Corvette is a car that needs no explanation. Like Mustang and Jeep, its name is legendary, and its pedigree of performance is understood. An instant image of the performance car is called up as soon as the name is heard. And even though different memories may be evoked, based on what period in history you first remember the car, the adjectives need not be spoken – sporty, sleek, powerful.

A couple Chevrolet Corvettes stand out from the rest – Sting Ray set the tone for the sleek, almost predatory look of the Corvette and ZR-1 set the tone for ultimate power. When Chevrolet introduced the Corvette ZR-1 in 1990, it embodied everything Corvette had stood for, and it elevated the model to a point it had never been, but had always been destined for.

The first Corvette ZR-1 was the pinnacle of performance, not just for Corvette, but also for American performance cars, and the C4 ZR1 deserves all the reverence bestowed upon it. But is it still revered, some 35 years after its birth?

You Can Get A Good Original Corvette ZR-1 For $22,300

There is a lot of chatter in Corvette forums about how awesome the first ZR-1 was, and what it meant to Corvette, Chevrolet, GM and the industry in general. It was a unique car, with a reawakened soul created far from the hallowed halls of Detroit.

Yet, despite its niche in the history of the model, the brand, the company and autodom, the 1990 Corvette ZR-1 is today available to the general masses for little more than a current Chevrolet Trax compact crossover.

C4 Corvette ZR-1 Prices

(Specs courtesy of Hagerty)

There is no denying that the original Corvette ZR-1 probably deserves a lot more love than it seems to be getting in the auction houses around the world. You can obtain one in good condition for the same price as just about any nondescript entry-level car on the market.

Also, when you look back at the original MSRPs of the six years during which the first-generation ZR-1 was in production, you won’t match the original bill of sale unless you have an exquisite example from the last model year. Several reasons are at play here.

C4 Corvette ZR-1 Production

(Production figures courtesy of Corvette Action Center)

One of the potential reasons for the low desirability could be because there were actually a lot of first-generation ZR-1s – averaging over 1,100 per year – and especially that inaugural year, which is often the most desirable for a classic model. Chevrolet did keep output low for the last four years, but demand had abated by then.

The other main reason is that the ZR-1 wasn’t much different from the regular Corvette, which was half the price. In fact, the unique features of the 1990 Corvette ZR-1 were transferred over to all Corvettes in 1991, effectively ending the ZR-1’s exclusivity, before it got any traction

What The C4 Corvette ZR-1 May Be Worth Next Year

The C4 Corvette ZR1’s value has dropped, on average, about 8.5% over the past year for a model in good condition, according to Hagerty, with the biggest drop for the 1993 and 1994 model years (down 9%) and the best retention for the final year model (down 6%).

Concours-condition models have not fared as well, dropping on average about 16.5%. The best value-retention was for C4 ZR-1 models from 1991 or 1995, which only dropped 15.5%. That does not bode well for the coming year, though we look to be on an economic upswing. Expect the value of all models, regardless of condition, to fall over the coming year.

C4 Corvette ZR-1 Specs

(Specs courtesy of Corvette Action Center, Corvsport)

The first Corvette ZR-1 was larger and lighter than those of subsequent years, staying the line for 1991, but then acquiring a longer and narrower body beyond that. The wheelbase remained constant throughout the generation, but the track was narrowed for 1992–1995 models. Still, that shouldn’t affect desirability.

Classic.com Transactions

• Classic Market Benchmark: $37,755
• Highest transaction: $101,000 (1991 model)
• Lowest transaction: $11,000 (1993 model)

Classic.com shows that the most actively traded models come from the 1990 model year, which is not a surprise since that was the biggest production year. It also shows that the transaction average has stayed relatively flat over the past two years, with the biggest average transaction for 1995 models, at about $52,500.

Having said all that, there are some desirable C4 Corvette models to be had. In 1988, the company produced a dozen prototypes to be used for previews in the south of France. At least one of them, and maybe more, are still with us.

Also, some exterior colors were produced in very low volumes, such as Dark Purple Metallic, which was only used on 25 models (all 1995), five Bright Aqua Metallics from 1994, and just two Dark Red Metallics in 1993.

What Makes The C4 Corvette ZR-1 Special

The most special thing about the original Corvette ZR-1, though, was the engine. It matched the bore spacing of the small-block Chevy and the displacement of the L98 and LT1 Corvette engines at the time, but it was not a Chevy small-block.

C4 Corvette ZR-1 Engine Specs

(Specs courtesy of Chevrolet, FastestLaps)

The all-aluminum LT5 engine that was exclusive to the first-generation ZR-1 was engineered by Lotus, which was a GM subsidiary at the time, and built by Mercury Marine in Oklahoma. It was a marvel of engineering, at the time, producing unheard-of power.

It was also an innovator, having one of the first engine-management systems to aid in fuel-economy during sedate driving, without giving up access to all 375 horses. Outputs were increased for the 1993 model year, through the use of new pistons, cylinder heads and exhaust manifolds, as well as by changing the cam-timing.

A new engine was reportedly in development as Corvette prepared to take on the Dodge Viper V10, but the design team couldn’t fit it into the new C5 Corvette body, so its plans were scrapped. Another assumption for the demise was that GM wanted Corvette powered by a Chevrolet engine.

World Record Performances By The C4 Corvette ZR-1

• 24 hours at 175.885 mph covering 4,221.256 miles
• 5,000 miles at 173.791 mph
• 3,106.860 miles (5,000 km) at 175.710 mph

(Source: Corvette Museum)

As powerful as the LT5 5.7-liter dual overhead cam V8 was, and as quick as it made the new Corvette ZR-1, it was also a durable workhorse, maintaining a world-record speed of over 175 mph over 24 hours and 3,100 miles, and falling just shy of that over 5,000 miles.

Special First-Generation Corvette ZR-1s

Even though the first-generation Corvette ZR-1 only hung around for five years, it spawned a few memorable vehicles that would set the stage for future Corvettes and ZR-1s, including exploring engine possibilities and trying out new performance systems.

1990 Corvette ZR-1 Active Suspension

One of the most rare Corvette ZR-1 models available is the 1990 prototype that was exploring a Lotus-developed active suspension system. GM ordered 25 pre-production models from the Bowling Green, Kentucky plant with the thought of making the system available in future Corvettes. Three reportedly survived.

The hydraulic system didn’t make it into the ZR-1, probably due to cost and proprietary reasons, but it paved the way for future GM and Corvette active handling and magnetic ride systems.

1991 ZR1 Snake Skinner

When Lotus was developing a new LT5 for the C5 Corvette, again with the thought of going head-to-head against the Dodge Viper and its 450+ anticipated hp, the people involved decided to also make the car as light as possible. This involved replacing fiberglass panels with Kevlar, glass with plexiglass, and removing all unnecessary components, like the radio and air-conditioning.

The end result was a car that could sprint to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and rip out an 11.8-second quarter mile, in effect beating not only the Viper but also the legendary Cobra. Naturally, this led to the moniker “Snake Skinner.”

1993 ZR-1 Spyder

The one-and-done ZR-1 Spyder was a joint project between GM Advanced Engineering and the American Sunroof Corporation (ASC) and was produced in-house at Bowling Green. The cosmetic package includes lowered glass all around, hood and quarter panel vents, and a tonneau reminiscent of early Corvettes. Individual aero hoops are integrated behind the seats.

1994 Guldstrand GS90

From the early stages, no ZR-1 convertibles were planned, though that didn’t stop some from creating their own. Aside from aftermarket chop jobs, there was the 1994 Grand Sport 90, created by Corvette racing legend Dick Guldstrand, who built just three convertibles using ZR-1 underpinnings and a C4 convertible body.

There Is A New Corvette ZR-1 Coming In 2024

There is a new Corvette ZR-1 coming, around the end of July 2024. Very little is known about it, outside of its engine note, produced by a new version of the 670-hp 5.5-liter V8 currently in the Z06. The V8 will be fitted with twin turbochargers, which theoretically should push horsepower over 800.

Now, the rumor mill ramps up, with suggestions that the ZR1 will be a PHEV. If that’s the case, it would put an electric motor on the front axle (like in the Corvette E-Ray). If you do the math, according to how E-Ray boosts its 495-hp 6.2-liter V8 to 655 combined hp, then electrifying the twin-turbo 5.5 V8 would likely take horsepower over 1,000.

Regardless of what we learn later in July, there is no doubt that the new ZR-1 will again lay claim to the title of King of the Hill, as did its ancestor 35 years ago.