Thundering Thursday! The “Racer’s Option”

The first Corvettes with RPO ZR1, called the ZR-1 (with dash), were produced from 1970-1972 (same as the LT-1’s). To get the ZR-1 option you first had to check the box for the LT-1 motor, as no other motor option could be used. Other options that came standard with the ZR-1 package included an expansion tank, power brakes, M22 “Rock Crusher” heavy duty four-speed transmission, J56 Heavy duty power brakes, transistorized ignition, special aluminum radiator and the F41 suspension that included special springs, shocks and front and rear stabilizer bars.

The car was designed with racing in mind so you could not get amenities like air conditioning, power windows, power steering, radio, alarm system, rear window defroster, or special trim items like P02 wheel covers. Only 53 C3 ZR-1’s Corvettes were produced (25 in 1970, 8 in 1971 and 20 in 1972), making the car a much sought-after collector’s vehicle.