As printed in For Vettes Only in October 1989.
The Chevrolet PR guys call it “the best sports car value on the planet.” To be sure, it’s a great car. And getting better! But “the best sports car value on the Plant?” Well, maybe, maybe not. Thing is, what does it matter? The world offers many sports cars. Each, for the most part, with it own set of strengths and weaknesses. What is notable and important is that Corvette has been for some time and shows healthy signs of remaining a true World Class sports car, capable of running the pavement with the planets best.
For 1990, Chevrolet takes a giant step into Porsche and Ferrari territory with the introduction of the ZR-1. It’s still too early to tell whether or not the ZR-1 can compete with the Europeans at every level. If price is any indication, however, it’s off to a good start. Compared to the standard Corvette coupe’s $31,979 base price, the base price on the ZR-1 coupe is $58.995. (If you happen to be one of those folks who were taken back a bit when new Vette prices first edged past the milestone $25,000 point, we’ll take a moment here to catch our breath.)
What, you should ask, makes the ZR-1 $26,976 more special than what now can only be referred to as the “standard” Corvette; an already outstanding automobile? First, the all-aluminum, double overhead cam, 32-valve V-8 (code named LT5). The 5.7-liter/350-cubic inch engine develops 370 horses at 5,800rpm. Yes that is over 100 more horsepower than the standard Vette’s standard power plant. Yes, pretty impressive. The spec sheet suggest 0 – 60 in 4.3 second and a 12.8 second quarter-mile. (Mileage reports vary from 25 to 30 on the high end depending on whom you choose to believe, the guy who wrote the spec sheets or the guy who does the press releases.)
The ZR-1 is available this fall. Chevrolet says about 3,000 units are slated for production at the Bowling Green, Kentucky assembly plant for the US market in 1990. Distribution schedules also indicate 45 units scheduled for sale in Europe and 165 in Canada.
Besides the higher priced “super car” there’s some news in standard Corvette land as well. The 1990 Vette gets its first major interior redesign since 1984 with an aircraft-inspired instrument panel and console that sport both analog and digital gauges. Also of note are a horsepower increase on the standard L98 engine (to 245 at 4,000 rpm with sort mufflers) enhanced anti-lock brakes, a driver’s side supplemental air bag and new Delco/Bose “Gold” sound system with 200 watts of power. The latter could give the Vette’s little cockpit real concert hall sound especially if coupled with an optional digital disc player.
A quick glimpse at a few of the other “news” for 1990 includes the availability of “Polo Green metallic” as an exterior color and 17-inch cast aluminum wheels. Inside there are an instrument panel glove box, relocated power door and window controls and a redesigned heating, ventilation and air condition system.
As we’ve come to expect from year-to-year Corvette model changes, many are small, sometimes even unnoticeable, improvements or additions. Since 1953 this approach to progress has worked pretty well. The 1990 Corvette coupe, convertible and ZR-1 coupe proudly carry on the tradition.
| What's New For '90 |
|
| MODELS |
MODELS |
| ZR-1 option |
2-door coupe (1YY07) |
| ENGINE/TRANSMISSION |
2-door convertible (1YY67) |
|
5.7 L TPI DOHC 32-valve aluminum V8 (ZR-1)
|
2-door ZR-1 coupe (1YZ07) |
| * Sequential fuel injection |
STANDARD WHEELS/TIRES |
| * Three-stage induction system |
Wheels - 17-inch cast aluminum |
| * Air injection reaction (A.I.R.) system |
Tires-P275/40ZR17 Eagle Z-rated radials |
| 5.7 TPI V8 |
Tires-P31535ZR17 (ZR-1) |
| * Horsepower increases |
POWERTRAINS |
| * Speed density engine control |
Standard Engine - 5.7L TPI V8 (RPO L98) |
| * Lighter weight pistons |
5.7L TPI DOHC 32-valve V* (RPO LT5) for ZR-1 |
| * Engine oil life monitor |
Standard Transmission-4-speed automatic with overdrive (RPO MXO) |
| * Sloped-back radiator design |
6-speed manual (RPO MNG for ZR-1) |
| * Engine oil cooler standard |
Optional-6-speed manual (RPO MN6) |
| FEATURES |
|
| * Bosch ABS II-S brake control system |
BACKGROUND BRIEFS |
| * Central ECM to monitor body/chassis systems |
First introduced - 1953 |
| * Ultrashield flexible backlight (convertible) |
Market Segment - High Sport |
| INTERIOR/EXTERIOR |
Sales History -Calendar Year |
| EXTERIOR |
* 1984 - 30,424 |
| * Power switch on center console (ZR-1 option only) |
* 1985 - 37,956 |
| * Polo Green metallic exterior color |
* 1986 - 33,027 |
| * 17-inch cast aluminum wheels |
* 1987 - 25,437 |
| INTERIOR |
* 1988 - 23,281 |
| * Combination of analog and digital gauges |
Product Milestones |
| * Redesigned console, door trim and steering wheel |
* 1956 - Factory-installed removable hardtops |
| * Raised symbols for switches and controls |
* 1957 - Factory-installed fuel injection |
| * Glove box built into instrument panel |
* 1958 - Horsepower is up to 290 |
| * Lighted graphics for driver's door and center console switches |
* 1963 - Corvette split-window coupe |
| * Power door and window controls relocated to door |
* 1965 - Disc brakes |
| * Windshield wiper moved to turn signal stalk |
* 1968 - Radical restyling with pop-up headlamps and removable roof panels |
| * Supplemental inflatable restraint (SIR) system "air bag" |
* 1971 - First optional factory-installed ZR1 package |
| * Redesigned heating, ventilation and air conditioning system |
*1975 - Addition of catalytic converter. "Last" year for convertible until 1986 |
| * Delco/Bose "Gold" sound system |
* 1976 - Aluminum wheels offered |
| * Digital disc player (optional) |
* 1977 - Leather seats are standard. Cruise control introduced |
| STANDARD EQUIPMENT |
* 1978 - Fastback body style introduced |
| * Power 4-wheel disc brakes |
* 1981 - A fiberglass-reinforced monoleaf rear spring and Computer Command Control emissions system |
| * Power rack-and-pinion steering |
* 1982 - Crossfire Injection system. First hatchback |
| * Heavy-duty Bilstein gas-charged shock absorbers |
* 1985- 5.7L TPI V-8 added |
| * Power operated halogen headlamps |
* 1986 - ABS and PASS-key anti-theft system introduced |
| * Halogen fog lamps |
|
| * Dual electrically adjusted and heated mirrors |
* 1987 - Z52 optional handling and riding package debuts |
| * One-piece removable fiberglass roof panel |
* 1989 - 6-speed manual transmission and selective ride control |
| * PASS-Key anti-theft system |
|
| * Intermittent wiper system |
|
| * Electronic speed control with resume speed |
|
| * Air conditioning |
|
| * Heated rear window |
|
| * Leather-wrapped steering wheel |
|
| * AM/FM stereo radio with cassette and power antenna |
|
| * Power door locks |
|
| * Power windows |
|
| * Cloth bucket seats with lateral support and back angle adjustment |
|
| * Outside engine air induction |
|
| * Acoustical insulation package |
|
