Yes, you are reading that title correctly, here for your viewing enjoyment is a 61-mile example of a rare Corvette. This extremely low mileage example was sold by Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet in 1990 and it has definitely been cooling its heels in proper storage all of these years; it is a bit of a unicorn. Located in Manheim, Pennsylvania, This Corvette is available here on Bring A Trailer for a current bid of $37,500.
Automotive performance was starting to awaken in 1990 from its almost twenty-year slumber. Chevrolet significantly upped its Corvette game with the ZR-1 option by having Lotus design, and Mercury Marine build, a 5.7 liter, dual overhead cam, all-alloy, V8 engine. The ZR-1 was able to provide spectacular performance, something that had not been in its wheelhouse for some time. Putting up just shy of 7K units produced, the ZR-1 was offered between 1990 and 1995. As referenced earlier, this example was sold new by a Newton, North Carolina Chevrolet dealership owned by legendary NASCAR Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt. Earnhardt’s signed documentation is included in the sale.
There’s not a lot one can say about this particular vehicle as it is in essentially new, unused condition; there is little to critique. There are even the original plastic protection sheets adorning the entry sills. The black leather upholstery and carpet are as new with different new car informational stickers still in place. This Corvette is equipped with both a CD player and a cassette deck as the latter was giving way to the former at this point in history, an interesting testament to the time.
The ZR-1’s 375 net HP, dual overhead cam, the all-aluminum 5.7-liter engine is what made this ‘Vette so special. While maintaining the same displacement as the standard 250 net HP Chevrolet small-block engine, the ZR-1’s architecture shared absolutely nothing in common with the pedestrian version. Performance tests at the time placed the ZR-1’s 0-60 MPH dash at 4.9 seconds while a quarter-mile run only consumed 13.4 seconds. Top-end was reached just a bit south of 180 MPH, very heady stuff for 1990. All ZR-1’s utilized a specially strengthened six-speed manual transmission, this car being no exception. It is stated that the selling dealership has replaced the fuel and changed all of the fluids in preparation for this sale.
Nary a scratch and there are 237 images included in the listing to back up that claim. This Corvette is new, lost in a time warp of sorts. The interesting thing is that a ZR-1 version looks just like the standard model ’90 Corvette except for the wider tires and the small, discrete badge on the passenger side rear bumper cover. These uber Corvette’s would motor about among an unsuspecting public and auto enthusiasts as well.
There is a lot going on here, first is the rarity of the model, second is the absurdly low mileage and finally, the selling dealership. This ‘Vette would be a tough car to own. What do you do with it? If you drive it and generate mileage, and the unavoidable wear that goes with use, then its panache slips away. If you purchase it and hermetically seal it, then it seems like you are more of the problem to the old car hobby than you are a solution. Don’t get me wrong, you buy it, it’s yours to do as you please but the “Have your cake and eat it too” conundrum is still going to gnaw away at the most knowledgeable and experienced car collector. What to do with this magnificent example? Any recommendations?
Simple answer to your question, Jim: If I could afford this, I’d buy it, drive it home, and then drive it even more. A LOT more!
Assuming my concerns about consumables (tires, gaskets, brakes, hoses, etc., etc., etc.) are unfounded, this is a car that is far more than the sum of its parts. It sounds wonderful when wound up, handles beautifully and, if maybe not quite as fast as today’s mega-horsepower machines, it feels incredibly quick. The harder you work, the better its responses.
I drove a couple of these when they were new — actually, the first opportunity came before they were new, but that’s another story — and found them delightful for both long trips and haring around on tight mountain roads. 180 MPH? Yeah, probably…don’t ask. I’m prejudiced, but would prefer this to any other ‘Vette I’ve driven.
Parts are problematic, I’ve heard, and so is quality service. I’d take the risk. These aren’t Collector Cars; they are DRIVER’S cars! Every Corvette enthusiast should own and use one.
And, being a longtime fan of the Man in Black, that signed Monroney sticker would be a real prize for me….
Curious what makes this rare.GM made 3,049 in 1990.
It’s a brand new 20 year old car. If you like this body style then you can’t get a better original one than this. And the fluids having all been replaced saves the not so mechanically inclined a few hundred bucks not having to have it serviced. I haven’t followed this car too closely But if a GM dealership is selling it then the factory warranty will still apply.
Good luck trying to get a dealer to warranty anything that goes wrong with the car. Somehow I have a feeling it’s not going to happen. It’s hard to imagine GM or any other manufacturer being saddled with warranty claims because a dealer, which is basically a franchise, decided to sit on a random new car for 30 years before selling it.
Even if for some convoluted reason a warranty was enforceable, it wouldn’t apply to this car. The sellers own documentation includes a newspaper article featuring its purchase in 1990.
Steve R
I think it’s more like 30 years old.
The ZF 6-speed transmission was not special to the ZR-1. All 1990 manual transmission Corvettes used the same ZF 6.
To answer both of your questions, my research stated that the regular ‘Vette used the ZF transmission designated as RPO MN6 (new in ’89) and the ZR-1 used the RPO ML9 gearbox.
As for rarity, perhaps 3,049 in one year, 1990, is not that rare but 7,000 over a six-year run, averaging 1,166 per year, is not exactly an everyday sight. I haven’t seen a ’90-’95 ZR-1 in years, how about you?
JO
I have seen about 10 on this site in the past couple of months.
Frank:
The actual numbers are eight, in totality, since November of 2015 with four since Jan 1, 2020.
JO
A little more gearbox info- ML9 “Transmission, Manual 6 , ZF, 90mm, 2.68 1ST, O/D. MN6 “Merchandised Transmission, Manual 6, Provisions. ML9 specifies the ZF. MN6 specifies what the car needs to adapt to the ZF transmission. MN6 is the only transmission shown for RPO ZR-1. Another note- The option sheet in my 1995 shows both ML9 and MN6 listed. Can’t get one without the other. The same ZF6 was used in all Corvettes. It is a sturdy little unit.
This or a new C8?
This, no doubt in my mind. I love old cars, even if it is only 30 years old. I now have a 38,000 mile 06 Mustang GT convertible, and a 2004 Dodge Dakota 4×4, both in excellent condition. Plus I’m not enthusiastic about the new vette anyhow.
Another opinion- C8 all day long. Better performance all around, much better quality and you can take it to any Chevy dealer in the good ‘ol USA. Total No-Brainer.
Didn’t the zr1 have square taillights vs round on the standard one??
Yes. And the big, curved rear-end along with different doors and rear fenders to hide the gigantic rear tires. ZR-1 owners freaked when GM went to the same rear end on all 1991’s.
If I had the funds available at this time I would buy it, DRIVE it, frame the window sticker..DRIVE it some more..I’m also a huge fan of the Intimidator and Earnhardt junior…I couldn’t just let this beast sit and I hope it goes to a a good home that won’t put it away for safe keeping
Curious to see by how much this beats out the 39 mile Cosworth Vega that’s also on BaT right now.
This is too nice for me.
Unless the price is ridiculously low, i’m goinf to look for one I wouldn’t be scared to drive regularly.
Not surprised. When these came out, a few were mothballed right after delivery because they were so special. Locally in my city, a guy has a white `90 ZR-1 with about 17 miles sitting in his garage. Red leather. He’s now in his late 60’s and last I spoke to him he was considering selling his too. Age, priorities, etc. all play a part in the decision to sell. I can totally understand being almost 60 myself. He’ll make a nice buck when he let’s his go. As you can imagine, it’s as nice as this one. Window sticker & all.
He might have a $30,000 car. Maybe. What a waste. We had a guy in our town with a white over red 1990 who drove the living manure out of it. Drag raced, autocrossed, driven daily. I saw it once at a local shopping center with two bushels of yard waste in the back. It had over 100,000 miles on it ten years ago when the owner moved. Dude got his money’s worth out of that bad boy. Who are you saving them for? Drive ’em!
It’s a Beauty, but alass my stable is filled. No more room!
IMHO, Corvettes never go out of style, regardless of the year.
Considering the sticker price was $60,000+ new, this latest bid is a steal.
I’m a little confused, re: warranty.
An untitled car, no matter how old, is still under warranty. As soon as that car drives off the lot, that’s when the 3 yrs. or 36,000 mile warranty, takes effect.
Dealership employees, who drive their demos, do not effect the warranty, because the car isn’t titled. Now the conundrum is, the “Here on Bring A Trailer” site claims, this car has never been titled. There is also a newspaper pic of Dale, handing over the keys, to the new owner.
Is it possible, that newspaper pic is nothing more than a sales ploy?,
You know the sales tactics of car salesmen.
Are people forgetting warranties are limited by YEARS and miles? Take your 30 year stereo set that has been in the box since 1990 and ask Radio Shack to honor the warranty. Tell them Marconi autographed it. That should help.
Ike, you can’t compare apples & oranges. Especially when it comes to radios vs. cars.
You’re correct, about years & miles. Only one thing…. A car, that hasn’t been titled, doesn’t begin the warranty, until it’s sold.
Take for example, a left-over 2019 that’s still sitting on the showroom floor. The car is now almost two years old.& it hasn’t been titled. When it’s sold, the new owner gets a full warranty. If the car sits, untitled, for 30 years, does it lose the warranty?
Your honor, I rest my case.
This was a bad investment for the original buyer unless it gets bid a lot higher than 100G’s and it will be bad for anybody that pays that kind dough
Like my 91 ZR1 with 17000 on it. Owned for 7 years.
Put more miles on it. It was meant to be driven.
Frank, you got it. It doesn’t do any good, sitting there, watching it collect dust.
Think about this……
People, at our age (I’m 76), now have less time in front of us, than the time we had behind us. When it’s all said & done, you can’t take it with you.
Get out there & enjoy the ride.
Age 67 here. I drive my 95 Corvette every day. This is my 4th and final Corvette. To hell with the next ownet
Good for you, Frank. Enjoy the moment…
You must not have a Winter where you are.
@Stan- I should have added “weather permitting”! Rochester NY. Snow? Yeah, we got that!
Hey Frank, I’ve been to Rochester many times. I’m about 3+ hours SW of you, off I-80, in Pa. at the Ohio line.
Stan- O-H-I-O ! I lived in Ashtabula for a while and two of my Corvettes came from the Buckeye state. The 1979 from Canton and my current 1995 from Hubbard. My 1984 Corvette was a Reading PA native.All solid cars owned by great NCRS folks.
I’m in Hermitage, Pa. just across the line from Hubbard, one mile north of I-80.
Cool. The 95 was originally delivered to Buds Chevrolet in St.Marys OH. I have all of the original paperwork and framed window sticker
Lesson; Cars are not a very good investment. whoever bought this car lost their a$$. Imagine how much you’d have at a modest 5% return on the $70k invested back in 1990 not counting the insurance premiums.
In Sept.’64, I ordered my ’65 GTO. I paid $3200 OTD.
If I kept it in mint condition, how much is it worth, today?
The cars, you see on Mecum & Barrett~Jackson, what was the original window sticker, compared to the value, today?
I still kick myself, for not keeping my Goat.
Imagine how much enjoyment you could have had since 1990 driving it as often as possible, joining the ZR-1 Net Registry or NCRS, going to Corvettes @ Carlisle, the National Corvette Museum, cruise nights and a 1,000 other things. Life is way too short to always do the “smart” thing. “Carpe Diem”
I drove a new ZR-1 our local Chevrolet dealer,Joseph Chevrolet who sponsored our Cincinnati Corvette Club, loaned it out for a club function. It was not much fun to drive, it had a lock-out for the max power mode or transmission 1-3 shift it was so long ago that I forgot maybe someone can clear this up for us.
John Backus past President CCC
The dealer turned the power or “Valet” key to “NORMAL” to prevent any spirited driving and the ZF6 transmission had an automatic (Computer-Aided Gear Selection) 1-4 shift programmed in to increase fuel mileage (Does a ZR-1 owner care about mileage) and avoid gas guzzler taxes.
1-4 skip shift eliminator harness is available from several manufacturer’s plug and play
Unless you can work on you car owning a ZR-1 would be a nightmare trying to find someone to fix any of the unusual parts.
Yep, and the most unusual part cost $27,000.