This 1994 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 has 14,000 miles from new and remains in time-warp condition. It also remains one of the more attractive performance car buys in the world, as these high octane C4 ‘Vettes are still quite affordable for the oodles of performance they offer right out of the box. In general, these later C4s seem like a smart buy through my Radwood-colored lenses, but the ZR1 is the one to buy if you want scalding performance and the potential to make your money back later on. Find the ZR1 here on eBay with bids approaching $30K and the reserve unmet.
It’s easy to forget just how different the ZR1 was underneath its C4 skin, as the visual differences were subtle as best. But when GM engaged Group Lotus to help create a world-beating supercar, the extent of engineering revisions compared to the standard car was extensive. Obviously, the drivetrain was heavily revised compared to the standard Corvette, and generated an impressive 375 b.h.p. From the suspension to the steering to the brakes, the ZR1 was a rolling test-bed of upgrades over the standard C4, certainly deserving of its “King of the Hill” moniker. The seller claims this example runs and performs like new.
The interior backs that claim up, though the driver’s seat exhibits some signs of wear. The deeply contoured sport seats were effectively standard operating procedure for the Corvette by this point, along with the digital gauge cluster. You may not have been able to readily distinguish the different Corvette models apart from each other based solely on the interior layout, but it wouldn’t take much effort to see that the ZR1 offered drivers a seriously revised suspension setup, as the Bilstein-designed FX3 system offered a wide range of adjustments and performance settings from the comfort of the cockpit.
The tires are massive, and another distinguishing feature of the ZR1 – be prepared to spend a fair amount of money for replacements when the time comes. The engine is absolutely spotless, another testament to its limited use. The seller notes this ZR1 will come with two tops, as it has the optional solar glass panel as well as the standard white painted panel. Overall, there’s very little to fault with this time-capsule example, and while some may argue the C4 lineup doesn’t deserve big money values, the ZR1 is in an entirely different realm of performance and deserves to see its star rise as appreciation for grows for 80s and 90s supercars.
Jeff, a couple of corrections: by ’94 the ZR-1 had 405 HP.
The only component of the dash that’s digital is the speedo. Other instruments are analog.
I owned a 91 w/ 30k miles for a couple of years, nice cars and fun to drive.
Getting in and out; not so much…
Yup, a highly desirable car for sure. Went with a friend way northwestward (Vancouver BC) many moons ago to bring back a 1991 ZR1 to North Carolina. The car was red and immaculate. Cruising on the interstate at 90 seemed like 55 in anything else.
Funny Rick, A friend and I flew from AZ to DFW to pick up mine. After a couple of hours felt comfortable enough to open it up a bit on I-20. At 150 the car felt really stable and had room for much more. Unfortunately we were coming up on another car, and passing someone at that speed is a bit risky, even for me…
Horrible interior. Lousy quality. These Corvettes have lost tons of value. I am a Corvette aficionado to the core, but give me a 70 LT1 coupe any day of the week. They sound like a Corvette should. I can’t afford a 70 LT1 now, so I enjoy my 73 coupe with an L82. No solid lifters to adjust. Runs on pump gas just fine.
If you are the Corvette “aficionado” you claim to be, you should be well-aware that an LT5 engine has an amazing sound.
28k for a C4?? Holy tamale! You can get good lower mile ZR-1s, albeit not quite this nice, for $10-15k all day long. Two people must really, really want this one.
Please find a $10,000- 15,000 ZR-1 and show it to us. They are out there but they are nowhere near as nice. Thay have had six or seven owners and have been modified and/or thrashed.
Love the C4s, totally undervalued and underrated, these are gonna rise in value someday, if you wanna Vette the LT1 and LT4 versions are the way to go, big bang for the buck. This car is in fantastic shape but I’d rather deal with the regular Chevy small block. My C4 is staying with me.
Not many for sale right now but here’s a couple…
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1991-Chevrolet-Corvette-ZR-1/174309915673?hash=item2895ae3c19:g:R6sAAOSwn55eyyN5
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1991-Chevrolet-Corvette-ZR-1/203012304438?hash=item2f4479ee36:g:PFAAAOSwUIhe2YM9
I’ve seen them in this price range in the past. I find it hard to believe they suddenly spiked in value. There was a C4 ZR1 in fact, at an inner city buy-here-pay-here lot right near where I live about a year ago. I bet you it had one of those devices where it disables the car if you don’t make your payments stuck right on the pretty manifold! Undignified!! But kind of sums up how far these cars have fallen.
As stated above the ones cited have probably been thrashed. 67 Autocheck records on one, and the one with the paint addition has had 6 owners and an $18,000 asking price.
I’ve seen ZR1’s, I’ve heard ZR1’s but I’ve never owned one though I’ve talked to a few owners over the years. Biggest issue I heard from several was engine work and maintenance. The Mercury 32v engine was a beast, but it had it’s issues: primarily someone that knew how to work on it along with parts availability. It was such a short run engine and with it being out of production all these years, I don’t know where you’d find parts now days.
If you know how to work on it or have someone that can, it could be a blast.
The LT5 had no issues. They were hand-built and are basically bulletproof. There are many with over 200,000 miles on them. I do agree that finding parts and a qualified shop are a problem. That has stopped me from purchasing one. I am very happy with my 1995 LT-1, 6-speed.
Will we ever again see a DOHC v8 in a modern Corvette or Camaro, or Challenger for that matter – or is it too wide a motor?
Tho, why does’t Ford still use pushrod v8s?
Have owned my 91 ZR1 for six years 17000 miles steel blue metallic. Love the car. Also have a 70 LT1. BTW any Corvette built after 1972 for the most part not retaining any value unless a super low mileage one. C4,C5,C6 and now C7 Vettes are dropping in value big time. Nice cars but no value, just enjoy them.
Hold on to that steel blue ZR-1! Great color. Have fun!
LT5’s are not that hard to work on. Everything you need to know with the engine is on the web, everything. Basically most problems occur external on the engine. Internally it is rare to see a problem. 200,000 miles is the low end. I have seen them go to 400,000. I recently took a 178,000 mile engine down and there was no wear anywhere in the engine. 375/405 hp is underrated, most generate 430/440 hp. Parts are available without much problem. Two or three people specialize in LT5 and C4 ZR1 parts and not that expensive. There is also several very good shops who specialize in LT5 and ZF transmissions. I re-sleeved it to 4” pistons for 368 cu in, coil over plug and an individual throttle body system we designed and MegaSquirt control system. Looking at over 500 hp and dropped the whole ZR1 driveline into a 54 Corvette. One of the greatest engines ever designed.
Great post! Thanks. Now you have me thinking maybe there is a ZR-1 in my retirement plans after all . How close are you to Rochester NY?
Yes, Chevy is working and have a 5.5 Ltr 4 Cam engine which will either go into the C8 Z06 or the C8 ZR1 or both. Engine will be capable of 1000 hp. The engine ran in the Corvette’s at the 24 hours at Daytona earlier this year.
On the West Coast. You find the right car and they are great. A thrill to drive. You won’t be disappointed.