1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 - 21K Miles | LT5 375 HP | 6-Speed
Manual | Selective Ride Control
Highlights
First-year 1990 Corvette ZR-1
5.7L LT5 DOHC 32-valve V8
Factory-rated at 375 horsepower
ZF 6-speed manual transmission
Approximately 21,066 miles shown
Deep green metallic exterior
Saddle/tan leather interior
ZR-1-specific wide-body rear styling
Factory staggered 17-inch ZR-1 alloy wheels
Selective Ride Control with Tour, Sport and Performance
settings
Power-adjustable driver and passenger sport seats
Removable roof panel
Automatic climate control
Factory-style audio system
Power windows and power locks
Pop-up headlights
Four-wheel disc brakes
Quad exhaust outlets
ZR-1 rear badging
Tuned Port Injection exterior trim
Woodgrain-style interior trim accents
ZR-1 owner's/documentation package included
Excellent collector-oriented configuration
This 1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 represents one of the most
significant performance Corvettes of the modern era. Introduced for
1990, the ZR-1 was engineered as Chevrolet's flagship Corvette and
separated itself from the standard C4 through its exotic LT5
engine, unique bodywork, upgraded chassis hardware, and
unmistakable wide-body stance.
Under the clamshell hood is the legendary 5.7-liter LT5 V8, easily
identified in the photographs by its massive aluminum intake and "4
CAM 32 VALVE" markings. Unlike the traditional pushrod small-block
used in the standard Corvette, the LT5 utilizes dual overhead
camshafts and four valves per cylinder. For 1990, Chevrolet rated
the engine at 375 horsepower, a remarkable figure for the
period.
Backing the LT5 is the desirable ZF 6-speed manual transmission,
giving this ZR-1 the drivetrain combination that made these cars
famous. The six-speed shifter remains prominently positioned in the
center console, and the cockpit retains the unmistakable
digital/analog instrumentation of the C4 era.
The odometer photographed in the car displays approximately 21,066
miles, making mileage one of the major attractions of this
example.
Exterior
The Corvette is finished in a rich dark green metallic that suits
the low, wide proportions of the ZR-1 extremely well. The body
retains the model's distinctive styling details, including the
wider rear quarters required to accommodate the ZR-1's substantial
rear tire package.
The exterior also features:
ZR-1 rear emblem
Quad round taillamps
Quad exhaust outlets
Pop-up headlights
Integrated fog/driving lamps
ZR-1-specific wide rear bodywork
Removable roof panel
Factory-style black side moldings
"Tuned Port Injection" side trim
Color-matched mirrors
The photos show the correct aggressive staggered stance, with the
rear wheels and tires noticeably wider than those up front.
Wheels, Tires & Chassis
This ZR-1 rides on the recognizable 17-inch factory-style ZR-1
alloy wheels, with the deep rear wheel design helping emphasize the
wider rear bodywork.
One of the most desirable chassis features is the factory Selective
Ride Control system. The center-console selector clearly shows the
three available settings:
Tour - Sport - Performance
This allowed the driver to tailor the suspension characteristics to
different driving conditions and was an important part of the
ZR-1's sophisticated-for-the-era performance package.
Four-wheel disc brakes and independent suspension complete a
chassis designed to match the performance capability of the
LT5.
Interior
Inside is a very period-correct saddle/tan leather cockpit
contrasted by a black dashboard and center console. Both front
seats are the deeply bolstered Corvette sport seats with
embroidered Corvette identification.
Equipment visible in the photographs includes:
Power-adjustable driver seat
Power-adjustable passenger seat
Bolstered leather sport seats
Digital/analog instrument cluster
8,000-rpm tachometer
6-speed manual shifter
Selective Ride Control
Automatic climate control
Factory-style stereo
Power windows
Power locks
Power mirrors
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Center console storage
Extensive saddle carpeting
Woodgrain-style trim accents throughout the dash and console
The saddle interior provides an especially distinctive contrast
against the dark green exterior and remains unmistakably
late-'80s/early-'90s Corvette in design.
Documentation
Another noteworthy feature of this example is the collection of
ZR-1-specific documentation and owner's materials photographed with
the car. Included are the ZR-1 presentation-style binder/book,
Corvette/ZR-1 literature, and the original-style ZR-1 owner's pouch
and materials.
For a specialty model such as the ZR-1, accompanying documentation
adds considerably to the overall collector presentation.
The ZR-1
The 1990 model year was the beginning of the production ZR-1
program and introduced buyers to a Corvette very different from the
standard C4. Its LT5 32-valve V8, 6-speed manual gearbox, widened
bodywork, sophisticated suspension controls, and limited-production
character established the ZR-1 as Chevrolet's technological
showcase.
With just over 21,000 miles showing, attractive green-over-saddle
color combination, documented ZR-1 equipment, 6-speed manual
transmission, Selective Ride Control, and accompanying owner's
materials, this 1990 Corvette ZR-1 presents as an especially
interesting example of Chevrolet's original "King of the Hill"
Corvette.
ClassicCars.com has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States, successfully making the Inc. 5000 list in both 2015,
2016, 2017 and 2018. This prestigious accolade represents the continued growth of the company, and ClassicCars.com's dominance as the world's largest online marketplace for
buying and selling classic and collector vehicles.
The Stevie Awards, the world's premier business awards recognized
ClassicCars.com's first-class Customer Support team with a Stevie Bronze Award in 2019, celebrating the team's skills as exemplary customer support specialists.
In 2016 The Journal, brought to you by ClassicCars.com, was celebrated as the SECOND MOST INFLUENTIAL automotive blog in the world by NFC Performance.