Chevrolet has a history of collaborating with third-party companies to produce vehicles that should inject excitement into a model range. The Cosworth Vega was one of the less successful attempts, but the Corvette ZR-1 proved what was possible with the right mix of ingredients. It was an expensive package that endowed the ‘Vette with performance that recalled the glory days of the 1960s. This 1990 ZR-1 is an original survivor with a known history, and with only 40,000 miles on its odometer, it should provide years of reliable motoring. This classic is listed here on Craigslist in San Jose, California. It could be yours for $19,000, and I must say a big thank you to eagle-eyed Barn Finder T.J. for spotting this beauty.

Upon its release, the C4 Corvette received widespread criticism, with many lamenting its overall lack of performance. The car hit the market with a V8 that was pretty asthmatic, although Chevrolet had plans in the pipeline to address the shortcoming. Our feature car rolled off the line in 1990 and is 1-of-3,049 ordered with the ZR-1 option. It brought only minor cosmetic enhancements, with most of the significant changes hidden below the skin. The first owner ordered this classic in Code 81 Bright Red, and there is no evidence to suggest it has undergone restoration. The exterior shines like a new penny, and any imperfections are too minor to show in the supplied photos. The seller purchased the car from its original owner in 2021, stating the Corvette had spent the previous seventeen years in storage. That helps to explain its remarkable preservation and makes the odometer reading plausible. The body is excellent, the glass is crystal clear, and the 17″ wheels look flawless.

The ZR-1 was a high-performance model, but occupants received their share of luxury appointments. These include leather trim, climate-controlled air conditioning, power windows, power locks, six-way power seats, power mirrors, cruise control, and a premium Bose stereo with an AM/FM radio and CD and cassette players. The seller’s interior shots aren’t great but paint a generally positive picture. The prone outer seat edges don’t appear to sport wear, with the same true of the wheel. The carpet is spotless, and there are no visible aftermarket additions. The overall condition is consistent with the claimed mileage, and this interior needs nothing.

Chevrolet’s experiment with the Cosworth Vega never met expectations, but that didn’t prevent it from turning to a third-party to produce an engine worthy of finding its way into the ZR-1. General Motors had recently purchased the Lotus Group, a company with a long and illustrious history of producing potent road and race cars. It contracted the company to design a new engine, and while it shared the same 5.7-liter capacity with the entry-level ‘Vette powerplant, that’s where the similarities ended. This new motor was an aluminum-alloy V8 with four camshafts and thirty-two valves. Chevrolet lacked the expertise to bolt the engine together, handing that task to Mercury Marine in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Mercury’s vast experience with aluminum made it ideal, and each motor was handbuilt before being shipped to Chevrolet. The result of this innovative thinking was impressive. The basic 5.7-liter V8 produced 245hp and 345 ft/lbs of torque. This monster boosted output to 375hp and 370 ft/lbs, with many believing both figures were grossly underestimated. The power feeds to the road via a six-speed manual transmission, and with significant suspension and brake upgrades, Chevrolet created a total high-performance package. Buyers seeking a classic that would outperform their new ZR-1 in 1990 faced purchasing a European exotic because this Corvette could demolish the ¼-mile in 13.1 seconds on its way to 180mph. The seller supplies no information regarding this car’s mechanical health, although the impression is positive. It comes with desirable documentation, including the Window Sticker and other paperwork. It appears it should be a turnkey proposition where the new owner could fly in and drive it home.

The sticker price of a 1990 Corvette was $37,264 before the buyer attacked their Order Form to select any options. The ZR-1 package added a whopping $27,016 to that figure, making it the single most expensive option in the badge’s history to that point. However, it wasn’t really a single option but an array of upgrades that helped deliver the power and performance many enthusiasts felt was befitting an American sports car. The seller’s BIN figure looks highly competitive, and I won’t be surprised if it finds a buyer fairly quickly. Could you be that person?