Rare 1971 Corvette ZR2 Convertible To Be Offered at Mecum Monterey

One of the most historically significant Corvettes in history is going on the block at Mecum Auction’s Aug. 13-15 event in Monterey, California.

One of just two surviving 1971 ZR2 convertibles, this special Corvette is expected to bring a whopping $350,000 to $450,000 at the auction. (Ten ZR2 coupes were produced.)

Dressed in Ontario Orange over a black interior, this immaculate ZR2 has been body-off restored by the legendary Nabor Brothers of Houston. That led to recognition as a member of the Bloomington Gold Special Collection in 1999, the Bloomington Gold Corvette Hall of Fame in 2003, and the National Corvette Museum’s Concours d’Performance Exhibit, not to mention an NCRS Top Flight award six years ago.

The ZR2 is even more rare than the legendary L88 as it was a one-year-only production package with the best high-performance parts available from GM, things like the LS6 454/425 HP engine, aluminum heads, dual-plate clutch, M22 “Rock-Crusher” 4-speed manual transmission, J56 dual-pin heavy-duty power brakes, F41 heavy-duty suspension with special springs, shocks, and front and rear stabilizer bars, and a heavy-duty aluminum radiator without shroud.

Speaking of “without,” the ZR2 could not be ordered with frills like power steering, automatic transmission, radio, and air conditioning.

However, the owner did have his prize Corvette fitted with shoulder harnesses, an auxiliary hardtop, 3.55 Positraction differential, A.I.R. smog controls, aluminized exhaust, Soft-Ray tinted glass, Rally wheels, and Blackwall tires.

This car is heavily documented, including the two-page tank sticker, two huge three-ring binders full of show-related information, and extensive ownership history, with the original owner an American living in Germany whose car was built on May 25, 1971 and shipped overseas before it was returned to America in the early ‘80s.

Besides being so rare, this ZR2 also has the distinction of being the very last of Corvette Chief Engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov’s factory-built extra-high-performance specials, joining the 1963 Z06, 1969 ZL1 aluminum block L88, and the ZR1 Special Purpose LT1.

Mecum Monterey takes place August 15-17 at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa at the Del Monte Golf Course. The auction will be televised on NBCSN.

Source:
Mecum Auctions

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