Not just a C4 Corvette. A 1990 ZR1 gets pampered and coated!

[Justin at Final Inspection]

This is definetly one of those cars that doesn't present itself very often to get a chance to work on it. In fact in the 16 years in the industry this is my first C4 ZR1. Those of us old enough to remember know what these cars represented. The ZR1 option tacked on 30+K to the 30k price tag to make this a staggering 60k dollar vechicle in 1990. A DOHC 5.7 Lotus built V8 making 375hp (405) in later models and lots of crazy technology for back then made this thing dubbed "King of the Hill."

This particular car is 1 of 22 built in this blue with black interior and only has 30k miles. The owner has had this car for a number of years and it has mainly sat and like all things that sit and dont get pampered they tend to look tired afte some time. Well the time has come that he has started putting some money into it to get back looking proper and driving great(tires, tune up etc etc).

He contacted me about doing the engine bay detail, paint correction and possibly a coating. After a long visit with us discussing things and possible problem areas with the car a game plan was formed and a date was set. The goal here was to obviously make as much improvement to the overall look of the car without degrading or causing harm to it in the process. Upon inital inspection and given the documented history of this car I could tell it had probably never had proper correction done. some minor holograms and the typical love marks. Both of the removable tops were in the delamination stage so not much could be done there. And the typical urethane/rubberish front and rear bumpers were faded and showing some signs of age.


Wash/prep- 2bm, hyper wash, nanoskin handy towel

wheels/tires- Mckees foaming wheel cleaner gel, hyper dressing

Interior- Mckees fast interior detailer

Engine bay- Lots of patients, steam, LATA, hyper dressing, brushes, and some choice 4 letter words!

Correction- most of the main body got a 2 step with M100/hyper polish using a variety of polishers. The trouble areas got a light polish with hyper polish

LSP- IGL poly 1 year coating


upon arrival

https://i.imgur.com/xfT2AUd.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/w6pXTfL.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/hQl5bGd.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/33LeVXO.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Ktbbqdd.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/eTCZFIZ.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/vi5WhrG.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/8I8OrJM.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/UY58Cw3.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/l2rBdYS.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/XSzvHZW.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/IzQikM0.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/CVVmmVf.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/FMq2Dhm.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/nYBzdtG.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/gSCaa0A.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/TD3Bfsj.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Ivf5hfO.jpg


WALK AROUND VIDEO


YouTube (https://youtu.be/CkXRksU_MX0)

[Sizzle Chest]

Justin, very well done. It really looks fantastic now. Nice!

[LEDetailing]

How many hours on the engine bay alone? That engine bay was rough. You made it look show worthy. Awesome work!

I love the fact that on C4 corvettes you have full access to the front suspension and wheel wells just by opening the hood. Thanks for sharing

[LEDetailing]

Interesting fact:

$60,000 for a ZR1 in 1990 adjusted for inflation equates to exactly $118,500 in 2018.

2019 ZR1 is around $120K.

[osiapstndp]

Very nice! I love, love that paint color! What dilution of Hyper Dressing did you use for the engine bay? Thank you for sharing.

[Justin at Final Inspection]

Justin, very well done. It really looks fantastic now. Nice!

Thanks Scott! This was definitely a cool opportunity to work on one of these compared to the newer stuff out there.


How many hours on the engine bay alone? That engine bay was rough. You made it look show worthy. Awesome work!

I love the fact that on C4 corvettes you have full access to the front suspension and wheel wells just by opening the hood. Thanks for sharing

That engine bay took around 3 hours. Yeah it is neat how you have access to the suspension and don't you know I took advantage of it lol.


Interesting fact:

$60,000 for a ZR1 in 1990 adjusted for inflation equates to exactly $118,500 in 2018.

2019 ZR1 is around $120K.


Sounds about right!


Very nice! I love, love that paint color! What dilution of Hyper Dressing did you use for the engine bay? Thank you for sharing.

Thank you. I use it mixed 50/50. After letting it sit and do it's thing I go back and wipe it down to knock down some of the shine.

[MrRoo]

I always loved those cars... till I was the only one that could figure out how to work on them in the shop. Man did they suck to work on. Always had fuel system issues and random electrical problems. Typical C4. That color side does look good!! Good work!!


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[TTQ B4U]

Interesting fact:

$60,000 for a ZR1 in 1990 adjusted for inflation equates to exactly $118,500 in 2018.

2019 ZR1 is around $120K.

Cool! My how far we've come in performance and features though eh?

[JDGolden]

Very nice turnaround! The engine bay looks new. Paint looks new. Sweet ride.

[JKDesign]

Excuse me while i pick my jaw back up off of the floor! What a wonderful automobile to get the chance to work on and to make look stunning again!!!!! Excellent work!!!

Editorial: The engines were designed by Lotus and built/assembled back here in the States by Mercury Marine/Mercury Racing. Much of the design of the Mercury Racing SB4 is based off of their experience building the LT5 for Lotus and GM. You can see some of that heritage in the shape of the valve covers.

[SWETM]

Awesome work and write up!

Thanks for shareing your work!

/Tony

[Justin at Final Inspection]

Thanks guys. It was definitely a good treat being able to work on this one.

[FUNX650]

:props: ...C4/10... :props:


Bob

[Cleankat]

Awesome car. My dad had an 88 vette and I went in with him to get it serviced and saw one of these sitting on the showroom floor for 64k....that was big bucks back then. I still remember staring at it in awe

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[Avgguy]

Great work on an iconic car. Well done.