Today Chevrolet makes use of the ZR2 badge for off-road trucks, however it as soon as adorned a uncommon Corvette variant.
Scheduled to cross the block at a Mecum auction in Indianapolis on Might 20, this 1971 Corvette ZR2 coupe is one among simply 12 constructed, and is considered the final to roll out of the manufacturing unit.
The Corvette ZR2 was a one-year-only affair for 1971, and was offered alongside the Corvette ZR1 that had been launched for the 1970 mannequin 12 months. The one distinction between the 2 track-focused Corvette fashions was the engine. The ZR1 had Chevy’s unique LT1 V-8, whereas the ZR2 had the LS6, displacing 454 cubic inches and producing a factory-quoted 425 hp.
Chevy constructed 188 Corvettes with the LS6 engine for 1971, however solely 12 had the $1,741 ZR2 package deal. The automotive featured a Muncie M22 « Rock Crusher » close-ratio 4-speed handbook transmission, heavy-duty energy brakes, an aluminum radiator with steel fan shroud, transistorized ignition, and upgraded suspension with model-specific springs, shocks, and stabilizer bars. Supposed as a hardcore observe particular, the ZR2 additionally did with out conveniences like energy steering and air-con.
1971 Chevrolet Corvette ZR2 coupe (picture by way of Mecum Auctions)
The ZR2 up for public sale left the manufacturing unit in St. Louis, Missouri, on Might 28, 1971, making it the final documented ZR2 constructed, in accordance with the public sale itemizing. It was constructed as an export automotive and was initially shipped to Golden Mile Chevrolet-Oldsmobile in Toronto. Later repatriated, it was at one level handled to a body-off restoration by specialist Corvette Restore Inc. It now wears factory-correct Manufacturers Hatch Inexperienced paint with a Darkish Inexperienced vinyl inside.
Mecum expects this ZR2 coupe to promote for between $475,000 and $600,000 at public sale. Needless to say one among simply two 1971 ZR2 convertibles offered for $962,500 at Mecum’s 2022 Indianapolis auction, coming in slightly below a pre-auction estimate of $1 million to $1.2 million. The convertible was additionally painted Manufacturers Hatch Inexperienced, so maybe the identical bidder will return this 12 months to get an identical set.
