1991 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 (C4) LT-5 V8 - MotorWeek Retro

[@howabouthetruth2157]

Now in the year 2023, I have watched every video I can find featuring owners of the C4 ZR1. Many also own or have owned much more expensive sports cars from Ferrari's, and Lambo's, to Audi's and Porsche's, both new and/or used. Most bought their ZR1's USED. And every one of them say they were really surprised when they first tested their C4 ZR1, and to this day, absolutely love it. They still get excited when they mash that throttle and marvel at the incredible power delivery all over the rpm range, and in every gear, thanks to it's LT5 gem of an engine. They state that the C4 ZR1 still stands up to any modern high performance naturally aspirated engine, and still out-runs most of them, in both handling and sheer power. That is nothing short of incredible when ya consider the fact that the C4 ZR1 was engineered, designed, and was first introduced OVER 3 DECADES AGO. It even STILL holds the 24 hr high speed endurance record AND the 5,000 mile record to this day!!! ( I've had several viewers in comments CLAIM those 24 hr and 5,000 mile speed records have just recently been broken, but I can't find any proof of that whatsoever. Therefore, I don't believe them. But what I DO believe, is that those making such claims happen to be people who simply hate Chevrolet, and can't stand the fact that this car truly is: THE KING OF THE HILL. ) I want one so bad, I can taste it.

[@boyfrmnewyork]

Record was broken by a non production car so does not count by the FIA. The King of the Hill still rules!

[@Erichhh]

The 1992-96 LT1/LT4 are no slouches, and can be purchased for a fraction of the price of a ZR1. I bought my 1995 Z07 automatic for $21k in 1997, and was surprised that it ran 13.75 at 99 completely stock. It was running a few tenths faster than the new C5s at the drag strip that day. I still have it, and it's still just as strong with 100k on it as it was with 22k when I bought it 26 years ago. I've never had to add oil between 5k changes and it has been surprisingly reliable.

[@howabouthetruth2157]

@@Erichhh I think it's a nice car and it's really good to know you really appreciate and enjoy it. Ya sure don't drive it very much at all though. As nice as it runs, it's still no comparison to the Lotus/Chevy/Mercury built LT5. That engine is damned special, and always will be. Take the time to read the comment only a couple posts below ours here by TommioRS. Even the suspension in the C4 ZR1 is totally different. When we see quite a few videos of well-to-do owners of high end, stupid expensive super cars who finally decided to grab an old C4 ZR1 and then heap total praise all over them and are KEEPING them, even though they can afford basically whatever they want........that's really saying something. And I would bet money that beforehand, they didn't think much of the old ZR1 at all......until some friend drove or bought one and strongly urged them to do the same. IMHO, that LT5 engine has got to be one of, if not THE BEST factory V8 ever engineered & produced by anyone, period. Hey, both of it's 24hr and 5,000 mile speed endurance records ( close to 30 hrs) still stand to this very day. ( The only differences were headers & open exhaust, and race approved wheels, tires, roll cage and aircraft landing lights as headlights because traveling at or above 180 mph in darkness means as soon as you see a deer in the road, you're already on top of it before you can get stopped.) That's because every auto-maker truly knows just how difficult it is to pull off. You can also bet many have tried in secret, documented their attempts "just in case they succeeded".......yet failed......time & time again. The cost of special tires and rental of a huge track ( unless they own one ) means a shit load of money down the drain too.

[@byrnc927]

​@Erichhh I have owned a 96 LT4 and two 91 ZR-1's. When the LT4 starts wheezing around 5900 rpm, the LT5 keeps pulling right to the redline. Both of my ZR-1s were modded, so it's unfair to make such a comparison. I still would own an LT4 car in a heartbeat though.

[@choward874]

I almost bought one in 92. Instead I opted to buy the much cheaper L98 😂😂 I still hate myself for that decision.

[@TommioRS]

As a proud owner of a 95 ZR-1 myself, the LT-5 Engine is mega. The 95 my is rated at 405hp but my but dyno tells me it feels like 440hp to 460hp. Its the strongest 405hp i have ever felt. The LT-5 is amazing, if you get the chance to drive one do it. Once in a lift time experience.

[@fernandorocha901]

I love Corvette C4 is my favorite, 1985-1988

[@Trouba315]

I love this car so much. I would like to have ZR-1 '93-'95. Real badass till nowadays.

[@drumking241]

I got 93 base the same color gorgeous car and get lots of compliments. I'll eventually built her to run with or outrun the Zr1 of the Era

[@VF1Skullangel]

This is my dream car #2 behind the Diablo. I've driven this car and its sooo different than the base model LT1.

[@boyfrmnewyork]

I have the exact same car right down the lovely blue (except for black interior) and Lotus symphony... It is de-rated by GM public brochures and actually dynos out at 415hp net not 375hp... Just like they did for the 427 L-88 for insurance reasons... Comparing the more representative test conditions of the MW 90 test to the last 95 ZR-1 they tested, the 90 was quicker by almost a second in 0-60 and 1/4 mile in their previous test. The 90 was quicker than the 95 with supposedly more hp and lets not forget the 90 ZR-1posted a faster lap at Roebling Road raceway compared the best Porsche 911Turbo had to offer...

[@thomasfarley6052]

Thanks for the video i have never seen this one.

[@RetroCarReviews]

NO SWEAT, GLAD YOU ENJOYED!

[@francismartin2427]

Old School 91 time.

[@emilianocruz11]

About the c4 zr1 vs Callaway twin turbo c4 on motorweek from 1991 ?

[@gripp9k]

No one wears a Members Only jacket like this guy.

[@danziger69]

Top 10 Best Car Ever.

[@AnManHydro]

❤

[@johnshields6852]

People think 375 hp isn't that much, it's huge, compared to today's it's not but that's plenty of power, unless you have your own racetrack that's fast for regular streets.

[@davidsherrick898]

Still will beat 60 percent of 2024 cars on the road

[@SVW1976]

I would have said the same thing back then as im going to say today. That ZR-1 is definitely more desireable than that Porsche. Its not even close. 😂

[@lukehelpmetakethisdangmaskoff]

If you like an egg with wheels. 😂

[@zanastumasonis]

how is the leg room in one of these for the driver? looks super narrow? would a 6'5" guy be ok in there?

[@ericb562]

These C4s are tiny cars, I barely squeeze into my '89 coupé that was given to me by original owner. AC Cobra smallest I have been in, tight as can be.

[@gordocarbo]

No. Im 6ft3 there was 0 room to spare. THose bolsters on teh sport seats making clutching it a lot a pain literally. Std seats if you swap them in different story . Most any yr of corvette Ive owned were not made for 6 ft tall plus guys. Pizzes me off

[@zanastumasonis]

@@gordocarbo I see, thanks. Tried a c6?

[@gordocarbo]

@@zanastumasonis I havent lost interest in late models. The GS was a nice looking vette.

[@jaypee389]

Alotta heatsoak and crap tires that day.

[@LeHair]

What’s the host’s name?

[@johnbehneman1546]

The Original

[@joelabbe6185]

I'll never understand what the point is in all these videos with the ridiculous wrestling of the shifter. Akin to trying to loosen a sapling or stump from the ground. Not only unnecessary but a downright abuse of a "borrowed" machine. Really turns me off.

[@gregleenyit]

#C4stillrealavent ZR-WON

[@gordocarbo]

Read like my old plates still got em

[@24theMoney]

13.8 sec 1/4 mile...LOL That is slower than a Civic R. WTH?

[@gordocarbo]

Try 12.9 in better conditions thats what my 90 ran bone stock, new. What did a 1990-95 civic run theres youre a to b comparison Lots of guys with time slips 110-112 mph no mods .Pretty good for its day nothing else came close. Plus you could hammer the daylights out of them for well over 200k and they never broke .

[@keywestfan2503]

1990 ran high 12’s all day long. Which was HUGE for 1990. It’s still huge by today’s standard.

[@01donandrews]

4 cams,not dual

[@watersnortmoment3734]

Dohc as in two per cylinder bank.

[@sidefx996]

DOHC V8=2 cams x 2 cylinders = 4 cams

[@MercOne]

Absolutely brilliant performance, but some of the worst build quality around at the time. You can see the trim coming apart on the car in the video. This generation Corvette was the only car I've see a magazine call "junky".

[@jimmya2578]

Wouldn’t be the comments section of a car review vid without a negative troll chiming in 🤣.

[@MercOne]

@@jimmya2578 Or a delusional GM Lifer with hurt feelings because they can’t deal with the truth.

[@romanfesas9721]

as an owner of a 92 zr1 and a base 94 I do have to say the interior quality was never as bad as people say but its still standard 90s quality so it was never that great haha. my 94 has around 120k miles and the interior rattles and squeaks a bit but its fine, and my 92 has only 40k miles which obviously means the interior is much nicer. i do have to say though, any other car of the price was for sure nicer back in the day.

[@CD-sz7tf]

I totally get your point MercOne, I'm just like you, take for example all the hype over Mona Lisa, she is maybe a two all day long and people gush all over how beautiful she is. I mean she did have a nice little rack on her, but come on, I just don't get it. The ZR-1, yeah big woop, 400ish hp in '90's, weak, record holder, who cares. Let's just focus on the ashtray alignment.....yeah okay bud...

[@verothacamaro]

About on par with Ferraris or Lamborghinis of the day.

[@TempletonpeckPasso]

5.5 sec de 0 /100 km/h avec un ZR1 ???? c'est quoi c'est essai de merde ? Je fais 5.1 sec .... avec mon vieux L98 de 1991 ...