It is widely believed that as we get older, our memory can begin to fail. Although the government now officially classifies me as a senior citizen, I don’t necessarily share that view. However, when this 1996 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport landed on my desk, I began to have grave doubts. I couldn’t remember us featuring one of these classics, so I searched our archives dating back to 2011, when the site first went “live.” Thankfully for my peace of mind, the hours consumed proved worthwhile, because this is definitely the first Grand Sport we have seen. This is unsurprising because, compared to the more readily recognized Collector’s Edition, the Grand Sport is a relatively rare beast. This Corvette is a survivor with 19,000 miles on the clock. The seller describes it as a show car, and scrolling through their images supports that belief. The time has come for the Grand Sport to find a new home, with the seller listing it here on eBay in Miami, Florida. They set their price at $49,500 with the option to make an offer.
Chevrolet’s C4 Corvette had served the company well, but the 1996 model year marked the end of the line. Its successor waited in the wings, but the company decided to send the C4 out with a bang. It released the Collector’s Edition, which proved enormously popular. However, those preferring exclusivity could order the Grand Sport variant. It wasn’t a cheap package, so what did buyers receive for their money? Cosmetically, it included subtle rear fender flares, Admiral Blue paint, a White stripe from the nose to the tail, and Red “hash marks” on the driver’s-side front fender. Five-spoke 17″ alloy wheels, finished in Black, added a menacing look, guaranteeing that the Grand Sport turned heads. The package wasn’t cheap, and with the build tally split 810/190 between the Coupe and the Convertible, they are pretty rare. The seller describes this Corvette as a survivor, indicating that it retains its original paint and interior, with no restoration or repairs. Its presentation is exceptionally clean, seemingly justifying their belief that it could serve as a show car. The paint has excellent depth of color and shine, the graphics are crisp, and the wheels are free of stains and physical damage. So far, so good, for this classic.
The Grand Sport was more than a pretty face, with Chevrolet giving it performance credentials justifying the customer’s extra investment. Tilting the hood reveals the LT4 version of the 5.7-liter V8. This motor produced 330hp and 340 ft/lbs of torque, fed to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. Those seeking an automatic were forced to look elsewhere, because the Grand Sport was manual-only territory. Power steering was standard, while the brake calipers received “Corvette” lettering in bright aluminum. The seller confirms that this Corvette isn’t simply unmolested; the deal includes documentation such as the original Window Sticker and Certificate of Authenticity. They don’t mention evidence verifying the mileage claim, but the car’s overall condition makes the figure plausible. This Grand Sport is a turnkey proposition rolling on new tires. It is ready to hit the road with its new owner behind the wheel.
Those potential buyers craving creature comforts will enjoy life inside this Corvette. It features climate-control air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, six-way power seats, cruise control, a leather-wrapped wheel, floor mats, and seats trimmed in unique Grand Sport leather. The first owner pushed out the boat, adding the optional Delco Bose Music System, which included an AM/FM radio, cassette player, and CD player. The interior condition is consistent with the mileage claim. There is no evidence of wear, abuse, or deterioration. The plastic is excellent, and there are no visible aftermarket additions.
The numbers help to explain why we have never previously seen a 1996 Corvette Grand Sport at Barn Finds. The Collector’s Edition is widely recognized, with Chevrolet producing 5,412 examples that added $1,250 to the sticker price during the C4’s final year. The Grand Sport is considerably rarer, with only 1,000 buyers paying the additional $3,250 (or $2,880 for the Convertible) to take one home. Unsurprisingly, enthusiasts are willing to pay a premium for one when they hit the market. The seller’s BIN figure looks realistic compared to recent successful sales, and values are climbing rapidly. Are those thoughts enough to convince you to pursue this Corvette further?
Looks like a nice example, just one thing that stands out. The two red hash lines on the front fender, I remember maybe 20 years ago. This guy was at the exhaust shop where I get work done was upgrading the mufflers. He was quite proud of his car and how original it was. Yes he was getting the exhaust upgraded, but they were something from a Corvette specifically company. Anyway there were no stars on the car. Other than that little discrepancy I like these cars, they were special and not just an emblem.
Thank you so much for your feedback, Cadmanls. We always appreciate input from our readers. I admit the Hash Marks threw me slightly, and I initially questioned the stars. However, photos from another angle actually reveal that they are the sun reflecting off the stripe. I’ve attached one of the images so that you can see what I mean. I hope you continue to enjoy our work, and thank you once again.
There have been some on Bring a Trailer. The most recent sold for $28,500 about a month ago and it had 23,000 miles on it. So I think this one is probably a bit optimistically priced, as in close to double what it may be worth.