1990 Corvette Specifications – Interesting Features

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 and numbers ordered, as well as the option prices. We will also see what special editions, such as the 1990 Callaway Corvette C4, were available on the 90 Corvette Stingray. Learn about the colors available and their current values.

Oftentimes, 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.

IN THIS ARTICLE:

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 in Canada, 176 in Japan, and 951 in 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 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 of 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, its bore is 4.4-inch spaces which is the same as the standard L98 Corvette, but it has a new Lotus-Chevrolet design, and has 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.

1990 Corvette ZR1 Specifications

• ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block, and heads, port fuel injection.
• Displacement: 349 in3, 5727 cm3
• Power: 380 hp @ 6200 rpm.
• Torque: 370 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm.
• 6-speed Manual Transmission

1990 Corvette ZR1 Dimensions:

• Length 176.5 in.
• Overall width without mirrors 74.0 in.
• Height 46.7 in.
• Wheelbase 96.2 in.
• Cargo capacity, all seats in place 17.9 cu. ft.
• Turning circle 40.0 ft.
• Curb weight 3,465 lbs.

Front Seat Dimensions on the 90 ZR1 Corvette:

Front headroom 36.4 in.
Front leg room 42.6 in.
Front shoulder room 54.1 in.
Front hip room 49.3 in.

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. 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.

RELATED:

Dave McLellan, succeeding Zora Arkus-Duntov, was the Chief Engineer behind the transformative C4 Corvette, shaping its evolution from 1984 to 1996. Explore McLellan’s visionary engineering journey and the evolution of this iconic sports car.

There will be a 1990 Carlisle Blue Corvette convertible for sale at the Mecum Indy Auction (2023).

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.

Check out our Corvettes for Sale Classified ads for used 1990 Corvette Corvette for sale and 1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 for Sale by owner.

Are you looking for more to read? Check out our Recent Blog Posts.

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