Low-Mile C4 ZR-1 Returns to the Road After Decades in Storage

Under the current care of the late owner’s family, low-mile 1990 ZR-1 logged most of its 1,300 miles within the first year of ownership.

A Corvette can be a treasured family heirloom for some. After all, there are plenty of memories to be made either behind the wheel or in the passenger seat of America’s sports car. Whether it’s a ’53 or a C4 ZR-1, or even the newest ‘Vette on the block, any given Corvette can be passed down from generation to generation.

Alas, some things weren’t meant to stay within the family forever. Such is the case of this 1990 ZR-1 we happened upon on Bring a Trailer a while ago.

The Bright Red ZR-1 first landed in California, where it was picked by its first owner. After a year on the road, it was placed in long-term storage, where it would remain until a while ago. Over the decades since, the owner left this mortal coil, with ownership turned over to the surviving family.

And how many miles did the ZR-1’s 5.7-liter LT5 V8 cover while on the road for that first year of life? Just 1,300 of them. After spending a long time in storage, Arizona’s Bromley’s Corvettes took great pains to bring the big engine back to life, as well as the six-speed manual and all the mechanicals. Thus, the next owner should have no troubles taking the ‘Vette back out on the open road.

Otherwise, the ZR-1 remains remarkably preserved. The Bright Red paint needed nothing more than some washing and waxing, and the Saddle interior needed only some cleaning to bring it all back to how it was decades ago. There’s nothing like stepping into a time capsule, especially one representing the ultimate Corvette of the C4 era.

Once upon a time, the ZR-1’s first owner got all he wanted out of the Corvette. Then, it went into storage, never to return to the open road. Why it went in, only the owner and his family know for sure. Now, though, this special Corvette has a chance to live the life it was meant to have decades ago.

Photos: Bring a Trailer

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