Some classics lead a sheltered life, never venturing out of their garage unless the weather is sunny and dry. Such is the case with this 1991 Corvette Convertible. Faulting its presentation is virtually impossible, and with 65,000 miles on the clock, it should offer its new owner years of motoring fun. The first owner performed some upgrades to extract extra ponies from its V8, although these are reversible if the buyer prefers originality. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for using a finely-tuned classic radar to spot this beauty.
The seller emphasizes the rarity of this Corvette, stating that its paint and trim combination is uncommon. That is impossible to determine with the resources at my disposal, but only 1,621 buyers selected Turquoise Metallic. That represents a take-up rate of 8.9%, well shy of the 5,318 buyers who chose Bright Red. Buyers could only team Turquoise with a Blue or Black soft-top and Black or Saddle interior trim. This car features the darker shade on both counts, so there might be some truth to the claim. The seller is this Convertible’s second owner, having been its custodian for eleven years. It remains securely parked in a warm garage when not cruising the streets, only venturing outside during fine weather. It is easy to see it has been treated respectfully, because the paint shines beautifully, and the close-up shots reveal virtually no paint chips or nicks. The top fits as tight as a drum, and the trim is excellent. The Corvette sits on its original 17″ alloy wheels wrapped in tires with plenty of tread.
This Corvette’s sheltered existence is confirmed by the interior condition. The first owner selected Black leather trim, and there is no visible wear on the prone outer seat edges. There are a few typical wrinkles, but they are part of the emerging character of aging leather. The remaining upholstered surfaces and plastic are excellent, with no evidence of deterioration or UV damage. I am pleased to find no aftermarket additions because many owners substitute more modern stereo units for the Delco/Bose AM/FM radio/cassette/CD player. The new owner receives plenty of creature comforts, including air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power seats, power mirrors, cruise control, and a leather-wrapped tilt wheel.
The C4 Corvette proved initially disappointing upon release because the performance wasn’t what all buyers and motoring journalists hoped for. Its 350ci V8 produced 205hp and 290 ft/lbs of torque. It launched the ‘Vette through the ¼-mile in 15.2 seconds, which many viewed as okay, but unexceptional. The company lifted its game by the time our feature car rolled off the line, with the 350 placing 245hp and 345 ft/lbs at the driver’s disposal. The change was immediately felt under the right foot, slashing the ¼-mile ET to 14.3 seconds. However, this Convertible might offer more, with the previous owner adding larger injectors, a relatively mild upgraded camshaft, a Hyperchip, headers, and an upgraded exhaust. Improved breathing will improve performance, but the changes are reversible if the new owner prefers authenticity. The seller claims it has a genuine 65,000 miles on the clock without mentioning verifying evidence. Potential buyers can consider this a turnkey proposition that runs and drives well. It appears to need nothing but a new home.
The seller listed this 1991 Corvette Convertible here on Craigslist in Kenmore, Washington. It presents nicely, and the price of $11,000 looks competitive in the current market. It is worth noting that after years in the doldrums, values are steadily creeping in the right direction for those considering the investment potential of these cars. It also means they may eventually climb beyond the reach of mere mortals. This car has been on the market for less than a day, and I believe it will find a new home fairly quickly. Are you tempted to become its next owner?
After years of malaise, in ’91 the Vette was beginning to show signs of life again. This car has a nicer color too, instead of the ever-present red. The only thing I’m leery of is the digital dash, which uses vacuum flourescent displays for the tach, speedo and gauges. They were used up through the ’94 models.. If it malfunctions it may be hard to source repairs or parts for it.
I’ve always hated the term malaise. I actually don’t care for those speeds either… and I worked for the company that made them!
A question: Do any of the aftermarket instrument vendors offer a replacement instrumentation package, maybe one with analog instrument faces?
Yes, I remember seeing a car at a show that had been “upgraded” to an aftermarket gauge setup specifically for this era corvette
This is a twin to one I owned as second owner with the exception of a luggage rack. I really enjoyed that car. Mine ran 14.2 regularly. I only sold it because I had a project that needed the garage space and I couldn’t bear to leave it in the Tucson sun to be destroyed.
I like the color and the six speed. I think that these Corvettes are presently undervalued. This a good buy IMO. Another nice western vehicle. My gut tells me that if you’re interested in C4 Corvettes; it’s better to buy them sooner than later. GLWTS.
Love the car. Just not enough pedals.
How many pedals do you need? It has three. It is a six-speed.
Skip the 1991 model and get a 1992 300 hp, 330 lb-ft torque, LT1