What you’re looking at here is something rather special: This is the most powerful manual Corvette ever built, and the last of its lineage. The 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 represents the culmination of seven generations of front-engine, rear-wheel-drive Corvettes with a stick shift. It’s the final evolution of the small-block lineage that began in the 1950s with the C1, perfected through decades of small-block development, track lessons, and relentless refinement. This car marks the end of that era before the mid-engine C8 (no longer available with a manual), which rewrote the story of the definitive American sports car in 2020.
Under the hood sits a 6.2-liter LT5 V8 exclusive to C7 ZR1, supercharged to produce 755 horsepower and 715 pound-feet of torque. Compared to the C7 Z06’s LT4, which makes around 650 horsepower, the LT5 packs a 50% larger Eaton supercharger. It also features both direct and port injection and upgraded fuel delivery to handle the extra boost. Other highlights worth mentioning are the forged aluminum pistons, titanium connecting rods, and a staggering 13 intercoolers.
It still remains one of the most powerful engines that GM has ever put in a production car, besides the 1,250-horsepower, 5.5-liter LT7 found in the recently announced C8 ZR1X. But that car is an automatic. In the C7 ZR1, the LT5 was available with a Tremec 7-speed manual, which sends all that power exclusively to the rear wheels. The dash to 60 mph happens in under 3.0 seconds, and the top speed is rated at 212 mph. At Virginia International Raceway, the ZR1 clocked a 2:37.25 lap, one of the fastest ever recorded by a production car there.
This particular example, now listed for sale at Earth MotorCars in Carrollton, Texas, has just 2,737 miles on the clock and is the rarer roadster variant of the C7 ZR1. Finished in a stealthy black over a black leather cabin with Competition Sport Bucket Seats.
It also features the highly desirable ZTK Track Performance Package, which adds a carbon fiber rear wing, front splitter, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, and a track-tuned Magnetic Ride Control suspension. With carbon-ceramic brakes, front curb-view cameras, and a Performance Data and Video Recorder, it comes equipped with all the essentials needed for a track day.
For the street, the 3ZR trim elevates comfort and tech with heated and ventilated seats, a premium Bose 10-speaker audio system, navigation, head-up display, and memory seat functions. You also get suede microfiber trim, a carbon fiber wrapped steering wheel, and a battery protection package, details that speak to both craftsmanship and purpose.
When new, it stickered near $145,000, depending on spec. Today, low-mile manual examples are becoming investment-grade machines, not just for the phenomenal performance on tap, but also for their place in Corvette history. Just 2,953 units (2,441 Coupes, 512 Roadsters) were built over a single year production run.
If you want the last front-engined ‘Vette, that sends all its power exclusively to the rear wheels, where you can row through the gears yourself, the 2019 C7 ZR1 has got to be it. No paddles, no software intervention, no hybrid complexity. Just muscle, balance, and the unmistakable satisfaction of three pedals for the ultimate in driver engagement.
Images: Earth MotorCars, GM
