Never Unwrapped: 1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 With Only 30 Miles!
We’ve seen a few low-mileage classics over the past decade at Barn Finds, but this 1990 Chevrolet Corvette could be in a league of its own. Not only is it a highly-desirable first-year ZR-1 model, but it has a genuine 30 miles showing on its odometer. Its interior still sports the protective plastics and cardboard, leaving a potential new owner to decide whether it will occupy its rightful place on our roads or a display stand in some museum. This fantastic classic is listed here at Fusion Motor Company in Chatswood, California. It could be yours by handing the seller $119,950, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mitchell G. for this almost unbelievable find.
Chevrolet released the ZR-1 derivative of its C4 Corvette in 1990, signaling it had rediscovered the world of high-performance motoring. The company had a hit on its hand because, out of a production total of 23,646 vehicles across all derivatives in 1990, an impressive 3,049 buyers paid the additional $27,016 over the Corvette’s sticker price of $31,979 to park one in their garage. That is a staggering figure, making it the most expensive RPO offered on a Corvette to that point. The original owner ordered this classic in Code 41 Black, and if I’m honest, I am slightly disappointed with the presentation. The paint shines nicely but doesn’t possess the sheer depth I expected on a vehicle of this caliber. The culprit could be the photo quality, although it might require careful hand-polishing to achieve a better appearance. Considering the odometer reading, the lack of chips and marks is unsurprising. The distinctive 17″ alloy wheels look perfect, and the glass is flawless.
Chevrolet purchased Group Lotus in 1986, and although it wasn’t the primary driver of that deal, it offered the two organizations an opportunity to develop a significantly upgraded version of the C4 Corvette. A third party, Mercury Marine, became involved as the program evolved. Corvette buyers received the L98 version of the 350ci V8 as standard fare in 1990. This delivered 250hp and 340 ft/lbs of torque. It produced a ¼-mile ET of 14.4 seconds if coupled to the six-speed manual transmission. That was good, but not good enough for those involved. Lotus developed a new V8, and although it shared the L98’s capacity, they had little else in common. The new motor, dubbed the LT5, featured an engine block and cylinder heads cast from aluminum alloy to reduce weight. Those cylinder heads each received a pair of camshafts and four valves per cylinder. Throw in features like fuel injection and the quad-cam 32-valve beast produced an “official” 375hp and 370 ft/lbs of torque. Many knowledgeable industry insiders believe Chevrolet was understating the truth and that the actual figure was significantly higher. Neither Chevrolet nor Lotus possessed the engineering knowledge to build the radical powerplant, but Mercury Marine’s extensive experience with aluminum alloy engine components made them the ideal partner to assemble the LT5. Shifting duties in the ZR-1 fell to a unique ZF six-speed manual transmission, while the package also included upgrades to the suspension and brakes to produce a total package. The stopwatch told the story, with the ZR-1 scorching the ¼-mile in 13.1 seconds. A standard ‘Vette would run out of breath with the needle nudging 153mph. Keep the right foot buried in a ZR-1, and the reward is the needle nudging 180mph. The seller states this beauty has a genuine 30 miles on the clock, and I see no reason for doubt. However, we receive no information on its mechanical health or history. If someone has coaxed that beautiful LT5 to life occasionally and maintained it appropriately, the car could potentially be roadworthy. However, if it has lain idle for over three decades, perishable items may be questionable, and it may take time, effort, and money to return this survivor to its rightful place on our roads.
One of the most enjoyable parts of Christmas or birthdays is the anticipation felt as gifts are unwrapped. That is the potential pleasure awaiting this Corvette’s new owner because the interior retains its factory protective plastic and cardboard. That means we don’t glimpse items like the seat, but this car’s history suggests everything should be in as-new condition. Those interested in safety and comfort won’t be disappointed because they receive a driver’s airbag, climate-control air conditioning, power windows, power locks, six-way power seats, power mirrors, defoggers for the side and rear windows, cruise control, and a premium AM/FM/radio/CD player. The seller includes an enormous collection of important items, including the original Window Sticker, Order Form, Owner’s Manual, Warranty documentation, the vehicle-specific Leather Document Holder, the ZR-1 Music Sampler Cassette, the ZR-1 VHS Cassette, and ZR-1 Gold Keyring.
One of the joys of writing for Barn Finds is reviewing classics like this 1990 Corvette ZR-1. We’ve seen a few of these potent beasts over the years, but a search of our archive confirms this is only the second with a two-digit odometer reading. That brings us to the question of its potential value and future. The record sales price for a 1990 ZR-1 was set at $220,000 in 2008, and none have broken the magic $200,000 barrier since. The seller’s asking price isn’t unprecedented, but it is worth considering that a car with twenty-one miles on the clock sold for $70,500 in 2021. It is also worth noting that Hagerty and NADA quote figures of $75,000 and $40,800, respectively, for a Concours example. That suggests the seller might be overreaching, but the unpredictable nature of the classic car market means that someone could outlay the cash, believing it represents an excellent long-term investment. What does its future hold? A significant percentage of its inherent value rests in its odometer reading, and every additional accumulated mile will negatively impact its value. Therefore, I see this Corvette spending its life as a museum piece or being trailered around the show circuit. That is a tragedy because its creators intended it to be driven and enjoyed. What would be your plans if you were prepared to splash the cash on this ZR-1?
Auctions Ending Soon
2002 Subaru Impreza WRXBid Now2 days$333
1975 Chevrolet Corvette ConvertibleBid Now2 days$4,000
1964 Ford F-100 Camper CustomBid Now2 days$2,000
2006 Jeep Wrangler SportBid Now4 days$10,500
1974 Datsun 260ZBid Now6 days$200
Comments
Great car, but as I do not have a car museum I will pass.
Outside of it being an investment, what’s the point? You can’t drive it or literally do anything with it, so it’ll just sit wrapped in plastic forever.
How did it even accumulate thirty miles if the seats are still wrapped in plastic? Did he sit on the covers as he backed it out of the garage and back in again? And why does it come with a cassette if it has a CD player? So many questions. I don’t know. This car is definitely out of my reach. But for that money I would rather get a used Aston Martin, because from the outside, it just looks like a Corvette to the average schmoe.
It came with a Bose Gold combination am-fm/cassette/cd system.
Testing at the factory grounds. My last new truck came with 36 miles on it.
While living in Bowling Green in the early nineties, I took a tour of the assembly plant. At that time, the staff stated that every ZR1 was driven briefly around town to ensure quality control. I remember seeing them on occasion while I lived there.
I believe each ZR-1 had to be driven/tested to ensure the secondary throttle body injectors would engage. That would account for the higher than normal mileage at the dealership.
Right, right. I’m sitting here thinking if I could be content to just look at it and wax it occasionally with nano-fiber high tech towels. I haven’t even gotten to the part where I can’t afford it and also could not afford to house it. All that being said, I hope it finds a good home. It really is a one-of-its-kind time capsule. For me, in that aspect, this ZR-1 is invaluable.
I just wish that I could afford the nano-fibre high tech towels.
It is no longer an investment, if it ever was.
I prefer to drive my cars. Besides loading and unloading this at Corvette shows? What’s the point? The ZR-1 package was mechanical. Meant to be enjoyed while driving the car. To most casual observers? It’s a black 90’s Corvette with nice paint and interior.
That is why GM put the ZR-1 badges on the fenders in 1993. Too many owners complained nobody knew they were driving $70,000 Corvettes. Rich people are different from the rest of us.
Just a waste of money. I have a friend in the car business who has one in maroon with maroon interior. Plastic on the seats, rugs still in the wrapper and owners manuals warranty in glove box with window sticker on the window.
Yes I bust them every time i’m over his house.
How often do you get invited over?
Everybody loses! The original purchaser never got to experience the car as it was intended, nor did he get anywhere near the return on this “investment” that he could have gotten in the stock market. The next owner can spend $120K, stick it in a collection, and look at it once in a while, or he can drive it and destroy its value and significance.
I’ll never understand why someone buys a brand new car as an investment.
Exactly this. I was reading an article about the new GTI that just came out and only 333 were made and they were $80,000 a piece. He wouldn’t believe how many comments I saw about what a great investment that car is. I guess some people’s idea of a great investment are different than mine
Haha $60k vs $120k is about was it cost new in 1990 vs 2023 US $dollars!
Such a huge makeup over base vette but honestly one of the best GM cars you could buy. Only the elite car guys could and did buy these cars known as the “King of the Hill”.
https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/chevrolet-corvette-zr-1/amp/
I was a teenager working at a funeral home parking cars and opening doors when these first came out. A guy parked up front and gave me $5 to just keep an eye on it. I knew what it was because of the ZR1 badge on the rear bumper but as we all know other than that (and supposedly flared rear fenders) there was no visual difference from the other thousands of them on the road..cool car for sure..I remember reading about the 27k uptick and thought you definitely should have done some visual mods (plexiglass hood window maybe?!) in addition to the awesome engine to justify the price. Like eveyone says what are you going to do with it now unless you own a museum.
IF the new owner decides to drive it, I have read either on this site or other sites that parts for these are hard or impossible to find. I have seen quite a few of these with 20,000-50,000 miles on them for sale in the past few months at mostly what I would consider to be reasonable prices. But I wonder why suddenly so many of them are being offered for sale. Or, maybe I’m just wrong. IDK.
For that amount you could buy a new mid-engine one and drive it.
Drive it to gas station, dinner, then home: lose $50,000. No thanks.
Saw a black on black on last weekend at a car show. Every time I see one, I’m impressed by the execution of the GM/Mercury Marine team-up on the engine. The problem I’ve had all along relates to that special engine. There were so few made and an even smaller group of shops that can or know how to work on them.
There is one irony related to the question of getting a C8 instead of this one. I’ve had a chance to see and sit in a few C8’s and compare it to my C4. I like a lot of things relating to the C8 but one thing that strikes me off is it seems like the C8 has less legroom than my C4. Other than that distiction, the C8’s are nice.
Based on the dealer mark-ups at the time, this car may have been purchased for $100,000+.
I could see myself not driving this!
I would love to have that car and drive it. However, there are too many negatives to do that. First, the price. For that, I’d rather have a new Z06. Second, if you drive it, some things are bound to break. Where do you get replacements? Third, unless you attended the GM Training Center Product courses, and have the entire Special Tool package that went to Dealers, who is going to fix it?
Putting it in a museum is the only viable option.
Like buying a brand new Corvette and leaving it on the showroom floor. Why?!?
$59,000 in 1990, which was this car’s base price, comes to $136,000 today. And these things had significant mark ups during that initial year. Then add in tax and 33 years of insurance and storage and you see this was a poor investment whose buy-in cost didn’t even keep up with inflation.
Had you put that $59,000 and then $100 of the insurance and storage each month into a mutual fund that earned 8% per year, which is absolutely a reasonable return to expect from even a mediocre stock fund between 1990-2023, you would have nearly $925,000 right now!
And the seller, sadly, is not going to get anywhere close to this ask. It’s a C4. Would have been mucj better just to drive it and enjoy it!
Should have, would have, could have…………
Call Whistlin diesel….he’ll buy it and take really good care of it.
rotflmao