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2,500-Mile 1995 Chevy Corvette ZR-1 Up For Auction

The Chevy Corvette received a clean-sheet redesign for 1984, kicking off the fourth generation with a slick, aerodynamic new body, high-tech digital dashboard, better ground clearance, lower overall height, lower center of gravity, and improved front-to-rear weight distribution. Handling was also improved, with plastic leaf springs used to suspend the independent suspension in both the front and rear. The windshield was raked at 64 degrees. There was a functioning rear hatch, previously only available on the 1982 Corvette Collector Edition, that allowed for easier cargo area access. The rear hatch glass was the largest compound glass installed on an American vehicle at the time. The removable roof panel was a single piece that fit into the cargo area. The 350 cubic-inch Cross Fire Injection engine carried over from 1982 (there was no 1983 production year, as the fourth-gen, or C4 Corvette was not released until March of 1983), but a Doug Nash 4+3 manual transmission was available in addition to the four-speed automatic gearbox.

The fourth-generation Chevy Corvette ran from 1984 to 1996. Over the course of that run, performance would see fantastic gains with the advent of the 5.7-liter L98 Tuned Port Injection engine that bowed in 1985 and produced 230 horsepower, the new six-speed manual transmission in 1989, and the introduction of the 300-horsepower LT-1 in 1992. But far and away the biggest leap in Corvette performance came with the ZR-1 Special Performance Package that bowed in 1990.

The Chevy Corvette ZR-1 Special Performance Package was the worst kept of all secrets, with magazines and TV car shows all running stories about it well in advance of its arrival. Available only on Corvette coupes, the package included the Lotus-developed 5.7-liter, all-aluminum, 32-valve, double-overhead-cam LT5 V8 that produced 375 horsepower and 370 pound-feet of torque. Casting and assembly was done by Mercruiser Marine of Stillwater, Oklahoma, as they had plenty of experience working with aluminum casting. The sole transmission backing the LT5 was the six-speed manual.

The Chevy Corvette ZR-1 package wasn’t just an engine. Other equipment included wider bodywork from the doors back to accommodate the massive 315/35R17 Goodyear performance rubber, leather power seats, power windows and locks, Lotus-developed FX3 Selective Ride and Handling, low tire pressure warning system, a “solar” windshield, and a 200-watt Delco Bose AM/FM/CD stereo. The ZR-1 package tacked an extra $27,016 on the price of a $31,979 Corvette coupe. Many dealers tacked on a “market adjustment” price that pushed ZR-1s over the $100,000 mark.

Chevy Corvette ZR-1 performance was impressive to say the least. It could rocket from zero to sixty miles per hour in a scant 4.4 seconds, faster than the Ferrari Testarossa could muster, and would continue on through the quarter mile in 12.8 seconds, which was faster than the Lamborghini Diablo. The ZR-1 was robust, setting world speed records for 100 miles, 500 miles, 1,000 miles, 5,000 miles, 12 hours endurance, and 24 hours endurance, all in excess of 173 miles per hour. The Corvette ZR-1 was dubbed the King of the Hill.

The Dodge Viper bowed in 1992 to much fanfare. Developed at the behest of Bob Lutz and with the help of Carroll Shelby, the Viper was known as the modern Cobra. It had no exterior door handles, air conditioning, traction control, ABS, side windows (in came with fabric and plastic curtains), and trying to erect its foldable soft top in a downpour was akin to sadistic origami. Its 8.0-liter V10 produced 400 horsepower and routed power to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. Suddenly, the ZR-1 had an American-made competitor that had the Corvette at a horsepower disadvantage.

For 1993, the Chevy Corvette ZR-1 received modified cylinder heads and valvetrain, resulting in a bump in power to 405 horses. The Corvette was the horsepower king again.

Our feature 1995 Chevy Corvette ZR-1 is finished in brilliant Arctic White over a Light Beige leather interior. It has covered just 2,500 miles from new, and retains all of its original factory equipment. The ZR-1 is equipped with dual roof panels, FX3 Selective Ride and Handling, power seats, power windows, power locks, tilt steering, cruise control, air conditioning, Delco Bose Gold Series sound system with CD player, and two sets of 17-inch five-spoke wheels. Included in the sale are the window sticker, build sheet, NCRS Top Flight Award, NCRS judging sheets, the owner’s manual, spare parts, and a car cover.

This stunning 1995 Chevy Corvette ZR-1 is currently for sale on Bring a Trailer with the auction concluding Thursday, May 23rd.

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Comments

  1. I buy a car to drive, especially a high performance one. These things are meant to be driven. Beautiful car and a rarity at that!!

    Reply
  2. The second generation LT1 came out on the Corvette in 1992 not 1990 as your article suggests. Other than that good article.

    Reply
    1. You are correct and I knew that. My mistake.

      Reply
  3. Makes me miss my well modified ‘91 Z-07 I took to Germany when I was stationed there, and was rarely passed on the autobahn. Definitely a car to drive and not look at. Also super-comfortable to drive long distances. I actually got 28 mpg driving from Pensacola to San Diego one year, but typically got 8-12 mpg with normal, spirited driving (also set off some car alarms idling through parking lots). Mine was the last of the L98’s which get lots of grief sometimes but had many more aftermarket opportunities at the time.

    Reply
  4. 448 ZR-1’s were made for each of the last 3 model years 93,94 and 95. This car is one of 41 in code 10 Artic White for 1995. Out of those 41, 9 cars had the Light Beige interior.

    Reply
  5. I bought a new 95 Admiral blue late 94
    Loved it
    Raced it
    Sold it when C5’s arrived
    I wouldn’t buy another 1

    Reply
    1. Nice car, too bad no one got to enjoy driving it all of those years.

      Reply
  6. Nice Vette. Wanted one but now I’m the proud owner of a
    2007 Z06. (Z-OH-6). The 427 is no joke!

    Reply

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