It is fair to say that the Corvette finally came of age when Chevrolet dropped a V8 under the hood of the C1 in 1955. The company’s sports car continued to receive ever larger engines, and performance continued to improve until the early 1970s when it all went pear-shaped. The advent of tighter fuel emission regulations strangled the once potent beast, and although the situation gradually improved, it wasn’t until the release of the ZR-1 version that the ‘Vette was once again considered a potent beast. This 1993 example is a tidy survivor with 19,000 miles showing on its odometer. It is unmolested, well-equipped, and is claimed to be 1-of-22 finished in this paint shade. The time has come for it to find a new home, with the seller listing the ZR-1 here on Craigslist in Houston, Texas. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Tony P for spotting a classic that could be yours for $42,995.

The C3 Corvette showed enormous promise upon its release, but its glory faded as production drew to a close. The C4 initially fared little better from a performance perspective, but its immediate acceptance by the buying public pushed production close to the 1979 record sales tally. The situation deteriorated during subsequent years as many potential buyers viewed the Corvette as a triumph of style over substance. That would change in 1990 when the covers came off the ZR-1 variant. Our feature car is a 1993 example that was ordered by its first owner in Arctic White. This shade was the third most popular offered in 1993, but that popularity didn’t translate to the ZR-1. The seller indicates that only twenty-two buyers selected it, and my research seems to confirm that figure. That makes this car a rarity that deserves more than a passing glance. Its presentation is impressive, with no major paint or panel problems. The glass is clear, and the alloy wheels look flawless. This ZR-1 has spent its life in a dry location, making the lack of rust unsurprising. The physical condition is impressive, but it isn’t this classic’s trump card.

The ZR-1 package added an eye-watering $31,683 to the sticker price of a Corvette, but what did buyers receive for their money? Every 1993 Corvette received a 5.7-liter V8, with the “standard” engine producing a healthy 300hp and 340 ft/lbs of torque. However, General Motors became the new owner of the Lotus Group in 1986, utilizing the company’s expertise to develop a 5.7-liter powerplant specifically for the ZR-1. The all-aluminum V8 received overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. Chevrolet recognized it didn’t possess the expertise to build such engines, contracting the vastly experienced Mercury Marine to hand-build each engine. The fruit of this labor was a 5.7-liter monster producing 405 hp and 385 ft/lbs of torque. A special six-speed manual transmission by ZF was built to cope with the increased power and torque, while the suspension and brakes were upgraded accordingly. The stopwatch told the story because while a standard six-speed Corvette would cover the ¼-mile in 13.7 seconds on its way to 165mph, the ZR-1 improved those figures to 12.9 seconds and 182mph. Potential buyers will welcome the news that not only is this classic unmolested, but the seller includes a vast array of documentation. It has a claimed 19,000 original miles on the clock, and while there is no information supplied regarding its mechanical health, the asking price suggests there should be no issues or problems.

The first owner teamed the Arctic White exterior with a Black interior, and Chevrolet dragged all of the toys out of the cupboard with the ZR-1. Buyers received a driver’s airbag, a gauge cluster featuring a digital speedometer, leather trim, air conditioning, power operation for the windows, locks, seats, and mirrors, cruise control, a leather-wrapped tilt wheel, cruise control, and a premium Delco/Bose AM/FM radio/CD player. The overall condition of this car’s interior is consistent with the claimed odometer reading. There is no evidence of significant wear and no aftermarket additions. Even the prone outer seat bolsters are in good order, which is a minor victory in any Corvette of this vintage.

It is sometimes fascinating to reflect upon the history of a specific badge to gain an understanding of the adversity it has had to overcome to ensure its survival. The Corvette is one such vehicle. Early examples were plagued with quality issues, and Chevrolet nearly pulled the plug on the program that delivered its first genuine sports car. However, dogged determination saw the Corvette thrive, and by 1970, these were potent cars. The 1980 model year was probably the low point, with Californian buyers lumbered with a car that couldn’t break the 17-second barrier over the ¼-mile. The ZR-1 would eventually right that wrong, returning the badge to its rightful place as America’s most potent sports car. This 1993 example is an absolute gem, and although its price isn’t cheap, its inherent desirability makes me believe that it won’t have a lot of trouble finding a new home. Do you agree?