29-Mile Chevy Corvette ZR-1 Is Front-Engined V8 Madness

Chevrolet made sure its 66-year tradition of the front-engined Corvette went out with a bang. A couple of years before the current C8 Stingray appeared, the C7 ZR1 debuted and it was unlike anything else from the Bow Tie brand.

The Chevy Corvette ZR1, offered in both coupe and convertible body styles, featured flamboyant bodywork and a supercharged 6.2-liter pushrod V8 with 755 horsepower and 715 lb-ft of torque. The seven-speed manual was the preferred gearbox not only because it's more fun to row your own gears but, in this case, the optional eight-speed automatic is slow to shift. With a 0 to 60 mph time of just 3 seconds flat and a top speed of nearly 215 mph, Chevy effectively turned the Corvette into a supercar.

Additional improvements included better engine cooling thanks to large vents in the front bumpers and hood, four more radiators, and an aerodynamics package developed with Pratt & Miller's Corvette racing team. Heavy doses of carbon fiber were utilized to help keep weight in check but the ZR1 was still heavier than the Z06, tipping the scales at 3,560 pounds for one key reason: additional fluids for the cooling system.

Other standard features included Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes, double-wishbone suspension with magnetic ride control for improved cornering, and an active exhaust system. Production was limited and collectors responded, some of whom never drove their ZR1s. This is one of those cases.

Mecum Auctions is offering this Sebring Orange 2019 Corvette ZR1 at its Indy 2021 event next month and we can't imagine a situation where it doesn't find a new owner.