The ZR-1 debuted after the C4 Corvette had already been on the market for six model years. Chevrolet’s new “King of the Hill” took its name from the race-spec 1970–72 Corvette ZR1 (a rarity, with only 53 built). It was both a nod to the past and an attempt to position the Corvette for the future, as growing competition from imports impacted even Chevrolet’s niche in the sports-car world. “It’s Corvette, only more so,” remarked chief engineer Dave McLellan at the time.
The ZR-1 got off to a winning start, breaking a decades-old land-speed record by averaging 175 mph for 24 hours in 1990. Sales, however, were slow. Despite a sub-5-second 0–60-mph time and its intrinsic exotica, including electronic dampers and a 32-valve engine with dual overhead cams, the ZR-1’s standing among collectors has been yawn-worthy for decades.
Fully priced
A big reason for the slow take rate — 6,939 ZR-1s over six model years vs. 123,504 other Corvette coupes and convertibles — was its high MSRP. From 1990 until 1995, the Corvette coupe’s base prices ranged from $31,979 to $36,785. Ticking the ZR-1 option box added between $27,016 and $31,683 more, depending on model year. That’s an 85% to 92% premium.
This bumped the price of “America’s Sports Car,” long a proud value proposition, into the thin air where esteemed European sports cars (read: Porsches) soared. From my vantage point, working on Chevrolet marketing at the time, many of the faithful weren’t ready for a Euro-priced ’Vette.
Many Corvette guys weren’t ready for a Euro-spec one either. In 1990 the regular C4 still used an iron-block, pushrod, 16-valve V8. The ZR-1’s Lotus-designed, Mercury Marine-built, all-aluminum LT5 V8 made 375 horsepower initially and then 405 hp from 1993 to ’95. It was like topping a basket of steak fries with beluga caviar. Supporting this analogy is that GM held its press launch at a medieval French citadel.
“Robust” builds trust
The ZR-1’s original sin is that despite being a supercar in its time, it’s merely another staid-looking Corvette C4 today. Its technology is mostly hidden from view, under its clamshell hood or beneath rear bodywork that hid its wider rear track and 17-inch-by-11-inch wheels. Working against its exclusivity, in 1991 all Corvettes adopted the ZR-1’s wide-body rear styling. Opined Zooey Deschanel in “The Good Girl,” “The first rule of fashion is you have to look weird.”
Neither weird nor fashionable, the ZR-1 is, however, known for being mostly bulletproof. By now most cars will have suspension bushings that need replacement, and various small oil and coolant leaks can occur from dried-out seals. Interiors carry the same caveats as any other C4, namely materials and plastics that wear out quickly.
Many of its unique ZR-1-only parts can be expensive to source, though few items are actually scarce. While its unique engine might have stumped some mechanics 30 years ago, the internet has made finding both information and specialists to work on these cars much easier. One item of note if you find yourself shopping for a ZR-1: Be sure to get the valet, or “power” key. Without it being inserted in the console and turned to “full,” horsepower is limited.
Lance Miller of Carlisle Events has owned several examples of the ZR-1, and still has the final-year ’95 that he bought new. He says the LT5 is “over-engineered” (a good thing) but noted a few typical gremlins: injectors can clog from lack of use; vacuum leaks can develop under the intake manifold; and the starter motors don’t like to get wet. “The cars need love every now and then, much like most cars,” he said. “If kept up, they’ll run forever.”
Trending up
Given its original price and lack of popularity among collectors, the ZR-1 has undoubtedly been a poor investment. These cars have been mostly stuck in the $20,000–$30,000 range for two decades, with a few outliers occasionally springing toward $40k.
With all the bottom-feeder C4s obscuring how special the ZR-1 really is (not to mention any bog-stock C5 delivering equivalent performance for even less money), it is unsurprising that the ZR-1 has not broken out of its market doldrums. It has not helped that there seems to be no shortage of low-mileage cars for sale at any given time, including quite a few pickled examples.
Over the past two years, however, we have noticed more cars selling above $50k, including a 211-mile 1991 that made $106k on Bring a Trailer in April 2022. Should this trend continue, you’ll be happy to have grabbed a good one now. The ZR-1 is a sensational car, long past overdue in getting its due.