It is a harsh reality of car ownership that a single simple mistake can have catastrophic consequences. That is the story behind this 1985 Chevrolet Corvette. Faulting its overall condition is difficult, but the V8 under the hood needs a rebuild or replacement. Diagnosing the issue caused the seller to replace many parts, which should mean the car is in good health with its engine issue addressed. The ‘Vette is listed here on eBay in Austin, Texas. Bidding sits at $2,950 in a No Reserve auction.
The legendary C3 Corvette was always going to be a tough act to follow, and the new C4 hit the market in 1984 with mixed reviews. Some journalists praised it, while others were unmoved. Although its design and engineering were essentially new, its styling carried enough traces of C3 DNA to leave no doubt what it was. This C4 spent its life in California, meaning there are no structural rust issues. Its Light Blue Metallic paint looks excellent, suggesting the Corvette wasn’t left exposed to the blazing sun during its downtime. It shines nicely, with no evidence of patchiness. The panels are perfect, the glass is crystal clear, and there are no signs of physical damage or stains on the wheels. So far, life looks like a bed of roses. As we are about to discover, roses have their occasional thorns.
Some potential buyers felt underwhelmed by the new Corvette’s performance, with the L98 version of the venerable 350ci small-block producing 230hp. More potent models were on the horizon, although this car features a manual transmission that allowed it to cover the ¼ mile in 14.6 seconds in its heyday. I mentioned thorns earlier, and this is where we must confront them. The seller states that someone left the gas cap open, allowing water into the tank. This somehow found its way into the engine, leaving the small-block locked. It is unclear whether they tried to release it, but it could be worth the effort to squirt in some good old Mystery Oil to see if that gets things moving. If not, the buyer faces rebuilding or replacing the motor. The seller replaced the engine electronics, plugs, plug wires, distributor, and radiator. With the engine issue addressed, this ‘Vette should purr like a kitten.
It is common to find early C4s with tired interiors, but the indications are that this one led a sheltered life. The upholstered surfaces show no evidence of wear or abuse, and there are no signs of UV damage to the plastic components. The carpet and dash are excellent, and there are no aftermarket additions. The new owner won’t lack creature comforts, with this ‘Vette featuring the “Star Wars” style digital gauge cluster, air conditioning, leather upholstery, power windows, power locks, power seats, cruise control, a tilt wheel, and an AM/FM radio/cassette player.
It is a reality that the C4 Corvette doesn’t enjoy the popularity in the classic market of the previous C3. However, indications are the situation could be changing. Values have recently climbed steadily, although they remain affordable. With its engine issues addressed, the overall condition means this C4 could command a value of around $12,000. It needs work to get there, but could you be the person to bring it back from the brink?
Alright Iam going to call out the elephant in the room. Rust in the fuel tank maybe, ruined fuel pump maybe. But lock up the engine? I suppose if maybe and it’s a big maybe, try and start an engine on water for long enough and let it sit that might occur. But that’s a tough one, oil on the cylinder walls washed off by water? Anyway back to an early C3 that don’t carry enough value to repair or replace fuel system and the engine repair this on should be a pass. Although the interior does present well pretty sure it’s a parts car.
Water in the fuel system? How deep, and for how long, was the car submerged for water to have stopped the spin?
You would have to lift the fuel filler door, remove the gas cap, and push the metal flapper open and secure it to have a rainstorm get water in the tank. Odd set of circumstances lined up on that one.
Or an angry ex-girlfriend…
Was it a flood victim? If so, you would know right away as soon as you open the door. The smell you won’t get out, just like cigarettes or cigar smoke. I smoked for 40 years so I have first hand knowledge about that. It gets on everything. Glad I quit.
I bought a 2003 Dodge Dakota from a heavy smoker.
I found that if you put (unperked) coffee grounds on the seats
& carpeting (not too thick),& park it in the sun on a hot day(s),
you can get rid of the smell.
How many tries before you realized “unperked” coffee grounds were the way to go?
Unless there is corrosion on the cylinder walls this motor can probably be freshened up for just a few hundred dollars. I’ve seen TPI motors with 150k on the clock and like .001-.002 wear on the bores. Same goes for the original Mahl pistons; tough as nails. If 85 used a flat tappet cam, that would have to be replaced, but that’s about it.
I know this would be more expensive, but why not put in an LS crate engine? Just think how fast you could get from Texas to California!!😂😂
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c4-tech-performance/4356899-c4-corvette-ls-6-speed-swap.html
If it is not a flood car, you’ve got a really clean (and attractive in the blue over blue!) base for an LS swap project. It’s not like it hasn’t been done before on the C4, lots of info and kits.
Better invest in a stronger transmission and diff too. I doubt that tired malaise era Doug Nash 4+3 would survive very long behind a powerful LS motor, the weakest of which is still good for 285 hp or nearly 25 percent more than that L98 was producing. You might stretch the tranny’s life by driving it gently but who buys a Vette to drive it like an old lady? GLWS.
Look closer, it’s actually an auto. LS with 4L60E transmission swaps are a thing. I’d go with a Tremec stick. There are kits and plenty of knowledge of these swaps. The thing is, you have to WANT a C4 to do this. It’s obviously cheaper to just buy a C5, they have hit the bottom of the curve and it’s now the C4 that is gaining some value for really nice ones. Some of us prefer the looks of the C4, myself included. The value for folks like me is the really nice C4 ZR1’s are starting to shoot up in price, so building a C4 is starting to make sense.
Called the “Doug Nash 4+3,” the transmission was essentially just a Borg-Warner Super T-10 four-speed with an overdrive bolted to the ass-end.
In 74 they increased the amount of splines on the input and output shafts to deal with the higher rpms of the more modern engines. That transmission can take 400hp and 500 ft lbs of torque. Here’s a list of cars it was used in:
1957-’63 Corvette
1957-’63 Chevrolet full-size sedan
1961-’63 Pontiac, Olds F85, Buick Specials
1960-’65 Ford and Mercury full-size, except station wagon
1960-’65 Ford Fairlane, Falcon, Mustang, Mercury Comet
1963 Dodge and Plymouth V-8, except Hemi
1968-’70 AMC Rambler, Rebel, Ambassador, Marlin, and American
1971 AMC Hornet and Matador
1968-’74 AMC Javelin and AMX
After 74 it was used primarily in Corvettes, Camaros, and Firebirds.
Write up says, “…this car features a manual transmission…”, but I spy an automatic transmission in the photos and the eBay listing confirms this. I also agree with everyone else about how could water get from the tank to the engine… seems unlikely. IF Marvels Mystery Oil could free up the engine and a simple tank replacement be done, this could be a bargain for someone wanting a C4. But that is a big “if,” considering the pictures reveal a likely flipper garage who would know about this possible simple fix. The seller does claim to have a “clean” California title, but while CA plates are on the back, there is a Texas plate on the front of the car.
Fuel, spark and air. The owner definitely thought it was spark!
All I know is that if I had this car and I had come this far and Marvel Mystery Oil had a chance to make it work – I would have used it already. No – somebody has already come to the conclusion that the engine is TOAST. Just like air conditioning, “ it just needs some Freon”. Nope it leaks and it could cost a couple thousand bucks or more. Same scenario with this car. If Marvel Mystery Oil could get this engine running – I’d be a monkey’s uncle. Good luck though! Nice article by the way.
Bring 🐕 Scooby Doo and Shaggy, the girls 👠 💅, and their mystery van in here for an investigation 🔎 😀
Nothing beats a Borescope. If you’re a A&P mechanic its part of your tool box. Saves time and the MAYBE it’s?
You can get digital inspection cameras cheap today as well
C4s are the red headed stepchild of real vettes. Dime a dozen and only worth
Half of that ! Worth more as a very nice foundation for 58-62 resto-mod C1s.
Put a boatload in one and drive it till the wheels fall off, or get what you can and buy a 56 Packard Clipper !
Texas has had too many floods lately for me to buy it.
Replaced all the electronics on a locked up engine? Story makes zero sense.So this guy proceeded to keep replacing electronics on an engine that wouldn’t crank over and is locked up?The only way I’ve seen engines hydro lock is dummies driving trru deep water and the intake sucking in gobs of water bending rods.glwts.
Yep flood car most likely, these value at 3,000 tops when they’re running, if they’re not all hogged up, this is a nightmare waiting to happen.