The 3,032 Corvette ZR-1s built during their 1990 debut didn’t just raise the bar for American performance — they kicked the bar into another zip code.
Lovingly known as “The King of the Hill,” the C4 ZR-1 was Chevrolet’s moonshot, a technological flex designed to prove that an American sports car could run with the world’s best. Today, clean early examples are becoming harder to find.
This 1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1, now live on Bring a Trailer with no reserve, is one of those rare survivors. Finished in an intimidating scheme of black over black leather and showing just 38,000 miles, it represents the ZR-1 at its purest.
At the heart of every ZR-1 is the legendary 5.7 liter LT5 V8, a jewel of an engine co designed by GM and Lotus and hand assembled by Mercury Marine in Oklahoma. With 375 horsepower and 370 lb ft of torque, the LT5 was unlike anything else in the Corvette lineup — an all-aluminum, DOHC, 32 valve masterpiece with European sophistication and American punch.
Paired with a ZF six speed manual, the LT5 gave the ZR-1 performance numbers that embarrassed supercars costing twice as much. Even today, driving a ZR-1 is a special treat for any enthusiast.
The ZR-1 was outfitted with the Z51 Performance Handling Package – adding heavy duty springs and stabilizer bars, heavy duty brakes, 3.33:1 rear axle, 8.5″ ring gear, and power steering cooler – and the three-mode Selective Ride and Handling Package.
Filling out the widebody are staggered 17-inch aluminum wheels wear Goodyear Eagle F1 tires, with massive 315 series rubber out back.
Inside, the ZR-1 is peak late ’80s/early ’90s futurism: a digital speedometer, analog tachometer, and a full suite of gauges that wrap around the driver. The black leather sport seats are power adjustable, and amenities include air conditioning, cruise control, onboard computer, tire pressure warning system, power windows and locks, and Delco Bose Gold Series audio with CD and cassette.
The odometer shows 38k miles, and while a 2018 Carfax entry notes a mileage inconsistency, the car looks to be a well preserved, lightly used example.
As you might expect from a 36-year-old black Corvette, this one has chips and scratches on the front end, mirrors, and left door, along with a blemish on the rear bumper.
The car comes with the owner’s manual, accident-free Carfax, Pennsylvania title, six service history records, and 24 detailed Carfax entries.
With no reserve and a current bid of $6,666, this ZR-1 represents an increasingly rare opportunity: a clean, well optioned, low mile example of one of the most important Corvettes ever built.1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1.
Source:
Bring a Trailer
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Tail pipes are incorrect, other than that it’s seems to be a nice Z. We had a 90 Z and it was fast for the day, but my C7 GS would run circles around the 90 Z.
The driver’s seat looks more like 138,000 miles.
Original C4 ZR1s will be the new L88s. Just watch!
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