First Corvette ZR1 lands in Middle East for Royal Bahraini Family
Click on the image above to view a high-res gallery of the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
The 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is the baddest in the two-seater's 56 year history. The ZR1's stat sheet includes jaw-dropping numbers like 638 supercharged horsepower, a 7:26 'Ring time, and straight line performance that bests supercars from Germany and Italy. So of course, the wealthiest of oil barons want the ZR1 for their trophy cases, and the Royal Bahraini Family will be first to take delivery. Fadi Ghosn, Chief Marketing Officer at General Motors Middle East, has said that there be a "limited amount" of ZR1s to arrive in the Middle East. And given the premium that is paid for high-end sports cars in that region, we're guessing GM will deliver as many supercharged Vettes as possible. Lets just hope the new ZR1s don't end up dipped in chrome or adorned with 24k gold accents.
Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Corvette ZR1
[Source: AME Info]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
waiownsyou 2:35PM (1/19/2009)
I'm pretty sure Jay Leno has the first ZR1. Check the review at the garage, he mentions the VIN number and says it's the first one off the assembly line... unless you're talking about the first one in the Middle East. In which case, carry on.
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ack154 2:42PM (1/19/2009)
He's talking about the first ZR1 to the Middle East... not the first one period. And Jay Leno doesn't have the first anyway. It was auctioned off at BJ last January.
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/20/barrett-jackson-2008-2009-corvette-zr1-1-goes-for-a-cool-milli/
carsteve 2:59PM (1/19/2009)
I'm pretty sure they mean first in the Middle East, but I believe your first post was warranted, since it's not made clear in the title, let alone the body of the article itself.
JAL 4:19PM (1/19/2009)
I was just thinking about this today. Funny thing is this....Dave Ressler won the auction at Barrett Jackson for ZR-1 #00001 which was to be in Blue, and is on his site "http://www.thefirstcorvette.com/aboutus.html" On the other hand Jay Leno is showing a VIN ending in 0001 on the review of HIS ZR-1 which is in gun metal gray........so who has the first ZR-1??????? Heres a post I took from a corvette site that sheds some clairity:
...I guess GM knew the 00001 ZR1 would be a hot item so they built several of them
- 1G1YR26R895800001 is Cyber Gray (Leno)
- 1G1YR26R495900001 is Lemans Blue (Ressler)
- The Cyber Gray ZR1 that was spotted being built May 21st was 1G1YR26R 95700001...GM may want to hold on to that one to avoid further confusion.
If I was Ressler I'd be PISSED paying a 1 million+ for what I THOUGHT was the firet one.
Kumail 2:35PM (1/19/2009)
did not see that one coming...
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P Zero 2:47PM (1/19/2009)
What a waste. It will probably sit in the palace garage and collect dust.
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Sandok 2:49PM (1/19/2009)
Are you crazy? Have you not seen the youtube videos of F430s and Carrera GTs drifting around and speeding up and down through traffic?
They drive their cars ;)
MajorGeek 2:59PM (1/19/2009)
Wanted to buy one and refuse to pay over sticker. The ZR1 have all dropped in value, so buying one all but guarantees you will lose 100k on this in 10 years.
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letstakeawalk 3:30PM (1/19/2009)
With a few exceptions, cars should never be seen as "investments".
Buy the car because you like it and want to drive it. Don't complain because it isn't making you money while sitting in your garage, or even worse, you weren't willing to pay what other enthusiasts were willing to pay for their new toy.
Sounds like you've got sour grapes, MajorGeek!
MajorGeek 3:45PM (1/19/2009)
Sounds like you cant afford a nice car with all your "lessons", if you could your take would be different. I don't want it to make money, I am apprehensive to blow off 100k in 5 years and with the ZR1, thats almost a guarantee. I own 5 cars, next one will be my 6th and 2 motorcycles, jet skis and Segway. See, when you have that many vehicles, you dont put a lot of miles on any of them because your busy trying to decide which to drive and when. Also, in NY we can't drive our nice cars from Decmber to March or April. Theres your lesson for the day from me. Try owning a few cars sometime, then preach to me.
I did pay of 20k over for my Challenger, I drive it, and I love it. No sour grapes, except that plenty of dealers are sitting on these cars at silly prices. Ill wait for a used on or pick up a used Gallardo for less. Maybe I will wait a few years and see what else comes out.
letstakeawalk 4:04PM (1/19/2009)
What a class act. First you insult me. Then you brag a little about yourself.
I have so much more respect for you now. I'm glad you've left one more ZR1 out there on the market for someone who actually wants it to drive, and not to flaunt.
letstakeawalk 4:06PM (1/19/2009)
What a class act you are, MajorGeek. First you insult me, then you brag about yourself. As if I care.
I'm glad that you've left one more ZR1 out there on the market. I'm sure it will be bought by somebody who'll enjoy driving it, instead of merely using it to flaunt some lacking part of their personality.
MajorGeek 4:21PM (1/19/2009)
Put down the crack pipe, you insulted me, I explained that I have plenty of cars I drive, its simply a shame that this one will lose its value so quickly. If I was bragging, I would tell you what cars I own and more, I gave you some basic info to explain my passion for cars and why I will probably skip the ZR1. Thanks for the laugh though :)
letstakeawalk 4:30PM (1/19/2009)
If you think being told you've got sour grapes is an insult, then it's best for all that you work at home and ride around on a Segway...
My point is that most people don't give a flying fig (oh, sorry, I'll watch my language) about depreciation when they buy a car. Depreciation on new cars is all part of the game.
You sir, were making whinging comments, not on the basis of any fault or merit of the car, but on your unwillingness to spend the requisite money to aquire one.
Good day, sir.
MajorGeek 4:34PM (1/19/2009)
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Shardm 5:00PM (1/19/2009)
Hi guys, I couldn't help but notice this convers..BAAAAAAAAWWWWW!!
MajorGeek 6:04PM (1/19/2009)
Yeah, nothing like having someone who can't afford the cost over sticker alone tell me how it should be driven. Hilarious :)
PhattyDre16 7:04PM (1/19/2009)
MajorGeek,
Maybe you should sell some of those cars and take out a girl or two. Maybe that would take the thorn out of your @$$. And i'm sure that segway scores you major tail.
letstakeawalk 7:26PM (1/19/2009)
"Yeah, nothing like having someone who can't afford the cost over sticker alone tell me how it should be driven. Hilarious :)"
Did you not understand any of what I posted? Your speculation upon my finances is insulting. I didn't suggest how you should drive - just that you should stop whining about how much a ZR1 costs.
MajorGeek 7:55PM (1/19/2009)
Phatty, i am too old to spell my name Phaty instead of Fatty, so I have had plenty of tail, holler when your out of high school and we can compare. The Segway might not, but the cars sure do attract them. Letstakeawalk, you spent half your night refreshing this thread, so whatever. Im not speculating on your finanaces, I am right. I have NO problem with the price, I have a problem with a 40k markup on a car that will lose 120k of its sticker back to 40k if history is any indication.