LOT 133
1978 Kawasaki Z1R TC Frame no. KZT00D007434
Sold for US$20,125 inc. premium
Lot 133
1978 Kawasaki Z1R TC Frame no. KZT00D007434
The Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction|23 January 2020, 12:30 PST|Las Vegas, Caesar's Entertainment Studios
1978 Kawasaki Z1R TC
Frame no. KZT00D007434
Frame no. KZT00D007434
• 130 horsepower in 1978!
• One of only 500 Z1R-TCs made over two years
• Two owners from new
The opening salvo in the Turbo Bike Wars of the mid-1980s was actually fired in 1978 by Kawasaki with this bike, an outrageously hot-rodded Z1-R that jumped the bike's horsepower output by 40bhp to a whopping 130 and was capable of scorching 10-second quarter-miles. Sold for two years only, just 500 of the TCs were built and thus making it a rare collectable machine. It would be another few years before all four Japanese bike-makers entered the turbocharged ring with their Honda CX650, Yamaha XJ650 Turbo Seca, Suzuki XN-85 and Kawasaki GPz750 Turbo models.
Sold exclusively at Kawasaki dealerships but without the usual warranty, 250 TCs were produced in '78, all in the stock ice blue paint with discreet Molly decals.
In 1979, another 250 Molly's were made, ironically in a slightly more refined engine tune but with a blatant designer paint job. In deference to crankshafts and clutch packs, maximum boost was now set at 6psi and new 4-into-1 'snake' header pipes lessened turbo lag. But to make sure the TC didn't go unnoticed, Molly Designs was hired to come up with the sinister black paint scheme highlighted by neon stripes. The late Rollin 'Molly' Sanders was in high demand among manufacturers for his graphics skills, coming up with Yamaha's memorable yellow/black/white 'bumblebee' scheme, the Toyota race team's longtime livery and later in his career the Lexus logo, among many others.
We're advised by the vendor that the machine has been kept in the best original possible conditions by the original and current owner. The second owner was told by the original owner that it was a stage 3 Turbo and the original owner dragged raced it once in 1980, where it achieved 9.99 and the original owner noted 'felt like his eyeballs were pinned to the back of my head' since it was purchased and appears to be in a wonderful original condition. This machine comes from a well known car collector that 15 years ago, decided to buy what he thought were the most iconic motorcycles of the 1970's and 1980's and set out to find the ones in the best original or restored conditions. All machines are maintained by the Guzzi Doctor in Illinois and have been kept on a trickle charge ready for a warm ride, they have been stored in a climate-controlled environment set at 65F and are ready to ride away.
• One of only 500 Z1R-TCs made over two years
• Two owners from new
The opening salvo in the Turbo Bike Wars of the mid-1980s was actually fired in 1978 by Kawasaki with this bike, an outrageously hot-rodded Z1-R that jumped the bike's horsepower output by 40bhp to a whopping 130 and was capable of scorching 10-second quarter-miles. Sold for two years only, just 500 of the TCs were built and thus making it a rare collectable machine. It would be another few years before all four Japanese bike-makers entered the turbocharged ring with their Honda CX650, Yamaha XJ650 Turbo Seca, Suzuki XN-85 and Kawasaki GPz750 Turbo models.
Sold exclusively at Kawasaki dealerships but without the usual warranty, 250 TCs were produced in '78, all in the stock ice blue paint with discreet Molly decals.
In 1979, another 250 Molly's were made, ironically in a slightly more refined engine tune but with a blatant designer paint job. In deference to crankshafts and clutch packs, maximum boost was now set at 6psi and new 4-into-1 'snake' header pipes lessened turbo lag. But to make sure the TC didn't go unnoticed, Molly Designs was hired to come up with the sinister black paint scheme highlighted by neon stripes. The late Rollin 'Molly' Sanders was in high demand among manufacturers for his graphics skills, coming up with Yamaha's memorable yellow/black/white 'bumblebee' scheme, the Toyota race team's longtime livery and later in his career the Lexus logo, among many others.
We're advised by the vendor that the machine has been kept in the best original possible conditions by the original and current owner. The second owner was told by the original owner that it was a stage 3 Turbo and the original owner dragged raced it once in 1980, where it achieved 9.99 and the original owner noted 'felt like his eyeballs were pinned to the back of my head' since it was purchased and appears to be in a wonderful original condition. This machine comes from a well known car collector that 15 years ago, decided to buy what he thought were the most iconic motorcycles of the 1970's and 1980's and set out to find the ones in the best original or restored conditions. All machines are maintained by the Guzzi Doctor in Illinois and have been kept on a trickle charge ready for a warm ride, they have been stored in a climate-controlled environment set at 65F and are ready to ride away.
Footnotes
As with all Lots in the Sale, this Lot is sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.
Saleroom notices
The engine number is KZT00DE-007422.
Additional information
Looking for a similar item?
Our Motorcycles specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.
Find your local specialistSpecialist section
Client Services (Los Angeles)
Client Services (New York)
Client Services (San Francisco)
Auction Viewings
- 22 January 2020, 09:00 - 18:00 PST
- 23 January 2020, 09:00 - 12:00 PST
