What’s amazing about the C4 generation of the classic Chevrolet Corvette is that you can still buy a time capsule example for $20,000 (or less). The Corvette shown here is one I believe we’ve seen before, as the color combination and mileage strike me as familiar. Familiar: the arch-enemy of anyone trying to sell a clean C4, as potential buyers likely always believe there will be another one around the corner if they don’t jump on a Corvette that’s actively for sale. Find this clean convertible here on craigslist in Hartford, Connecticut.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader Tony Primo for the find. Now, of course, I feel bad for anyone who shelled out $25,000 or better for one of these, as the days of a C4 time capsule commanding big money are gone. I don’t know that cars like this were ever capable of getting people to over-spend, at least not outside of the period in which it was new. The ZR-1 of the same era, a supercar in every possible description, still struggles to get into the $50,000-$60,000 despite its impressive credentials.
If a brand is concerned with building a legacy or aura around a certain model, the single most important strategy they can invoke is to limit production. I feel that strategy has all but gone out the window, as it sure seems like companies such as GM and Chrysler are hell-bent on producing as many special editions and variants as possible of their popular muscle cars. When you do this, however, you tend to reduce the model’s significance in the eye of the enthusiast, as there’s no urgency to buy and it also seems like values will forever be stagnant owing to high production numbers.
Dodge is one of the biggest offenders in this regard, with all manners of special trims and options for the Challenger and Jeep Wrangler models seemingly available at a given time. Just look at how many low-mileage RTs and SRTs pop up for sale in a given week. The seller’s Corvette is in absolutely beautiful condition and still wears its original tires, but I don’t know if that will be enough for someone to pony up $20,000 to own of the nicest C4s in existence. It may behoove the seller to wait until summer.
Anyone else happen to notice the glut of Corvettes lately? I’m watching TV auction, until the Packers vs da’ Bearz, that is, and a lot of Corvettes. 465 crossed, or will cross the block, to be exact. There’s no question, aside from some exotics, the Corvette has the biggest following of all classic American cars. Seems the C2s and 3s with big block motors are the big money sellers, 6 figures, mostly, then a lull, of sorts for these, barely cracking $10gs, then the newer space objects back up to 6 figures. Why is that, so many Corvettes? I’d say from its beginning, the Corvette was every Americans dream. It remained the coolest US car one could buy. Well, life has a habit of getting in the way of that, and now, as old men, its time has come. I see the women shrugging their shoulders, but it’s all good, can’t take it with you and that’s who is buying vintage Corvettes today.
C4s are just about the best “Bang for the buck” performance cars out there. But beware of parts prices if you have to work on one. I’ve got a ’91 that needs a driver’s side door panel. For the same money I bought a complete interior for my 65 Mustang. And at 78 yrs old I can barely get into my ‘Vette, and getting OUT is even worse!
It’s simple, they were priced higher and only seated 2, which knocked many who wanted one out of the picture if they had kids, which many of us did. People generally took better care of the Corvette than they did other cars. The high water mark for the Vette was only 53,807 back in 1979. Take the Mustang numbers for comparison, its high was over 600,000 back in 66 and has averaged over 120,000 per year since. More of them rusted away or got crushed than were preserved. The 2023 C8 just surpassed the 79 amount by a couple hundred extra units.
It’s a “no go” at this price, especially with the slushbox. It’s just a low mileage 1989 Chevy.
It’s not that bad. What else can you buy for that Hyundai
That’s funny, the Vette haters just keep coming. At 160 Mph this car is far from your average 1989 Chevy. But keep em coming, it’s kinda cute!
This is really a beauty, i also own a c4 with low miles , in my case its kilometers as i am canadian
The c4 has no trunk so , i consider it pretty useless and will be selling it come spring, i wanted a corvette cause the boxster always had me worried of expensive failure, will be buying a c6 soon …
As for the price , i feel its high but its a beauty , market will speak
YOLO
It looks to be in excellent condition but it’s a c4, boring looking wedge they were faster than late c3s reminded me of a tr7. Had a couple of friends that couldn’t wait to show me their c4s, had to bight my tounge and give them a positive response, both had nothing but problems with them nothing major but always something.
Car is in Connecticut but has a Texas vanity plate. (I live in Texas.) Also, I see a palm tree in the background. Didn’t think there were palm trees in Connecticut. Architecture of the house looks more Florida/California to me.
Just my thoughts,
Some of the photos are in front of Platinum Truck and Equipment, which is in Hooksett, New Hampshire. This car really gets around. I would say “caveat emptor”, on this one
Good catch, John. I just moved from Hooksett, and Platinum has only been around for a couple of years.
I know I’m late to the party here, but since I also have an 89 Convertible…or as the cool guys call it an 89 “Roadster” I thought I would take a look at the posting. The Craigslist ad is gone of course, but shows it was deleted by it’s author, not just timed out, so perhaps it sold. Was the asking price 20K? Yes that’s too much, but they are good cars. With so many around they can be great drivers, and if you’re single it holds plenty of groceries in the passenger seat.
As far as overproduction, that isn’t the case as I see it. 89 production 26k total, 10k of which were convertibles
In comparison 1967 production 23k total, of which 14.5k Convertibles
So the C4’s that are in good shape at 10 grand and less, according to Car and Driver top speed is 155 mph on the coupes…I’m sure a ragtop is less, but that is cheap money to go so fast. Just my 2 cents, doubt my words get read much, just standing up for a misunderstood car
Got a 91 that I’ve had for about 10 years. Fast, dead reliable, and the most bang for the buck on the planet. Gave $7000 for it when I bought it, I’ve put about 50,000 of the 130,000 miles on it. Probably worth what I paid for it. Only problem is cost of parts.
Yes, commonly called “The Corvette Tax” right?
Boy howdy! I bought a complete interior for my 65 Mustang for the price of a driver’s door panel for the Vette!