For those who endured the automotive misery of the 1970s and 1980, it would be easy to forget that the American scene was once a high-performance heaven for enthusiasts. However, the arrival of the Corvette ZR-1 in 1990 proclaimed loudly that the industry was back in the game. This 1991 ZR-1 is a spotless survivor, and its condition is understandable since it has a genuine 16,700 miles on the clock. It needs a new home, with the seller listing it here on eBay in Bonita Springs, Florida. They set a BIN of $36,500 but might consider offers.
Like its predecessor, the C4 Corvette enjoyed a relatively long production life. Introduced in 1983, the C4 remained in showrooms until 1996. However, 1990 was probably the most significant year during the model’s life, as it marked the introduction of the ZR-1 variant. It featured engineering input from the world of Formula One and the marine industry. This ZR-1 rolled off the line in 1991, finding its way to a West Babylon, New York dealership. Some investigation seems to confirm it remained in New York until recently before heading to its current location. With a genuine 16,700 miles on its odometer, it is unsurprising that its Code 10 White paint is in as-new condition. There are no flaws or defects, with the same being true of the panels. Potential buyers may be worried about structural rust, but the underside shots reveal there isn’t even surface corrosion to cause concern. It looks as good as it did the day it rolled off the line, suggesting this ZR-1 has been garage-kept since Day One. The enormous 17″ wheels are in good order, while the new owner receives two tops in the deal.
We can trace the catalyst of the ZR-1 back to 1986 when General Motors purchased Group Lotus. The company was experiencing a resurgence in Formula One, and GM charged Lotus with developing a new engine to power what it envisaged to be one of the world’s fastest production cars. Lotus delivered for the company with a 5.7-liter, quad-cam, 32-valve, all-alloy V8. Chevrolet planned to slot this powerhouse into the Corvette but was immediately confronted with a problem. Each engine needed to be handbuilt, and Chevrolet didn’t possess the required knowledge about alloy engine construction. Therefore, it contracted the ultra-experienced Mercury Marine to build and dyno-test each engine before shipping them to the assembly line in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The new V8, dubbed the LT5, churns out 375hp and 370 ft/lbs of torque. All ZR-1s featured a six-speed ZF manual transmission, a heavy-duty braking system with ABS, and the FX3 selective adjustable suspension package. Chevrolet wanted a car that performed, and the ZR-1 didn’t disappoint. It could storm the ¼-mile in 13.1 seconds before winding its way to an independently verified 180mph. The seller claims this Corvette has a genuine 16,700 miles on the clock, and the complete service records should substantiate the claim. Also included are the original Window Sticker, Manuals, Pizza Box, dealer paperwork, and the original Goodyear tires. This ZR-1 runs and drives well and is ready to hit the road with a new owner behind the wheel.
The ZR-1 wasn’t purely focused on outright performance because owners received plenty of comfort features for their considerable outlay. As well as the standard fare of air conditioning, power windows, power locks, heated power mirrors, cruise control, and a leather-wrapped wheel, the ZR-1 scored an A/C system upgrade, six-way power seats with leather upholstery, a low tire pressure warning system, and a premium Delco Bose Gold Series AM/FM radio/cassette/CD stereo. These items remain intact, and everything works as it should. The interior presentation is in keeping with this car’s history, with no wear on the seat edges or bolsters and no signs of abuse. The interior needs nothing and should be a comfortable place to sit while the miles roll under those enormous tires.
Chevrolet sold 20,639 examples of the Corvette in 1991, but 2,044 buyers went the extra yard to secure a ZR-1. They did so despite the ZR-1’s price being twice that of a standard Corvette. With values rising significantly over the past year, the BIN on this car looks in the ballpark. There is one point to ponder. An online search reveals this car was listed on another site in June last year and failed to sell when the bidding hit $28,500. Maybe they’ll have more luck this time.
A beautiful Zed-R1, for sure…..nice color combination, there are some fans that aren’t big on white, but the black interior makes it work, for me.
Will be interesting to see what this one sells for….I’d guess in the $40k range.
Best to the new owner, one hell of a C3!
👍🤓
1984–1996 cars were “C4″… but agree, this is a nice example. hopefully this will be bought by someone who will drive it and not just see it as a low-mileage collectible to be stashed away.
I enjoyed the write-up. I knew about the limited production ZR-1, didn’t realize the Lotus involvement or Mercury Marine.
We just bought a C4 Corvette in our family, of my gearhead son to enjoy. Our is not a ZR-1, nor low mileage or in anywhere near as nice a shape as this featured car sadly, but the price was realistic. Seems like the C4s are in a sort of sweet spot for affordability, old enough to be depreciated but not old enough yet to be swept up in the out-and-out “Classic” values attached to C1, C2 and increasingly C3 generations.
I think your son will enjoy the C4. Do your son a favor and let him know about NCRS- The National Corvette Restorers Society. I never pass up an opportunity to plug NCRS. They have the most information on Corvettes that I am aware of and have done a great job on the C4 info. Depending on where you are located there may be a Chapter near you. NCRS would love to have your son (And you) as members.
You might as well drive it and enjoy it. I think 25k is probably the realistic high price for this (and less if you wait). So it’s really not worth enough to keep it mothballed. I would pay 20k and drive the wheels off of it, and not worry.
If you get this ZR-1 for $20K, I will give you $25K for it. This is a $32,000 car.
3 years ago this car would be lucky to see $25 but prices are on the rise so I see this going for $30 easily. ZR-1s are finally getting some love after being forgotten for years. I have a 91,considered a C8 but I’d have to sell my Z,just couldn’t do it. Life begins at 180.
Deal!! Lol. Give it 6 months.
@Jeff Moore – “An online search reveals this car was listed on another site in June last year and failed to sell when the bidding hit $28,500.”
And that was about the peak of the collector car economy. So there is no way it’s worth 30 grand. I think it’s near the 25k that Frank would give now. But I think it’ll go down further.
And to be clear, who cares? Cars are a lousy investment except in a few cases. Drive and enjoy, IMO.
Beautiful vette!!! What do they mean by the “pizza box”??
Steve- The “pizza box” contained literature, video, and other promotional material related to the ZR-1. It was a nice touch to add to the fact it was a special (And expensive!) car.
I have owned 3 ZR1’s, two I purchased for their drivetrains and the third is my driver. First one, engine, trans, rear suspension went into a 1954 Corvette, second sitting in my shop waiting for a candidate to go in. The car was way ahead of its time especially the LT5. Very precision engineered and precision made. There is a book, Heart of the Beast about the history and making of the LT5, great book, on Amazon. Lot of people think the LT5 is a difficult engine, but it is not. Not any different than any other four cam engine, Lexas, BMW, Honda, etc, just have to understand the dynamics of four cam engines. Actually, the LT5 has been easier for me than most of the others. I would buy this car if I had the room, there aren’t many left since they only made 6900 ZR1’s, 1990-1995.
I have a white convertible with white top and red interior
It looks real good
Low km at 47k
I am surprised with the handling but will not keep it as a no trunk car is useless to me .
Recently missed out on a 2008 triple black auto and reconsidering a boxster again
Did you fail to notice the car had no trunk during your pre-purchase inspection?
Ahaha , good one !
It’s times like this I wish I had the extra scratch laying around to snag up this ZR-1. Low miles and a relatively low price make this vette very desirable for a gen-xer like me. I’d love to see if it lives up to the speed and handling reputation on some twisty Adirondack roads, I’m betting it would. Somebody throw me $36k, stat!
GIGOOOE, It will handle exactly as people say and most likely better than expected the first time out. The C4 wasn’t winning all those races back then for nothing and the ZR-1 was better. A stock1990 ZR-1 (racing tires only everything else was a stock factory ZR-1) ran at Texas International Speedway for 24 hours. The record had been set in 1949 and never broken till then. 24 hour speed was average178.885 MPH. Below is a nice article on the subject. In my opinion the LT-5 is one of the finest engines ever designed and built. Many people don’t realize many of the design features in the LS engines came from the LT-5.
https://www.zr1netregistry.com/Information/PerformanceRecords/WorldRecords.aspx#:~:text=World%20Records%20%3D%20World%20Class%20The%201990%20ZR-1,175%20mph.%20by%20Hib%20Halverson%20Last%20Update%3A%2006%2F09%2F2010
Bought one in 2001 as a retirement gift to me. Loved it but sadly had to part after 7 years and had only 17k miles when I sold it. Always a blast to drive; in more ways than one. Will definitely not disappoint the new owner.
This is the only C4 I would own. LT5 is a work of art. I would leave the hood open in the garage and just look it. 😄 Those tires where very special. Look how the tread patterns are…so when you go around turns water could just leave tire without hydroplaning what a design. To me I would take trips to Maine in this from Hudson valley NY. I remember car and driver call this King of the Hill Vette. Good luck to the lucky driver who buys this.. 🇺🇸🐻🇺🇸
Get ready to do gaskets, seals, hoses, etc. These super low mileage cars are a maintenance nightmare. I wouldn’t pay more than 25k with all the work that will be needed.