1990 Corvette | HowStuffWorks
This 1990 Corvette convertible wears the optional hardtop and rear-deck luggage rack. See more sports car pictures.
All 1990 Corvettes benefited from a standard driver's-side airbag, installed to meet the first phase of the federal government's "passive restraint" crash-protection regulations. Also for safety's sake, the car's antilock braking system was upgraded with improved yaw control that allowed for more-secure handling. The base engine received a slight bump up to 245 bhp through an added air-intake speed density control system, a revised camshaft and increased compression ratio (this was 250 bhp in coupes with the 3.07:1 or 3.33:1 axle ratios). A newly efficient sloped radiator design precluded the need for an auxillary fan, which was no longer available for 1990.
A revised instrument display now combined a digital speedometer with an analog tachometer and other gauges. An engine-oil monitor now calculated the useful oil life remaining in miles and alerted drivers when an oil-change was needed via a dashboard indicator. A compact disc player was newly available with the optional Delco-Bose audio system, and it now included a security lockout feature to discourage theft; if removed, a special code had to be entered or the head unit would remain inoperative.
Twenty-three Corvettes with heavy-duty suspensions were built during 1990 for the new World Challenge racing series and could be obtained via regular dealer channels. Buyers could choose a Chevy engine or provide one of their own, though any further modifications were left to the racers.
The ZR-1 looked much like any other 1990 Corvette coupe, something that disappointed many fans.
Though overall alterations would be minor, 1990 would prove to be a major model year for the Corvette because it marked the introduction of the high-performance ZR-1 version, which was actually a $27,016 option package. Originally intended as a midyear 1989 model and previewed with a massive media campaign, the ZR-1 was eventually postponed until 1990 due to "insufficient availability of engines." Based around an all-new 32-valve 375-bhp V-8 called the LT5 (developed in conjunction with Lotus and built by Mercury Marine), the ZR-1 was a true production supercar that could run with even the most exotic imports. The Callaway twin-turbo was still available at an extra $26,895, but it languished in favor of the new ZR-1, selling just 58 units. Overall sales dropped a bit for the year, down to 23,646.Still, of that number, 3,049 ZR-1-equipped models were sold to buyers who had long saved a place on a waiting list. Many gladly paid well in excess of list price to be among the first to own what was the new epitome of American muscle, and a true Corvette classic.
Learn about other Corvettes in this generation:
| 1984 Corvette | 1985 Corvette | 1986 Corvette |
| 1987 Corvette | 1988 Corvette | 1989 Corvette |
| 1990 Corvette | 1991 Corvette | 1992 Corvette |
| 1993 Corvette | 1994 Corvette | 1995 Corvette |
| 1996 Corvette |
Looking for more information on Corvettes and other cars? See:
- Muscle Cars: Get information on more than 100 tough-guy rides.
1990 Corvette Specifications
The 1990 Corvette boasted improved safety and comfort features, including a driver's side airbag and a redesigned dashboard. Corvette also offered the ZR-1 in 1990, a high performance option package that buyers lined up to purchase. Here are the specifications for the 1990 Corvette:
A sweeping new dashboard improved control ergonomics for the 1990 Corvette and replaced the digi-graphic tach and speedometer with large analog gauges.
| Vehicle Specifications | Hatchback | Hatchback (ZR-1) |
| Wheelbase, inches | 96.2 | 96.2 |
| Length, inches | 176.5 | 177.4 |
| Width, inches | 71.0 | 74.0 |
| Track, inches | front: 59.6 rear: 60.4 | front: 61.9 rear: 61.9 |
| Height, inches | 46.7 | 46.4 |
| Curb weight, pounds | 3,223 | 3,465 |
Mechanical Specifications (2-door hatchback/convertible)
Suspension
front: Independent; unequal length upper and lower A-arms, transverse fiberglass leaf spring, tubular hydraulic shock absorbers, antiroll bar
rear: Independent, upper and lower trailing arms, lateral arms, tie rods, halfshafts, transverse fiberglass leaf springs, tubular hydraulic shock absorbers, antiroll bar
Wheels/Tires
P275/40ZR-17
(P315/35ZR-17 ZR-1, rear)
Brakes
front: anti-lock 12.0-inch disc
rear: anti-lock 12.0-inch disc
Transmission
4-speed automatic
6-speed manual
Standard axle ratio
2.59:1 (auto) 3.33:1 (manual)
Engine Specifications
| Type | ohv V-8 | dohc V-8 |
| Displacement, liters/cu inch | 5.7/350 | 5.7/350 |
| Bore × Stroke, inches | 4.00 x 3.48 | 3.90 x 3.66 |
| Fuel Management | Multi-Port Injection | Multi-Port Injection |
| Horsepower @ rpm | 250 @ 4,400 | 375 @ 5,800 |
| Torque @ rpm, pound-foot | 350 @ 3,200 | 370 @ 4,800 |
Published Performance Numbers
| Acceleration | 250 hp, 6-sp man. | 375 hp, 6-sp man. |
| 0-60 mph, sec | 5.7 | 4.9 |
| 0-100 mph, sec | NA | 11.5 |
| 1/4-mile, sec @ mph | 14.3 @ 97.1 | 13.4 @ 108.5 |
Sources: Motor Trend, Road & Track
Vehicle Production and Base Prices
| Car Type | Production | Price |
| 2-door coupe | 16,016 | $31,979.00 |
| 2-door convertible | 7,630 | 37,264.00 |
Options and Production
| Option | Production | Price |
| Power Passenger Seat | 20,419 | $270.00 |
| Power Driver Seat | 23,109 | 270.00 |
| Sport Seats, leather | 11,457 | 1,050.00 |
| Base Seats, leather | 11,649 | 425.00 |
| Callaway Twin Turbo (not GM installed) | 58 | 26,895.00 |
| Auxiliary Hardtop | 2,371 | 1,995.00 |
| Dual Removable Roof Panels | 6,422 | 915.00 |
| Removable Roof Panel, blue tint | 7,852 | 615.00 |
| Removable Roof Panel, bronze tint | 4,340 | 615.00 |
| Electronic Air Conditioning Control | 22,497 | 180.00 |
| Selective Ride and Handling, electronic | 7,576 | 1,695.00 |
| Performance Axle Ratio | 9,362 | 22.00 |
| Engine Block Heater | 1,585 | 20.00 |
| Engine Oil Cooler | 16,220 | 110.00 |
| 6-Speed Manual Transmission | 8,100 | 0.00 |
| California Emission Requirements | 4,035 | 100.00 |
| Low Tire Pressure Warning Indicator | 8,432 | 325.00 |
| Stereo System, Delco-Bose | 6,401 | 823.00 |
| Stereo System w/CD, Delco-Bose | 15,716 | 1,219.00 |
| Luggage Rack (convertible) | 1,284 | 140.00 |
| Performance Handling Package (coupe) | 5,446 | 460.00 |
| Special Performance Package (ZR-1 coupe) | 3,049 | 27,016.00 |
Color Choices and Production
| Color Choice | Production | Color Choice | Production |
| White | 4,872 | Steel Blue Metallic | 813 |
| Black | 4,759 | Turquoise Metallic | 589 |
| Competition Yellow | 278 | Dark Red Metallic | 2,353 |
| Quasar Blue Metallic | 474 | Bright Red | 6,956 |
| Polo Green Metallic | 1,674 | Charcoal Metallic | 878 |
Learn about other Corvettes in this generation:
| 1984 Corvette | 1985 Corvette | 1986 Corvette |
| 1987 Corvette | 1988 Corvette | 1989 Corvette |
| 1990 Corvette | 1991 Corvette | 1992 Corvette |
| 1993 Corvette | 1994 Corvette | 1995 Corvette |
| 1996 Corvette |
Looking for more information on Corvettes and other cars? See:
- Muscle Cars: Get information on more than 100 tough-guy rides.
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