It is fair to say that in the eyes of some, the C4 Corvette didn’t initially live up to expectations. It wasn’t the “magic bullet” many envisaged, with its performance barely better than its predecessor. However, that would change in 1990, courtesy of a simple badge. The 1990 Corvette ZR1 was a game-changer, providing power and handling that compared favorably with European exotics. That badge came at a considerable cost, although there was no shortage of buyers willing to tick the box on their Order Form that almost doubled the base Corvette’s sticker price. This 1990 ZR1 is an original survivor that rests in elite company. It presents superbly, although the odometer reading of 5,442 genuine miles could be the ace up its sleeve. It needs a new home, with the seller listing it here on eBay in Ocoee, Florida. Bidding sits at $19,598, which is, unsurprisingly, below the reserve.

Designers attacked the C4 Corvette development program with a clean sheet of paper, although the styling shared some DNA with its predecessor. Another trait it shared with the C3 was a long production life, with the last C4 rolling off the line in mid-1996. It is not the first time we have seen this particular ZR1, having featured it nearly a year ago in this excellent article written by Barn Finds guru Jeff Lavery. Little has changed since, but I felt it was worth revisiting this classic. Chevrolet offered buyers ten paint shades to grace the panels of their 1990 Corvette, and much has been previously made of the rarity of ZR1s wearing Code 41 Black. The company’s documentation confirms that 4,759 ‘Vettes of all types wore this shade, so the claims from some quarters that only 553 examples of the ZR1 were thus ordered sound plausible. The car’s presentation is all you might expect from a classic that has led a sheltered life and has a four-figure odometer reading. The paint is spotless, the 17″ wheels perfectly contrast the sinister shade, and the underside shots confirm this beauty is rust-free. There are no panel imperfections, and the glass appears perfect.

Ticking the ZR1 box on the Order Form added an eye-watering $27,016 to a Corvette’s sticker price. To place that in perspective, the base figure for this car was $31,979. That’s a significant slice of cash for one option, but that begs the question of what buyers received for their money. General Motors had recently purchased the Lotus Group, an organization with a long history of motorsport success and building low-volume production cars. The standard 5.7-liter V8 that powered the 1990 Corvette produced 245hp and 345 ft/lbs of torque, but Chevrolet sought to recapture the Corvette’s glory days of the late 1960s and early 1970s. It handed Lotus an assignment to produce a genuinely remarkable V8 that would achieve their goal. The result was another 5.7-liter V8, although it shared little with its sibling beyond its capacity. The entire engine was built from aluminum alloy, featuring quad camshafts, 32-valves, and fuel injection. The new motor was rated at 375hp and 370 ft/lbs, although many view these figures as significantly understated. Chevrolet viewed the ZR1 as a total package, with the car receiving a six-speed manual transmission and significant upgrades to the suspension, brakes, and tires. Was it worth the effort? A standard Corvette could cover the ¼-mile in 14.3 seconds on its way to 157mph. The ZR1 took 13.1 seconds to cover the same distance, and its magnificent V8 ran out of breath at 180mph. There are many modern cars that can eclipse both figures, but few could touch this car in 1990. The seller supplies little information about this classic’s mechanical history or health beyond the odometer reading and the inclusion of documentation like the original Window Sticker. However, they infer it is a turnkey proposition for its new owner.

This Corvette’s interior condition can be summarized with two words: “like new.” That is the seller’s assessment, and it is hard to argue. The Black leather seatcovers are free from wear, even on the vulnerable outer edges. The carpet is spotless, the dash is perfect, and there are no signs of abuse. The ZR1 may have genuine performance credentials, but life aboard this classic will surely be pleasant. Standard fare in 1990 included a driver’s airbag, air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, cruise control, and a radio/cassette player. The ZR1 added six-way power seat adjustment, a low tire pressure warning system, and a Delco Bose Gold Series stereo with both a CD and cassette player. The original owner ticked an additional box, upgrading the A/C to a climate control system.

It would not be understating the case to say that the 1990 Corvette ZR1 was not cheap when it hit the showroom floor. Surprisingly, over 11% of buyers were willing to pay the premium to own one. We’ve seen a few cross our desks at Barn Finds, and this car is a repeat visitor. Recent sales results suggest the bidding may need to nudge $30,000 before passing the reserve, although it could climb higher before the hammer falls. That places it beyond the reach of many enthusiasts seeking an affordable classic, but the nineteen bids submitted confirm there are still people willing to pay the price for a ZR1. Are you one of them?