Vehicle Description
1992 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
Buried deep in the dealership options booklet, there was a special
code series for those that intended to turn their regular C2 into a
race car, with a reinforced engine bay and a fixed hardtop coupe
body style. In this code, Z, was used to denote "motorsports
special options," while R meant that the car would have a
reinforced racing body style. 1 meant that it came with the biggest
small-block V8 option at the time, which at the start of the C2
generation was the L75 327ci V8 with approximately 375hp. Put
together, you had the code Z-R-1-and absolutely no one bought one.
This is due to two major factors. The first was that a lot of
dealerships that didn't have very deep ties with the GM head office
didn't know about the Z-R-1 code. The second, and more important,
was that the design focus was shifted heavily towards the L88 as
the racing option for customer teams. As such, within a few months
of the C2 generation beginning, the Z series of options was
shelved, except for the code Z-L88, which came to be later in the
C2 generation.
Roll over Zora! Here we have a 1 of 78 built in Arctic White ZR1
from 1992 which HAS a powerful 375hp mill, HAS the stiffer bespoke
suspension, and HAS upgraded brakes. It ONLY came as a coupe. Well,
our consignor was not satisfied with this "run of the mill Vette",
so he took some liberties and had 4.11 gears added to the rear
axle, electric cutouts put on the exhaust and a performance chip
was installed, and now states that it puts out 380 dyno proven
wheel horsepower, although no documentation exists to back it up.
Plenty of other specials are on the oblate for this car so read on,
and call the bank to empty your savings account, you will be ready
for rock and roll! (over Zora, over!)
Exterior
All correct Corvette badging stuck to the immaculate Arctic White
base coated and clear coated fiberglass exterior, and a body
matching removable targa style top to let some air and sun in along
with a smoked transparent top so you can swap them out depending on
your mood instantly draw your eyes to this aero skate. Integrated
matching neoprene bumpers, very thin in height on the low slung
front, and squared off ZR1 specific fascia on the rear, this iconic
design "Vette" drips early 90's conventions. Front quarter faux
finned "gills "just behind the front wheel well, hidden headlights,
and a 3rd brake light at top dead center of the darkly tinted
greenhouse glass on the rear deck. The tail lights have gone a bit
squared off on us, but still have rounded edges and the matching
white neoprene bumper and rear roll pan sport horizontal
rectangular exhaust exits. This white as the driven snow beauty has
a few faults in the fiberglass in the form of scratches and a small
area of missing trim on the rear of the driver's front quarter.
17-inch polished and shiny saw blade style wheels are on and
wrapped in deeply treaded staggered rubber with 275/40R17's up
front and massive 315/35R17's in the back
Interior
One of the cleanest examples for a 92 I've seen with a red
interior, it has sculpted door panels using red leather and all
black toggles and inset actuator within molded red vinyl. Slipping
across the wide threshold, we climb into plush nicely aged red
leather buckets. These have Michelin man rounded padded tuck and
roll inserts and grabby side smooth bolsters. Power buttons are in
the sides right next to a wide center console. Here it is all
black, with the shifter, seat adjustment toggles and a ride control
knob. As the console climbs to the dash a litany of orange/yellow
buttons for the AM/FM/CD/Cassette radio, climate buttons and some
digital orange readouts are also involved. Above a large "screen"
which displays various warning lights is next to the instrument
cluster. Here it's a gently curving visor that rolls down into the
passenger's side of the console, and shows a central orange readout
for fuel, speed and mileage, and a right side cascade of orange
gauges with the tachometer on the left. The rally steering wheel is
on, and in back plenty of plush clean red carpeting floods the
ample storage space under the greenhouse glass.
Drivetrain
Under the clamshell style hood lies the artful and massive aluminum
DOHC 350ci LT-5 V8 which is electronically fuel injected by 16 fuel
injectors. This mill sports ported and polished heads from the
factory, a 4 bolt main bottom end, and the ignition is handled by a
4-coil direct fire system. All of this works together along with a
performance chip to make an impressive consignor stated 380 dyno hp
at the tires, but no paperwork was provided to back up this claim.
Bolted to the back of this technological wonder is a ZF 6-speed
manual transmission and a 4.11 limited slip rear axle puts the
power to the ground.
Undercarriage
No rust, nice components, solid fiberglass tubs, and all looking
good underneath as to structure. Independent SLA forged-aluminum
upper and lower control arms and steering knuckle, transverse
monoleaf springs, steel stabilizer bar, and spindle offset for the
front suspension and for the rear, an independent five-link design
with tow and camber adjustment, forged-aluminum control links and
steering knuckle, transverse monoleaf springs, steel tie rods,
stabilizer bar, and tubular U-joint aluminum driveshaft. 4-wheel
power disc brakes bring all that power to a halt effectively and
dual exhaust with Flowmaster mufflers is on for spent fossil
removal. We see electric cutouts have been added if you want to
disturb the neighborhood. WOW!
Drive-Ability
A quick starter, and solid runner with rail-like handling, neck
snapping acceleration, and beautiful shifting from the 6-speed
manual transmission, and this was in "normal" mode. With a flick of
the key on the dash I took a second lap around the track in "full"
power mode and boy oh boy the 380 ponies were alive and kicking. A
brief note on how the key switch mode controller works, in "normal"
mode the engine uses only 8 of the 16 fuel injectors and with a
flick of the key to "full power" all 16 injectors come to life
providing you with all the horses. All functions are looking fine
save for the power antenna not raising and lowering and the
selective ride control system being non functional.
A very nice upgraded example from the 39th year of the Corvette
with ZR1 heritage. The crisp clean Arctic White is apropos, and the
interior is very clean. A nice example which any Corvette
aficionado will snap up so get in or online and start snapping!
1G1YZ23J3N5800335
1-Chevrolet
G-General Motors
1-Chevrolet
YZ-Corvette ZR1
2-Coupe
3-Manual Belts, Driver's Airbags
J-350ci V8 DOHC ZR1 375hp
3-Check Digit
N-1992
5-Bowling Green, KY Assy Plant
800335-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our
showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just
1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The
website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888)
227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come
see the vehicle in person.
