1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 Appears in No-Reserve BaT Auction

Bring a Trailer reports a no-reserve auction for a 13k-mile 1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1. Review details, history, and current bidding activity.

A 1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 with approximately 13,000 miles is currently being offered on Bring a Trailer with no reserve. Bidding is scheduled to conclude in mid-January, and at the time of writing the high bid stands at $10,000, a figure that sits noticeably below prices previously achieved by comparable examples of the model.

The car represents the flagship ZR-1 variant of the C4-generation Corvette, a model produced between 1990 and 1995. Power comes from a 5.7-liter LT5 V8 paired with a six-speed ZF manual transmission. The LT5 engine was developed in cooperation with Lotus and assembled by Mercury Marine, a detail that continues to set the ZR-1 apart from other Corvettes of the era. Early examples such as this one were factory rated at 375 horsepower.

Finished in Bright Red, the car features a removable transparent roof panel, 17-inch aluminum wheels, and the Selective Ride and Handling package with a three-mode adaptive suspension. A Z51 Performance Handling Package is also fitted, reflecting the car’s focus on high-speed capability. Inside, the cabin is trimmed in red leather and includes power-adjustable sport seats, air conditioning, and a Delco Bose Gold Series audio system, although the seller notes that the speakers are currently inoperative.

According to the listing, the Corvette spent much of its life registered in Florida before receiving a clean Louisiana title. A Carfax report shows no accidents or damage, while also indicating at least one open recall, the specifics of which are not detailed without a VIN-based inquiry. Recent work is said to include servicing elements of the fuel system, routine maintenance, and the installation of a performance-oriented ECU chip.

The ZR-1 has become increasingly regarded as a collectible modern classic, largely due to its distinctive powertrain and limited production run. Previous auction results for similar early ZR-1s with low mileage have typically landed well above the current bid level. Against that backdrop, the progress of this no-reserve auction may offer an interesting snapshot of current market sentiment toward high-performance American sports cars from the early 1990s.