Do certain colors make otherwise average cars more desirable? In the case of the C4-era Chevrolet Corvette, it seems we see them most often in red or black, which makes a car like this one in white seem a touch more appealing. Of course, the fact that it’s a barn find and you get the privilege of blowing off that barn dust and seeing how clean it is (or isn’t) underneath is half the fun as well, so let us know if you think this 1989 Chevrolet Corvette is worth rescuing. The seller notes that it’s been sitting for years and doesn’t run.
The Corvette for ’89 wasn’t dramatically different from other years, and it’s entertaining to look through the marketing collateral for the year and see some of the highlights: corrosion-resistant fiberglass body panels, retractable halogen headlamps, cornering lamps, Goodyear Eagle tires, a frameless glass rear hatch, electronic instrumentation with analog and digital displays, and a tilt steering wheel. It’s incredible to think that for America’s sports car, this was a significant list of equipment. Still, times change, and I’m sure the modern day Corvette will some day look antiquated compared to whatever autonomous transport pod is offered in 2053.
The interior is where this car stands out (for me, at least.) Most Corvettes from this era came with leather seating surfaces on those gorgeous, deeply-contoured bucket seats with full power controls. While it has never been a big enough deal to warrant some sort of analysis of production numbers, I know C4 Corvettes with cloth buckets tend to be considered unique among the legions of cars produced. I’m not sure if you had to ask for it specifically or if it was some sort of unusual base spec that dealers only got a handful of, but I know it doesn’t pop up all that often. The seats, surprisingly, look to be in decent shape.
And that’s the interesting roll of the dice here: the seller notes it has just 70K miles on the clock, which does make it relatively low mileage for the year. For the truly curious, giving it a wash and wax will reveal just how preserved that exterior finish is under all that grime. The seller’s admission that it hasn’t run in years could mean it’s also been stored indoors during that time, and I bet it would present well with that rare tan cloth interior fully visible through some clean windows. The C4 Corvette is not a hard car to find in any condition, so give this one a look here on craigslist for a white ’89 with under 100,000 miles.
Offer $4500 cash, settle at $5k-should be easy with the interest the seller doesn’t have for the car.
Very nice looking clean ones in white that run with the same avg mileage are selling all over the ‘Net for $7,500 to $9,500.
What’s with the LF fender by the door?
I suspect they were trying to get to the battery. Either to replace or jump.
You can jump start from the top. That does look like an attempt to replace the battery. Whoever designed that battery location should have been forced to change a battery out on a cold and rainy night 50 miles from the closest town. You can barely get a wrench in the top of the panel to loosen the bolt. Much easier when the battery was behind the seat.
Non-running car is a pig in a poke. Start your offer even lower than $4500, like $3000. Who knows whats wrong with it?
I want the drivers seat. This is the interior in my convertible and the bolster has already been fixed by my upolsterer. The lower back is starting to go now. If I remember correctly. Leather was a $350.00 option. Pretty much Everyone chose it.
Just to help Jeff out, it’s in the Phoenix area and they’re asking $5,500.
To bad no engine bay pics, forgot them or hiding something ? Looking at the body it seems one long week-end of tlc shampoo and suds and shop vac would fix it up perfect. We all saw the left fender so whats up with the batterie. I’d start at 3500 knowing quite well that apart from the cleaning i’ll have to put a few g’s here and there to get it running safely
Please tell me they did not store it with the windows down. That they were put down after resurrection to air out the car. I hate those seats. No wonder everyone else opted for leather.
There’s something about the C4s that I like. I known most Vette officiantatos don’t care for the, underpowered or something.
White looks good on this. He a friend in 1984 who bought a white one new.
They also had a nice mint green that looked good on the C4 Corvettes.
I ordered my ’86 with cloth. Grahite color. I wanted to keep the cost down because I was paying cash. Also no Bose stereo and manual trans. $29,950
Posting expired. I guess no one was interested enough.