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ZR1: Their Day in the Sun

The 2025 C8 ZR1 was introduced on July 25, 2024 and was an immediate sensation. The announcement was strategically limited to engine power ratings (1,064 horsepower at 7,000 rpm with 828 lb-ft of torque at 6,000 rpm).

GM then doled out performance statistics strategically to keep interest piqued. Top speed numbers were followed by 0 - 60 mph and 1/4 mile acceleration data. Then the MSRP was unveiled on January 9, 2025 - $174,995 - a complete bargain by any standard. And on January 27, 2025 the first ZR1 was auctioned off at Barrett-Jackson charity auction in Scottsdale AZ for $3,700,000.

There's a saying in investment circles: "A rising tide lifts all boats", meaning that when a particular stock, for example, goes up in value then other similar stocks also go up.

C3 ZR1s

Although many Corvette fans are not aware, there was a ZR1 for the 1970 thru 1972 model years. The above convertible 1970 ZR1 was auctioned off at Mecum Auctions on May 18, 2024. Hammer price was $155,000.

Above: This 1971 ZR1 coupe sold for $220,000 eight months later on January 17, 2025 at the Mecum Kissimmee auction.

On January 17, 2025 this 1970 ZR1 hammered at a phenomenal $451,000. Contributing to the result: It was the first ZR1 built and came with a long list of awards.

C4 ZR1s

The C4 ZR-1 has always had a soft spot in your authors heart. The four camshaft 32 valve LT-1 engine was a bold move on the part of GM. It was available for the 1990 thru 1995 model years.

Unfortunately the market has not been kind to them with prices hovering around the $20k level - and this is for cars in excellent condition with low miles.

That changed with the 2025 ZR1 introduction. At the Mecum Kissimmee auction, the above 1990 ZR-1, with 1,010 miles on the clock, achieved a $52,800 hammer price. This is about twice what it would have been less than one year earlier.

The above 1993 ZR-1 Anniversary Edition in Ruby Red also had a hammer price of $52,800. It had 12,319 miles on it.

This is a rare beast: a 1989 ZR-1. Sharp eyed Corvette folks will point out that ZR-1s were produced for the 1990 thru 1995 modle years. This car is one of the pilot cars used for development and testing. Interestingly, the engine was labeled as a LT-1.

Car companies normally do not like to see their pilot cars in public hands but GM sold four 1989 ZR1s according to one source. It was during their bankruptcy days so cash was at a premium.

It sold for $66,000 at the Mecum Kissimmee auction on January 16, 2025. It's hard to say how much of a bargain it was with only four in existence. Cosmetically it is in poor shape but that's common with engineering mules.

Although there are no recent Mecum sales for C6 ZR1s, the data from Bring a Trailer shows an uptick in prices.

C7 ZR1s

Similar to the Ford GT, the C7 ZR1 has been a marketplace phenom; few were sold for MSRP and all that were purchased only went up in value. Up until the July 2024 ZR1 announcement from GM, they had been trading for around $200,000. At the Kissimmee auction, four of the seven offered went for well over $200,000.

The above sebring orange seven speed coupe ZR1 with 18 miles on the odometer went for $275,000 at the January 16th 2025 auction.

This 2019 Corvette ZR1 Converitble in Long Beach Red with 866 miles hit $258,500 at Mecum Kissimmee. For yur author, it checked all the boxes: ZR1, Long Beach Red, Seven Speed manual, Convertible, do I have to say more?

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