The Future Was Then: 1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1
If you want the most technologically advanced Corvette ever built you shouldn’t head to your local Chevy dealer. And don’t wait for the mid-engine abomination that is coming out for the next model year. Nope. Those new cars might be available with something called an LT5, but they use push rods (gasp!) and a single cam running down the middle of a V8…but if you want 4 cams and 32 valves in your Corvette, you’ll need to look to the past. Find this 1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 offered for $17500 in Ocean City, MD. Tip from Rock On!
From the seller:
1990 Chevrolet corvette
condition: excellent
cylinders: 8 cylinders
drive: rwd
fuel: gas
odometer: 52000
paint color: red
size: compact
title status: clean
transmission: manual
type: coupe
I have decided to sell my 1990 ZR-1. Red exterior with red interior. Recently serviced by Evolution Motorsports located in Fredericksburg VA. Car is located just outside of Ocean City, Md. The engine has been powder coated silver with red lettering. Recent service includes the powder coating, which looks great, changing the injectors, porting, and tune. The red exterior paint, interior, rims, and tires all in good to very good condition. All ZR-1s came with 6 speed transmissions. Both painted and glass tops in great condition. As shown in pictures, seats show very little wear. Passed strict Delaware emissions testing. Everything works as it should except cruise control.
See a better car that needs a rear engine Corvair powertrain swap? tips@dailyturismo.com
I really admire these, especially with the 1990 front end, and almost bought one a few years ago (wanted white-on-red or black-on-red). I Went with a Viper RT/10 instead, in part because Chrysler figured out how to make their flagship sports car look as dramatic as it performed. Nevertheless, the ZR-1 could likely still serve as a daily driver. A Gen 1 Viper, not so much.
This body style has held up very well. Chevy always struggled with the interiors, but I could live with it. Could be a very fun car for a pretty low entrance price.
When the C5 came out the C4 looked really aged in comparison, but as time went on, I think they've held up style wise.
I recently parked our '90 C4 convertible next to an '01 C5 and compared interiors: the C5 interior looked like any Pontiac with broad seats with little lateral support and bubbly shaped buttons. Made me appreciate ours with heavily bolstered seats, square serious buttons and broad sills that demand effort. I love both gens but the C4 somehow seems more focused on being an uncompromised sports car experience.
Man, that is one purdy engine. I loved these as a kid growing up.
These make a pretty dramatic statement when viewed from the rear, with the 3" wider rear end and what (at the time) were monstrously wide rear 315 tires.
Sorry these just are pure GM Junk to me Next gen looks way better but interiors are horrible.
Yeah motor is Kool Mercury Marine i wonder how chasing parts would be if the motor goes BOOM.
The older these get the more I like them. Agreed on the width of the ass end. Very cool indeed and I was in awe of it back in the day.
All I've ever heard is that stock ZR-1 motors of this era were very reliable and the LT5 was as bullit as they come. If memory serves, in 1990, a stock ZR-1 set multiple records at test track here in Texas. One stat I remember was the 24 hr. test…. it averaged something like 175+ mph for over 4,000 miles in a 24 hour period. Service it and put gas in it and go!
I like big butts .. I just kant lie .. especially in conjunction with Mercury Marine built motors !
Yeah, not many cars on the road have their engines assembled in the college town of Stillwater, Oklahoma. Mercruiser Wet Vette
What are the HP/torque numbers for this engine?