Early C3 Corvettes equipped with a big-block under the hood are legends. They combine an iconic body with performance that is beyond impressive. Chevrolet’s C4 Corvette enjoyed a lukewarm reception from many motoring journalists because while it retained some of its predecessor’s styling cues and featured some interesting engineering tweaks, performance was considered underwhelming. The company remedied that shortcoming with the ZR-1, a car that recaptured the ‘Vette’s glory days. Our feature classic is from the final year of C4 ZR-1 production…and it’s a gem. It is completely unmolested, but its odometer reading of 2,750 genuine miles makes it genuinely special. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mitchell G. for spotting a survivor that is guaranteed to make people sit up and take notice.
The C4 Corvette hit showrooms for the 1984 model year, and while it shared little with its predecessor, its production life was nearly as impressive. The final cars rolled off the line in 1996, and by the time that happened, its early performance weaknesses were forgiven. The first owner ordered this ‘Vette in 1995, joining 4,530 other buyers by ordering it in Torch Red. It was the most popular shade by a comfortable margin, with 3,959 buyers selecting Black. Faulting this car’s condition and presentation is impossible, which is unsurprising considering it has only 2,734 genuine miles showing on its odometer. It is unclear why it has seen little service, but the buyer will reap the benefits. The paint and panels are spotless, there is no evidence of corrosion in prone areas like the engine bay, and the glass is crystal clear. The ZR-1 was an expensive option, adding $31,258 to a Corvette’s sticker price. That figure brought exclusivity to the table, with only 448 buyers handing over the money to take one home. If you are the type of enthusiast attracted by a paper trail, this ZR-1 ticks that box. The buyer receives the Owner’s Manual, Window Sticker, Build Sheet, and a collection of NCRS Awards confirming it is all the seller claims.
The uninitiated might be wondering what all the fuss was about with the ZR-1. One peak under the hood answers the question. A standard ‘Vette featured a fuel-injected 5.7-liter V8 delivering 300hp and 340 ft/lbs of torque. It allowed a manual car to cover the ¼-mile in 13.8 seconds on its way to 164mph. However, Chevrolet pushed out the boat (literally) with the ZR-1. It collaborated with Group Lotus on the design of a new Quad Cam V8, handing assembly duties to Mercury Marine. The new 5.7-liter engine was an absolute belter. Its all-aluminum alloy construction made it more efficient than its sibling, while power and torque were rated at 405hp and 385 ft/lbs. There was no automatic transmission option, with buyers required to perform shifting duties via a six-speed manual. Was it worth it? The ¼-mile ET of 13 seconds and a top speed of a verified 184mph suggests it was. This Corvette is an unmolested survivor, and its odometer reading is extraordinary. Its originality extends to the Goodyear Eagle Gatorback tires on its beautiful 17″ wheels. The seller doesn’t furnish a lot of information about its mechanical health. However, since they coined the phrase “just get in and go” in their listing, that suggests it is a turnkey proposition.
Potential buyers need to look hard to find anything to criticize about this Corvette’s interior. It looks like it belongs on a showroom floor because there is no evidence of wear or deterioration. The Black leather looks supple and inviting, and there are no aftermarket additions. Of course, a car of this caliber didn’t need any, because the buyer receives climate-control air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, cruise control, a funky digital gauge cluster, a leather-wrapped tilt wheel, and a beautiful Delco/Bose premium stereo featuring an AM/FM radio/cassette/CD player.
The seller listed this 1995 Corvette ZR-1 here on Craigslist in Glen Cove, New York. Their price of $69,975 isn’t pocket change, but nor is it unprecedented. There have been several sales during the past year of similar cars for around that price, and I see no reason why this car shouldn’t find a new home. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen this ZR-1, with it featured in this excellent article by our Jeff Lavery. It hasn’t clocked additional miles in nearly three years, suggesting the seller prioritized preservation over driving pleasure. The biggest dilemma facing the new owner is what to do once they have it safely stored in their garage. Would you drive and enjoy this ZR-1 as its creators intended, or would you preserve it as an investment? My resolve would weaken pretty quickly if it were me, and I’m sure we have readers who feel the same.
A guy tried to trade me one once for my 1967 vette coupe, had to turn him down though….
Beautiful Vette …but for me seeing almost $70,000 I can get a pre-owned 392 Hemi Challenger SRT and have fun driving the wheels off it!! I can only see this Vette going to a special collector of Vettes. Good luck to the owner 🐻🇺🇸
I guess cars like this ‘Vette are like pre-Gen X children. Made to be seen and not heard. Sad.
The C4 ZR1s offered incredible performance when they were new, but even better later generations effectively made them obsolete. The fact remains that this car looks like any other C4 to the unpracticed eye. Who would pay $70K to own a car that looks like a $10K version? As for value, C5 and C6 Z06 cars can be had for almost half the price, and they perform (and look) better too.
The low milage on this car does make it somewhat special, but would quickly depreciate when driven. The pool of people that would want to buy it and not drive it is very small.
I agree with several of the comments. It is a beautiful car and if it is worth the asking price, the minute you drive it ,the depreciation takes off fast! Is a piece of garage art worth 70 K.
Odd pics – taken in at least three different places based on the ground under the car. Some look like Chevy promo pics.
Asking sticker price in 2024 for a 1995 ZR-1 is an interesting concept. At what point does the mileage have little or no impact on price? Would you pay the 1995 sticker price ask if it had 5000 miles? 10,000 miles? Where on the price vs. mileage graph does the inflection point appear? Thank you for attending my short lecture on “The Effect of Mileage on C4 ZR-1 Values” I will post the slide deck shortly. :)
I’d much rather spend less and have one that I can drive without feeling guilty about the depreciation.
@PRA4SNW- Agree. Seems as if 30-50,000 miles might be the sweet spot on C4 ZR-1 miles. You can drive it without all the depreciation drama and the LT5 is hand-built, tested up the whazoo (That’s a technical term), and bulletproof.