Lingenfelter Upgrades: 1988 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe

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This 1988 Chevrolet Corvette has more than a few things going for it, certainly enough that it stands out from the average C4 you find listed on craigslist or Marketplace. The big things are the following: it has low mileage; it wears a gorgeous shade of paint known as Nassau Blue Metallic; and it sports a variety of reversible modifications that should actually improve the driving experience to a decent degree. The seller is asking $15,000 for this modified 80s muscle car, which is certainly all the money for a C4 that ins’t a ZR1, but it looks like it deserves some consideration either way.

Now, some of these modifications are a bit obnoxious, but certainly in keeping with where styling trends were going in the late 80s and early 90s. The aftermarket rear wing, the chrome wheels, the underbody extensions along the rockers and below the rear bumper – talk about peak styling trends. That said, there is something to be said for a car that perfectly embodies the styling of an era, and I have to admit that I don’t hate the custom touches. In fact, I’d recommend you either leave them all in place or take every last tacked-on enhancement off if you’re going to do anything at all. Would you leave the modifications in place or remove them?

Under the hood, the Corvette has been upgraded with the following enhancements, according to the seller: a Lingenfelter Accel Superram intake manifold, 58mm throttle body, Accel ignition system, Dart cylinder heads, and a nitrous system. It also features long-tube headers and it appears to have an aftermarket exhaust system as well. The seller additionally notes that the engine was rebuilt by a previous owner and features a Lingenfelter camshaft, steel crankshaft, and LT1 forged pistons. Whatever power it’s making, it certainly is running a bit stronger than its factory horsepower rating.

The black leather interior is in excellent condition, which helps lend some credibility to the low-mileage claims. The other thing I love to see is beautiful paint inside the door jams, suggesting it hasn’t been previously repainted. In looking at this Corvette again, I could see a scenario where the rear spoiler and side skirts are deleted, and the wheels are upgraded to a mesh-style BBS wheel. Keep the rest of it intact with regards to the performance modifications and you’d have a stunning car with just the right amount of tweaks. Check it out here on craigslist and thanks to Barn Finds reader Mitchell G. for the find.

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Comments

  1. Fahrvergnugen FahrvergnugenMember

    If Pontiac had made a Corvette, this would be it. But I really like the gluons and the engine upgrades…until it upgr(en)ades under pressure. Feasible price, too.

    Like 4
    • Claudio

      I agree, the body cladding reminds me of pontiacs !

      Like 0
  2. Ike Onick

    A “Bid to” on BaT in August.

    Like 0
  3. CCFisher

    Anyone else see a blue SpongeBob SquarePants when they look at the front end?

    Like 1
    • John Hutchison

      Looks a lot like the Greenwood body ad-on’s of the era. An acquired taste if there ever was one. I thought it added unnecessary pork to a slippery body. Touched by Lingenfelter is a nice bonus.

      Like 3
  4. Charles JenkinsMember

    Pretty color and nice mechanical upgrades, but still a C4. Knock about 4 or 5K off of the price, and you’ve got a pretty good buy.

    Like 1
  5. Don Leblanc

    According to the Corvette black book, Nassau blue was never offered as a color choice in 1988 so this is either Medium blue ( code 20 ) or a re- paint.
    Looks great but I’m not a fan of the add – ons.

    Like 0
  6. Max Schwartzmeyer

    Beautiful looking car, but probably 10k car.
    Can’t click on the Craigslist link to check it out more. 🤔

    Like 0
  7. bobhess bobhessMember

    To whom it may concern: If you don’t like the modifications go buy another car.

    Like 3

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