Dual Overhead Cam Classic: 1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

The C4 generation Corvette ZR1 was the result of a project between GM and Lotus Engineering, which resulted in a 375 horsepower DOHC V8 engine, big brakes, heavy duty suspension and active ride control.  It was really ahead of its time for a GM product from the early 1990s but a hefty price tag (twice the cost of a standard Vette at $60k) and special assembly plant limited production to 6900 units over 6 years.  Thankfully the magic of depreciation has dropped them into el cheapo territory and you can get one for the price of a 10 year old Camry.  Seriously. Find this 1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 offered for $12,000 near Cincinnati, OH via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

That's A Lotta Cam: 1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1

I'm not going to sit here and pontificate on which cars will be worth beaucoup bucks in the future..but I will tell you that there aren't many special edition Corvettes with monster performance available for $10k anywhere around the globe.  Find this 1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 offered for $10,500 in San Fernando Valley, CA via craigslist.  Tip from Rock On!

Many Camshafts: 1991 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1

The C4 generation Corvette ZR-1 was introduced in 1990 as the result of a collaboration between GM's Corvette division and the recently acquired Group Lotus (GM sold Lotus a few years later to a Luxembourg holding company that sold it to Proton..etc).  The plan was to build the world's fastest production car with the best from GM's chassis engineering and a set of Lotus engineered DOHC heads on a small block Chevy.  The result was nothing short of glorious, and you can get one for shockingly cheap today.  Find this 1991 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 offered for $16,750 in Cincinnati, OH via craigslist.  Tip from FuelTruck.

Guilty Pleasure: 1990 Corvette ZR-1

Mention the word Corvette and it conjures up all kinds of memories associated with America's super car.  Boogie Nights...Corvette Summer...Pootie Tang...and old guys in plaid golf shorts with a bleach blonde Barbie in the right seat.  I swore I would never consider a Corvette, yet here I am contemplating one of the best bangs for your buck in the used sports car world today.  Find this 1990 Corvette ZR-1 for sale in Dover, NH for $16,500 via craigslist.

15k: Low Mile, Low Paint: 1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1

The C4 generation Corvette ZR-1 was sold from 1990 through 1995 as a pushrod free vision of the future.  Strangely enough, the geniuses in GM's engine group decided the overhead cam was not needed and future super car versions of the Vette somehow managed to produce power without overhead cams, but for a few years the inevitability of direct acting valves seemed certain.  Find this 1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 offered for $18,000 in Honolulu, HI via craigslist.  Tip from SS. 

20k: Who Forgot The Pushrods? 1991 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1

Do you enjoy rocking a stage 3 mullet, but fancy yourself as a bit of a technologist? Sometimes you wear a sleeveless wife beater under a sport coat...there is no shame in that.  Perhaps you are the unfortunate child born from a Schlitz & coke fueled one night stand between Larry the Cable Guy and Steve Jobs?  Fear not, for the automotive engineers at General Motors were prepared for this event and built a car just for you.  Find this  1991 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 here on eBay currently bidding for $14,095 reserve-not-met with a few hours to go located in Lincoln, NE. 

20k: C4 Corvette Cage Fight: 1991 ZR-1 vs 1996 Grand Sport

You've got $20k budget for something sporty, what do you buy...a new V6 Mustang?  Heck no!!  You don't want people to think you are driving around in a rental, do ya?  What you need is something that'll show the boys back at your 30th high school reunion that you made it.  What you need is a Corvette.  But not just any Corvette.  You need a C4.  A rare one....but...do you pick the 32-valve ZR-1 or the limited edition Grand Sport? That is the question...