1990 Corvette specifications and what you need to know about its options and values before you buy a used Corvette.
We are looking at the C4 1990 Corvette specifications and history. We’ll check out the options, numbers ordered as well as their costs. We will also see what special editions were available on the 90 Corvette Stingray. Learn about the colors available and their current values. We also have a 1990 Corvette that we are looking at that will be going up for auction at the Mecum Chicago Auction in October 2022.
Often times a Corvette will be advertised as stock or matching numbers, but it might not be the case. To start with, before you buy a used Corvette, check out the details below to see if the options, colors, and features were available in that model year. If you are buying it for an investment, you might want to consider hiring an appraiser.
So let’s look at the stats.
How many 1990s were produced?
There was a total of 23,646 produced in that model year sports car. The 90 Vettes were in the seventh year of the C4s run.
- Total 1990 Coupes – 16,663
- Total 1990 Convertibles – 9,749
- Total 1990 ZR-1s – 3,049
Non-USA sales were 951 Canada, 176 Japan, and 951 Europe.
After much anticipation, the 1990 Chevrolet added the coveted high-performance ZR-1 option package ($27,016) to the Corvette. This package included special rear body panels and an all-aluminum block, designated the LT5, producing 375 hp. Drivers received an airbag and all engines received an oil change monitoring system. “King of the Hill” Corvette ZR-1 made its debut in 1990 and was GM’s highest-cost production car.
1990 Corvette Overview
- 1990 Corvette Engines
- 1990 Base Corvette Features
- Brakes
- 1990 Callaway Corvette
- Option ZR1 – New for the Fourth Generation Corvette
- 1990 Indy Festival Corvettes
- 1990 Corvettes destined for the World Challenge Race Series
- 1990 Instrument Panel
- Stereo
- Interior
- Are you considering buying a 1990 Corvette?
- 1990 Corvette Options
- 1990 Corvette Exterior Color Choices
- 1990 Corvette Interior Color Choices
- 1990 Vehicle Numbers
- 1990 Corvette Convertible for Sale Lot F161
- Base Corvette Values
1990 Corvette Engines
The 90 C4s base engine compressions ratio was increased and added five horsepower. This was also due to an air intake speed density control system and camshaft revision. Although this is not true on the coupes with 3.07:1 or 3.33:1 axle ratios which boosted from 245hp to 250hp because of their less-restrictive exhaust systems.
The base engine has 245 hp @ 4,000 rpm and the torque is 345 lb-ft @ 3,200 rpm.
An oil life monitor that uses engine temperature and the engine’s revolutions to alert the driver when an oil change is needed was added.
Because 1990s sloped radiators were more efficient, the RPO V01 Heavy Duty Radiator and B4P radiator booster fan were not optional.
Mercury Marine received LT5 engines from Chevrolet service departments for certain repairs. Customers could choose between a replacement engine or returning their original engine if it was repairable.
1990 Base Corvette Features
The base Corvette came with the 350ci, 245 / 250hp engine and included the 4-speed automatic transmission. Also included was a rear body-color roof panel on the coupe or a soft top on the convertible. An AM-FM stereo was standard, and so were cloth seats in the base price. The base price on the sports coupe was $31,979, and the convertible was $37,264.
The new sports car estimated gas mileage is 15 MPG in the city and 22 on the highway, and it has a 20-gallon tank.
Brakes
ABS and yaw control were improved on 1990 Corvettes. In the driver information center, the “ABS Active” light has been removed from the driver information center.
RPO Z51 included KC4, heavy-duty suspension, and brakes but was only available with the coupe and manual transmission only.
1990 Callaway Corvette
The 1990 Callaway Corvette C4 2dr Convertible and coupe came with an 8-cyl. 350cid/390hp Twin Turbo engine. The Callaway C4 could reach 190 mph with the upgrades and travel the quarter-mile in 12.8 seconds.
The RPO-B2K is known as the Callaway Twin Turbo, a Factory Optioned Twin Turbo Corvette that GM made available to the public between 1987 and 1991. Only about 500 of these RPO-B2K examples were made. In 1990 only 58 were produced for $26,895, added to the price of the original price tag.
Option ZR1 – New for the Fourth Generation Corvette
The big news for 1990 was the ZR1. After much anticipation, the 1990 Chevrolet added the coveted high-performance ZR-1 option package ($27,016) to the Corvette. This package included special rear body panels and an all-aluminum block, designated the LT5, producing 375 hp. Drivers received an airbag, and all engines received an oil change monitoring system. “King of the Hill” Corvette ZR-1 made its debut in 1990 and was GM’s highest-cost production car.
Mercury Marine, in Stillwater, Oklahoma, manufactured and assembled LT5 engines and shipped them to the Bowling Green, Kentucky, facility to be included in the assembly of a 1990 Corvette ZR-1. Option ZR1 arrived after much anticipation as the 1990 C4 Corvette and has the LT5 V8 engine, and its bore is 4.4-inch spaces which are the same as the standard L98 Corvette but has a new Lotus-Chevrolet design and had four overhead cams and 32 valves. The engine weighed just under forty pounds more than the iron-block engine despite extensive aluminum use – this was despite producing 375hp, the LT5 avoided the EPA’s gas guzzler tax.
The uniquely designed RPO ZRl body included special doors, rear quarters, rock fascia, and rear upper panels. The ZR1 was widened and came with 11-inch wide Goodyear Z-rated P315 tires.
RPOs AC1, AC3, AQ9, FX3, LT5 (32-valve engine, exclusive to the ZR-1), U1F, UJ6, and a specially laminated windshield were included. RPO MN6 manual transmission was required. The ZR1 was only available in coupe body style.
With RPO ZR1, the KOS engine block heater was not available.
Check out our feature of a 1990 Corvette ZR1 that had only 43 miles on it and was displayed at the Bloomington Gold event.
1990 Indy Festival Corvettes
Corvette was not the pace for the 1990 Indy 500. However, 80 Turquoise or Yellow “Indy Festival” convertibles were built and had special graphics for the event.
1990 Corvettes destined for the World Challenge Race Series
For a short period of time, dealers could order Corvettes for the World Challenge race series. When an owner ordered code R9G, this triggered departures from the normal builds, such as the heavy-duty springs with FX3.
Chevy made available sealed racing engines, but the modifications were left up to the owner. Twenty-three 1990 Corvette models were released in the R9G line.
Instrument Panel
The 1990 instrument panel contained an overhauled version of a hybrid by integrating a digital speedometer with an analog tachometer and additional gauges.
There is a supplemental inflatable restraint system with an airbag on the driver’s side, as well as a glovebox on the passenger’s side.
Stereo
There were two 200-watt stereo system options. Options UU8 Stereo System by Delco-Bose was available as was U1F Stereo System with CD, Delco-Bose.
The top stereo system unit featured a compact disc player. To stop people from stealing, the CD required an electronic security code to be input after the battery had been disconnected.
Interior
They hadn’t made any significant changes in seat design in 1990 compared to the previous year. However, the backs could latch in a forward position.
In 1990, sports seats were available in all models.
Are you considering buying a 1990 Corvette?
In spite of the new interior redesign, due to its wide sills and tall transmission tunnel, the 1990 Chevy Vette was still a tight fit. Here are some dimensions you might be interested in:
Headroom – 36.4 in.
Legroom – 42.6 in.
Shoulder room – 54.1 in.
Hip room – 49.3 in.
1990 Corvette Convertible for Sale Lot F161
Mecum will be holding its Chicago auction on October 13-15, 2022. There will be a 1990 Corvette convertible for sale at the auction. The Mecum’s site shows that the odometer reads 8,075 miles, and the Corvette is said to be highly original in an unmodified condition. It originally sat in the dealership showroom for ten years until it was sold new in November of 2000. LOT F161 is Black with a matching Black leather interior and has a rare removable hardtop, one of 2,371 produced in 1990. The original window sticker has an MSRP of $44,920.00.
Base Corvette Values
So what are the 1990 Chevrolet Corvettes valued at? (Note these prices do not include the extra options) – Date of info 9-20-2022 – Source Hagerty Insurance Website
Base Coupe
- #1 Concours $27,000
- #2 Excellent Condition $16,600
- #3 Good Condition $7,800
- #4 Fair Condition $4,800
Bast Convertible
- #1 Concours $29,900
- #2 Excellent Condition $19,800
- #3 Good Condition $9,800
- #4 Fair Condition $5,300
We also have some recent auction results from the Mecum Indy 2022 auction of 1990 Corvettes that Sold!
| 5/13/2022 | J147 | 1990 | Corvette Convertible | $14,300 |
| 5/17/2022 | G97 | 1990 | Corvette Convertible | $8,800 |
| 5/19/2022 | T69.1 | 1990 | Corvette Convertible | $14,300 |
| 5/15/2022 | L3 | 1990 | Corvette Coupe | $5,500 |
| 5/14/2022 | K76 | 1990 | Corvette ZR1 | $25,300 |
| 5/19/2022 | T249 | 1990 | Corvette ZR1 | $48,400 |
| 5/21/2022 | S33.1 | 1990 | Corvette ZR1 | $44,000 |
1990 Corvette Options
| RPO# | DESCRIPTION | QUANTITY | $ RETAIL |
| 1YY07 | Base Corvette Sport Coupe | 16,016 | 31,979 |
| 1YY67 | Base Corvette Convertible | 7,630 | 37,264 |
| AR9 | Base Seats – Leather | 11,649 | 425 |
| AQ9 | Sport Seats – Leather | 11,457 | 1,050 |
| AC3 | Power Driver Seat | 23,109 | 270 |
| AC1 | Power Passenger Seat | 20,419 | 270 |
| B2K | Callaway Twin-Turbo | 58 | 26,895 |
| CC2 | Auxillary Hardtop (convertible) | 2,371 | 1,995 |
| C2L | Dual Removable Roof Panels (coupe) | 6,422 | 915 |
| 24S | Removable Roof Panel, blue tint (coupe) | 7,852 | 615 |
| 64S | Removable Roof Panel, bronze tint (coupe) | 4,340 | 615 |
| C68 | Air Conditioning, Electronic Control | 22,497 | 180 |
| FX3 | Selective Ride and Handling, Electronic | 7,576 | 1,695 |
| G92 | Performance Axle Ratio | 9,362 | 22 |
| K05 | Engine Block Heater | 1,585 | 20 |
| KC4 | Engine Oil Cooler | 16,220 | 110 |
| MN6 | 6-Speed Manual Transmission | 8,100 | 0 |
| NN5 | California Emission Requirements | 4,035 | 100 |
| UJ6 | Low Tire Pressure Warning Indicator | 8,432 | 325 |
| UU8 | Stereo System, Delco-Bose | 6,401 | 823 |
| U1F | Stereo System with Compact Disc, Delco-Bose | 15,716 | 1,219 |
| V56 | Luggage Rack (convertible) | 1,284 | 140 |
| Z51 | Performance Handling Package (coupe) | 5,446 | 460 |
| ZR1 | Special Performance Package | 3,049 | 27,016 |
1990 Corvette Exterior Color Choices
| CODE | EXTERIOR | QUANTITY |
| 10 | White | 4,872 |
| 25 | Steel Blue Metallic | 813 |
| 41 | Black | 4,759 |
| 42 | Turquoise Metallic | 589 |
| 53 | Competition Yellow | 278 |
| 68 | Dark Red Metallic | 2,353 |
| 80 | Quasar Blue Metallic | 474 |
| 81 | Bright Red | 6,956 |
| 91 | Polo Green Metallic | 1,674 |
| 96 | Charcoal Metallic | 878 |
1990 Corvette Interior Color Choices
| CODE | COLOR |
| 19C | Black Cloth |
| 193 | Black Leather |
| 223 | Blue Leather |
| 60C | Saddle Cloth |
| 603 | Saddle Leather |
| 733 | Red Leather |
| 903 | Gray Leather |
1990 Corvette Specifications: 1990 Vehicle Numbers
lGlYY2380L5100001 thru lGlYY2380L5120597
lGlYZ23J6L5800001 thru lGlYZ23J6L5803032 (ZRl)
- For convertibles, the sixth digit is a 3.
- The ninth digit is a security code and varies.
Want to learn more about the C4 Corvette? Check out our C4 Corvette Overview, we look at the history of the model years 1984-1996. This was the fourth-generation Corvette.
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