!! First order of business on restoration was the strip down, documenting, catagorizing, marking, boxing for reassembly, of each and every item. Once stripped, the body was off and taken down to Oceanside for paint stripping using baking soda media, which could "lift the paint off a beer can without damaging the aluminum". Missing OEM/NOS parts were located and bought (original set of Goodyear tires at $600@, the date coded ignition coil at $250., original OEM (Romero Industries) carpeting with logo and felt underlayment, etc., etc.), and the ZR1 reassembly began. Tom's Custom Autobody (Anaheim), who has won First Place at Pebble Beach, took the stripped to the glass, no-hit body, in for correct factory primer and original lacquer painting. The frame was base epoxied for durability and then repainted with correct OEM (cheap) black, so as to conform to NCRS/BG standards. All original stencils, paint markings, etc., had been photographed and were reapplied. Master NCRS judge, Mike Scott of Corvette Corrections (Anaheim), helped put things back together correctly. From there it was off to the judging meets and ultimately Bloomington Gold, with my daughter, who kept the ZR1 shinny during intermittent rains, and who had grown up with the 10 year restoration effort. The Sale: My Corvette collection has always been for my daughter's college fund, NOW DUE, and included a '84 Z51, '90 ZR-1, '97 Z51, '07 ZO6, and this '70 ZR1, of which only the '70 is left. Three of the five have been sold on eBay,with 100% feedback, no disappointments. Two of those were shipped out of state (I will assist with your selection of shipper, it's very easy door to door). The '84 was personally delivered to Reno, Nv. The Z06 sold locally. My Corvettes are all low mileage, all but the '70 originally ordered and/or first owned, all fully documented, and all factory original to the ninth degree. If you are a Corvette fanatic, as nuts as me, you know what a rare piece of Corvette history this ZR1 truly is, hopefully you have your name in brick at the Corvette Museum, you've been to Bowling Green, you know how to turn a wrench, AND you will truly care for and appreciate this ZR1, ... FEEL FREE TO BID... I encourage questions and/or inspection on appointment. Long live the wave and ... C'ya!!!