When it comes to modern Corvettes->ke1280, no model is as exciting as the C6-generation ZR1; not counting the brand-new 2015 Z06 of course. Until the latter arrived, the ZR1 was the cream of the Corvette crop. Powered by a supercharged, 6.2-liter V-8 that sent 638 horsepower and 604 pound-feet of torque to the pavement, the ZR1 was capable of 0-to-60 sprints of 3.4 seconds and a top speed in excess of 205 mph. It took GM->ke1024 nearly six years and a 650-pony Z06 to deliver a sports car that could rise above the mythical ZR1. Without a new ZR1 on the horizon, the most revered Corvette of the early 2010s is still considered a prized jewel; some would say it's already a classic. And while some may beg to differ and scoff at Chevy's previous halo car with a more powerful Z06 around, there are a few ZR1s that can still fetch a lot of dough. One of them is Mario Andretti's very own example and it's up for grabs on eBay as we speak.
Finished in Blade Silver Metallic -- not the most exciting color for a Corvette if you ask me -- this particular ZR1 has only 12,872 miles on the odometer and, according to the seller, it has been kept in the garage for many years. Judging by the spotless condition of the Dark Titanium interior, it seems he's not lying. Besides being in near-mint condition, the ZR1 is also loaded with all the goodies, including air conditioning, cruise control, power locks, power windows and host of safety features.
If you're in the market for sports car that has been owned by F1 legend Mario Andretti himself, this is the opportunity of a lifetime. The bidding ends at 3:00 p.m. EST, January 8th, 2015, so make sure you don't miss it.
Click past the jump to read more about the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1.
Why it matters
Nothing adds value to a car like celebrity ownership. And when the owner is Mario Andretti himself -- the 1978 Formula One->ke662 World Champion -- things become interesting to say the least. What's more, the Corvette ZR1 seems the perfect machine to go with a legendary American racing driver such as Andretti.
A ZR1 signed by the man himself isn't something you can have every day, but such a feat comes at a price, and it seems the seller isn't willing to part with it for pennies. Always expect an overwhelming sticker when a sports car->ke506 has been owned by one of America's most successful racing->ke447 figures. In this case, be prepared to pay more than you'd need to fork over to buy a brand-new Z06.
2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
Built from 2009 to 2013, the Corvette C6 ZR1 was developed as a spiritual successor to the C4 ZR-1 and was the hottest Vette ever until the 2015 Z06 arrived at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show. Its chassis was made from aluminum, while several body panels were crafted from carbon-fiber, but its main highlight was the heavily modified LS3 engine underneath the long hood. Dubbed LS9, it came with a sixth-generation Eaton TVS supercharger, Behr intercoolers, thicker cylinder walls, and titanium connecting rods.
The combination enabled Chevy to squeeze no less than 638 horsepower and 604 pound-feet of torque from the V-8, which enables the ZR1 to charge from 0 to 60 mph in only 3.4 seconds and run the quarter-mile in 11.2 seconds. Top speed stood at 205 mph, making it one of the fastest cars of its era. In 2015, it's still faster than a host of Ferrari->ke252 and Lamborghini->ke44 exotics->ke177. Achievements include a 7-minute 19-second lap around the Nurburgring and the fastest recorded speed for a production car on the Bonneville Salt Flats of 176.54 mph.