Imagine achieving unparalleled success in basketball, revolutionizing athlete endorsements, and attaining global fame along with immense wealth. To mark your team's third straight championship, what car might you choose? Michael Jordan selected a 1993 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1. This stunning Ruby Red 40th Anniversary edition, complete with coordinating leather interior, was once owned by the basketball icon and is now showcased in the National Corvette Museum's exhibit, Pop Culture and Corvette: An American Love Affair.

In 1993, much like Jordan dominated the court, the ZR-1 demonstrated Chevrolet's prowess in crafting world-class performance vehicles. Collaborating with Lotus and Mercury Marine, the wide-body ZR-1's LT5 engine delivered a remarkable 405 horsepower. Celebrating the Corvette's 1953 origins, Chevrolet produced a limited run of 40th Anniversary models (RPO Z25), all finished in striking metallic merlot red with matching stitching. Though not identical to Chicago Bulls red, it suits MJ perfectly.

The Jordan-owned ZR-1 holds a prominent spot in the National Corvette Museum's famed Skydome. This vehicle arguably paved the way for Chevrolet's Corvette team, leading to today's dominant ZR1 with its 1,250-horsepower hybrid system. Without that drive for raw American power and the groundbreaking LT5, the Corvette might have faded, rather than surpassing Ferraris - the undisputed champions of the auto world.

Jordan is a car guy

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Standing at 6-foot-6, Michael Jordan may not be petite, yet he has squeezed into countless sports cars, amassing some of the era's finest. Beyond co-owning a NASCAR team - as pictured celebrating driver Tyler Reddick's 2026 Daytona 500 win - he once owned an AMA Superbike racing outfit. His passion for speed and competition is evident.

Jordan's connection to Corvette runs deep. During his 1984 rookie year, his initial big endorsement came from a Chicago Chevrolet dealer, who gifted the 21-year-old a silver C4 Corvette for commercials. When Seattle SuperSonics' Gary Payton boasted about matching Jordan's flashy rides, MJ quipped: "The cars I got are just like yours, except mine were free."

GQ Magazine reports Jordan's garage boasts a rare one-of-12 Bugatti Veyron Sang Noir, a McLaren-Mercedes SLR 722, assorted Aston Martins, and countless Porsches like the final Mezger-powered 997 GT3 RS 4.0 and GT2 RS. Several vehicles have influenced his Jordan shoe designs, taking cues from a 911 Turbo Slantnose, Ferrari 550 Maranello, and Bentley Continental GT.

With billions in net worth, Jordan buys any car he desires. The retired NBA legend reportedly pulls in over $275 million yearly, cementing his status as the richest athlete ever. Aspire to a vast collection? Emulate Mike.

What else is in the exhibit?

"To be able to have something that was involved with him and his career, and to bring that into this pop culture exhibition, is really, really exciting for us," museum Marketing Director Ryan Eichler told the Bowling Green Daily News.

The Pop Culture exhibit, highlighting Jordan's ZR-1, continues through spring 2027 and spotlights Corvettes influential in non-car media. It qualifies via its celebrity owner and cameo in ESPN's 2020 series "The Last Dance," detailing Jordan's 1990s Bulls era.

Besides the ZR-1, highlights include Elvis's 1959 Stingray racer from Clambake, Transformers' Sideswipe and Crosshairs, the Hawaii Five-0 reboot car, astronaut Jim Lovell's Corvette, and the 2013 Gran Turismo SEMA concept. Corvette-themed guitars are also displayed.

This exhibit promises enjoyment - if near Bowling Green this year or next, visit. It's among my top U.S. auto museums, even as a non-Corvette enthusiast. Approach openly to grasp the Corvette's legacy, key figures, and its embodiment of American spirit. Their exhibits always impress with superior curation and depth.