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For the term "ZR1 Corvette".
THE KING IS BACK!!! The New 2019 ZR1 Corvette: The Facts

C7 Corvettes / C7 ZR1 / Corvette News & Opinions

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THE KING IS BACK!!! The New 2019 ZR1 Corvette: The Facts

2019 C7 ZR1 Corvette: The King Is Back! Of course, only the Corvette engineering gods have driven the new ZR1, so us mere mortals will have to wait and be satiated with images and words. The Car and Driver December 2017 story quotes Corvette chief engineer Tadge Juechter describing the ZR1 as, “… the most we know how to do…” He also describer the ZR1 as, “… a high-powered grand touring car.” Yes indeed, GRAND!

The Story of the C3, C4, C6, and C7 ZR-1/ZR1 Corvette: Part 1 of 4

C3 Corvettes / Corvette History / Corvette News & Opinions

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The Story of the C3, C4, C6, and C7 ZR-1/ZR1 Corvette: Part 1 of 4

The 1970-1/2 – 1972 ZR-1: There have been three distinctive “ZR-1 / ZR1” Corvettes since 1970. The first ZR-1 was actually the last of Duntov’s “Racer Kit” option packages, designed to provide a Corvette customer with the basics needed to go SCCA racing. Offered from 1970-1/2 to 1972, the RPO ZR-1 (and RPO ZR-2) were strictly “under-the-skin” hardware packages. There were no special badges, scoops, vents, limps, bumps, or budges. From the outside, the ZR-1 looked like any other LT-1 or 454 (as with the ZR-2) Corvette. These unique cars were not “marketed” in any way at all. You had to know about them to seek one out, and most of them, likely never saw street use.

Vette Videos: Hot Lap Action With the 2012 Indy 500 ZR1 Corvette Pace Car

C6 Corvettes / C6 ZR1 Corvettes / Corvette Indy 500 Pace Cars / Videos - C6 Corvettes

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Vette Videos: Hot Lap Action With the 2012 Indy 500 ZR1 Corvette Pace Car

What’s really interesting about the ‘12 Indy 500 ZR1 Pace Car is that it is the most powerful car to ever pace the 500. Time was that the actual Indy race cars didn’t have 638-horsepower and topping speeds of over 200-mph was mind boggling! Fast forward to today, and we have a mass-produced automobile with all the creature comforts imaginable, packing 638-horsepower that you can live with, that’ll do 205-mph, AND has a governor on the car so that its speed will not exceed the body’s aerodynamic stability. At least, that’s what Chevrolet says about the 205-mph limiter.

2012 Centennial Edition ZR1 Corvette – The “Best” C6?

C6 Corvettes / C6 ZR1 Corvettes / Corvette Polls / Corvette Special Editions

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2012 Centennial Edition ZR1 Corvette – The “Best” C6?

When I wrote my Illustrated Corvette Series No. 177 column for VETTE in October ‘11 covering the 2012 Centennial Edition, there was zero talk about 2013 special editions. And frankly, I wasn’t anticipating the announcement of the 60th Anniversary Special Edition until the Spring. Then in early January, “BAM!” Chevrolet unleashed the 60th Anniversary Edition, plus the delicious 427 Convertible. While I personally like a little more sizzle, the two ‘13 special editions are indeed sweet. But it did complicate the main question of my column, “Is the 2012 Centennial Edition ZR1 the best of the C6 Vettes?”

A Salute to the Amazing ZR-1 and ZR1 Corvette

C4 ZR-1 Corvettes / C6 ZR1 Corvettes / Corvette Gifts

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A Salute to the Amazing ZR-1 and ZR1 Corvette

The Corvette team was a very different group from the late ‘60s. One thing Dave McLellan and his team were determined to do was make sure their new world-class Vette was NOT launched prematurely. The team intended to release the ZR-1 as an ‘89 Corvette, but smartly chose to postpone production a year to make sure the car was right. The only downside to the entire enterprise was a small matter of the BIG price. At $27,016 on top of the $31,979 base price, this wasn’t just an engine option. No, no. everything from the flywheel back to the tires was bigger, more stout, and heavy duty. And rather than just add flares to the fenders to cover the oversized tires (ala the C3 L-88 fender flares), the entire back end of the car was widened. Unfortunately, the change was only noticeable to those with a keen Corvette eye or if the ZR-1 was next to a regular C4 Corvette. But, we won’t pick, as it was a magnificent car.

Vette Videos: C6 ZR1 Corvette “SMOKIN!!!” TV Commercial

C6 Corvettes / C6 ZR1 Corvettes / Vette Videos / Videos - C6 Corvettes

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Vette Videos: C6 ZR1 Corvette “SMOKIN!!!” TV Commercial

So far we have heard no news at all as to the possibility of a C7 ZR1 Corvette. But, then again, we’re not getting any news about the C7 base Corvette either. Corvette engine developers and engineers have proven that the computer controlled emission devices on the ZR1’s LS9 engine are more than up to making sure high horsepower and emissions standards can be maintained. And with the winds of change swirling around Detroit and rumors of much smaller Corvette engines, turbo versions, hybrid setups, etc… it’s anyone’s guess as to what will be under the fiberglass or carbon fiber hood of the next generation Corvette.

C6 Corvettes / Car Shows / Corvette Chassis / Corvette Under the Hood / Vette Polls

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Should the C6 ZR1 Corvette Chassis be the Basic C7 Chassis?

Take an inside look at the ZR1 Corvette chassis display and discover the engineering precision beneath the bodywork. From advanced suspension geometry to structural rigidity and drivetrain layout, this behind-the-scenes view highlights the technology and craftsmanship that make the ZR1 one of the most capable performance Corvettes ever built.