All Aluminum Big Block Corvettes.

To my understanding there were 6 or 7 cars built total. I was told that the orange car was scrapped as it was a test mule for many drivetrains. This came from one of the principals at Hechler Motors where the yellow car was sold. To my understanding Ted Patrick (owner of Hechler at the time) was told that if he wanted more than one to retail that there were others (plural) available. The Hechler car (the yellow car and the only one with ir-refutable docs) sat on the showroom for quite some time near the sales tower. The dealership facility was brand new in 1969, having moved from the smaller location in Highland Springs, VA and the car represented a viable sales traffic builder. I understand that people would drive from as far as NJ, NY and PA to look at the car. It was quite a conversation piece. It was started once or twice week, as they found it wouldn't run if it didn't get started with any regularity. When I worked at Hechler in the mid 1990's (sales (retail and fleet) and performance sales)) the spot on the showroom was called the "hallowed" spot as a result of the ZL1. Hechler was very performance oriented (also sold 1 of 4-5 '69 L89 chevelle 'converts..you had to be performance oriented to stock something like that..lol) and took delivery of not only the ZL1 vette, but also two ZL1 Camaros along with quite a few COPO's. They were the ONLY dealer to have had both types of cars..neither Dana,Baldwin, Scunico, or even Yenko can lay claim to that!!! Yet they are virtually unheard of unless talk about the 'vette turns up. The dealership is well remembered locally as having many, many (upwards of 20-30) 'vettes lines up at a time in front of the showroom along Nine Mile Rd. (same spot as today). There has been some talk between the owners of Hechler/now Patrick (same family from the '60's..Patrick (Ted and his son Pat)) along with Roger about reuniting the yellow ZL1 and the dealership. The original salesperson who retailed the 'vette to John Zagos is still around as well..Hoyt Rotella. If anyone wants any pics of the dealership (it looks the same) or anymore info on this area (very, very colorfull past)let me know.

Respectfully,

Gregory Carlson