1971 ZR2 LS6 Sideways Corvette Chassis
Most Corvette enthusiasts see Corvettes in either their original or restored conditions. Very rarely do enthusiasts have the opportunity to examine a finished rolling chassis before the restored body is dropped back down on it, unless they are doing the frame-off restoration themselves.
At the 2011 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals, this finished rolling chassis was displayed in a very clever and unique way. As you can see, it was mounted sideways, so you could appreciate all the work and detail that goes into a chassis restoration. This rolling chassis is from one of 12 ZR2 Corvettes. That's right, a ZR2.
Most Corvette enthusiasts are aware of the current ZR1 nomenclature, but this option code goes back to the very early 1970s. The original ZR1 was a small block LT1 version of the L88 Corvette. Available from 1970-1972, only a few hard core Corvette enthusiasts checked the ZR1 option when ordering their brand new Corvette. These ZR1 Corvettes shared all the exact same options as the L88 except for the engine. Heavy duty M22 transmission, Radio Delete, Heavy Duty F41 front and rear springs with appropriate anti-sway bars, Heavy Duty J56 dual pin 4 wheel disc brakes, J50 Power Brakes, K66 Transistorized Ignition, Special YE2 rear axle with 4:11 rear gears (or other gearsets such as G81 3.55:1), were all installed on each and every ZR1 and ZR2 Corvettes. Most of these Corvettes were purchased by club racers.
The ZR2 was a one year only option in 1971. It was basically an L88 Corvette with the top engine available in the Corvette for that model year, the aluminum headed, solid lifter cammed LS6 454 big block engine. This 454 LS6 engine sent the Corvette down the quarter mile in the mid 12s back in the day, so this was some serious muscle here folks.
This ZR2 Corvette was one of 12 built in 1971 and one of two exported to Canada. It's a T-top, and when it's completed, I'll post more photos of the restored 1971 ZR2 LS6 Corvette here on this site.
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