Despite an Indy 500 Pace Car Replica and the Last Year for the ZR-1 the 1995 Corvette Disappointed in the End
The 1995 Corvette followed the path that the 1994 Corvette had and refined the car rather than change it majorly. By doing so Chevy was hoping to continue to ride high on the two year winning streak that the super car had enjoyed in the sales department. However, despite the last year of the ZR-1 and a limited edition Indy 500 pace car replica, this would not come to pass.
One of the main reasons that the demand may have fading just a bit could have been the fact that Chevy did announce that the all new Corvette C5 generation was indeed only two short years away and would be implemented in the 1997 model year. This also explains perhaps the very incremental changes that the 1995 Corvette received.
As far as the body of the car itself went the 1995 Corvette only received remedial changes some of which included:
- Better Sound: The 1995 Corvette’s CD player was reinforced better to stop the frequent skipping that could occur over bumps and other rough areas.
- Revised Fenders: The 1995 Corvette featured a sort of ‘gill’ vent on both of the front fenders.
- Rattle Reduction: As a chief complaint with buyers was still the rattles that the Corvette produced, the Chevy boys responded by installing adhesive strips that would reduce some rattle in strategically located places throughout the cabin.
Breathing beneath the 1995 Corvette was the now familiar LT1 V-8 engine. Though the power once more stayed at 300 horses there were still refinements that continued being made. Refinements such as revised connecting rods, a fuel injection system that could tolerate the use of alcohol-blended fuel, and an engine fan that ran quieter made for a better overall LT1 and once again GM had improved, though slightly, on an already wonderful engine.
All 1995 Corvette models also came standard with traction control and anti-lock brakes. The braking system was further complimented by receiving the same heavy duty brakes as the super Vette’s ZR-1 did.
That year an almost all stock LT1 Corvette paced the field at the Indy 500 and Chevy responded by offering an Indy 500 pace car replica. While the replica received special paint, decals, and badging, the interest was little and only 527 were built.
Also in its last go around was the Corvette super car known as the ZR-1. The ZR-1 optional package was by almost any standard too expensive and the car had been showing signs that it needed to be put to rest for several years. In 1995 only 448 were sold which brought the total to 6,939 ZR-1’s that had been built over the super Vette’s six year run.
Despite having an Indy 500 pace car replica Corvette and 1995 being the last year to buy the ZR-1 sales took a dip and the 1995 Corvette sold just 20,742 units. While the 1995 Corvette was indeed a wonderful car, the Corvette Nation made it clear that they wanted their new generation of the Vette to come and many would hold out to buy for a couple of more years.
