Arizona is a retiree hotspot, but it’s also just plain hot. Living there requires a high degree of comfort with soaring temperatures that make Florida look like an oasis, and months of 100+ degrees are not uncommon. That said, the winter months help make up for that turmoil, and what better car to enjoy the seasonal months than a C4-era Chevrolet Corvette convertible? This particular car is a nicely-equipped example with black leather, the rare manual transmission, and just 31,000 original miles. It’s listed here on craigslist with a firm price of $12,500.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader T.J. for the tip. This seller claims this was a “grandpa” car and only came up for sale because he could no longer get in and out of the low-slung coupe. With only 3,000 miles driven in the last 15 years, it’s clear this Corvette became the previous owner’s second or third car for the last decade or so, and has lived in pampered existence. The cosmetics appear to be excellent, and while white on red is my personal favorite color scheme, white on black is far more popular among the general populence. I’m sure plenty of enthusiasts would find this combo appealing.
The 6-speed manual is a hard-to-come-by feature despite being standard equipment, and even more so in the convertible. According to most pages on the internet, just over 8,000 C4 convertibles came with the 6-speed, so while it’s not as rare as hen’s teeth, it’s definitely a car you don’t see every day. The listing doesn’t tell us anything about clutch health or various transmission servicing, other than noting the Corvette has been looked after. The 1990 Corvette made a healthy 245 horsepower and 345 lb-ft of torque, and those numbers are certainly made more lively with three pedals.
When it comes to top-down driving in a brutal climate like Arizona, you’d expect to see some carnage done to the leather and brittle plastic surfaces, but not so here. It truly does look like a low-mileage specimen, and one that was likely both garaged and not left outside with the top down for extended periods. With the top up, you see it sports a white top which makes for a striking and very period-correct combination with the white paint. The seller is asking what I think is a fair price, and even if the number is firm, this is still an awful lot of car for the money.
Seems like a reasonable price. Unfortunately, at my age, climbing in and out of a C4 would require a lot of work – and possibly assistance! GLWTS
Many of us with low riding two seaters are facing this same issue. In all likelihood that will be when and why I will sell my own.
Lol Jeff! Perfect description of AZ weather, especially after 118 was the highest in last 120 years yesterday. I have 3 family members in Mesa. I’ll stay here in Georgia thanks. All that said, why would you have a black interior, let alone leather also, in a climate like that? Good price. Great write-up.
@Jeff Lavery
Having lived in Las Vegas for 10 years I’ve discovered having a convertible is a part time car. Meaning, during the day you keep the top up and the a/c on high. At night after 9 p.m. you put the top down and drive around with the a/c on high.
About the only time you can ride with the top down during the day is December and January.
Good write up.
I’m a C4 fan and this one lights my fire. The manual gearbox, white paint, low miles and a convertible! High price for a C4. BUT, a very desirable specimen and low miles. Now if I could just raid the cookie jar I would run down there and pick this up!
Considering what the owner of the C-3 that’s up for auction on this site, this looks to be A VERY GOOD DEAL.
While I’m still mobile, this looks like a great idea. However, at 64 with knees that in reality are worn out, not so much. As the late Buck Owens sang “When I was young I could jump like a deer, But now I need new landing gear. I used to be able to jump a picket fence, But now I’m lucky if I can jump an inch. I’m too old. I’ve done got too old. I’m too old to cut the mustard anymore. Too old. Buck’s done got too old. He’s too old to cut the mustard anymore!”
But, with that being said, looking at the V-8 Thunderbird on today’s Barnfinds, I could see that replacing my 3800 Series 2 powered 1996 Oldsmobile 98 Regency with the 16” X 7” Cadillac Sedan DeVille 14 spoke wheels and Olds Touring Sedan FE3 Suspension as my daily driver….
Seller is firm on 12.5, but lowered the price to 11.9 after only 6 days.
With the continued increase in daily temperatures, I am in the process of designing “Corvette” branded oven mitts suitable for summertime driving in Florida, Texas, and Arizona. This could be huge. Call me to get in on the ground floor of an amazing investment opportunity. It ain’t gonna get cooler in the Sunbelt anytime soon!