Lately Chevrolet makes use of the ZR2 badge for off-road vans, nevertheless it as soon as adorned a uncommon Corvette variant.
Scheduled to cross the block at a Mecum public sale in Indianapolis on Might 20, this 1971 Corvette ZR2 coupe is one in every of 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 yr. The one distinction between the 2 track-focused Corvette fashions was the engine. The ZR1 had Chevy’s authentic 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 bundle. The automobile featured a Muncie M22 “Rock Crusher” close-ratio 4-speed guide transmission, heavy-duty energy brakes, an aluminum radiator with metallic fan shroud, transistorized ignition, and upgraded suspension with model-specific springs, shocks, and stabilizer bars. Meant as a hardcore monitor particular, the ZR2 additionally did with out conveniences like energy steering and air-con.
1971 Chevrolet Corvette ZR2 coupe (photograph through 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 keeping with the public sale itemizing. It was constructed as an export automobile 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. Remember the fact that one in every of simply two 1971 ZR2 convertibles offered for $962,500 at Mecum’s 2022 Indianapolis public sale, coming in just under 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 yr to get an identical set.