Chevrolet ceased production of the mighty L88 Corvette after model year 1969, but that didn’t mean an end to the Corvette factory racing special. In the L88’s place for 1970 was the ZR1 option package, first announced in a Chevrolet Motor Vehicle Price Guide dated April 1, 1970, that stated in part, “ZR1 Special Purpose Engine: (not recommended for normal traffic situations)”—essentially a small-block version of the L88 package powered by the solid-lifter LT1 350 CI V-8 rated at 370 HP. By 1972, that rating had dropped to a net figure of 255 HP, but real-world performance proved that the LT1 was still one of the best small-block Corvette engines ever built, and it was at its best in the ZR1. Following L88 precedent, the ZR1 was additionally endowed with 2.5-inch exhaust, K66 transistorized ignition, a Muncie M22 heavy-duty close-ratio 4-speed manual transmission, Positraction, F41 heavy-duty suspension, J50/J56 heavy-duty power dual-pin disc brakes and a special aluminum radiator. The radio was deleted, and power accessories were non-existent. One of only 20 produced in 1972, this four-owner, multiple- award-winning ZR1 was sold new in February 1972 by Rosenthal Chevrolet Co. in Arlington, Virginia, completed in the very rare combination of Pewter Silver metallic paint and a Saddle Tan interior. Additionally equipped with an audio alarm, tinted glass and F70-15 blackwall tires on Rally wheels, it retains its original, matching-numbers LT1 350/255 HP V-8 engine, M22 4-speed and 3.70:1 Positraction rear end, the engine stamp affirmed by Al Grenning’s Classic Car Affirmation Service. Now showing an odometer reading of 24,604 actual miles, it was once owned by noted Corvette collector Ed Foss, who commissioned a frame-off, nut-and-bolt restoration by Corvette Repair in Valley Stream, New York, which was completed at a cost of more than $150,000. The car has won Bloomington Gold Certification, multiple NCRS Top Flight Awards (with scores of 98.1% and 99%) and the Chevy Vettefest Gold Spinner Award, together making it a recipient of the highly coveted Chevy Vettefest Triple Crown. The subject of an editorial feature in Vette Vues Magazine, this exceptional and rare 1972 ZR1 coupe is documented with the factory-original body/trim tag, warranty book with Protect- O-Plate, tank sticker, CCAS engine stamp affirmation, owner history, copy of the 1972 title, restoration receipts, historic photos, owner’s manual packet, inspection receipts back to 1972, oil change stickers, Bloomington, NCRS and Triple Crown certificates, NCRS judging awards confirmation, and two three-ring binders. One of the finest and rarest examples of its kind, this 1972 Corvette ZR1 is the overwhelming choice for the most discriminating collector.
