Anyone deriding the fourth generation (C4) Corvette may have forgotten the final year LT4 V8. This 1996 Chevrolet Corvette LT4 six-speed in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, New Mexico jumps off the screen in shiny Torch Red. “Resale Red” may draw potential buyers to the listing on Facebook Marketplace where $14,500 buys the high-performing classic. Thanks to reader Ray M. for spotting this final-year C4.
The tan leather looks great, though the driver’s seat may have come from another vehicle judging from a possible color mismatch. Powertrain choices were binary in ’96, either the hot new LT4 and a six-speed manual gearbox or the carryover LT1 with a four-speed automatic.
Chevrolet’s C4 looked like a spaceship when it hit the roads and tracks in model year 1984 with a 205 HP V8. Recall this era as a time when manufacturers struggled to make horsepower and emissions requirements. While the limited-production Grand Sport stole most of the thunder in 1996, these six-speed LT4s shared the same basic powertrain and should not be overlooked. These wheels emulate the black beauties with chrome rims fitted to all 1000 Grand Sports.
Behold the LT4 overhead valve V8. Based on the LT1 that powered most Corvettes since 1992, the ’96 LT4 features a higher 10.8:1 compression ratio, high-flow aluminum heads, larger valves, a hotter camshaft profile, unique injectors, water pump gears driven by a roller chain, and more. In addition to making 30 more horses, the LT4 spins to 6300 RPM vs the LT1’s 5700 limit. Drop the hammer and you’ll hit 60 MPH in about five seconds flat and cover a quarter-mile in 13.5 seconds at 105.1 MPH, according to CorvetteBlogger. Those are solid numbers even today. While this car’s seller uses the phrases “Grand Sport” and GS in the listing, call it creative marketing. Nobody would repaint a 1 of 1000 Dark Cloisonne Blue Metallic (aka “Admiral Blue”) Grand Sport red, and if you did own a Grand Sport, even a repainted red one, you’d immediately disclose the VIN showing a “6” in position 12. Thanks to GrandSportRegistry and MotorTrend for some details. Would you drop $15,000 on this one-year-only LT4 C4 or hold out for a 97+ C5?
Good price, good car. Looks like a Corvette should look.
Pretty sure these have the Optispark like the LT1, Original ones have been out of stock for years and the aftermarket ones are mostly junk
I have a 96 LT4 also in the Torch Red. Grey and Black interior. Great car for the price of admission. Mine is still under 22,000 mi. No winter driving here in Wisconsin.
The GM OptiSpark was re-designed for the 1995 model year and provided both better ventilation and resistance to water entry. Aftermarket units have been in use for many years and are most likely are not “mostly junk” The 1992-1994 OptiSpark units were prone to moisture-related failures to the point that any water pump replacement should also include OptiSpark replacement at the same time.
I had a 94, sold it after 25 years with 249,000 miles, had to replace Water Pump and Optispark every 75-80K like Clockwork, last one at 240K took several months to find a NOS GM Opti after the 3 Aftermarket ones didn’t work. Not an easy job either.
Wow. 249,000 miles. Water pump and OptiSpark is like the chicken and the egg. Did water pump failures precede the
Opti issues? My 1995 (55,000 miles) has the re-designed system and has not been replaced. The aftermarket ones had the updated venting and still failed? Do you remember who the manufacturer was? MSD?