1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
The Corvette ZR1 was introduced at the Geneva Auto Show in 1989 and went on sale soon after. It was a joint project of GM and Group Lotus which GM had recently acquired, and the goal was to make the world's fastest production cars. Lotus developed an aluminum block V8 with 4 cams, 32 valves, a unique air management system and along with other ZR1 specific modifications, a supercar was born. While it was quick with 0-60 times at about 4.5 seconds, it was the durability of the engine that became legendary, enduring long distance track tests with sustained speeds of well over 100 mph for many hours.
For consignment, a 1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, a first-year model of the ZR1 with a title verified 11,223 actual miles. The car was used for local car shows and has been to Corvettes at Carlisle a few times and at 10,000 miles the original tires and wheels were removed and stored. They come with the car, along with the build sheet and window sticker. Of the 3,032 ZR1's produced in 1990, 907 of them were black, a distant second to the most common color that year, red.
Exterior
Two stage black paint covers the car which from the front, looks like you run of the mill Corvette coupe. But get behind it, and the widened tail section tells a different story. Look closely and you'll find the ZR1 emblem on rounded back, a change in the C4 design that would stick in subsequent years. Dual slightly squared taillights and squared twin exhaust tips also enhance the rear view of this American legend, while the high third brake light distinguishes the car from base models with the light integrated in the rear fascia. The front retains the recessed marker lights which in 1991, would be rounded and wrapped around the front corners. 17-inch aftermarket ZR1 chrome wheels hold the staggered size tires that include 315/35ZR17 rears. We spy one scratch on the front right corner and mark it as the only notable flaw on the exterior.
Interior
With the exception of a few details, it's relatively standard fare on the inside. The gray door panels, a mix of plastic and carpeted panels, is simple and practical and includes a speaker for the sound system. The sport leather bucket seat, also gray, have nearly limitless adjustment capabilities with switches on both seat supports and on the center console. The rolled and padded construction and heavy bolstering makes them comfortable and supportive. From the steering wheel forward, it's standard Corvette with the arched speedometer and gauges flanking an information screen with digital readout. A larger screen with idiot lights is in the center stack just above the heat/AC control panel and an AM/FM/Cassette player, all backlit in orange. A full power locking switch, that activates the full 16 fuel injectors, is just under that, and not found on mere mortal Vettes. This can toggle horsepower output from 212 to 375 and can be set depending on who you want driving the car and how you want them driving it. A ride control knob is also in the vicinity and offers three options determined by road conditions, aggressiveness, and comfort. The 6-speed shifter has a leather knob and a clean black leather boot. Low pile gray carpet covers the narrow footwells and the back cargo area which also has a ZR1 carpeted and fitted dress piece. As one would expect with such a low mileage car, the interior is very clean.
Drivetrain
A 5.7 liter DOHC LT5 V8 is under the hood and retains the tuned port fuel injection of standard Vettes, but this aluminum engine puts out 375 horsepower reaching the rear limited slip axle with 3.45 gears. The engine bay is clean and the manifold beyond the throttle body looks like a prehistoric insect hitching a ride on the enormous block. Six speeds are managed manually by the ZF transmission and your left foot and nothing short of four vented disc brakes would even be fathomable on this powerhouse.
Undercarriage
Remarkably clean underneath with not a whole lot of evidence that the car's been on the road at all. Suspension reigns supreme with a combination of forged aluminum control links, transverse monoleaf springs, stabilizer bars, and independent five link in the rear. The dual exhaust shares a resonator half way through then split to meet the original mufflers which beget two sets of twin tips. No surface rust of note nor visible fluid where it's not supposed to be.
Drive-Ability
Okay, twist my arm. Just not the right arm because I'll need that to shift. This isn't our first rodeo, so we know to not spur this raging bull, and go lightly forward since this is more a functionality test rather than a performance test. We know they're fast, but does the radio work? And indeed, the often maligned dash works well as do the brakes, shifter, and throttle response. Now, that dash does show an airbag light and the throwout bearing is making some noise, but beyond that, the car has no red flags.
The King is here. The top dog Corvette from the C4 era. Although 1990 was the year of highest production for the C4 ZR1, they're still rare and collectible. Chevy went on to create ZR1 versions of later generations and dressed them a bit "louder" than the relatively normal looking C4's. But that's also part of their appeal, a wolf in sheep's clothing and an astounding driving machine that flies under the radar, but it's now on your radar, so inquire within, as they say.
1G1YZ23J7L5801520
1-Chevrolet
G-General Motors
1-Chevrolet
YZ-Corvette ZR1
2-Coupe
3-Manual Belts, Driver's Airbags
J-350ci V8 DOHC ZR1 375hp
7-Check Digit
L-1990
5-Bowling Green, KY Assy Plant
801520-Sequential Unit Number
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