When the C4 ZR1 arrived, it provoked a collective swoon among automotive journalists and enthusiasts alike. With a top speed of 175 mph and a zero to sixty time that began with a “4”, it was like nothing else coming out of American factories. This example, listed here on eBay for $19,900, is located in Scottsdale, Arizona. It is represented by a seller with perfect feedback, and its virtues include an odometer reading of just under 59,000 – supported by a clean AutoCheck report with regular mileage notations. Not to mention – it’s red! Slightly ominously, the seller notes that substantial service has been performed in the last six months, and he makes a point of reminding us the car is sold “as is”.
The best feature of the ZR1 is its engine. Developed by Lotus, the 5.7 liter V8 sports double overhead cams, an aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection, and of course that incredible 16-branch intake. With 380 hp on tap, it can hustle up to sixty in 4.5 seconds; big vented disc brakes all around will bring it to a halt as fast as you can think. Adjustable suspension can be dialed from a bone-rattling ride to the more sedate “touring” setting, and the car originally sat on tires made by Goodyear specifically for this model. The one knock on the C4 ZR1 is its lockout shifter slapped onto the ZF six-speed, called Computer Aided Gear Selection. CAGS was a trick that GM played to boost fuel economy: instead of allowing the engine to rev moving from first to second, for instance, the driver was forced to shift to fourth, keeping revs low. Fortunately for the enthusiast, CAGS can be defeated with any number of aftermarket devices.
The basic black interior is in driver-quality condition. I don’t like the way the console switches look – as if they don’t fit flush or correctly – and wear has deepened the cracks in the thoroughly bolstered leather upholstery. Still, nothing is torn, cracked or missing (that I could see). Inquiring minds should want to know if that targa top is leakproof, and whether everything works – lights, gauges, windows, and so forth; these are questions for the seller, who provides only a brief description in the listing.
The tell-tale indicator that we’re looking at a ZR1 is the width of the car: the ZR1 track is wider by some 4″ versus the base model. Sharp eyes can spot the antenna, on the driver’s side rear, sitting an inch or two inward from the edge of the car. The base model antenna sits right near the outside of the fender. The nacelle for the license plate is also configured differently versus the base model. While this car would seem a bargain, I’d want to know about its operating condition before forking over twenty grand. The cosmetic condition and mileage makes me happy, but then, lots of guys (including a friend of mine) socked away new ZR1s thinking they’d appreciate wildly – so low mileage examples are available. And no, that “investment” thesis didn’t work out – the cars cost over $50k in 1990 and can be had for much less today. Here’s an example with just 22k on the clock for $33,500; and here’s another with just 7000 miles that sold for $36,000. Is the ZR1 on your bucket list?
Never saw, or heard of the word nacelle until now. Thanks Michelle 🏁
Ha! Thanks… Learn something new every day…. you can check that off for today!
Hi Stan.
Being a ex flyboy, USAF, you would have heard of a nacelle. Just funnin with you.
Anyway, not really certain as to why Michelle calls the “French” antenna base a nacelle but, it’s her story and I’m not going to debate it.
Looks like a ok ZR-1 if a person is prone to liking red vettes with black interior. This is one that would command a in person Google eye.
Too many questions for this forum.
Happy cupid day to all!
Help me out here, please – is this an automatic or a stick?
JMC,
All ZR-1’s are 6 speed manual transmissions
I have wondered when folks talk about parts availability for the 1st generation ZR-1, if there are problems finding the body panels from the doors back that were required to accomodate the rear tires. The doors are unique to the ZR-1.
Don’t wreck it and you won’t have to find out! :-)
@FBD- If it is being driven the way it was designed and built for, you just never know what could happen. :)
Had a ’91 on the lot in the early 2000s … frankly I don’t remember what I had it listed for, or what it sold for, just I had three people email me to hold it for them not long after it hit the internet … said first one with the cash wins … I did drive it before I listed it and was not disappointed in Vette exhilaration … outdated now but back then was pure performance …
It’s a great bang-for-your-buck, plus it’s added collectability. I always yearned for the ’94 ZR1 when the horsepower rose to 405, but beggars not be choosy. LOL, this car’s 0-60 is impressive, if right? My ’03 Porsche 911/996 turbo can do that! You definitely can’t go wrong, in any way at that price in today’s car environment!
That is exactly how switches are supposed to be on this model of Corvette. Bigger issue is rear license plate holder is missing so budget a couple hundred for an original one. Great cars for the money.
Car looks really nice, but one small correction: LT1 and LT4 blocks from this era are cast iron, not aluminum.
It’s neither , it’s an LT5 & has nothing in common with other SBC engines
That must be a scary 175!
No, they are very stable at that speed. I’ve had my 92 to near that speed many times in the Silver State Classic open road race, 90 miles at an average 150 mph.
I had ’90 some time back and Ican attest that it got to 100 very quickly and it handled like a dream. The big tires held it in place well.
As a prior owner of a 90 ZR-1, if you port the plenum, install a good chip, add a flow master and put a 4-11 rear in, you have a different animal. And the sound of that four valve is music to the ear. But the bad, they will never see the appreciation.
Whoever buys this will want to do a thorough PPI with a Corvette specialist.
I remember when these came out and they were mind-blowing.
I was attending a community college at the time and had an assignment to do a compare & contrast paper so being the clever young lad I was I chose to compare and contrast the new ZR1 vs the ZL1 from the days of yore.
Man, I got into the weeds on that one as I recall. So much so that I was given a nice, solid “D” for my efforts. The teacher claimed it was too technical. In hindsight I have to agree.