When Chevrolet revived the ZR1 nameplate for 2009, it wasn't just about squeezing more horsepower out of a Corvette...it was about engineering a world-beater. The C6 ZR1 was a return to top-tier form, a halo car in the purest sense, and a machine built to rival the world's finest exotics on any track. Just like the legendary C4 ZR1 before it, this generation wasn't just competitive...it was dominant. Whether in a straight line or on a road course, the ZR1 routinely outran exotics that cost two to three times as much.
This particular example takes that already-rare formula and adds exclusivity at every turn. Delivered new through the Corvette Museum and showing just 910 actual miles, this ZR1 has been meticulously preserved since day one. It was owned from new by 7-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson, making it not just a time capsule, but a collector-grade Corvette with elite motorsports pedigree.
Finished in Cyber Gray Metallic, the car has a clean, aggressive look that avoids the flashiness of oversized spoilers or wild splitters. Like the Z06 and Grand Sport, the ZR1 features widened fenders and quarters to accommodate its larger wheels and tires, along with functional aero, enhancing both stance and grip. Extensive carbon fiber construction was part of the ZR1's performance mission, with the hood, roof, front fenders, front splitter, and side skirts all made from the lightweight material. The carbon weave is left exposed on the roof, giving the car a purposeful, track-bred aesthetic, while a polycarbonate window in the hood provides a peek at the supercharged LS9 beneath. This car wears ZR1-exclusive forged aluminum wheels, sized 19 inches up front and 20 inches in the rear, finished in optional chrome, a $2,000 upgrade from the factory. The wheels are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires, sized 285/30ZR19 in the front and 335/25ZR20 in the rear. Every exterior detail reflects the ZR1's mission of functional performance, while still looking subtle and refined.
At the heart of the C6 ZR1 is the supercharged 6.2L LS9 V8, a hand-built powerhouse rated at 638 horsepower and 604 lb-ft of torque, thanks to approximately 10.5 lbs of boost from its 2.3L Eaton blower. Even today, those numbers are impressive...and the way the ZR1 delivers them is pure drama. It's paired exclusively to a Tremec TR6060 6-speed manual that sends power back to a 3.42 rear axle with a limited-slip differential.
Performance figures were staggering in 2009 and remain fast by modern standards: quarter-mile trap speeds around 130 mph, lap times that embarrassed far more expensive Ferraris and Porsches, and a top speed exceeding 200 mph. Carbon ceramic brakes clamped by blue-painted calipers provide consistent, fade-free braking. The Magnetic Ride Control suspension balances high-speed composure with everyday usability, making the ZR1 both comfortable on the street and razor sharp on track.
Inside, the cabin is trimmed in a rarely seen Sienna leather interior, a warm, upscale contrast to the metallic exterior. The leather is wrapped extensively across the seats, center console, passenger-side dash, and door panel inserts. Thanks to its ultra-low mileage and careful ownership, the interior remains in showroom-quality condition with virtually no signs of wear. This ZR1 is also optioned with the 3ZR Premium Equipment Group, a $10,000 package that adds navigation, Bose premium audio, heated and power-adjustable seats with memory, Bluetooth telephone connectivity, and other comfort upgrades. It's the best combination of Corvette performance with grand touring refinement.
As the top-tier performance offering of its era, the C6 ZR1 is already recognized as a future classic. But this example stands apart from the rest, not only for its 910 miles and exceptional preservation, but also for its rare color combination, 3ZR package, and its exclusive ownership history. Originally purchased and kept by Jimmie Johnson, the driver who helped make Hendrick Motorsports the winningest team in NASCAR history, this ZR1 is a Corvette with real pedigree. It's a supercar that delivers on all fronts: collector credibility, motorsports connection, and world-class performance that still holds its own today.
Key Highlights
910-mile C6 ZR1
One-owner car, owned by Jimmie Johnson
One of the first C6 ZR1s released to the public VIN "00028"
