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.