Sometimes, you see a car listed for sale and it causes you physical discomfort that you can’t bid on it at the moment. This is probably one of the cheapest Corvette ZR-1s we will ever see, as it has a low price of entry due to some cosmetic flaws and difficulty passing smog in California. It still runs and has some new parts thrown at it; more importantly, you’re buying into one of the most under-valued collector cars of the modern era at a price point we rarely see. This ZR-1 is listed here on eBay with under 70,000 miles and bidding currently sitting at $11,000 with no reserve.
I have loved the ZR-1 for a while simply because it was an over-engineered masterpiece in the early 90s. At this point in history, GM wasn’t exactly known for building vehicles to a ridiculously high standard, but with the ZR-1, they swung for the fences. The engine was a masterpiece but the adjustable suspension was truly where GM showed that they were finally serious about building a compelling road car. The road reviews at the time indicated Chevrolet had indeed built a Corvette that could compete globally, and for that, it will always be a key chapter in any documentary about GM.
Of course, to some extent, you still had to grin and bear the low-rent GM plastics in the cockpit along with general cut-rate construction. Even with investing a fair in the drivetrain, GM still couldn’t quite pull it together enough to deal with things like panel gaps and garbage plastics. But when you were driving a ZR-1 at full chat, would you even notice that the glovebox lid didn’t close with a confident thunk? Probably not, which is exactly why GM didn’t worry itself about fashioning an interior that looked and felt as good as the rest of the car. This one is in decent shape for a driver-quality specimen.
The seller has put some work into the Corvette despite it looking sorely neglected sitting in the relentless California sun. The listing mentions he has installed a custom aluminum radiator to keep the DOHC LT5 engine running its best, and it sounds like he’s either installed a Borla stainless steel exhaust or one is included with the sale. It wears five-spoke wheels from a later C4 and I’d swap the originals back on given the factory rollers are included in the sale. This is a car I would gladly drive as-is, knowing all the while I could fix the cosmetics and get my money back and then some.
That roll bar suggest a tough life IMHO
I have to agree either a track day or flying mile is in this cars history, but still very affordable for what it is. Those staggered rims made to fill the rear also helped with the grip.
Encouraging to see the engine bay is the cleanest area of this Zed-R1….
But, IMHO, the risks far outweigh any reward.
Will soon be be bid to prohibitive territory……
Great image of what ZR-1 front window delamination looks like in the ebay ad.
Hmmmm, sounds alittle high in price to me,considering it needs, paint, and or body work, 🤔, although, l saw,a red 90,Corvette, for/sale on eBay for less, and it appears to be ready to drive, for less money, so l 🤔 think 🤔, l would pass,on this one.
First time that i have ever heard of a Vette being a exotic.
The ZR-1 was a special beast, with the lotus designed dohc v8 and the aforementioned suspension. They had killer performance and were always seen as a cut above the regular Vette back in the day. Don’t forget, we were still trying to emerge from the malaise era at the time…
Spot on, Mr.Pappas! At the time of introduction, the 1990 ZR-1 was able to compete with, or beat its “exotic” peers from Europe, Italy, Japan and Germany at one-half the cost of some “exotics” and it could be serviced at your local Chevy store. Driving 15 of them across Europe and introducing the car at the Geneva Auto Show was also a nice “In yer face!” American touch. As Chief Engineer Dave McClellan said- “ZR-1 is Corvette, only more so”
Absolutely! In 1990 It was truly an exotic ( strikingly, excitingly, or mysteriously different or unusual) American car. It was able to compete with cars costing twice as much.
Sorry about the double post. For some reason, my first post got lost in the mail.
Please quit calling American-made cars exotics. Exotic, by its very definition means of foreign origin or character; not native.
MOTRV8D,
Whereas we all entitled to our opinion, exotic does not have to mean mean foreign built.
My vehicles have been insured by Grundy Insurance for decades and they determined that one of my cars was ‘an exotic’.
It was American built, but was a Cadillac. An XLR to be specific.
I have no doubt that they had their reasons for doing so, whether or not other persons might not agree.
Researching “exotic automobiles” brings a variety of answers, some of which the ZR1 would qualify under.
So, an Isuzu would qualify?
The Lotus engine makes qualifies it as an “exotic”.
@Jeff Lavery, first time i looked who wrote the article so i dont know if you righted all or have a crew. Either way you all do an excellent job. Have learned a lot from you all and appreciate that. the comments also provide insight but sometimes you have to take them with a grain of salt. In this particular article you explain how performance and suspension were worked. Is this the first time for the “magnetic” suspension? anyway i remember that when the occurred my mind popped up and realized the vet was probably like it is now the best vetted made.
Keep up the good work.
The ZR-1 and C4 FX3 suspension was not Magnetic, that did not arrive until the C5 showed up. The FX3 has a motor on the top of each shock to move a valve and change the valving. Having said that it was futuristic stuff in the early 90s and I love my 90 ZR-1 #277.
Ad doesn’t indicate a reserve, if it doesn’t go way up by tomorrow, it is definitely a steal…
Seller has a Ferrari in the garage and a Tesla out front I guess no need for the zr-1 only c4 I would own but the cramped interior legroom due to the trans tunnel makes me say 👎
I agree on legroom. Add to that the seats are not standard and you have less overall space. Add again age and arthritis And I may have gotten most of the joy I’m gonna get from mine. It’s not a ZR-1but year, color, body & deluxe seats, all alike.
This ZR-1, In my opinion is awesome! I wish I had the funding to buy this car! It may have been driven hard and put away wet but I would love to own this car.!! I hope that it finds a good home at is treated and venerated the way it should!!!
No Chevrolets are ever exotic.
The owner should have told the pool boy to go easy on that buffer!
Still the dullest body style corvette ever. And in that color? Ugh.
Not sure. Thought some earlier ones with back end kinda rounded didn’t look right, like unfinished looking. Were more unattractive than my 1990, & I like the black. Similar effect was done on Cadillacs around them. Didn’t care for those either.
Yaawwwnnn.
Sold for almost 16k. Kind of surprising.
I’m past the point of being surprised about car prices anymore. Folks have forgotten every bubble pops eventually. Those who have hopped on the bus a little too late will realize it soon. And they will be sad. And the spouse or significant other might be mad.