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1990 Chevrolet Corvette C4

The 1960s had been a tremendous period for automobile performance as figures continued to rise year-after-year. Unfortunately, accidents also increased, resulting in stricter safety regulations. The oil crisis of October 1973, initiated by the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries which proclaimed an oil embargo, led to a dramatic increase in the price of oil, especially in the United States. This was later called the 'first oil shock,' and was followed in 1979 by the 'second oil shock.' By this point in history, nearly all 'full-size' American automobiles had become smaller, with smaller and more fuel-efficient engines.

1990 Chevrolet Corvette C4 photo
ZR-1 Hatchback Coupe
The American car scene during the 1970s and much of the 1980s was devoid of any real performance options as safety, fuel economy, and luxury became the new priority. The desire for performance still lingered but remained virtually unattainable from regular production manufacturers. Automotive enthusiasts rejoiced in 1990, as Chevrolet finally introduced the long-awaited ZR-1 package. This was a limited-production, high-performance version of the standard Corvette. The ZR-1 consisted of a 32-valve, dual overhead cam, LT5 engine designed by Lotus Engineering and built by Mercury Marine. To segregate the standard Corvette from the ZR-1 Corvette, an all-new convex rear fascia and quad rectangular tail-lights were fitted to the ZR-1.

The ZR1 had a base suggested retail price of nearly $60,000, approximately $27,000 above the base $32,000 Corvette. The LT5's engine size of 5.7-liter was the same as the base Corvette engine, but it had a totally different bore and stroke. (The base used a 4.0 x 3.48 bore/stroke - the LT5 had a 3.90 x 3.66 in bore/stroke). The only transmission offered was a six-speed manual shifter. To make sure the power was properly delivered from the engine to the ground, wider 17-inch rear tires were used, complete with wider rear fascia offering its own visual uniqueness. The ZR-1 was among the fastest street cars being produced during its time and would remain in production until 1995.

The 375 horsepower produced by the ZR1 was nearly identical to the output of the Ferrari Testarossa, albeit with four fewer cylinders and costing $101,600 less. The 471 (SAE) horsepower of the V8-powered (with two IHI turbochargers) Ferrari F40 was significantly more, again with the price tag premium. The V12 engine in the Lamborghini Diablo delivered 485 horsepower and had a starting price of $211,000. The 5.3-liter eight-cylinder Aston Martin Virage produced less power – at 330 horsepower – with a price tag that exceeded $200,000. The $60,000, 375 horsepower ZR1 was certainly a bargain.

1990 Chevrolet Corvette C4 photo
ZR-1 Hatchback Coupe
One of the complaints about the prior-year Corvette was its arcade-like digital instrument readouts. Corvette engineers responded by replaced the speedometer for the 1990 Corvette with analog gauges. An engine-oil monitoring function was added to calculate remaining oil life and activate a dash-mounted indicator to alert drivers to the need for an oil change. The base L98 Tuned Port Injection engine received a revised camshaft profile, a slight increase in compression, and a new air-density speed-control sensor resulting in an increase in power to 245 HP.

Standard equipment included cloth upholstery, four-wheel power disc brakes, 17-inch alloy wheels, and power rack-and-pinion steering. Modifications were made to the Anti-lock Braking System with revised yaw control for more predictable handling at the Corvette's upper limits. The all-independent suspension featured extensive use of aluminum alloy, combining double wishbones upfront with a sophisticated 5-link rear layout and fiberglass transverse leaf springs at both ends. The six-speed manual gearbox was standard with a four-speed overdrive automatic available as a no-cost option.

The Convertible body style came with a new backlight made of flexible 'Ultrashield' that improved visibility and scratch resistance. The hatchbacks came with a removable body-color roof panel. The color choices for the convertible top - determined by paint color - included white, saddle, or black.

1990 Chevrolet Corvette C4 photo
ZR-1 Hatchback Coupe
The Corvettes became safer with the addition of driver-side airbags.

Motorsports continued to be an important aspect of the Corvette's identity, including the 23 factory-built Corvette R9G examples that were built for the SCCA Escort World Challenge Series. Two examples were used by Morrison Motorsports to carry the team to the season championship that year.

The Corvette's SCCA Showroom Stock racing series began at the inaugural 1984 race at Nelson Ledges, Ohio, when a Z51 coupe entered by John Greenwood, Dave Heinz, and Rod Millen dominated until it was forced to retire in 24th place. From that point forward, the Corvette won every race through the 1987 season. The SCCA later banned the Corvette from Showroom Stock, instead, Chevrolet and the SCCA created the Corvette Challenge series. Due to escalating costs, Chevrolet pulled its backing after the 1989 season.

1990 Chevrolet Corvette C4 photo
Hatchback Coupe
Chassis #: 1G1YZ23J8L5800912
The Corvette was then invited by the SCCA to compete in the new World Challenge, previously known as the Escort Endurance Championship sponsored by Escort radar detectors. Chevrolet initially offered support to both the series and privateer Corvette racers through its dealer network special Corvettes for the World Challenge. The merchandising code was known as the RG9 and added heavy-duty springs and other performance modifications to the World Challenge-bound Corvettes. Apart from the sealed race-prepared 5.7-liter, 250 HP engines from Chevrolet, the privateers were responsible for adding their own modifications and preparing the cars for competition.

Of the 23 RG9 Corvettes built by Chevrolet, only eight were raced. The list of privateers includes John Heinricy, Don Knowles, Stu Hayner, Bob Lobenberg, and Andy Pilgrim. The Corvette that earned more team points than any other car in the 1990 Escort World Challenge series was the number 98 R9G that was finished in Silver, Red, and Blue Mobil 1 livery. With sponsorship from Morrison Engineering and Grabiak Corvette Performance Center in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, the number 98 earned an outright victory in the24 Hours of Mosport in Ontario. Other GM Corporation-backed team earned victories at the Grands Prix of Dallas and St. Petersburg, Florida.

The number 98 driven by Tommy Morrison and its number 97 sister car had a consistent season, earning them the Team, Manufacturer, and Tire Championships for 1990.


by Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2003

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1990 Chevrolet Corvette C4 Vehicle Profiles

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

1990 Corvette C4
$58,995-$200,000
1990 Chevrolet Corvette C4 Price Range: $31,970 - $58,995

Compare: Lower | Higher | Similar

Other 1990 Chevrolet Models
$8,600 - $11,500
$10,320 - $13,750
$11,000 - $19,000

Corvette C4

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
43
96.20 in.
$22,000 - $22,000
51,547
96.20 in.
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 205.00hp
$22,000 - $22,000
39,729
96.20 in.
8 cyl., 349.85 CID., 230.00hp
$24,900 - $24,900
35,109
96.20 in.
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 230.00hp
$27,000 - $32,000
50
96.20 in.
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 230.00hp
30,632
96.20 in.
8 cyl., 349.85 CID., 240.00hp
$27,999 - $33,170
22,789
96.20 in.
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 245.00hp
$29,480 - $34,820
26,412
96.20 in.
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 245.00hp
$31,500 - $36,800
23,646
96.20 in.
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 250.00hp
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 375.00hp
$31,970 - $58,995
20,639
96.20 in.
8 cyl., 349.85 CID., 245.00hp
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 375.00hp
$32,455 - $64,140
20,479
96.20 in.
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 300.00hp
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 375.00hp
$33,600 - $65,320
21,590
96.20 in.
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 300.00hp
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 405.00hp
$34,595 - $66,280
23,330
96.20 in.
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 300.00hp
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 405.00hp
$36,180 - $67,449
17,190
96.20 in.
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 300.00hp
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 405.00hp
$36,185 - $68,000
22,000
96.20 in.
8 cyl., 347.84 CID., 300.00hp
8 cyl., 349.85 CID., 330.00hp
$37,200 - $45,000

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