The 1991 Chevrolet Corvette was part of the fourth generation family (produced between 1984 and 1996) of GM's two-seat sports cars. The 1991 model marked the emergence of the Corvette from the disastrous 1970s and 1980s, a period best remembered for fuel shortages and tough emission standards that eventually gutted the high horsepower output of American-made engines. The Corvette C4 possessed a relatively pedestrian styling, but the ZR1 wielded massive raw power, which echoed the Vette's earlier muscled performance.
Under the Hood
Three 5.7-liter V-8 engines powered the 1991 Corvette with vastly different horsepower ratings. The base Corvette featured a L98 V-8 that generated 240 horsepower and 345 foot-pounds of torque. Some versions featured 245-horsepower ratings. This standard engine could reach zero to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds and the quarter mile in 15.1 seconds. The high-performance ZR1 model was equipped with the LT5 V-8, which developed 375 horsepower and 370 foot-pounds of torque to reach 60 mph in 4.9 seconds and the quarter mile in 13.4 seconds. Callaway Performance Engineering produced the 1991 Callaway TT Corvette in limited numbers. The Callaway TT featured the Twin Turbocharged L98 V-8, which wielded 345 horsepower and 465 foot-pounds of torque. Some Callaway TTs generated up to 450 horsepower and 613 foot-pounds of torque. The 450-horsepower version hit 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and the quarter mile in 12.7 seconds. ZF six-speed manual transmissions or four-speed automatics were mated to the engines.
Dimensions
All base 1991 Corvettes sat on a short 96.2-inch wheelbase with an overall body length of 178.6 inches. The Callaway TT and ZR1 were about an inch longer. The car was low-slung at just 46.4 inches in height, and it measured 71 inches in width. The base model's curb weight was 3,263 pounds. The interior was typically tight for the two-seat Corvette. Headroom measured 36.4 inches and legroom measured 42.6 inches. The Corvette had a 20-gallon fuel tank.
Chassis
The Corvette featured composite body panels wrapped over a steel frame. The front suspension featured unequal A-arms with dampers, an anti-sway bar and transverse leaf springs. The rear had upper/lower trailing arms, dampers, an anti-sway bar and transverse leaf springs. The Vette stopped with the assistance of 12.9-inch vented discs mounted in the front and 11.9-inch vented discs mounted in the rear. The wheels were 17-inch alloys.
Features and Production
Chevrolet redesigned the ZR1 models from the 1990 model year with a restyled rear featuring four rectangular taillamps and wraparound fog, parking and cornering lights at the front. All 1991 models featured power assisted brakes, a tachometer, cruise control, cloth seats and power windows, exterior mirrors and door locks. Options included leather seats, power driver and passenger seats, and an AM/FM/CD Bose stereo system. Chevrolet produced 14,967 base Corvette coupes and 5,672 convertibles; ZR1 models numbered 2,044; 62 Callaway TT models left the Callaway factory.
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