In this gig, the readers will tell you what they want you to write about if you pay attention to click counts, read comments, and, once in a while, just check your email. If you enjoy today’s topic, you can send your appreciation to Jeff Thomas, one of our favorite readers, and the man who got Keith, aka “The Founder,” and I talking about the end of the line for Corvettes with their engines out front.
When Mr. Thomas contacted us about not one, but three of the 2,953 C7 ZR1s ever produced hitting auction site Bring a Trailer at the same time, it seemingly answered a question that had been brewing at CorvetteBlogger since last July. That question was, “How will the arrival of the unearthly C8 ZR1 and the associated shakeup of the Corvette pecking order affect values for the former most powerful ‘Vette of all time, its predecessor, the C7 ZR1?”
Well, friends, if anything, being relegated to the “Maverick” (second best) spot on the Corvette power podium has been a boon for the bottom line of the Batwinged swansong of C7 Corvettes. Case-in-point: the first of three ZR1’s accepting bids presently has already been pushed to an astounding $270,755 – by the way, isn’t it the best when bidders include little Easter Eggs in their figures like current pole-sitter “SinisterLife” did by sneaking the ZR1’s still-daunting horsepower rating in at the end? The bid could have been a simple, round $270,500, but he snuck an extra $255 in there as a knowing wink to the greatness of the LT5 monster – with three days left to go.
So, why is this example of a machine that stickered for $146,000 in 2019 already flirting with double its MSRP? Well, aside from the overall rarity of the one-year model and its prominence as the final front-engine, supercharged, and, on an optional basis, manual transmission Corvette ever offered by Chevrolet, it also wears what has proven to be the most valuable combination of RPOs available. Most importantly, it has the 7-speed manual transmission, making it one of just 744 coupes with the coveted third pedal. It also has the big-wing ZTK track package, putting it in the 70% portion of production – not as rare as the low wing, but still more valuable to collectors – and the model’s signature Sebring Orange Design Package, which comprised 758 total orders. To make the owners of climate-controlled multi-acre garages salivate further, this specimen, number 1,571, only has 5 miles on its odometer and still has the delivery plastic on its seats, the shower cap on the steering wheel, and the original window sticker affixed to its windshield. In eBay parlance, it is in “new in box” condition! Keep your eyes on this one; it has a strong chance of besting the BaT record!
The second ZR1 up for grabs this week is number 2,010, a Torch Red over Kalahari Low Wing Convertible on Chromies, and Jeff claimed it as his favorite in his correspondence to CB HQ. On top of the classic Red (one of 273) on Tan (one of 48 with the suede) combo, it also features the worth-its-weight-in-gold seven-speed, and it shows in the current highwater mark of (an unfortunately Easter Egg free) $141,000. That’s strong money for a non-ZTK droptop, especially considering it has actually been enjoyed as Corvettes – especially of this caliber – should be with 15,000 miles on the clock. The included window sticker reads $144,380, and with four days of bidding remaining, we expect it to command well over retail!
Finally, we have the possible bargain of the bunch! Checking in with 12,000 miles and wearing a tasteful motif of Watkins Glen Gray Metallic and 3ZR Adrenaline Red/Black, it’s the 49th C7 ZR1 off the line. The Glen Gray makes it one of 117, along with an excessively rare 1/98 score for RPO TU7: Two-Tone seats. Other than the tricked-out interior, the original owner was conservative with the options boxes, which, in a way, makes it a bit of a unicorn in its own right. “49” is a low wing coupe, making it one of just 629 “super low-drag” models capable of reaching the listed top speed of a then-record 212.54 mph. In addition, it is one of just 83 spec’d with the base Pearl Nickel-finished wheels, which cover the red calipers (one of 881) that tie the whole look together like Lebowski’s rug. So far, with a red-equaling four days to go, it has only been bid into Z06 territory at $82,555. Guaranteeing a bronze medal in this three-way race is the only 8-speed auto in the bunch. That puts it in the fat, 2,069-strong, side of production that has lost all novelty with the one-two punch of manual Corvettes going extinct and the proliferation of even faster shifting dual-clutch autos in the ranks of the C8. If you have a decent sports car budget, but ZR1s have mostly climbed out of your reach like they have for so many in Corvette Nation, this one might be your last chance at a history-making and defining model that won’t ever lose value!
Now, while folks duke it out for these three ultimate original recipes ‘Vettes, we’ll be waiting with bated breath for the first C8 ZR1 owner to break the no-trade or sell clause in their contract! When Z06 owners started doing the same in ’23, numbers soared to nearly a quarter of a million dollars – it’s difficult to imagine how high a ZR1 that can retail in that neighborhood before market adjustments could possibly climb!
Source:
Bring a Trailer
Related:
Save 10% on this 2019 Corvette ZR1 Model from Fairfield Collectibles
Corvettes for Sale: Somebody Rescue This 2019 Corvette ZR1 Traded into a Honda Dealership
C7 Corvette ZR1 Wall Art Offered on Bring a Trailer
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Nostalgia and blind loyalty are what has done this. Even 512 is not bad, considering 1-year-only.
If you really wanted a rare, high performance, late-gen, GM F/R convertible…consider this. 242 total Shock Yellow ZL1 were produced. A mere fraction of those were convertibles. (I think I’ve seen only 2 come up for resale; I’d be surprised if there were ever more than 50 in the wild.
Yet if you were to drive it like you stole it, you won’t be sacrificing depreciating and collectability…because they’re not some overly glorified halo car that just isn’t worth the asking price (McLaren is a better buy at that price than a C7).
Hey everybody – well these 3 super models of the great ZR1 Corvettes are available at Bring A Trailer – today Friday the 16th of May, over in Indianapolis at the Mecum Indy Auction – a 2019 ZR1 Convertible in Torch Red just sold for an amazing $330,000 plus commissions to Dana!
Specs:
1,240 Miles, 1 of 140 ZR1 Convertibles Optioned with a 7-Speed, 6.2L/755 HP V-8
1 of only 140 ZR1 Convertibles optioned with a 7-speed manual transmission
The rarest configuration of the C7 ZR1 ever build
Only 1,240 miles from new
Torch Red paint with Jet Black interior
LT5 supercharged 6.2L/755 HP V-8 engine
Rare 7-speed manual transmission
ZTK Track Performance Package
3ZR Premium Equipment Group
The ultimate iteration of the front engine Corvette
Accompanied by the window sticker, manuals and two keys
This specific ZR1 may be the top seller since the last 2019 was built in Bowling Green.
I wonder if anybody is holding these ZR1 Corvettes in a warehouse waiting for more value at Mecum, Barrett-Jackson or Bring A Trailer to sell – but $330,000 is huge. Congratulations to the buyer today, but please drive it like you stole it!
Thanks for listening.
HEY THERE –
here are three more 2019 ZR1 SuperCorvettes that sold at Mecum at Indy this week or today. It makes a total of seven coupes and convertibles ZR1 Corvettes that were sold or is still available for sale well above their original MSRP a few years ago (4 at Mecum / 3 at Bring A Trailer).
This speculative formula will be repeated next year at Mecum and Barrett-Jackson with new 2025 or 2026 Corvette ZR1’s regardless of what Mr. Reuss says about no warranty coverage when you resell asap. But it is Free Enterprise that keeps the United States just truckin right along. Be the first on your block with 1,064 American Horsepower.
Good luck to these seven ZR1 buyers. Go get some McGard wheel locks and a very good alarm!
Sold at Mecum Indy:
2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Coupe
Lot T271 // Thursday, May 15th// Indy 2025
Supercharged 6.2L/755 HP V-8, Automatic, 2,380 Miles
$165,000 SOLD
SPECS:
2,380 miles
Supercharged LT5 6.2L V-8 engine
Rated at 755 HP and 715 lb-ft of torque
8-speed automatic transmission
3ZR Premium Equipment package
ZTK Track Performance package
Visible carbon fiber hood insert
Performance traction management
Dual zone climate control
Carbon flash painted mirrors
Visible carbon fiber ground effects
2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Coupe
Lot T272 // Thursday, May 15th// Indy 2025
Supercharged 6.2L/755 HP V-8, Automatic, 645 Miles, Sebring Orange Design Package
$192,500 SOLD
SPECS:
645 miles
Supercharged LT5 6.2L V-8 engine
Rated at 755 HP and 715 lb-ft of torque
8-speed automatic transmission
3ZR Premium Equipment package
ZR1 Sebring Orange Design package
ZTK Track Performance package
Performance data and video recorder
Visible carbon fiber hood insert
Performance traction management
Dual zone climate control
Carbon fiber dual roof package
Carbon flash painted mirrors
Visible carbon fiber ground effects
2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Coupe
Lot F220 // Friday, May 16th// Indy 2025
344 Miles, ZTK Track Package, Supercharged 6.2L/755 HP V-8
$198,000 SOLD
SPECS:
344 miles
ZTK Track Performance Package
Supercharged 6.2L/755 HP V-8 engine
8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters
Sebring Orange exterior
Michelin Pilot Cup 2 tires
Paint protection film to entire car
Wow man far out!
It’s like passing a bar of gold around for collectors and flippers.
By comparison, the Zora C8 Corvette’s ZR1 platform will offer you a higher “ROI,” in both the short term and long term time horizons? Moreover, you will enjoy GM’s factory warranty. Perhaps, you may want to track it on some weekends or simple take the occasional trips to the ice cream store, with you kids.
A high ROI means the investment’s gains compare favorable to its cost. As a performance measure, ROI is used to evaluate the efficiency of an investment or to compare the efficiencies of several different investments. In economics terms, it is one way of relating profits to capital invested.
Many thanks,
Ray
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