Vehicle Description
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
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in
person.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
