Michael Jordan’s 1993 Corvette ZR-1 Joins the National Corvette Museum
A Ruby Red 40th Anniversary Corvette ZR-1 once owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan is now on exhibition at the National Corvette Museum as part of Pop Culture and Corvette: An American Love Affair.
The National Corvette Museum has added a true cultural icon to its growing Pop Culture and Corvette: An American Love Affair exhibition: Michael Jordan’s 1993 Corvette ZR-1.
Widely recognized as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Jordan helped redefine professional sports during the 1990s while leading the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships in eight seasons. His impact extended far beyond basketball, influencing fashion, entertainment, and American culture. Now, one of his most recognizable Corvettes has arrived at the Museum, where guests can experience another chapter in the legacy of America’s Sports Car.
Seen in ESPN’s The Last Dance
Jordan’s former Corvette gained renewed attention in ESPN’s acclaimed 2020 documentary series The Last Dance, which chronicled the rise of Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls dynasty. In episode eight, viewers see Jordan stepping out of this exact Ruby Red Corvette ZR-1 following his famous “I’m back” announcement during his return to basketball.
That moment cemented the car as more than just a high-performance Corvette. It became part of one of the most recognizable stories in modern sports history.
A Corvette Built for Peak Performance
Jordan’s 1993 Corvette ZR-1 represents the pinnacle of Corvette performance during the C4 era. Equipped with the legendary LT5 engine developed in partnership with Lotus Engineering, the 1993 model year saw horsepower increase from 375 to an impressive 405 horsepower, surpassing General Motors’ original 400-horsepower target.
This example also features the coveted 40th Anniversary Package, offered as RPO Z25 for 1993 Corvette models. The package includes distinctive Ruby Red paint, matching Ruby Red sport seats, and Ruby Red wheel center badges, creating one of the most visually striking ZR-1s of its generation.
Today, the car stands as both a performance milestone and a cultural artifact that reflects Corvette’s influence far beyond the automotive world.
Now on Exhibition in the Skydome
The Michael Jordan Corvette ZR-1 is now featured in Pop Culture and Corvette: An American Love Affair, an immersive exhibition exploring Corvette’s role across film, television, music, video games, celebrity culture, and American storytelling.
Located in the Museum’s iconic Skydome, the exhibition showcases more than a dozen legendary Corvettes connected to entertainment, music, sports, and popular culture. Guests can also experience nearly a half-dozen Corvette ZR1 models spanning multiple generations, highlighting the continued evolution of Corvette performance.
The vehicle is on loan to the National Corvette Museum and will remain on exhibition through Spring 2027. The Jordan ZR-1 is included with regular Museum admission.
Plan Your Visit
See Michael Jordan’s 1993 Corvette ZR-1 alongside more than 50 Corvettes on exhibition at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Throughout the month of May, elementary through high school students can enjoy discounted Museum admission for just $10. This special offer is available for individual K–12 students, including homeschool students, and can be redeemed onsite at the Admissions desk. Each student admission also includes a free Corvette poster while supplies last.
About the National Corvette Museum
The National Corvette Museum, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit foundation, is where Adrenaline Meets Tradition®. As an educational and research institution, the Museum’s mission is to educate worldwide audiences on the evolution of the Corvette, America’s Sports Car, through the collection, preservation, and celebration of its legacy.
Located just one mile from the General Motors Bowling Green Assembly Plant, which has produced every Corvette since 1981, the Museum campus features 115,000 square feet of exhibit and event space, a collection of more than 100 historically significant Corvettes, 50,000 Corvette artifacts, and the NCM Motorsports Park.
To plan your visit or learn more, visit corvettemuseum.org .
