5K Original Miles: 1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

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The Corvette ZR-1 is now a household name in domestic performance car kingpins. However, that doesn’t translate to an “instant collector car”, especially with the earliest iterations of the model. The first run of the ZR-1 is certainly a known quantity among collectors, but it hasn’t achieved unicorn status – yet – among the 1990s-era class of desirable supercars. This ZR-1 has super low miles and is listed here on eBay with bids to almost $25,000 with the reserve unmet.

One of my favorite aspects of the ZR-1 is the rear end treatment. I’m sure there’s a better way to describe what we’re looking at, but the ZR-1 has a revised taillight design and smoother bumper treatment. It certainly made the long-in-the-tooth C4 design look far fresher. The wide stance of the rear tires are just one clue as to the performance on board, along with the numerous suspension improvements Chevrolet made when introducing the ZR-1.

Of course, despite all the trick hardware and exotic equipment, the interior was still standard-fare C4 – which is to say, functional but somewhat cheaply constructed. I don’t think this was much of a factor for buyers of a car like this that was far more concerned with delivering blistering performance for less than the cost of a Porsche 911 rather than worrying about the quality of the leather covering on the armrest. Still, as a car with under 6,000 miles, it’s near-mint inside the cockpit.

The seller reports that the ZR-1 will come with original documentation and the window sticker. He also points out that this was a $60,000 vehicle in 1990, which meant not just anyone was walking into the Chevrolet dealer and buying one. Still, these days you can reliably find a decent example for under $30,000, and while it’s more than a comparable Dodge Stealth R/T Twin Turbo from the same era, the performance from the rebadged Mitsubishi 3000GT doesn’t even come close.

Auctions Ending Soon

Comments

  1. Melton Mooney

    That gorgeous LT5 engine… If they weren’t so pricey, I’d have one on a run stand in the shop.

    Like 5
  2. Mike

    The interior of the C4 recieved a substantial redesign for 1990 and looked much better than previous years 84-89

    Like 6
    • Angus Mustang

      I had an 85, I sold a few years ago, loved driving it. The two things I didn’t like was the 4 plus 3 Trans, 6spd would have been better, and the quality of the interior, especially all the cheap plastic, felt more like I was in a Chevette

      Like 0
  3. BA

    Here is prime example that Detroit was back! The malaise Era was over! Sure there were cars before it that had decent performance ( yes im pointing at 305 cubic inch chevy & pretty much anything save for a Rat or Hemi car this car would challenge or beat them anyway but loose because it was King of Hill. This car is worth the ask based on ability to do all things at a world class level handling , braking , rolling burnouts, i just think this car gets under valued & I would vote with my wallet but not in the cards today.

    Like 2
  4. Mongoose1

    What was the big deal with the ’90 ZR1??? In ’70 the small block 350 LT1 put out 365/370hp in the Vette!

    Like 2
    • Motorcityman

      The Big Deal is much more performance from the malise era!

      Like 2
    • jwzg

      Well, that was gross horsepower with no accessories. Net horsepower was around 270-300. Plus, these engines powered cars that ran at an average of 170 mph for 24 hours. That ain’t happening with an LT-1 from 1970.

      Like 2
    • Joel S.

      Well the 70 was rated as Gross vs. Net so give up about 15%. The 70 had no AC, did not get 27 mpg and if it was really fast in the quarter you gave up top end. I have a 72 BB and 90 ZR-1 so they are not the same animals at all.

      Like 3
    • Johan

      The big deal is that the C4 ZR-1 would run circles around a ‘70 LT-1. It broke a 40 year old 24 hour endurance record by running an average of 175 mph for 24 hours, meaning it actually had to run 180 mph with driver changes, fueling etc.
      It was a stock production car with the only modifications being safety related.
      I love the ‘70 LT-1’s, but the C4 ZR-1 is probably the most underrated Corvette ever built

      Like 2
  5. Phipps

    YES SIR!!!! If you can get past the interiors on this generation they really are AWESOME. I have an ’86 base model which is nothing remotely like this car. ZR-1 is incredible

    Like 4
    • Motorcityman

      Ended at $28,200!!
      Somebody got a Sweet hih performance car at a decent price in today’s market!

      Like 3
      • PRA4SNW

        Reserve was not met at 28K.

        Like 0
    • Mongoose1

      And I’ve seen in the past year or two you can get a decent example for 30’35K$??? Much cheaper than an LT1 Vette!

      Like 0
  6. FrankD

    I drove a new one and was not impressed. It’s geared wrong and low power in the lower RPM ranges. Great if you live near the Autobahn.

    Like 0
    • Joel S.

      It’s a dual overhead cam engine so RPMs are required for power. How could you be unimpressed with a car that was faster than a Ferrari Testarossa or Porsche 928 GT for less money? You cannot compare it to today’s cars but still 0-60 in 4.4 seconds and very high 12 or low 13 second quarter miles with more than 1G on the skid pad all in 1990. Yes I have a 90 #277 so might be biased a bit but standing on facts.

      Like 1
      • Glen

        Yes sir, I concur. I have #229 for ‘94. Just a brute of a car. And it’ll idle all day in 110° temps with the AC on. Nothin beats loping along at 70mph in 6th gear on an open stretch of expressway… and then rowing her into 3rd and smoking the tires as she hunts for traction. Too late, baby… Daddy’s clutching for 4th…

        Like 0
  7. Neil Friedman

    A cars engine horsepower in the 70″ and older were rated with out any accessories. That changed and all engine horsepower was rated as installed. That why the large HP difference between older cars and newer.

    Like 1
    • Joel S.

      Change happened in 72. So a 71 BB Vette was 365 hp and same motor one year later was 270 hp.

      Like 0
      • bucky66

        Very true. I have a 72 rated at 270 and the acceleration times between it and the 365 of the 71 per magazines of the era are the same. So to get cars rated at gross horsepower before 1972 and compare them with later models you need to deduct about 25%.

        Like 0
  8. moosie moosie

    I can remember reading about the LT-1 back in 1970 and thought it’d be an awesome car to have, being that I was due for a new car anyway I thought why not an LT-1 Convertible. The only thing was that I waited too long and when I went shopping none were available. So I waited & bought myself a new Ontario Orange ’71 LT-1 Convertible, the horsepower for ’71 was 330 as opposed to the ’70s 370. It was a nice car that ran very good even minus that 40 horsepower.

    Like 1
  9. ROBERT IMEIDOPF

    Bought one as a retirement gift to me. Broke my heart when I had to sell it. This is a great price if everything is working. Nothing like idling at 60mph.

    Like 1
  10. Johan

    There is an excellent documentary on YouTube about the ZR-1 shattering a 24 hour endurance record. Well worth watching and it’ll give you a real appreciation for these cars!

    Like 0
  11. C Force

    Wonder if having both the ignition keys would affect the value?the valet key which gave you only 300hp and the full power key.A pretty unique feature at the time

    Like 0
    • Frank Sumatra

      The “Power” key was not the ignition key. The Power key was inserted into a spot on the console or “lower stack” or whatever it was called and allowed the owner to set it to NORMAL to block the secondary injectors from operation,or to FULL ENGINE POWER.

      Like 1
      • Frank Sumatra

        And you got 210hp in NORMAL mode. Meh!

        Like 1
  12. Rocco Russo

    Take it to Halibeck and add some ponies, they have a 660HP upgrade, if that is not enough for you not sure what is.

    Like 0

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