Affordable Classic: 1993 Chevrolet Corvette

Not everyone gets to tick items off their bucket list, but the owner of this 1993 Corvette managed to achieve this when he purchased the car. Owning a ‘Vette is something that he aspired to, but health issues mean that he is forced to part with the car of his dreams. It has received a few useful mechanical upgrades that should lift its performance a notch or two above average. Adding to the attraction, the owner has priced this classic very competitively. Located in Decatur, Illinois, you will find the Corvette listed for sale here on Barn Finds Classifieds. The owner has set a price of $7,900 OBO, making this a classic that deserves a closer look.

The Corvette has received a custom paint job at some point. The lower extremities appear to be Arctic White, while the upper shade looks like it might be a 1998 color called Medium Pearl Purple. The effect is striking, and when combined with the black alloy wheels and vinyl graphics, they give the vehicle a distinctive and aggressive appearance. The paint shines nicely, while the vinyl graphics look crisp and free from any shrinkage or deterioration. There are no apparent issues with the panels, and the gaps appear to be tight and consistent. Overall, the presentation is excellent, and this is a classic that is guaranteed to grab attention where your average Corvette from this era might blend into the background.

While the 1993 Corvette continued the tradition of having a 350ci V8 under the hood, the engine had undergone some radical changes that took effect from the 1992 model year. The result was a ‘Vette that could once again be driven off the showroom floor with 300hp on tap.  This classic features that V8, a 4-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and power 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS. When it was shiny and new, this classic would have blitzed the ¼ mile in 14.3 seconds. However, this car could potentially leave those figures in the shade. A previous owner fitted roller rockers, an MSD distributor, and a Meziere electric water pump. That latter feature will reduce mechanical drag on the engine, which should provide a noticeable performance improvement. The previous owner also had the Corvette dyno-tuned, and a new chip for the ECU was burned, which would help its cause even further. Shifting should be cleaner and sharper thanks to the installation of a B&M performance valve body. If that sounds a bit sharp for you, the owner includes the original valve body for the buyer. He spent $1,200 on new tires last year and estimates that he has only managed to put around five miles on them since then. He says that the ‘Vette is fun to drive, and with the mechanical upgrades that it has received, I don’t doubt that for a moment.

The Corvette’s interior is tidy and presentable and has no immediate needs. The outer seat bolsters are slightly wrinkled, but the overall condition of the leather is excellent. The plastic pieces appear to be in good order, with no evidence of broken or badly discolored parts. The red door trims might not be to everyone’s taste, but they do tie in with the colors in the external graphics. If they aren’t to the buyer’s taste, there are some options worth considering. New trims are available, but it would be worth scouring a local pick-a-part to see if replacements can be found. Alternatively, there are some excellent plastic dyes on the market that would allow a color change for under $60. Comfort and convenience features include air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, a leather-wrapped wheel, and a CD player.

The owner of this 1993 Corvette says that you won’t find a nicer one for the price, and this is a claim that appears to be spot-on. If you look around the market today, you will struggle to find a tidy and roadworthy example for under $10,000. While they have remained largely ignored in the classic market, the C4 Corvette shows signs of gaining traction. Values have begun to climb slightly in recent times, which means that now might not be a bad time to consider parking one in your garage. This one offers above-average performance at a below-average price. That sounds like a winning combination to me.