When it comes to commanding top dollar for a C4-chassis Chevrolet Corvette, you need to have a few boxes checked: low mileage; ZR1 package; and unique colors. This 1994 Corvette convertible is otherwise a standard model, right down to the automatic transmission, but the rare color scheme and incredibly low mileage make it a standout. The Corvette is painted Copper Metallic and there are just 116 original miles on the clock. The listing indicates it has been part of the private Bob McDorman collection and is now listed here on craigslist for $49,900.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader T.J. for the find. The Corvette is a striking color combination as the oyster interior matches nicely with the copper paint. I’m actually pleasantly surprised by the cabin color as I thought for sure it would be black; the pairing of the bright interior with the distinctive paint job makes this Corvette a standout in more ways than one. I wonder if the car was kept as a collector’s item because of the color scheme or just because it was a Corvette. Only 91 coupes were painted this color, and even fewer drop-tops – just 24 – left the assembly line wearing this stunning shade of burnt orange. The grandaddy of them all is the one ZR1 supposedly painted Copper Metallic.
According to a post in the Corvette Forum, the reason for the short-lived color is due to the difficulty involved in getting the panels to appear the same color. Realizing that this difficulty was likely to persist, GM just axed the color altogether only a few days into greenlighting it for production. It’s amazing to think that a major manufacturer would approve a color, only to discover the mixture didn’t work when it came time to actually paint a production vehicle. All that said, you can start to see why the seller is asking $50K for the car, as the undersides, interior, and paint all present as being like new, leaving little doubt that this Corvette has under 120 original miles.
This Corvette also comes with the optional hardtop, which is likely the only other piece a C4 collector would be looking for when adding a rare convertible to their collection. The color is almost more peach-like under the lights, but however you interpret it, it’s one of the more distinctive C4 Corvettes we’ve seen. The seller is likely going to have to hold out a bit to find the owner that wants an otherwise standard C4 convertible badly enough to pay all the money, but I can’t say I blame them with just 24 examples in this paint code in existence.
In my opinion, this color should have been ordered with a black interior, I think the tan is a little too close in hue and there’s not enough separation or contrast.
All things being said, it is an interesting story with the color being canceled so quickly after being introduced into commerce.
I think $50,000 is pretty strong money for this C4 in this specification, even with ultra low miles.
All the best to the new owner!
There was a gold color in the C5 production run that was canceled for the same reason. A few cars were painted with that color.
Interesting,but too bad the seller didn’t get to enjoy (drive) it.
The craiglist ad sure doesn’t provide much information either.
A C4 Vett for $50k 😆😆😆😅😅😅😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😭😭😭
Wait, I know what happen, Another misplaced decimal! $5,000
Didn’t notice it’s new? Did you miss the fact it’s a ZR1? Owned by Bob McDorman? It’s not just another C4 Corvette. Other ZR1s with 50,000 miles and more are going for $35,000. It was a $70,000 car in 1994 new. The Corvette has a faithful following, so he’s obviously not marketing it to ignorant buyers.
Not a ZR1. You should offer an apology for your wholly-misplaced tirade.
OK, ace10 is right, I am sorry for a mis-placed tirade.
Bob McDorman was an Ohio Chevrolet dealer for many years before he died. In 1976, he raised the bar and gave away a then new red 1976 Corvette to the winner of a car show at his dealership. The winner was a red on red 1963 coupe FI, which had been body off restored by its owner. This was several years before Bloomington Gold existed. The emphasis then was on how clean the car was, etc, not if it had the original engine and date coded parts. In 1976, there wasn’t nearly the reproduction parts we have today. 50 larger for a 94 even with this mileage is insane. These cars are just about impossible to get in and out of of with that high carpeted sill plate. Pass.
Awfully dirty drivers seat side for 120 miles
It still has the factory plastic floor covering over the carpet.
Not a ZR-1? Check (no automatic ZR-1s)
C4 not going to sell for $50K? Check.
This C4 worth $5K? Wholly misplaced tirade on the second tirade on the original tirade.
Interior color is totally a matter of taste. This one has the sport seats – a definite upgrade over the standard seats.
Are they hard to get into and out of because of the high sills? You bet. Is it worth it? Oh yeah! It’s like being in the cockpit of an F-111.
Keeping in mind that this design debuted in 1984 and literally revolutionized SCCA Showroom Stock racing (at the direct expense of BMW and Porsche) the C4 is still the best performance bargain of its time.
So the seller bought the car from the collection? One major question is whether the car was repainted or not? I’ve seen a couple that (based on pictures) was so splotchy that they were repainted. Whether the color was changed or not, repaint kills the value.
Also, if this is such a rare car, why is it on Craigslist?
This car is nice and great story on the color but I think I would be too stressed owning it. On one hand I’d be mad that it just sits there not being driven because unfortunately most of the value is in the low mileage. On the other hand when I did drive it I’d be mad I’m driving it and adding more miles..lol…GLWTA
Would.
What’s the difference between a ZR1 Package and a ZR1??
Description says “ZR1 package”
Or is the description just wrong?
“ZR-1” is an option code. So it was a package. Code ZR-1 was also used in 1970 and 1971 Corvettes for extremely rare small-block and big-block packages. Some say the ZR code was inspired by Zora Duntov. Cool story. I have no idea if it is true.
Someone above nailed it. Any value here is in the low miles. So a buyer near the 50K has to be in it to park it and display it. If you want to start driving it then talk about a depreciating investment….maybe even as bad as current 401k’s…
I believe that I saw a pair of these at an auto museum in Green Bay. One a coupe, the other a convertible. Color is unusual, but not all that nice in person. Jmo
Beautiful car with a nice color combination. Over the years I have owned a couple low mileage classic cars and I always hated to drive them and put miles on them. This one is way beyond the ones I had with only 116 miles.. I love it but if I owned it I wouldn’t get to enjoy it and no one else would get to see it because it would stay in my garage. I’ve always told my car club buddies I would never want to own a perfect car because I wouldn’t drive it anywhere because I wouldn’t want it to get dirty or scratched. Maybe I’m just weird that way, anyway Happy New Year to everyone!
Only 116 miles and it is only called like new? No engine photos.
This car has been all over the for the past 20 years based a Google search VIN:1G1YY32P2R5102030. Car to buy, not drive, sell later at a higher price relative to alternatives (e.g. SP500, QQQ)? I guess you can look at it and see something more beautiful than a symbol on a screen, but it seems one is not really buying a car since you can’t realistically drive it.
The only way I see this car worth the ask is if it were a ZR-1 in addition to being ultra low mileage and a rarely ordered color.
Anybody notice the black over-spray under the driver side floor pan? 50K for a non-collectible C-4? I own a show ready 58 and a mint 2010 Grandsport. I have owned new c-3 and c-5 vettes so I have been around corvettes and car shows since 1976. The C-4, when introduced, was an engineering marvel and led to much improved future generation Corvettes. However, the collector and resale market is dismal. The exceptions are low mileage ZR-1s and loaded 1996 Grand Sports. This specimen is a 20K car, tops. My 10 cents worth…..
Whatever overspray you think you see it is on both floor pans. Nothing was repainted. Let alone black on a gold
Car.
NEVER was a fan of the Atari game looking bar graph instrument cluster, felt like had to wait forever to then buy a ’97 when they finally went back to analog for that very reason. If I’m in the drivers seat, I want something nice to look at. Another reason I don’t care to buy a ’20 & up, is that hideous center controls & no 6sp manual. So meanwhile, I look still for a nice, low mile, ’05-’19 drop top. No rush.
In 1990, when the driver side airbag debuted, the dash went back to an analog cluster. 1990 still had the 84 style front and rear bumpers, in 1991, the rounder front and rear bumpers appeared. Some like the restyle, but I always felt the earlier treatment was more aggressive.
Obvious exception is the 96 grand sport. That is a sexy beast. Still dream about a grand sport convertible, but I would need to win one of the 190 built in a poker game to afford it.
I’ll bet Bob also ordered the only Chartreuse L82 in 1977. Wonder if that is in his collection? I had a Deep Purple Metallic ZR-1 in 1995. Now that was a Rocket. $50k for this C4? That’s a stretch for me.
In my opinion. The C4 is the most uninspiring vette in its entire existence. And this one you’re only supposed to polish it. And don’t forget the insurance for something you don’t drive.
Man, of all the cars somebody could have saved. I mean, it’s never a good idea just a mothball a car as an investment. But this takes it to a new level.