Always thought the ZR1 had the coolest looking engine ever put in a Corvette. Its not just the engine, its the fact that the whole hood/fenders move out of the way to expose the suspension A-arms, the frame, it looks like a race car when you open that huge clamshell hood.
i sold them and drove many as well. they were very powerful , but they really shined up top. that DOHC as you would think, pulled big time on the upper end. these were beautiful cars, inside and out. great job on this.
Thanks for the recognition by you as a young guy to this car. When I grew up in the 1980's it was Porches, Lamborghini, and Ferrari. This ZR-1 was on the cover of every magazine for 3 years in the 80s before it came out. I couldn't believe the 1/4 mile times they were getting in the magazines. I raced one at a stop light in my 93 Trans Am. It was embarrassing. I now have a 1990 Zr-1 Corvette in my garage......and I love it!!!
...And all the endurance records it broke: 5000 Kilometers at 175.710-mph 24-Hours at 175.885-mph 5000 Miles at 173.791-mph Plus, four FIA International Category Class A-G2-C10 (Not bad for a car with it's stock chassis and drive train)
even these supercharged and turbo beasts nowadays wont attempt this their based on drag racing or short bursts not lemans type endurance racing and too much will go wrong and usually does and they know this its one reason ford used a NA big block to beat the world but no power adders and still hit well over 220 even just as impressive if i recall the L98 chevy corvette also broke several shorter endurance records as well right behind this zr1 at like 172
Joe - That is a beautiful example of a 1991 ZR-1, and an excellent overview of the history and features of "The King of the Hill". I hope you have enjoyed driving it, it is a unique automotive experience! "Life Begins at 180 MPH..."
The engine was so awesome that when I worked at a Chevy dealership as a kid I remember a corvette tech guy had a tattoo of the LT5 on his arm and his tool box had a huge poster etched or painted with the internals of how it worked.
Thanks for your videos. I recently picked up a 90 red ZR1. Its an awesome experience to drive. Gotta love a high revving V8. Not as willing as my 350R, but still a great motor and way ahead of its time. Look forward to putting some miles on it.
Always go back and watch this review at least once a week. Simply my favorite car I’ve ever owned. My wife calls her the Mistress because we’re always running off together. :)
Raiti's Rides If you’re ever in Fort Worth Tx just let me know and I’ll hand you over the keys of my 94 ZR1 for a weekend. Hell I’ll even put the stock wheels back on to avoid a “zonk”. Always get those at car shows but I like them and that’s all that counts. Lol. Take care guys!
I worked at a dealership in CT and a cool trick one of tech guys did which was a funny selling point was that if you put a coin sitting on a flat area of the engine the coin would stay upright even if you revved the engine. That's how smooth they ran. The other cool thing was that engine was tested to run at a high RPM for 24hrs straight.
Always learn something from you, Thank You. I can only imagine the technical knowledge that must be needed to get this motor running perfect. And to mention that I have a 95 LT1 and that baby is fast. But that 375 hp, let's just say I probably wouldn't be able to handle it. :)
Word! I was in college when the ZR 1 debut! That car was amazing! I was luck though, I was able to buy a 96 LT4 in feb of 98. Not a ZR1 of course but much lighter and very track capable!
Great C4 ZR-1 content. Maybe do a show on 1996 only, LT-4, C4s. Collector series, and special ordered with 6 speeds only. Not quite as fast, or expensive, as a ZR-1, but let me tell you, they rip. 330 horsepower in a car that weighs 3,100 - 3,200 pounds, drop it down a gear, punch it, and you're going for a fast ride. C4's will never be as fast as a C5 / C6 / C7, but I took my '96 on a "cruise" up thru the mountains of VT from Cape Cod, and in real world driving, I had no problem keeping up with C6s and C7s ( and even a 2018 Z06 ) even though I'm sure I was pushing mine harder than the rest of the club cars. Glad I found your channel. Good video. Take care
Keith Lane thanks for your great reply and kind words. I will definitely get more C4 content! Thank you for sharing your personal experience! I live the stories behind the cars!😊👍🏻
Keith Lane Ive has my share of c4’s they were cool ,handled and set up correctly champ my favourite era of corvette .my 1989 Convertable was my favourite c4 ever. Enjoy yours as you have a special awsome car.
You put too much in an LT 1.or 4. L98. Easy to get over 400 hours. As yourself. How many hours. Has to be generated to go 250 mills and our at 6.ooo rooms.? In a vet. That's he hours power range. It doesn't matter what the motor is. An LT5. Stands alone. I have 2.25 find. 2.oo ex. Flows a couple of points off the LT5. I love my heads.
Magnificent cars, I had the pleasure of driving one once, they pull like a locomotive on the top end. Super build quality, the Mercury Marine engine was a piece of sculpture, very underrated car in it's day.
I remember the first time I saw a 1990 ZR1 just like it was yesterday. I followed as long as I could keep up as the driver casually nipped the tires when he shifted the gears. I think he noticed me and showed off a bit as he left me in the dust. I've been in love with the ZR1 ever since.
Wow this is a very underrated video about the ZR1. I never knew about the body underneath near the doors were molded differently to make it more arrow dynamic and also about the brake light on the rear of the roof and the front bumper and rear being different. Good stuff!
Great engine, It was like when the quad cam V6's came out. It was a complete game changer, had a Mazda 500 (Eunos 500) with the quad cam back in the early 2000's it was like a slingshot.
Hi, great video, but you are slightly incorrect. I am a judge with the NCRS= National Corvette Restorers Society. The original ZR1 was available in 1970, 25 vehicles, built, 1971 -ZR1, 8 vehicles, and a 1971--ZR2, 12 vehicles, which was a 454 cubic inch V8 - known as an LS6 engine. 1972 - ZR1, 20 vevicles built. The original ZL1 engine option was based upon the LT1 Engine package. The ZR1 engine from 1990-1995, were all 32 valve V8 Engines, designed by Lotus cars of England, in a joint venture with General Motors. Each engine was hand - built-assemled in Oklahoma at the Mercury Marine Engine Plant / Factory, by women engine builders.
World records set by the 1990 ZR1 in Ft. Stockton, TX. Although the ZR-1 was extremely quick for its time (0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds, and onto 180+ mph), the huge performance of the LT5 engine was matched by its robustness. As evidence of this, a stock ZR-1 set seven international and world records at a test track in Fort Stockton, Texas on March 1, 1990, verified by the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile) for the group II, class 11 category:[10][11]100 miles (160 km) at 175.600 mph (282.601 km/h)500 miles (800 km) at 175.503 mph (282.445 km/h)1,000 miles (1,600 km) at 174.428 mph (280.715 km/h)5,000 km (3,100 mi) at 175.710 mph (282.778 km/h) (World Record)5,000 miles (8,000 km) at 173.791 mph (279.690 km/h) (World Record)12 Hours Endurance at 175.523 mph (282.477 km/h)24 Hours Endurance at 175.885 mph (283.059 km/h) for 4,221.256 miles (6,793.453 km) (World Record
Have a 94 ZR1. My favorite car of all time. To this day she’ll hang side by side with a Base C6 zero to sixty. Pretty impressive for a 24 year old car. And I know this because I had a C6 as well which I would have a friend drag against my ZR1 so it wasn’t some old guy driving the newer one not knowing how to drive. Anyhow good video and nice clean vette.
Where would you service this baby? I'm in Austin, TX and we have plenty of options for third party Corvette service in the state but you don't just want anyone touching the LT5. Or can a competent LT1 guy be trusted with these? The last place I'd want to take it is the Chevy dealer.
I do! It’s now a dedicated race car. 397 striker Callie’s crank and rods. Beefed up suspension and frame structure. CCW wheels with Hoosiers 315 every corner.
Nice video. I have a 1990 red ZR1, with black interior. I am the 2nd owner, purchased in 1993. It has 12.1K miles on it. Yes, the C4 ZR1 was a VERY different production corvette. Engine designed by Lotus, and built by Mercury Marine in Oklahoma. First production car with 315 wide rear tires, and American car with 180 MPH top end. I like the 1990 better than 91-95 because of that sharper, front nose section on the 1990. In addition, the 1990 has a black body modeling that goes all the way around the car, vs. the monochromatic body modeling of the 91-95. ZR1 corvette code actually came out in 1970 to 72, as it was the "racing package" for the LT1 small block vette - no radio, no power windows, etc... but heavy duty brakes, cooling, rock crusher transmission, etc... Only 53 of the original C3 ZR1s were produced - 25 in 1970, just eight in 1971, and a final 20 in 1972. Very rare cars.
I’m lucky enough to have a red on grey 91 ZR 1 w some mods. Have had it for 10 years. Always fun to drive. From 80 mph and up it’s a blast. Newer Corvettes are better in many ways, but the ZR 1 put the Corvette on the world stage. Long live the king.
I remember wanting to get a corvette and having only $20,000-$22,000 to spend. Was trying to decide between a c4 or c5 as there are a many differences and variants. Then I saw a zr-1 at the corvette museum with the hood up... damn! Right then I decided what corvette to buy.
My buddy took possession of this exact car in ’91......we drove it out of the showroom......man we had some looks that night...every time we’d stop they’d be groups of people coming over to it....lol....I’ll never forget how massive it looked from the ass end....sadly he fell asleep one night and the vette didn’t make it 😢
i remember they used to upgrage 84 corvette into 91 body wich it does fit and people used to think wow that new but dash was old something ive seen in my past
Nice!. I have an 1984. I hogged out the the Cross fire intake. I have been over 250. Never raced one of them. I almost had an LT5 , but somebody. Beat me their. Bummer. Your mother is beautiful. Makes me want to change my intake .or modify it maybe add another carb in line. On vacum. My motor red line I'd 8 grand. But that intake the way it is only let's me get about 68 hundred.rpms. A lot of course power I can't get to.
It would be nice to own 90's ZR1 someday. 😎 Here in Finland, they are rarely for sale. The country's most popular sales site currently has two 1990 models for sale. One is black museum registered and the other is yellow.
Good video. Those were great cars. Unfortunately there was a video showing a dealer destroying one during the "Cash for Clunkers" campaign. If I remember right, they poured sodium silicate into the crankcase and redlined them until they froze up. They compared the ZR! to a Lincoln. The Lincoln failed in under 5 minutes. While the Vette lasted for over 20 minutes. That was a painful demonstration on how good that motor was.
Mike Martinez that was only in 1990. In 1991 with the refreshed styling both standard Corvette and ZR1 had almost the same bumper treatment. Thank you for watching!👍🏻
No big deal! I remember how ZR1 owners didn't like the way Chevrolet restyled the standard Corvette. You really had to know what you were looking at to tell the difference.
This is the Corvette that really got me dreaming since I was a kid. I know a correct looking one here in Europe, but it doesn't have original rims. Are those hard to come by?
Can still outrun some 2018-19 cars. Very conservative. Even without VVT and cam phasing,I bet 450bhp was possible from the factory. A 5.7 quad cam is no joke! This was like Fords Coyote but in 1990.
Another C4 ZR-1 difference I didn't see mentioned is the wider doors and side panels aft of the doors. Looking into buying a 1991 ZR-1, but it has 85,000 mi. on it, so repair costs / reliability is on my mind. Any info?
Raiti's Rides they changed the way they rated the horsepower around 71-72 I believe. If your talking when the ZR-1 originally came out it was with the C3 regardless of horsepower.
I picked up my all black 6 speed 1991 zr1 with 19.5k miles earlier this year. I replaced the radio with a Pioneer with Apple Car Play, some foot well lighting and remote key entry and she looks brand new. Turns heads. Does anyone know why they swapped the fuel and speedometer location in 1992 on the same dash display?
I had an initial stalling problem at low speeds. The local Chevy dealer found a broken vacuum hose and adjusted my throttle. Runs like a champ! I don’t use it for my everyday car, so I drive it at least 3x a month
When the original Corvette ZR-1 made its debut back in 1989, the big story was its engine. Designed by Lotus, the ZR-1's all-aluminum 5.7-liter V8, dubbed LT5, was the first and only Corvette with dual-overhead cams and four valves per cylinder, and was good for 380 hp in its day. Interestingly, Chevy itself didn't build this engine, instead farming out production to Mercury Marine's MerCruiser division.
Correct. Chevrolet didn't have much experience at the time with aluminum block engines. Aluminum blocks have been a staple In the marine industry for some time and Mercury was know to build the best because of their equipment and expertise. The C4 ZR1 engine is extremely reliable, and fast! Every car enthusiast needs to go for a ride in the "King of the Hill" it is an experience not to forget!
Close, but GM actually introduced the ZR1 in 1970 as a performance package along with it's LT-1 engine. They even had a ZR2 454 back in the 70's, and tried to bring it back in the 90's but then the LT5 ZR1 wouldn't have sold, so they killed the project off. GM is notorious for re-using it's designated numbers, and even the LT1 engine returned in the 90's when the L98 of the 80's retired, only to bring back the L98 in 2009. Good ole General Motors...
LT5 is an absolute work of art!
Always thought the ZR1 had the coolest looking engine ever put in a Corvette. Its not just the engine, its the fact that the whole hood/fenders move out of the way to expose the suspension A-arms, the frame, it looks like a race car when you open that huge clamshell hood.
I totally agree with you Aaron!
i sold them and drove many as well. they were very powerful , but they really shined up top. that DOHC as you would think, pulled big time on the upper end. these were beautiful cars, inside and out. great job on this.
brian centi thank you so much for watching and your input!👍🏻
Thanks for the recognition by you as a young guy to this car. When I grew up in the 1980's it was Porches, Lamborghini, and Ferrari. This ZR-1 was on the cover of every magazine for 3 years in the 80s before it came out. I couldn't believe the 1/4 mile times they were getting in the magazines. I raced one at a stop light in my 93 Trans Am. It was embarrassing. I now have a 1990 Zr-1 Corvette in my garage......and I love it!!!
You just saved me from being ripped off by someone claiming to have a ZR1 for sale. Thanks.
Most attractive engine ever
Rafael Trejo it’s AMAZING!
I agree 👍
It's not a Ferrari V12 but yeah it's very cool.
...And all the endurance records it broke:
5000 Kilometers at 175.710-mph
24-Hours at 175.885-mph
5000 Miles at 173.791-mph
Plus, four FIA International Category Class A-G2-C10
(Not bad for a car with it's stock chassis and drive train)
Yvette Matias it really is an unbelievable machine!
Man that's impressive.
It really was especially for back then!
WOW, that is also a GREAT bit of high standards.
even these supercharged and turbo beasts nowadays wont attempt this their based on drag racing or short bursts not lemans type endurance racing and too much will go wrong and usually does and they know this its one reason ford used a NA big block to beat the world but no power adders and still hit well over 220 even just as impressive if i recall the L98 chevy corvette also broke several shorter endurance records as well right behind this zr1 at like 172
Joe - That is a beautiful example of a 1991 ZR-1, and an excellent overview of the history and features of "The King of the Hill". I hope you have enjoyed driving it, it is a unique automotive experience! "Life Begins at 180 MPH..."
That’s a nice zr1 Joe you always have a cool car to show and explain with just the right amount of detail Takecare.
It really is such a wonderful car! I'm glad you are liking what I bring to the table! Stay tuned for more! :-)
You have to get a ride in one of these Joe, it will leave you with a big smile.
Angelo Gonzalez I don’t doubt that one bit.😊👍🏻
The engine was so awesome that when I worked at a Chevy dealership as a kid I remember a corvette tech guy had a tattoo of the LT5 on his arm and his tool box had a huge poster etched or painted with the internals of how it worked.
Thanks for your videos. I recently picked up a 90 red ZR1. Its an awesome experience to drive. Gotta love a high revving V8. Not as willing as my 350R, but still a great motor and way ahead of its time. Look forward to putting some miles on it.
Thanks for all your videos. Love the C4 ZR1!
Such a beauty! You are a true experts on corvettes, great job joe!
Double G #2 I really appreciate you saying that!
Like the vid. The ZR1 was first introduced in 1970 thru 72 during the mako shark generation C3. Badass car.
Shawn Barber thanks for the heads up. I feel like that wasn’t a true production ZR1 because of the ULTRA LOW numbers.
Legendary car!! Thank you for covering it!
Always go back and watch this review at least once a week. Simply my favorite car I’ve ever owned. My wife calls her the Mistress because we’re always running off together. :)
Thanks for doing that Chris! Hopefully one day I will be able to get behind the wheel of one!
Raiti's Rides If you’re ever in Fort Worth Tx just let me know and I’ll hand you over the keys of my 94 ZR1 for a weekend. Hell I’ll even put the stock wheels back on to avoid a “zonk”. Always get those at car shows but I like them and that’s all that counts. Lol. Take care guys!
I worked at a dealership in CT and a cool trick one of tech guys did which was a funny selling point was that if you put a coin sitting on a flat area of the engine the coin would stay upright even if you revved the engine. That's how smooth they ran. The other cool thing was that engine was tested to run at a high RPM for 24hrs straight.
That is so cool! I remember that whole record breaking run with the LT%. I miss those days!
Nice review! Didn't realise how much wider it was. Thanks for the tip about how to tell with the licence plate width
Always learn something from you, Thank You. I can only imagine the technical knowledge that must be needed to get this motor running perfect. And to mention that I have a 95 LT1 and that baby is fast. But that 375 hp, let's just say I probably wouldn't be able to handle it. :)
Thank you for the C4 content sir...take care!
These ZR1s are the best Vettes to me.
You have very good taste.
Sweet ZR1. What a Engine, Wow. What a Corvette. Thanks Joe and Big Guns Tom for sharing this info
Thanks David for letting me share it with you! jI really miss the C4 ZR1 Corvettes!
Such a beautiful car. This is such a unique car I can't wait to see what it does in 20 years how much they're going for
I totally agree with you! It s one of the most unique Corvettes ever!
Word! I was in college when the ZR 1 debut! That car was amazing! I was luck though, I was able to buy a 96 LT4 in feb of 98. Not a ZR1 of course but much lighter and very track capable!
The LT4 was a really great engine! You don't still have it do you?
Great C4 ZR-1 content. Maybe do a show on 1996 only, LT-4, C4s. Collector series, and special ordered with 6 speeds only. Not quite as fast, or expensive, as a ZR-1, but let me tell you, they rip. 330 horsepower in a car that weighs 3,100 - 3,200 pounds, drop it down a gear, punch it, and you're going for a fast ride.
C4's will never be as fast as a C5 / C6 / C7, but I took my '96 on a "cruise" up thru the mountains of VT from Cape Cod, and in real world driving, I had no problem keeping up with C6s and C7s ( and even a 2018 Z06 ) even though I'm sure I was pushing mine harder than the rest of the club cars.
Glad I found your channel. Good video. Take care
Keith Lane thanks for your great reply and kind words. I will definitely get more C4 content! Thank you for sharing your personal experience! I live the stories behind the cars!😊👍🏻
Keith Lane Ive has my share of c4’s they were cool ,handled and set up correctly champ my favourite era of corvette .my 1989 Convertable was my favourite c4 ever. Enjoy yours as you have a special awsome car.
You put too much in an LT 1.or 4. L98. Easy to get over 400 hours. As yourself. How many hours. Has to be generated to go 250 mills and our at 6.ooo rooms.? In a vet. That's he hours power range. It doesn't matter what the motor is. An LT5. Stands alone. I have 2.25 find. 2.oo ex. Flows a couple of points off the LT5. I love my heads.
Magnificent cars, I had the pleasure of driving one once, they pull like a locomotive on the top end. Super build quality, the Mercury Marine engine was a piece of sculpture, very underrated car in it's day.
You are so spot on Ed! Thanks for letting me share it with you!
@@RaitisRides thanks for the interesting content Joe!
I remember the first time I saw a 1990 ZR1 just like it was yesterday.
I followed as long as I could keep up as the driver casually nipped the tires when he shifted the gears.
I think he noticed me and showed off a bit as he left me in the dust.
I've been in love with the ZR1 ever since.
Joe, PLEASE do a full review of a C4 ZR1! The sound that engine produces is ORGASMIC!
Wow this is a very underrated video about the ZR1. I never knew about the body underneath near the doors were molded differently to make it more arrow dynamic and also about the brake light on the rear of the roof and the front bumper and rear being different. Good stuff!
Dimitrios F I really appreciate you taking the time to say that! Stay tuned for more!😊👍🏻
Yes, I appreciate you using the new term, "arrow dynamic".
Tail lights were also original to these cars but later on were shared with other models
Yes he didn't say that they were square.
Great engine, It was like when the quad cam V6's came out. It was a complete game changer, had a Mazda 500 (Eunos 500) with the quad cam back in the early 2000's it was like a slingshot.
Adam Randell only problem is then Chevrolet dropped the engine in 1996 😔. It had such a unique sound!
Beautiful classic car…timeless!
You are so very right about that Steve!
Yes, I love seeing cars like this!
The C4 ZR-1 is not my personal favorite of all Corvettes, but it’s probably the one that I most want to own.
Hi, great video, but you are slightly incorrect. I am a judge with the NCRS= National Corvette Restorers Society. The original ZR1 was available in 1970, 25 vehicles, built, 1971 -ZR1, 8 vehicles, and a 1971--ZR2, 12 vehicles, which was a 454 cubic inch V8 - known as an LS6 engine. 1972 - ZR1, 20 vevicles built. The original ZL1 engine option was based upon the LT1 Engine package. The ZR1 engine from 1990-1995, were all 32 valve V8 Engines, designed by Lotus cars of England, in a joint venture with General Motors. Each engine was hand - built-assemled in Oklahoma at the Mercury Marine Engine Plant / Factory, by women engine builders.
I appreciate your excellent expert help in this. I always welcome it and really feel like it helps the channel be more like a community!
They were not indeed all women...
Clay Bailey this is true
Donald trick Trump Has STD's from Stormy D. The C4 was a pivotal generation.
Donald trick Trump Has STD's from Stormy D. PS 1996 was the final year of this generation!
The clam shell hood was awesome. Suspension components visible
World records set by the 1990 ZR1 in Ft. Stockton, TX. Although the ZR-1 was extremely quick for its time (0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds, and onto 180+ mph), the huge performance of the LT5 engine was matched by its robustness. As evidence of this, a stock ZR-1 set seven international and world records at a test track in Fort Stockton, Texas on March 1, 1990, verified by the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile) for the group II, class 11 category:[10][11]100 miles (160 km) at 175.600 mph (282.601 km/h)500 miles (800 km) at 175.503 mph (282.445 km/h)1,000 miles (1,600 km) at 174.428 mph (280.715 km/h)5,000 km (3,100 mi) at 175.710 mph (282.778 km/h) (World Record)5,000 miles (8,000 km) at 173.791 mph (279.690 km/h) (World Record)12 Hours Endurance at 175.523 mph (282.477 km/h)24 Hours Endurance at 175.885 mph (283.059 km/h) for 4,221.256 miles (6,793.453 km) (World Record
J D it was one hell of a car!
The Mercury Marine built motor will always be something special.
You are so very right!
Great review.
Looks exactly like mine.!! Same color too !! Cool !!
Your car review should win the TH-cam Award-Award Winning!
That is so awesome of you to say! I really appreciate your great support!
Have a 94 ZR1. My favorite car of all time. To this day she’ll hang side by side with a Base C6 zero to sixty. Pretty impressive for a 24 year old car. And I know this because I had a C6 as well which I would have a friend drag against my ZR1 so it wasn’t some old guy driving the newer one not knowing how to drive. Anyhow good video and nice clean vette.
Thank you so much for sharing your personal experience! It really is a special Corvette!
Where would you service this baby? I'm in Austin, TX and we have plenty of options for third party Corvette service in the state but you don't just want anyone touching the LT5. Or can a competent LT1 guy be trusted with these? The last place I'd want to take it is the Chevy dealer.
Great vid man. I LOVE vettes
J B28 I’m glad you liked it! Stay tuned for more!
Love this car . 90s was awesome time to live .
This was the first time the US caught back up to the 1968-1970 muscle cars in horsepower. As history would have it, it was a 20 year hiatus.
Great review!
I really appreciate that! Thanks for watching!😊👍🏻
This engine paved the way for the Northstar. The valve covers even look similar.
This is true.
great vid joe!
I really appreciate you saying that! This one was with my old recording gear!. Thanks for watching!
The ZR1 was really introduced in 1970 with the solid lifter LT1 with special suspension manual transmission
I do! It’s now a dedicated race car. 397 striker Callie’s crank and rods. Beefed up suspension and frame structure. CCW wheels with Hoosiers 315 every corner.
That is fantastic! Can you email me a pic raitisrides@gmail.com
Will do! I also have a Pro Charged 2001 Z06.
Very nice! You can send a pic of that as well!
What ccw wheels? I also have an 03c5z
Nice car and video, I am a big fan of the c4.
Thank you so much for letting me share it with you Claudio!
My 91 has a 167K, running strong looking good.
Nice video. I have a 1990 red ZR1, with black interior. I am the 2nd owner, purchased in 1993. It has 12.1K miles on it. Yes, the C4 ZR1 was a VERY different production corvette. Engine designed by Lotus, and built by Mercury Marine in Oklahoma. First production car with 315 wide rear tires, and American car with 180 MPH top end. I like the 1990 better than 91-95 because of that sharper, front nose section on the 1990. In addition, the 1990 has a black body modeling that goes all the way around the car, vs. the monochromatic body modeling of the 91-95. ZR1 corvette code actually came out in 1970 to 72, as it was the "racing package" for the LT1 small block vette - no radio, no power windows, etc... but heavy duty brakes, cooling, rock crusher transmission, etc... Only 53 of the original C3 ZR1s were produced - 25 in 1970, just eight in 1971, and a final 20 in 1972. Very rare cars.
J D thanks for your compliment and for the additional info. I appreciate you watching!
volcano hi thanks for the input.
I’m lucky enough to have a red on grey 91 ZR 1 w some mods. Have had it for 10 years. Always fun to drive. From 80 mph and up it’s a blast.
Newer Corvettes are better in many ways, but the ZR 1 put the Corvette on the world stage.
Long live the king.
I remember wanting to get a corvette and having only $20,000-$22,000 to spend. Was trying to decide between a c4 or c5 as there are a many differences and variants. Then I saw a zr-1 at the corvette museum with the hood up... damn! Right then I decided what corvette to buy.
You can't go wrong with a C4 best Corvette bang for the buck!
My buddy took possession of this exact car in ’91......we drove it out of the showroom......man we had some looks that night...every time we’d stop they’d be groups of people coming over to it....lol....I’ll never forget how massive it looked from the ass end....sadly he fell asleep one night and the vette didn’t make it 😢
Thanks for sharing that story! RIP to your friend!
Raiti's Rides no my friend made it....the vette was a goner
i remember they used to upgrage 84 corvette into 91 body wich it does fit and people used to think wow that new but dash was old something ive seen in my past
Nice!. I have an 1984. I hogged out the the Cross fire intake. I have been over 250. Never raced one of them. I almost had an LT5 , but somebody. Beat me their. Bummer. Your mother is beautiful. Makes me want to change my intake .or modify it maybe add another carb in line. On vacum. My motor red line I'd 8 grand. But that intake the way it is only let's me get about 68 hundred.rpms. A lot of course power I can't get to.
Thank you Lawrence for letting me share this with you! Thank you fro telling me about your Corvette! Stay tuned because I have more Corvettes coming!
I love this engine!
It would be nice to own 90's ZR1 someday. 😎 Here in Finland, they are rarely for sale. The country's most popular sales site currently has two 1990 models for sale. One is black museum registered and the other is yellow.
Awesome, the Legend Lives! Thanx ... ^v^
I remember fondly!
So do I! It was one of my dream cars when I was in high school!
Great info
Just looove ZR1 and realy want one 1991, white on the outside and red in the inside. To meee, that is the right Corvette colourd .-)
I am so glad that you like this one.
Good video. Those were great cars. Unfortunately there was a video showing a dealer destroying one during the "Cash for Clunkers" campaign. If I remember right, they poured sodium silicate into the crankcase and redlined them until they froze up. They compared the ZR! to a Lincoln. The Lincoln failed in under 5 minutes. While the Vette lasted for over 20 minutes. That was a painful demonstration on how good that motor was.
Forgot to mention the squared tail lights that distinguish it from the standard round tail lights on the regular Corvette.
Mike Martinez that was only in 1990. In 1991 with the refreshed styling both standard Corvette and ZR1 had almost the same bumper treatment. Thank you for watching!👍🏻
Raiti's Rides
...oops, sorry..😂
No big deal! I remember how ZR1 owners didn't like the way Chevrolet restyled the standard Corvette. You really had to know what you were looking at to tell the difference.
This is the Corvette that really got me dreaming since I was a kid. I know a correct looking one here in Europe, but it doesn't have original rims. Are those hard to come by?
Yes they are! Thanks for letting me share this one with you!
Thanks for the education for someone who didn't know anything about them.... Think I'm fixing to go Auto shopping 😊
How good are these lt5 motors for reliabtly & getting parts for in this day & age ?
www.zr1specialist.com/HAT%20Web/presentations/Presentations%20Page.htm
Nice video and information. C4’s are quickly disappearing.
Thank you so much for the compliment and you are so very right!
Joe, can you look into the 2019 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport?
I sure can! Have you seen this review I did?
th-cam.com/video/1he_Y4j9U0M/w-d-xo.html
300th like bud, I agree the older ones are way worth it compared to prices
Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment! I totally agree with you!
There was a ZR1 in 1989 as well. Also two prototypes in 1988 that were
not sold to the public.
One just sold on “Cars and Bids”
Can still outrun some 2018-19 cars.
Very conservative. Even without VVT and cam phasing,I bet 450bhp was possible from the factory.
A 5.7 quad cam is no joke!
This was like Fords Coyote but in 1990.
Loved it
Another C4 ZR-1 difference I didn't see mentioned is the wider doors and side panels aft of the doors. Looking into buying a 1991 ZR-1, but it has 85,000 mi. on it, so repair costs / reliability is on my mind. Any info?
Thanks for your input and perspective! I really appreciate you watching!
Heeey, what about that 6-series behind you?
Seriously though, great info and upload
Thank you for your wonderful compliment! I will track down a 6 series for you and I am looking forward to the new 8 series!
I just watched the Motorweek review of the 1990 ZR1
Liked the interior design update. Just wish they would use Better Materials.
The current C7 LT5 engine don't deserve the name LT5.
I totally agree with you!
I could bite myself I didn't safe the LT5 name rights several years ago. LT5 stands for a modern engine and not for a x-times piped up, old grandma..
I would say the new LT5 supercharged OHV motor should be called LT6/LT5S....waiting for the new MR Vette to be equipped with a DOHC engine....
I know this video old but it doesn't matter got a love old school and this Corvette ZRL is slick from that era
Thanks man for being so supportive!
You're welcome Joe
The car with my favorite Corvette engine, the LT5 DOHC V8!! I would love to have someone do an engine swap from this Vette!!
I am so glad that I could share it with you!
this is a nice car
The ZR-1 actually debuted with the C3 from 69-71. So the C4 is actually the second generation ZR-1 not the first.
The problem in my eyes was it was ULTRA low numbers. Thank you for your input.
Raiti's Rides they changed the way they rated the horsepower around 71-72 I believe. If your talking when the ZR-1 originally came out it was with the C3 regardless of horsepower.
GREAT WORK, Reviewing a collectors classic icon!
Thanks Dominick! I truly love the ZR1!
this is like batmobile wow this car awsome
Beautiful cars, why they stopped building it!, At least keep making it based on order only and long waiting time , I don't mind waiting.
That is a very good point!
I think it'll be so cool if someone can turn this Corvette into a Buck Blader!!
I picked up my all black 6 speed 1991 zr1 with 19.5k miles earlier this year. I replaced the radio with a Pioneer with Apple Car Play, some foot well lighting and remote key entry and she looks brand new. Turns heads. Does anyone know why they swapped the fuel and speedometer location in 1992 on the same dash display?
Congrats! How does the car run overall? Any mechanical issues?
I had an initial stalling problem at low speeds. The local Chevy dealer found a broken vacuum hose and adjusted my throttle. Runs like a champ! I don’t use it for my everyday car, so I drive it at least 3x a month
Here’s the TH-cam ad before I bought it: m.th-cam.com/video/40zVXT3jhMU/w-d-xo.html
Jay Hitchman thanks for sharing that info. I’m considering maybe picking one up!
Jay Hitchman I appreciate you sharing that with me!
When the original Corvette ZR-1 made its debut back in 1989, the big story was its engine. Designed by Lotus, the ZR-1's all-aluminum 5.7-liter V8, dubbed LT5, was the first and only Corvette with dual-overhead cams and four valves per cylinder, and was good for 380 hp in its day. Interestingly, Chevy itself didn't build this engine, instead farming out production to Mercury Marine's MerCruiser division.
Yes you are correct with all stated facts! Thank you so much for sharing!
Correct. Chevrolet didn't have much experience at the time with aluminum block engines. Aluminum blocks have been a staple In the marine industry for some time and Mercury was know to build the best because of their equipment and expertise. The C4 ZR1 engine is extremely reliable, and fast! Every car enthusiast needs to go for a ride in the "King of the Hill" it is an experience not to forget!
As others here have already stated, the C4 wasn't the original ZR1.
Close, but GM actually introduced the ZR1 in 1970 as a performance package along with it's LT-1 engine. They even had a ZR2 454 back in the 70's, and tried to bring it back in the 90's but then the LT5 ZR1 wouldn't have sold, so they killed the project off. GM is notorious for re-using it's designated numbers, and even the LT1 engine returned in the 90's when the L98 of the 80's retired, only to bring back the L98 in 2009. Good ole General Motors...
Thank you for your great info and feedback!
Well they are just 3 character ROO codes. So there is a limit. And sense engines always begin with L it makes sense to bring them back.
I HAVE A 1991 ZR1 GREAT CAR
best corvette everrrr build best fiber body aluminal chunky real chevrolet mussle car
The easiest way to tell it’s a ZR1 from behind is that Corvette lettering is raised black. Normal corvettes of the time had engraved into the plastic
Thanks for sharing your input and perspective! I really appreciate you watching!
Still my favorite American car
Tha Heartbeat of America
Forsure!
I've had 8 c 4 vettes still the best looking car I think it's like an older hot chick
Is the doble TPI.
i always wanted a 1993 40th anniversary zr1 they only made 250 of em
Have you seen the Corvette ZO6?
It is really amazing!
this covette came out when GM was popular and this car does represent General motors so baddd its not even funny this is a classic car collectable