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Pleasingly Stock: Clean 1987 Corvette

There are some vehicles you get so used to seeing that it doesn’t necessarily occur to you that it’s been ages since a nice one has popped up for sale. Sure, 1987 Corvette, nothing to get too excited about – but find one that’s been cherished while still logging over 100,000 miles, well, that’s worth a closer look. This 1987 Corvette here on craigslist is a two-owner car listed for sale at $5,950 out in California’s Inland Empire. 

First you notice the condition, then you breathe a sigh of relief it isn’t red. Those “salad shooter” wheels as they are affectionately called have begun showing up on clapped out imports thanks to the wonder of wheel adapters, but they look oh-so-much better on the car they were designed for. Depending on how you look at it, this Corvette has the added “bonus” of a non-matching engine, as the original was replaced at 53,000 miles under warranty. So, the chassis has 115,500 miles but the motor has a mere 62,500 miles on it. No word on whether the original is included.

The Corvette’s interior looks appropriate for a car with over 100,000 miles, as the driver’s seat looks fairly tired. However, given how every other seating surface appears nicely preserved, I’m guessing this two-owner ‘Vette belonged to two guardians who liked to drive and didn’t entertain passengers. The Corvette benefits from lots of recent maintenance and services, including converted A/C, fresh fluids, a new water pump, replacement hoses and a new alternator. The automatic isn’t my personal favorite, but it will do just fine keeping the mill’s “Tuned Port Injection” humming along.

I’m a little disappointed by the valve covers; for a low-mileage engine, I would have liked to seen a slightly cleaner surface area. The list of features and options makes for a desirable Corvette, ranging from the quicker ratio steering box to the original books, manuals and three sets of keys all included in the sale. Even the stereo head unit is a CD player sourced from a later Corvette to maintain factory appearances at all costs. What do you say – is this one of the best values in muscle car projects on craigslist right now?

Comments

  1. Avatar Don

    I remember when the c4 came out 84 ,I hated the way they looked ,hated the the 82 Camaros looks to ,but 30 some years later um I still hate them🤒

    Like 0
  2. Avatar 86 Vette Convertible

    Tad high on price, given the replaced engine and automatic. Some minor things, but tire availablility will be the hardest to find over time with out upgrading to 17″ or 18″. Aluminum heads came out in 86, not 87.
    I happen to like red Corvettes
    http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/hcbph/Corvette/Rims%20and%20Suspension/IMG_1643_zps0q0sqbxs.jpg

    Like 0
  3. Avatar Squanto

    $4500.00 is all the money for this car. 84-88 C4’s are nothing more than used Chevys. Trust me. I own one.

    Like 0
  4. Avatar Twisted bowtie

    Been looking for one ,to far west and wrong shifter!! Right color combo tho and well taken care of 😎

    Like 0
  5. Avatar gbvette62

    I don’t think the price is too bad, considering the condition. By 87, Chevrolet was beginning to figure out how to make these cars handle, without the unsprung, go cart ride of the 84-86’s. From the description, it sounds like that car has Z51 (sport steering, HD cooling, etc), so it’s still going to ride pretty hard.

    Like all 84-96’s, ingress/egress sucks and just because everything’s working now, doesn’t mean that it won’t develop the typical C4 issues latter. Digital dash failure, leaking/worn steering rack, rotting out heater water shut off valve and some other issues, seem to be common to all 84 up Corvettes.

    Overall it looks like a nice car, but I think I’d prefer to spend a little extra and get a 92-96 with the better dash, better seats, better ride, better styling and better LT1/LT4 engines.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Squanto

      And a six-speed ZF gearbox.

      Like 0
    • Avatar Steve Visek

      More likely it has the Z52 suspension option. They made about 9x more of them than the much harsher Z51 in ’87.

      My brother bought a low option Z51 coupe new in 1987. His was red ext. w/graphite cloth, with the 4+3 speed Nash stick. Ride and handling was a cross between an F-16 and a dump truck.

      Like 3
  6. Avatar Luke Fitzgerald

    One thing I do like about these things is the hood opening – show me a car with a better idea, I’d like to see it

    Like 1
  7. Avatar irocrob

    I do not think they will ever be worth anything. Cheaper to buy then a 3rd gen Camaro in the same condition.

    Like 0
    • Avatar al8apex

      sadly true

      Like 0
    • Avatar Steve Visek

      I wouldn’t mind having a Callaway or a 1990 ZR-1 in my collection….well, if I had a collection. :-(

      Like 2
  8. Avatar geebee

    If these owners were truly the car caring kind, I’d be curious to know what killed the first engine so quickly.

    Like 0
    • Avatar joe coppola

      Defects can cause it easily. Gm had to replace a motor in my 09 Sierra, timing chain snapped at 98k just 2k before the warranty was out and the truck barely does any stressful work.

      Like 0
  9. Avatar Bill

    I had an 85. white with black leather interior. A rattle trap which was almost un-driveable with the roof off. Price is almost twice what it should be.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Squanto

      Geez, I thought I was a tough marker!

      Like 0
  10. Avatar John

    If my car is typical, warranty replacements were block and heads. Everything else they transferred over. I spent more time trying to remove rattles than I did driving it. When you quieted one down, it enabled hearing the others. Still, I loved it just because it was a real live Corvette. I had few real issues with the car. You sit very low and it’s hard to see out of. Forget parallel parking. But it is a Corvette. It looks like a nice one.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar Eddie

    If I Had The Cash I’ld Buy It Right Now Great Looking Car,I Had An 84 First Year Of New Style, Had Problems With It . I Hope By 87 They Had The Problems I Had Worked Out.Looks Like Nice Car Well Cared For.

    Like 0
  12. Avatar victor sanchez

    Jeesh I feel bad owning a 1985, it’s been good to me ( I am the original owner ) it still is fast for what it is all original paint, interior etc… I haven’t babied it but did the normal maintenance, sorry but I think they are ok . Remember not everyone can afford a new one just saying whew

    Like 0
  13. Avatar BRAKTRCR

    Had my 89 for 10 years… put brakes, fuel injectors, and replaced the rag top. 89 is the last year for the digital Dash and it works fine. Mine is an automatic but 89 is the first year for the 6 speed
    Much maligned cars. Not sure why. The 84’s had some trouble I guess.

    Like 0
  14. Avatar ccrvtt

    I just sold my ’95 coupe after 7 1/2 years. Bought it with 10k on the clock, sold it with 42k. Absolutely beautiful car. It was a strongly emotional separation. I know a lot of people don’t like C4s, but most of them never owned one, or never even drove one. Bear in mind this is early ’80’s technology and it was revolutionary in its day. The SCCA had to create a new series because the Corvettes completely crushed the Porsches & BMWs in Showroom Stock racing.

    Haters gonna hate, I guess, but if ya wasn’t there ya wouldn’t understand anyway. ANY Corvette is a bargain, even the C3s, in the used car market. (That is, once you get past the old farts who think theirs is worth a whole lot more than it really is.) But that’s just an indication of the love and loyalty they generate. Sort of like Harleys.

    I’m now into my 2nd ‘Vette, a 2007 convertible. I hope to God I can always have one.

    Like 1
  15. Avatar Racer x

    Had a c4, c5 ,currently a c7, guess for a entry level a c4 ain’t bad, c5 was way better, like night n day,

    Like 0
  16. Avatar cyclemikey

    “I do not think they will ever be worth anything”

    LOL. Do you have any idea how many collector cars have had that said about them when they were just used cars?

    The C4s are relative bargains, because they’re at the bottom of their depreciation curve. But they will have their day. The 95/96 models were actually pretty darn good cars, and are the ones to have.

    A year or so ago I was looking for a 95 or 96 C4 convertible just for a knockabout driver, and to keep the miles off the C7. I didn’t get one; I wound up finding a really nice black C5 instead. But I’d have been perfectly OK with the C4.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Squanto

      Agree with your comment on the 95/96 as being the C4’s to focus on. Disagree with any statements about 84-89s being at the bottom of their appreciation curve.There is no upside. They are the Taliban of Corvettes. A 96 Collector Edition with the LT-4/6-speed combination has a chance of appreciating. ZR-1s are for the hard-core, the rest of the C4 generation are , at the risk of repeating myself, used Chevys.

      Like 0
      • Avatar ccrvtt

        Squanto – Interpreter for the Pilgrims, one of the last of the Patuxet, a native tribe annihilated by an epidemic, reputed to have said, “(C4s) are the Taliban of Corvettes.” Didn’t know squat about Corvettes, either.

        Like 0
      • Avatar Squanto

        ccrvtt- Thanks for the rude response. You nailed it. I have been an NCRS Judge since 1988 and I have owned three C4s, and I worked on the NCRS Judging Manual writing team. Squanto says “ccrvtt open big mouth and stick moccasin in”. Squanto says “Have a nice day”

        Like 0
      • Avatar Steve Visek

        While I agree that most C4s will never be great investments, they are real Corvettes and I think your derision is overdone, especially for someone I would expect to be an ambassador for the Corvette hobby. If nothing else, C4s(and most C3s for that matter) are useful as affordable ways to enter the Corvette family. I suggest that these cars and their owners deserve a little respect.

        Like 2
  17. Avatar Craig

    Tough crowd, nice C-4 no matter what the detractors think/say !

    Like 0
  18. Avatar Mike

    From the advice and knowledge from the above comments. What’s everyone’s take on the auto transmission?

    I’ve been looking into getting into a c4 but I can’t find a clean one with a manual in it.

    Like 0
    • Avatar 86 Vette Convertible

      I bought my 86 convertible four years ago. If you do a lot of city driving, the automatic is probably better. On the other hand, mine is a cruiser and I love the manual. Many like the automatics in our Corvette club and have no complaints. The manuals can have issues, many of them being operator based. The early 4+3 is a DN 4 speed with an overdrive unit behind it and can be killed if not operated correctly. The ZF 6 speed has a dual mass flywheel that’s no longer available. There are single mass replacements that have been used but can cause noise in neutral or with the clutch depressed. There apparently are one or two places that can resurface the DM flywheel but not every shop can do it properly. My 86 already had a Tremec 5 speed transplant done to it prior to my purchasing it so I avoided both issues.
      The Atari dash in the early ones can have issues, but most were caused by the heat of the dash bulbs used. Replacing them with Xenon or LED bulbs takes care of that plus Batee.com does repairs, sells parts and has a lot of instrument cluster info available on their website.
      I won’t say it’s the easiest car to get out of but I’m 6’4″ 220 lbs and I can get in and out without a problem. Only thing you don’t want to do is use the steering wheel to help pull yourself out or you can ultimately cause damage to the column.
      They’re fun cars to drive and if you’re like me will enjoy it. Mine may not be the fastest car around with the L98 engine (which the one above has) but it will run on 87 octane fuel or better, has plenty of torque and gets good gas mileage.
      As far as coupes with the top off, there’s a truss bar available that mounts in there that I’m told eliminates a lot of the rattles with the top off. Additionally others have mounted the convertibles X-bar and said it also tightens them up a lot.
      The biggest downside of the convertible is the lack of storage space. You only have the area under the toneau cover where the soft top sits or under the top when it’s down. IMO if you find one with a convertible with a luggage rack on it, that’s a plus.
      One more thing. Last winter I did a rear suspension upgrade to the Banski Motorsport suspension kit. I think most of the rattles I previously had were due to the old bushings. This both quieted and tightened it up substantially.
      Many in the club have had both C4’s and then upgraded to C5’s or better. It’s surprising the number that have said they wish they hadn’t sold their C4 as it was a better driving car compared to the new ones based on their comments.
      Personally I like my 86 C4 and probably will have it till I can no longer drive. It’s fun to drive, easy to fix and affordable to purchase, maintain and operate.

      Like 0
  19. Avatar ccrvtt

    Squant – May I call you Squant? I had no idea you were so well-qualified. An NCRS judge? Wow! I honestly mean no disrespect. I’m just over people dissing one car or another that may well be someone else’s pride & joy. I work with a guy who has an ’87 & a ’90 C4. They’re both pretty ratted out, but he loves them. In a way they help to define who he is.

    I would expect that someone who is deeply involved in the collector car hobby would be sensitive to the owners. So I guess I’ll just enjoy this moccasin sandwich and contemplate why anyone would judge a C4. They’re just old Chevys, after all.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Squanto

      You may call me “Toe”

      Like 0
      • Avatar ccrvtt

        Touche! Peace?

        Like 0
      • Avatar Squanto

        Absolutely. Consider the peace-pipe shared.

        Like 0
      • Avatar leiniedude Member

        Glad you two Cats have found peace. Not to much different than hanging in the garage and making comments with your buddy’s. I have owned my base 1972 for 17 years now and enjoy all Corvettes. I was a hippie van driver back in the day but had buddy’s with Stingrays and always thought they were cool. Happy Easter to all and if I was closer I would have a puff on the peace pipe with you both. LOL!

        Like 0
  20. Avatar Lee

    The valve covers were (and are) notorious for decolorization due to the magnesium content in them. Most folks have them painted. It’s a tad high on price but at the moment the C4 is one of the least desirable Corvettes out there. Don’t get me wrong…I love ’em. Working on my ’88 4+3 base coupe at the moment. But for some it’s an easily overlooked Corvette. As mentioned the anniversary editions, GS models and ZR-1 are all holding decent values. I recommend looking into the ’88-’96 model years as they redesigned/upgraded the brakes and tweaked the suspension.

    Like 0
  21. Avatar theGasHole

    This one seems okay at the price, I’d say maybe about $1000 high. This one has the semi-rare Electronic A/C control.
    Correct that this would most likely have the z-52 package, not the z-51.
    I am looking at buying an 87 C4 right now. Same owner 15 years, unusual Metallic blue paint, new glass targa top, new exhaust, carpets, alternator, trans rebuilt (car has 100k miles), service records going back 15 years. The interior is a bit rough, but the exterior looks pretty darn nice. He’s asking $4,300, I’m going to go at $3,300 with my top price being $3,500.
    I know these cars are the red-headed step child of Corvettes, but being a red headed step child myself, I guess I’ll fit right in!

    Like 1
  22. Avatar Leaks&Squeaks

    I have an 85 that looks like this one – had it forever. Funny thing about these car sites is that they are filled with “car guys” who know lots about car stuff – Opinions are strong about what is desirable vs what is not – my car is 33 years old. About 15 years ago people would snub it – ok, there were cooler cars out there and I am still a wannabe – but I don’t care… But now… you just don’t see c4s cruising around. I get lots of compliments. I have a new group of kids (under 9) on my street and they just stop and stare and give me the thumbs up – just like I did for a cool old car. These kids don’t notice all of my neighbors’ 75K bmw’s and audi suvs… my old 6k chevy (looks new) gets all the attention. I am having more fun with it now than I ever did. If I had the space, I would pick up a zr1.

    Like 0

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