While the modern renditions of the ZR1 Corvette have many followers, for those who
know their Corvette history, it was the rarely-seen early version of this RPO that
garners attention. Looking for a well-balanced small-block package for 1970, legendary
Chevrolet developer Zora Arkus-Dntov took the lessons learned during the seven-liter
L88 race combination’s era and put them onto a model powered by the most advanced
rendition of the legendary Chevrolet small-block. The new LT1, at 350-ci with 370-hp,
continued the Corvette legacy with its heavy-duty L88 starter, transistorized ignition,
and an aluminum radiator with surge tank and metal fan shroud. The engine was
coupled to a lightweight flywheel and the famous Muncie M22 ‘rock-crusher’ four-speed
transmission. Like the L88, it featured J56 heavy duty brakes, heavy duty springs and
shock absorbers, and larger-diameter front and rear swap bars. There were 1,287
buyers for LT1 Corvettes that year, but only 25 of them chose to buy the ZR1
combination, which was a true racing package. This is one of those handful
constructed, and more incredibly was ordered as a convertible. It recently received an
extensive mechanical restoration and detailing in 2015, earning it a Top Flight award in
2015.
In reality, RPO ZR1 was the successor of the L88 legacy, a nimble mandatory radio-
delete package, complete with the aforementioned heavy-duty cooling, braking and
suspension parts. You were out of luck if you wanted air conditioning, power steering
or power windows; these were street-legal racecars. This example is backed by the M22
rock-crusher and a 4.11 PosiTraction differential. What first-year model buyers like
George Lynch could not foresee was that 1970 would be the only year of high
compression for this new engine, because in 1971 all LT1 engines dropped to 9.0:1. A
club racer, Lynch was assisted by no less than the famed Dick Guldstrand for SCCA
competition when the car was new. Since that time, it has had only three other owners
and is highly regarded as formerly part of the Chuck Ungurean ZR1 Collection.
Among the rarest of small-block models, this ultra-performance Corvette comes with
exceptional provenance. The original purchase order worksheet, Protect-O-Plate, and
copies of shipping forms are here. It was a magazine cover car during its racing days,
has secured Bloomington Gold honors, and most recently scored a spectacular 98.3 in
Top Flight NRCS judging this past February.
The word exceptional is not overused with this car. This amazingly well-presented ZR1
Corvette is a unique investment opportunity and a highlight of any serious collection.
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714.434.8388
1970 Corvette ZR1
