Mercury Marine Cutaway LT5 Engine

Probably the second most desirable memento pertaining to the C4 Corvette ZR-1.  Mercury Marine at Stillwater, OK, built this LT5 display engine during the LT5 manufacturing period.  It was prominently displayed in the main entrance for all to see.  After the LT5 program ended, the engine was unceremoniously retired to a warehouse on the MerCruiser grounds at Stillwater.

But the LT5 has survived the test of time and still considered the King of the Hill in its reign. The MM cutaway LT5 was not destined to gather dust in a warehouse or be cast into the waste bin.

Enter Jim Van Dorn's and his Pirate Racing SCCA World Challenger car, the famed "Phoenix" C4 ZR1, out of Palm Springs, CA.  Jim was an avid booster of the ZR-1, also known for his ability to organize ZR-1 gatherings, Jim was responsible for the famous Thunder at Stillwater event in 1993.  Rumor has it that Jim found out that the cutaway LT5 display was unceremoniously gathering dust in a warehouse since the LT5 program was over.  Only Jim and Steve Campbell, LT5 Project Manager. knew the details. The LT5 display was next seen in Jim's Palm Springs, CA facility.

Sometime later, the cutaway display LT5 appeared on eBay.  Shortly thereafter, Doug Asay, an avid owner of a 95 ZR-1 in Salt Lake City, UT, became the owner.

In 2006, I first saw the engine in Doug's office, while attending the Las Vegas ZR-1 event.  I asked Doug if he might sell it.  As one might expect, all I got was a smile and a comment that IF he ever did decide to part with it, I would be his first call.  I left, never expecting that call.

Although Doug and I maintained our friendship and spoke frequently, I received the call I never expected.  Doug needed to let the engine go.  The LT5 display came home to Oklahoma, just a few dozen miles from its birthplace. 

I have enjoyed looking at this masterpiece of precision manufacturing and machine work, nearly every day, in the office of Jerrys Gaskets.  I have seen what becomes of cherished belongings when left to an estate that doesn't share the same passion. No man is assured of tomorrow and I hope to see a great many more but it is time to pass the Mercury Marine LT5 display engine.

The engine is like a coat of many colors, in that it bears parts from many different phases of development.  It's fascinating to recognize the changes and its lineage.

If you have any questions, drop me a text or email. 

Sorry, no shipping. I can separate the engine from its stand and load both components onto a trailer or a pickup for you.  Arcadia, OK, just 1/2 mile N of Route 66.