1991 CORVETTE

  • Not a year of great change after the launch of the ZR-1 the previous year.
  • Standard Corvettes were restyled at the rear to more closely resemble the ZR-1 with a convex rear fascia and two rectangular tail lamps on either side of the car.
  • A new front end with wrap-around parking lamps was used on both models, along with new side-panel louvers and wider body-color body side moldings.
  • Although more alike the standard Corvette in a visual sense, the ZR-1 again had difterent doors and a wider rear to accommodate its 11-inch wide rear wheels.
  • Also the high-mounted stop lamp went on the roof of the ZR-1, instead of on the rear fascia, as on the YY Corvette.
  • All models were again equipped with ABS Il-S anti-lock braking and driver's side airbag as well as an anti-theft system.
  • The ZR-1 was again powered by the 32-valve DOHC 5.7-liter V-8 matched with a six-speed transaxle.
  • Corvette models used the 5.7-liter TPI V-8 fitted with the four-speed overdrive automatic or optional six-speed manual transmission.
  • Corvette colors were
    • White
    • Steel Blue Metallic
    • Yellow
    • Black
    • Turquoise Metallic
    • Dark Red Metallic
    • Quasar Blue Metallic
    • Bright Red
    • Polo Green Metallic
    • Charcoal Metallic
  • Interiors came in Blue; Black; Gray; Red; Saddle; and White.
  • Standard features included a removable body-color roof panel for hatchbacks or a convertible top.
  • Black, Saddle, Red, White, and (late in the year) Blue top colors were available, but the choices were determined by body paint color.
  • Cloth upholstery was also standard.

I.D. NUMBERS

  • The serial number [Vehicle Identification Number -- VIN] was stamped on a plate on the inner vertical surface of the left windshield pillar visible through the windshield.
  • The coupe serial numbers ranged from 1G1YY238*M5100001 to 1G1YY238*M5118595
  • The convertible serial numbers ranged from 1G1YY338*M5100001 to 1G1YY338*M5118595
  • The ZR1 serial numbers ranged from 1G1YZ23J*M5800001 to 1G1YZ23J*M5802044
    PositionCharacterDescription
    11US built
    2GGeneral Motors product
    31Chevrolet Motor Division vehicle
    4&5YYBasic Corvette
    YZCorvette ZR-1
    62 or 3Body style number
    2 = Two door hatchback style 07, 08, 77, or 87
    3 = Two door convertible style 67
    71 or 21=Manual seat belts
    3=Manual belts with driver-inflatable restraint system
    4=Automatic belts
    88L98 5.7-liter Tuned-Port-Injection Chevrolet or GM of Canada V8
    JLT5 - 5.7-liter TPI V-8
    9?A check digit that calculates the characters in the serial number and gives it a single digit code and can be used to verify that the serial number is legitimate
    10MThe model year where 1991
    115Bowling Green, KY
    12-17100001 and upproduction sequence for coupes and convertibles
    800001 and upproduction sequence for ZR-1s
  • Corvette engines have the last six digits of the VIN stamped on the block just ahead of the cylinder head on the right-hand side combined with a three-letter engine code suffix
  • Also cast into the top rear of the block is a four-symbol code indicating when the engine was built
    • The first letter of the date code shows the month the block was cast
    • The one or two numbers shows the month
    • The last digit shows the year
  • Engine suffixes:
    CodeEngineHorsepowerCompressionTransmissionFuel SupplyExtra features
    ZTAL98 350-cid245/250-hp V-810.0:1automatictuned port injection 
    ZTBL98 350-cid245/250-hp V-810.0:1manualtuned port injectionEngine oil cooler
    ZTCL98 350-cid245/250-hp V-810.0:1automatictuned port injectionEngine oil cooler
    ZTKLT5 350-cid375-hp V-811.0:1manualtuned port injection 
  • The 1991 Corvette exterior colors were:
    • 10 = White
    • 25 = Steel Blue Metallic
    • 35 = Yellow
    • 41 = Black
    • 42 = Turquoise Metallic
    • 75 = Dark Red Metallic
    • 80 = Quasar Blue Metallic
    • 81 = Bright Red
    • 91 = Polo Green Metallic
    • 96 = Charcoal Metallic
  • Upholstery Codes
    ColorCloth UpholsteryLeather Upholstery
    Black19C193
    Saddle60C603
    Blue 223
    Red 733
    Gray 903

IDENTIFICATION

ModelModel No.Body/Style No.Body TypeFactory PriceShipping WeightProduction Total
Coupe1YYY07
2-dr. Hatch Coupe - 2 passenger		$32,455322314,967
Convertible1YYY67
2-dr. Convertible - 2 passenger		$38,77032635,672
ZR-11YZZ07
2-dr. Hatch Coupe - 2 passenger		$64,13834652,044

ENGINE

FeatureStandard Engine (RPO L98)ZR-1 Engine (RPO LT5)
TypeV-8, 90-degree Overhead valveV-8, 90-degree Overhead valve with 4 valves per cylinder and 4 overhead camshafts
BlockCast iron block and aluminum cylinder headCast iron block and cylinder head
Displacement350 cid (5.7 liters)350 cid (5.7 liters)
Bore & Stroke4.00" x 3.48"4.00" x 3.48"
Compression ratio10.0:111.0:1
Brake horsepower245 @ 4000 (250-hp for hatchbacks using 3.07:1 rear axle due to use of low-restriction mufflers with this option combination only)375 @ 5800 rpm
Torque340 lb-ft @ 3200370 lb-ft @ 5600
Main bearingfivefive
Valve liftershydraulichydraulic
Fuel supplyTuned-port induction (TPI) systemTuned-port induction (TPI) system

TRANSMISSION

Automatic Transmission
  • Four-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic (TMH 700-R4)
  • floor-mounted gear shifter
  • gear ratios
    • 1st = 3.06:1
    • 2nd = 1.63:1
    • 3rd = 1.00:1
    • 4th = 0.70:1
    • Rev = 2.29:1
  • Final drive ratio: 2.59:1 or 3.07:1
Four-speed Manual Transmission with overdrive
  • floor-mounted gear shifter
  • gear ratios
    • 1st = 2.88:1
    • 2nd = 1.91:1
    • 3rd = 1.33:1
    • 4th = 1.00:1
    • overdrive = 0.67:1
    • Rev = 2.78:1
  • Final drive ratio: 3.07:1
Six-speed Manual with overdrive
  • Final drive ratio: 3.07:1

CHASSIS

FeatureCoupeConvertibleZR-1
Wheelbase96.2 inches (2.443 m)96.2 inches (2.443 m)96.2 inches (2.443 m)
Overall length176.5 inches (4.483 m)176.5 inches (4.483 m)177.4 inches (4.506 m)
Overall width71.0 inches (1.803 m)71.0 inches (1.803 m)74.0 inches (1.880 m)
Overall height46.7 inches (1.186 m) 46.7 inches (1.186 m)
Front tread59.6 inches (1.514 m)59.6 inches (1.514 m)59.6 inches (1.514 m)
Rear tread60.4 inches (1.534 m)60.4 inches (1.534 m)61.9 inches (1.572 m)
Front TiresP275/40ZR-17 Goodyear Eagle GTP275/40ZR-17 Goodyear Eagle GTP275/40ZR-17 Goodyear Eagle GT
Rear TiresP275/40ZR-17 Goodyear Eagle GTP275/40ZR-17 Goodyear Eagle GTP315/35ZR-17 Goodyear Eagle GT
Steeringrack and pinion (power assisted)
Front suspensionSingle fiberglass composite monoleaf transverse spring with unequal-length aluminum control arms and stabilizer bar
Rear suspensionFully independent five-link system with transverse fiberglass single-leaf springs, aluminum upper/lower trailing links and strut-rod tie-rod assembly
BrakesFour-wheel power disc
Body constructionUnibody with partial front frame
Fuel tank20 US Gal (16.7 Imp Gal) (76 liters)

OPTIONS

RPO AC1Power passenger seat$290
RPO AC3Power driver seat$290
RPO A09Leather sports seats$1050
RPO AR9Base leather seats$425
RPO B2KCallaway Twin Turbo installed by Callaway Engineering$33,000
RPO CC2Auxiliary hardtop for convertible$1995
RPO C2LDual removable roof panels for coupe$915
RPO 24SRemovable roof panels with blue tint for coupe$615
RPO 64SRemovable roof panels with bronze tint for coupe$615
RPO C68Electronic air conditioning control$180
RPO FX3Electronic Selective Ride & Handling system$1,695
RPO G92Performance axle ratio 3.07:1$22
RPO KC4Engine oil cooler$110
RPO MN6Six-speed manual transmissionno-cost option
RPO NNSCalifornia emissions requirements$100
RPO UJ6Low tire pressure warning indicator$325
RPO UU8Delco-Bose stereo system$823
RPO UlFDelco-Bose stereo system with compact disc changer$1,219
RPO V56Luggage rack for convertible$140
RPO Z07Adjustable handling package (733 were built)$2,500
RPO ZR1Special performance package for coupe$31,683

HISTORICAL NOTES


  • Model-year production: 20,639
  • Calendar-year sales: 17,472.
  • The $33,000 Callaway Twin-Turbo engine package could again be ordered through specific Chevrolet dealers as RPO B2K.
  • Cars that received this package were sent from Bowling Green, Kentucky to the Callaway factory in Old Lyme, Connecticut, to receive engine modifications and other upgrades.
  • Callaway built its 500th conversion on September 26, 1991.
  • Twin Turbos made after that were "Callway 500" editions with special features and a $600 higher price tag.
  • For 1991 Callaway Twin-Turbo Corvettes a different engine-coding system was used.
  • Callaway engines were stamped with the first two symbols indicating model year, followed by three symbols indicating order in the Callaway production sequence, followed by four symbols matching the last four digits of the Chevrolet VIN.
  • Corvette buyers who wanted to participate in World Challenge Series racing had to buy a stock Corvette from Chevrolet and handle race-prep work themselves.

1991 CORVETTE PHOTOS


1991 Corvette

1991 Corvette

1991 Corvette

1991 Corvette

LITERATURE & LINKS




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