An engine designed by Lotus and a suspension worthy of Porsche were saved after two decades of sitting around
3 hours ago
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- A rare C4 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 sat in a UK farm field for two decades.
- It features a very unique combination of features that are drastically different from the standard C4.
- Now, it’s about to get a full restoration thanks to new owners.
The C4 Chevrolet Corvette doesn’t get too much attention in the U.S. but it’s relatively rare in the UK. The ZR-1 trim is rare everywhere but especially outside of the States. Now, a buyer just saved just such an example after it sat in a UK farm field for two decades.
The ZR-1 trim on the C4 turns what is otherwise a quite simple sports car into something akin to a supercar. It had a V8 designed by Lotus and manufactured by Morris Marina before full assembly at Chevrolet. It made up to 405 hp (302 kW) and had a special key to unlock full power. It used a suspension with adaptive damping that just so happened to be similar to the one that did duty in the Porsche 959. Even the brakes and tires are unique to the trim.
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This particular ZR-1 has seen far better days. Its tires are all flat, the paint is faded, and plant life is literally growing both on and in it. A jacket left in the boot has significant sun damage on one side of it as it’s baked over the years. According to the now-previous owner, the time to drive the Corvette simply slipped away due to marriage, health, and other things in life. Now, as he prepares to move away from his farm, he’s selling the car to two individuals who intend to fully restore it.
As a part of the handoff, the folks from the Late Brake Show and the buyers do a deep dive into the C4’s condition. The pistons look good, the fuel pump works, and the interior looks fabulous considering the age and maintenance. The carpets, mats, and weather seals also appear to have held up quite well.
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The team tries to move the car but the brakes are seized up. As a result, they use a forklift and some lube to release them. Then, the team attempts a rolling clutch start to no avail. Notably, the new owners happen to be YouTubers as well. They found that the starter had been the main course for some rodents at one point which prevented it from firing up. They plan to document the entire process of restoration. That’s music to our ears.
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