Chevrolet's First Supercar Is Proving To Be A Great Investment

We've praised the Chevrolet Corvette a lot over here at CarBuzz, and there are a few very valid reasons for this. For one, few other cars offer the same level of bang for your buck when you take a few things like power, handling, and looks into consideration. There's definitely a reason for the 'Vette's informal nickname of "working-class hero", because it's one of the few high-performance cars on earth that doesn't cost near the same as a modest-sized house.

Corvette C7 Zr1

2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Coupe

Base MSRP  $120,900

Engine  6.2L V8 Gas

Fuel Economy  13/19 MPG

In recent years, the Corvette even broke into the supercar game, albeit unofficially. The first model to do this was the 2019 C7 ZR1, a one-year-only model that boasts over 750 horsepower from a supercharged V8. On top of that, it also boasts quite a few aerodynamic and structural upgrades to turn it into quite a track machine, too. The best part is, the C7 ZR1 is only climbing in value as of now, meaning getting yourself into one, if you can afford it, may pay dividends down the line.

corvette zr1 main

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You Can Buy Stocks, Or You Can Buy A C7 ZR1

2019 C7 Chevrolet Corvette ZR, side profile view, black

C7 Corvette ZR1 Quick Facts

• Boasts a current average sale price of $187,000
• Originally sold for a base price of $122,095 for the coupe model and $129,095 for the convertible
• Utilizes a 6.2-liter supercharged V8
• Manages to reach a top speed of 214.88 mph

Who said investing has to be boring? Certainly no one who ever bought a car as an investment. Whether or not the investment works out, that's a different story. Some do, and some don't. In the C7 ZR1's case, it seems things are looking up regarding its value. The reason for this is simply because it was only produced for one year, and only 2,953 were made, making it a rare Corvette model, as well. Let's take a look at the 2019 ZR1's values as of Q4 2024 courtesy of ConceptCarz.com:

• Excellent Condition
  • $187,000 - $224,000
• Good Condition
  • $161,700 - $187,000
• Fair Condition
  • $84,700 - $161,700
• Median Sale Value
  • $187,000

When it comes to investing, you always want to get in on the ground level if you can. This way, you can reap the maximum amount of reward should your investment take off. The C7 ZR1 is only six years old now, and its value is beginning to climb already, even with the C8 ZR1's official market release seemingly around the corner. We're no experts in finance over at CarBuzz, but we do know cars, and this seems like a good bet if you're looking for a way to turn an investment into something fun, tangible, and powerful.

Yes, It Can Be Considered A Supercar. Here's Why

Corvette C7 Zr1

At the core of the C7 ZR1's supercar-esque heart is what can only be described as a nuclear bomb. It's a 755-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 with a 2.6-liter Eaton supercharger strapped to its intake manifold. During the C7's run from 2014 to 2019, the Z06 model was also supercharged, but the C7 ZR1's unit was roughly 52 percent larger than the Z06's, which measured in at a measly 1.7 liters.

*Specs courtesy of Chevrolet

To supplement that massive LT5's immense power output, Chevrolet supplied the C7 ZR1 with a seven-speed Tremec manual transmission with an eight-speed automatic as an option. An aerodynamic upgrade package was available, as well, coined the ZTK pack. The ZTK package adds a higher fixed rear wing, along with a revised front splitter. In total, a ZTK package-equipped C7 ZR1 could produce approximately 950 pounds of downforce at top speed. That's roughly the weight of a thoroughbred horse sitting on top of the car, pushing it into the ground.

If you did without the ZTK package, however, you still received aero upgrades over other C7 models, like an underbody spoiler, active exhaust, and a slew of carbon fiber peppered throughout the body of the car. With all of these upgrades in mind, the C7 ZR1 can, unquestionably, keep up with other supercars of its time, which were vastly more expensive in some cases. Even used, a C7 ZR1 can provide just as much fun as a Lamborghini Huracán or a Ferrari Portofino.

If The C7 ZR1 Is A Supercar, Is The C8 ZR1 A Hypercar?

2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 front 3/4

Now, we must explain, there's a big difference between a supercar and a hypercar, contrary to popular opinion. A supercar is called a supercar mainly because of its performance. A supercar is designed to ride the ragged edge of what's physically possible in the world of automotive engineering. While supercars are, generally, more expensive than sports cars, a supercar isn't called one for price alone.

When it comes to hypercars, though, things get a bit different. They're also meant to def =y the laws of physics, but in a different way. Hypercars tend to focus a bit more on raw top speed rather than handling. Hypercars also carry a much more bespoke design, both inside and out. They're typically made in small numbers, and cater to an exclusive clientele. Sure, supercars aren't cheap, but hypercars don't typically carry starting prices below $1 million.

Now, the C8 ZR1 won't carry a $1 million price tag, far from it. It's slated to start at $173,300 before any destination fees, a darnside cheaper than something like the incoming Bugatti Tourbillion will inevitably cost. However, the C8 ZR1 is capable of reaching 233 mph, a hypercar-adjacent top speed. It will also produce a whopping 1,064 horsepower from a twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V8, a decidedly hypercar-like power output.

Chevrolet

We must face the facts, though, the C8 ZR1 won't be a bespoke work of art. Sure, it looks great and embodies the pinnacle of American automotive engineering in the pursuit of performance, but it's still an American boy born in Kentucky. Not to say the C8 ZR1 can't run with the best of them, because it seems like it will be able to. But to call it a hypercar is a bit of an overstep.

Sources: Chevrolet, Supercars.net, ConceptCarz.com