SportsCarsellers
1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1
Private Owner/Seller
40,000 KM - Two Owners From New!
5.7L - Quad Cam V8 - 375 hp with 6 Speed Manual Transmission
Seller's Ask: $37,000 CAD
America's Sports Car... the Chevrolet Corvette had fallen from grace and was laboring in the marketplace with diminished sales as a result of being battered and bruised by brutal safety and emissions regulations. The Corvette had lost its edge and it was now overweight and seriously underpowered, a mere shadow of its glorious past,. Something simply had to be done to resurrect the breed.!
Enter the indomitable 1990 Corvette ZR-1 a uniquely special Corvette variant co-developed with Lotus Cars of F1 Fame, a company that General Motors had jumped at the chance to purchased in 1986, just prior to starting design and development on the ZR-1 cars. The Lotus Team brought a very different prospective and a very special blend of engineering talent to the task of building what was to be a world class sports car, capable of reigning over near anything else available from the dominant players of its day.
It was built to be the indomitable 'KING OF THE HILL' and the Corvette ZR-1 proved itself to be exactly that!
Surprisingly the scions at GM gave the outsiders from Lotus a relatively free hand in bringing the Corvette name back to glory and over a three year development period every aspect of the 'Base' Corvette was poked and prodded, modified and redesigned to ensure that the final product. the first ZR-1 would win fast favor, while opening wallets by turning Hearts and Minds a flutter! GM's plan worked big time and it wasn't long before the boys with the bucks were lining up ready to pay near whatever it took to get their hands on their very own King Of The Hill.
The hero car of the early 90's era, the must have for the Fast and Furious Crown of the day, the ZR-1 although already Factory Priced at near twice that of a Base 1990 Corvette. It proved near impossible to get your hands on one, in the early days of production, unless you were willing to grease the palm of your local Chevy Dealer with many of these original ZR-1s selling for $100,000 USD +, with Dealer's Markups included.
Just 3032 1990 ZR-1s were produced and although ZR-1 production continued into 1995, only just under 7000 ZR-1s in total left the factory floor through all their years of production. The industry was in transition with a market downturn occurring shortly after the initial introduction in 1990, followed by a big wave of fresh automotive trinkets from both Europe and Japan that combined all worked to diminish the market for the the Chevy's ZR-1.
The ZR-1 is a Corvette like no other, powered by the first and only Twin Over Head Cam 32 Valve V8 ever to power a Corvette, that was until the development of the 2022 C8 - Z06. The original ZR-1's Lotus Designed, all aluminum Quad Cam was clearly the star of the show, but there was far more going on under the skin of the ZR-1 than the 375hp produced by this engine. Enhancements were everywhere, with drivetrain, suspension, brakes, wheels and tires along with the body's Wide Ass Rear End changed out to better handle the new found power and speed available to the ZR-1's driver.
It had been a long time since the words World Class and Corvette could be used in the same sentence, but the ZR-1 changed all that, and now 32 years later the ZR-1 remains, for those in the know, the one and only ''King Of The Hill'!
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Our V-Consign program provides enthusiast owners a unique platform to offer their automotive treasures for sale direct to legitimate buyers, without investing the endless hours. inviting the significant risks and enduring many annoyances normally associated with a private party vehicle sales.
The vehicles on offer through SportsCarSellers are for sale direct to you from their registered private owners.
SportsCarLocate/SportsCarSellers is not a vehicle dealer and we do not buy or sell vehicles, we instead provide our private clients location and marketing support services.
Why Buy A Corvette ZR-1 Today?
When you play with cars a lot, as we do, it would sometimes seem that everyone and their brother has or wants what everyone else has, and near every corner you turn another look alike shows itself. That is not the fate of the ZR-1 owner as although the Corvette remains one of the best selling sports cars of all time, the oh so special ZR-1's edition from the 90's is by no means common. With just under 7000 of them produced over it's 5 year long production run, your chances of coming across another ZR-1, while out on your fun run, is shockingly small. Yes the ZR-1 can be confused with the far more common C4 Corvettes by the unknowing, but your fellow Vette enthusiast knows and understands the important nuances that set the ZR-1 apart from the rest of the Corvette lineup.
Built To Beat The World
General Motors reached across the globe and purchased what was at the time one of the preeminent Automotive R&D powerhouses, long known for their success in Formula 1 Racing and sports car development and swiftly put the engineering team at Lotus Cars on the ZR-1 Project. This was a whole different way of doing business for GM and their in house Corvette Group. It took some time, but everyone needed and wanted a win and as the car's development moved forward the excitement began to build as all sides knew they had a world class sports car in the making.
Though based off the standard C4 Corvette, with which it shares some of its' parts, many aspects of the car required significant reengineering to address the power provided by its 375hp Engine, which was a 50% increase in power over the base C4's V8. The engine was only the start as Lotus had long been known as champions of chassis engineering and all involved wanted the ZR-1 to be far more than a go fast in a straight line car.
In the end the ZR-1 was no one trick pony, it did it all well... with 0-60s, Top Speeds, Handling and Braking that could beat the best that the automotive world, at that time, had to offer. Yes it was unexpectedly expensive for a Corvette, but it was capable of outperforming most of the era's exotics, including cars that were priced well into the stratosphere.
Times Are Changing
Like so many cars out of the 90's the Corvette ZR-1 was somewhat forgotten to time and often ignored by automotive enthusiast focused elsewhere on performance cars from an earlier era, but that has now all changed and the once forgettable 90's has taken on a very strong following. Look at anything Fast & Fun out of the 90's lineup and you'll see that demand is way up with prices moving upstream quickly. The cars of the 90's have become hot commodities as the children of the 60's & 70's reach a certain age, that being when we all look to our past and fall back in love with what we couldn't acquire in our Teens and 20's. This is a very large market pool, with the financial means to now make their youthful dreams come true and in recent years this cohort has rediscovered their enthusiasm for the fun cars of their era.
Sure the 90's offered up some fabulous cars to pick from, but few if any make sense today when compared to the ZR-1.
The ZR-1 was always a bargain basement wonder, right from day one, as when new it had the chops to beat the worlds best sports and exotic cars at a near laughably low MSRP! Rather shockingly the value equation offered by the ZR-1 today, when compared against it's contemporaries from this era, makes the ZR-1 s even more of a bargain than when it was introduced in 1990.
The now Classic ZR-1 remains a very fast and extremely competent sports car, and much like when it was new to the market, there is actually little in the Classic Marketplace that compares... still handsome, purely analogue, a fun, fast and furious drive!
ZR-1s are presently in a phase of rediscovery and although values for these cars stagnated for a long period of time, they are now appreciating swiftly, but yet unlike so many of their era correct competitors the ZR-1s still have lots of room for continued value gains!
Get in quick as the ZR-1 is a fabulous find, yet it remains attainable without breaking the bank!
this Aston Martin
SportsCarSellers - Private Party Sale
This 1990 ZR-1 is on offer from it's private owner Roy, a long time enthusiasts, but not a guy that has actually owned too many toys. Roy is a very busy professional builder/contractor who loves his Corvette, but just does hot have enough time to drive and fully enjoy the car.
Roy came to us at SportsCarLocate way back in 2011 and shared his dream to acquire a fine example of the car that championed his youthful desires... a Corvette ZR-1. Being a long time enthusiast for this unique model, Roy knew the car, the stories, the specs, the car's capabilities inside out, as no doubt like all of us silly enthusiast do, he likely recited them in his dreams, imbedding the data deep in this personal memory bank.
Roy's excitement for the ZR-1 was contagious and in the end we were as excited as he was when the right example finally came into our view. And right it was....
A 1990 ZR-1, Virtually All Original, One Owner, Garaged Kept, Dry Climate California Car with 14k Original Miles on the odometer and a pristine CarFax too!
Delicious in Black on Black Leather, and in impressive condition throughout, we quickly had the car transported to one of California's renown Corvette Specialist 'Corvette Mile' in Anaheim to complete a PPI prior to purchase. Once our due diligence was completed Roy made the decision to purchase the car. Shipped via an enclosed carrier right to his GTA home, Roy was on cloud none when the car arrived and it proved to be the beautiful, monster of a Corvette that had filled his dreams over the decades.
Roy has been a loving, respectful caretaker ever since, and the car has been kept out of the elements, always garaged, winter stored and regularly maintained. Roy has used the car every season for the past 11 years, but has clearly driven it sparingly given that he has added just .XXXX over his ownership period.
This ZR-1 is a long way from the norm and the respect and care that this car has been shown by both of its loving owners is clearly evident throughout.
car is currently with it's owner, garaged and hidden away from the elements. This private owner has had the car for the past four years after sourcing it shortly after it's original long term 'Canadian' owner decided it was time to move on to his next conquest. This is a quite rare originally Canadian delivered example with a pristine history, minimal ownership turnover, and clearly a car that was always garaged kept and winter stored throughout it's life, as there is zero evidence of any of the normally seen wear found on a, four season driven, Canadian car.
Factory Build Specs:
Meteorite Silver
Obsidian Black Leather with Silver Stitching
Carpeting to match
Tailor Grey Headliner
Navigation
Aston Premium Audio
Blue Tooth
Alloy Facia Interior Trim
Heated Seats
Calipers in Grey
Heated Seats
Optional 19" Alloy Rims
HID Headlight Lights
Steve the current owner/seller is well known to SportsCarLocate as we have assisted him in the past. In fact we helped find a new caretaker for Steve's Porsche 993 Coupe, possibly one of the nicest you'll find in Canada. He is a determined, dedicated enthusiast who simply never seems to stop improving upon the cars that come into his hands. As he nears retirement this lifelong business professional is now culling his current group of cars, no doubt to make some room for something fresh to his hands. Steve has an undeniable knack for finding cars worthy of ownership, and once his, he works to enhance each piece he touches.
This is the story of his V8 Vantage, as although all original, super low mileage and a pristine history find - Steve found a few minor flaws when he took it in. Now Steve being Steve he could not just let these things go! So while in his care this stunning Aston Martin has been thoroughly poked and prodded by some talented AM Techs, both of the franchise dealer and the independent variety.
The Suspension Struts were replaced, the Brakes front and back were refreshed with New Rotors and Porterfield Pads, the factory rims were professionally refinished, a fresh set of (4) Tires (Michelin Piolet Sports) were installed, all of the support struts for the doors, hatch and hood have been refreshed along with the normal fluids, flushes and filters. There is likely more, but this gives you the picture!
Originally purchased at Grand Touring Toronto with most of it's servicing being completed with this organization in combination with carefully chosen Aston Specialist Garages. All servicing is up to date, the car has no known needs, and all of the extensive service history is with the car in a Binder ready for your review.
The V8 Vantage even made it into the well respected Hagerty's Bull Market List for 2021
" Hagerty ardently upholds the philosophy of “buy what you love.” When that love intersects with cars that are appreciating, so much the better—you might just be able to buy what you love and also drive it for free, which is surely proof of a well-lived life.
Over the past four years, that’s what Hagerty's Bull Market List has been all about highlighting fun cars, across a variety of budgets and tastes, that we believe are poised to rise in value over the next 12 months. This isn’t a get-rich-quick list for flippers; it’s a tipsheet to help enthusiasts get their cake and maybe eat it, too. And it’s informed by our analysis of all the market data Hagerty has at its disposal."
So if you are in the market for some fast fun, take this opportunity to dig deeper and do a little research on the V8 Vantage. We think that the model and this car in particular deserves your serious consideration!
Look around the market and compare, as we believe that there is currently no better opportunity, on either side of the border, to get your hands on a 'Buy Worthy' V8 Vantage, that approaches the high standards set by this beauty.
V-Consign - Learn More
Our V-Consign program provides enthusiast owners a unique platform to offer their automotive treasures for sale direct to legitimate buyers, without investing the endless hours. inviting the significant risks and enduring many annoyances normally associated with a private party vehicle sales.
Documentation Speaks volumes
The Opportunity
Is it perfection? Well all said, although we are resistant to talking up near any pre-owned car, we would have to say this is just about as close as you are likely going to come to finding perfection!
This is a difficult to source V8 Vantage/Manual that is not just ready, but eager to get you out on the road to experience for yourself the glorious attributes that this storied Marque offers to the fortunate few. The enthusiast owners that buy this model are people with high expectation, that demand a touch more than the norm... exclusivity, stunningly good looks, in combination with serious performance capabilities. This is exactly what Aston Martin offered buyers with the introduction of the V8 Vantage.
Yes there may be other similar examples to review and consider, but pick carefully as accumulated mileage, actual condition both cosmetic and mechanical, past ownership and damage repair history, along with that all important Service History (especially when talking exotics) all play a big role in actual market value and your ability to resell the car in the future without much, if any loss, to your initial investment.
We strongly recommend that you do not buy a less than prime Aston Martin!
The current owner of this treasure, has ever since his purchase, opened his wallet willing to ensure that this AM got everything that it has needed... he is not that all too common - drive it until it drops, then dump it, type of guy! Steve is in fact the direct opposite of that guy, and as such Steve is the guy that we should all be fortunate enough to buy our next car from!
I would highly recommend that you take the time to look at the various images provided by the seller on this very impressive V8 Vantage. Inside, outside, the engine bay and even the underside of this example is simply not the norm that you'll find, when you start seriously chasing one of these Astons at 15 years of age. Take a peek at the flawless CarFax History and Canadian Dollar Valuation Report, and then I think that you may better understand the opportunity presented here.
My personal view is similar to that of the Pro's at Hagerty - this model is actually currently under valued by the market and as such it has now entered a Holding Phase with current market values being virtually locked in. Think it through my fellow enthusiasts, as how often in your life, have you been given the opportunity to buy an attainable exotic, that is at, or nearby the end of it's depreciation cycle - yet one that presents virtually like new, and not suffering from neglect, and deferred maintenance.
YOU KNOW THAT YOU WANT IT! As priced at just $56,900 CAD as indicated earlier a comparable example can not be sourced from either side of the border currently, at this digestible price point. So no matter where you are give us a call or connect by email to discuss this opportunity further. near or far we will even support you throughout the process of getting it home!
The vehicles on offer through SportsCarSellers are for sale direct to you from their registered private owners. SportsCarLocate/SportsCarSellers is not vehicle dealer and we do not buy or sell vehicles, we instead provide our private clients location and marketing support services.
