There’s rare, and then there’s rare; and then there’s ridiculously rare with delivery miles. This 1991 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 falls into the last category, as it’s not only basically new in the wrapper with just 640 miles on the clock, but it also wears on the least common colors offered on this high-performance model: Competition Yellow was sold in small numbers, with only 42 examples finding owners in the 1991 model year. The ZR-1 is listed here on eBay with bids to $42,700 and the reserve unmet. What do you think this fly yellow unicorn will sell for?
When it comes to low mileage cars, we’ve all discussed at one time or another how tricky it is to buy a vehicle that hasn’t been used. First of all, there’s the inevitable concerns over maintenance items that haven’t been addressed, or hoses that will fail, and tires that are dry-rotted. Take all of those concerns out of the picture and focus on this: can you commit to not using a car that was built to be driven at 10/10ths every day of its life? That, to me, is the greatest hardship that comes with a special car like this. You simply cannot drive it; it is a piece of art for your garage.
And truly, some cars have to bear that cross. When it comes to a ZR-1, we’ve seen plenty of these budget-friendly supercars come up for sale, certainly enough that you can buy a driver if that’s your goal. But if you want one of the best in existence – in one of the rarest factory colors – you don’t have as many options. In fact, I can’t recall seeing a Competition Yellow ZR-1 in many years, and certainly none with under 700 original miles. The seller addresses one of the concerns we flagged above, however, by tackling several key deferred maintenance items, which is a credit to him considering how many owners of low-mileage cars like this Corvette rarely do that work.
The listing notes that despite its delivery-only miles, the seller has proactively replaced the fuel pump, injectors, and all fluids, along with the failure-prone seat bladders and the notoriously weak Bose speakers and amps. I give this owner a lot of credit as we see so many other sellers simply ask for top dollar and expect the next caretaker to deal with the faults that come with lack of use. The ZR-1 remains one of the foremost sports cars of the 1990s, forever embedded in Chevrolet’s deep history of muscle machines; and this low-mileage, Competition Yellow cream puff is likely one of the best in existence. Bid high, bid often!
Given the basic description of a “car” what good is this one?
I see two Dodge vipers in the craigslist add. I wonder how many miles are on those cars.
Having owned a 91 with 33k miles that got exercised regularly, I’d say that this is quite the find.
But even if driven sparingly the value would lessen.
Maybe it’s destined to become a museum piece.
Love the yellow…
He doesn’t drive it much, but maybe he sits in it a lot, note the debris on the floor on the driver side. It kinda surprised me.
You understand Todd that there are before and after pics of this car sitting since1991 ..that is a before pic , the eBay listing shows everything detailed
Can’t he afford a vacuum?
Great investment. About $60k in ’91. (roughly $78k in ’24 dollars) He needs $78k + insurance/registration for 33 years + replaced parts/service cost to break even.
$60k invested in stocks in ’91 could have netted $1.3 mil by now.
Yes, not only what you said but this car really isn’t all that fast in modern context. It would have been best enjoyed back when it was newer. Today, it’s mid-pack.
I just never understood doing this. Buy the car and enjoy it or just put the money somewhere where it can grow.
I agree with most of what you said but a lot of cars from the past are “mid-pack.” It’s not all about straight-line, eyelid-peeling acceleration.
If I could afford this one I could also afford to buy one with 64,000 miles to drive like a teenager with my older brothers’ ‘70
SS396 and keep this one in my humidity controlled garage.
Why have a car you won’t drive? To sit in and make ‘Rooomm rooomm’ noises? Impress people you don’t like? Certainly not to make money on the deal.
There it is. Good color. Great motor. No miles. What is up with the crud all over the floor?
Another “investor” who guessed wrong that these were the high point of automotive performance and would skyrocket in value. Should have driven it and enjoyed it. I always liked the exterior of this gen but couldn’t get past the cheap looking dash and interior enough to seriously consider buying one. And for the love of Pete, if you’re going to photograph your low mileage Vette, at least vacuum the leaves off the driver’s floor mat.
I’m a Chevy fan for sure, but isn’t the engine basically impossible to fix if an issue arises? Isn’t it part Mercury Marine and part Chevy?
No its not impossible to fix the engine is hard to break very few failures.
zr1netregistry.com
jerrysgasket.com
you will find whatever you need.
Why not drive it? I believe it’s not the first year ZR-1? Wasn’t that ’89????
Waste of money to not use it thinking it would appreciate much in value.
Plus, a first year ZR-1 would be the one to be the collectible.
Lew, I checked the Corvette black book and yes, 84 1989 ZR-1’s were built for evaluation. None were released to the public for sale, but several found there way into the hands of private collectors. So technically the ZR -1’s debuted as 1990 models. Upon further digging, I found that Competition yellow was only offered during the 1990 model year (278), as there were quality issues with that color. CY is not listed as a color for 1991.
I remember that it was in 1989 (probably 1990 first year model) that a ZR-1 Corvette broke the land speed record for a U.S. PRODUCTION automobile, last set in 1963 by a twin supercharged and fuel injected Studebaker Avanti.
Ended at $50,200, Reserve Not Met.
Hmm, tires, fluids, rubber, seal replacement…. It all adds to the bottom line.
The wheels are on backwards
You are correct I noticed that as well