The C4-era of the Chevrolet Corvette remains one of the best enthusiast car values out there, and I suspect it will remain that way for the foreseeable future. The model hasn’t seen a dramatic price increase over the last years of ups and downs in the market, and that includes the endlessly impressive ZR-1. The Corvette shown here wears the desirable Collector’s Edition wheels and a custom bronze stripe running down the center of the body. The listing notes that it hasn’t been drive much in the last few years and has racked up a mere 1,200 miles since 2016.
The seller’s late father-in-law owned this Corvette, and purchased it in 2006. It was likely a Sunday driver as it didn’t see much use in the time that he owned it. The color looks to be Polo Green which, in my opinion, is one of the best colors offered. The bronze stripe is a nice complement to the paint scheme, but I still think this Corvette would look better without it. Hopefully, it will be fairly easy to remove if the next owner agrees with me. In addition to the stripe and the wheels, this Corvette also has an aftermarket exhaust system. The listing notes that the original factory wheels can be included if the next owner wants them.
The interior is in decent shape but let’s remember, this is a 1990s GM product. Mileage is right under 75,000 so it’s not a time warp example but it hasn’t been over-driven, either. Tan is notoriously hard to keep clean and the carpets and leather show some wear and soiling; however, for a driver, it’s still fairly clean. The Corvette, like so many others, is equipped with an automatic transmission, an aspect of the C4 chassis that makes manual transmission examples a touch more valuable than a car equipped as this one is. The dash and center console lid show no cracks, which is as good of an indication as any that the Corvette was stored indoors.
Now, there are some issues that stem from its many years off the road. The seller notes the cruise control doesn’t work, the check engine light is on, and the A/C isn’t blowing cold. It has a variety of cosmetic faults – scratches, rub marks, and that sort of thing – but the seller claims the suspension is tight and that he’s installed a new battery. The tires have plenty of meat but they are quite old by date code standards, and the seller notes they date back at least 10 years and are cracking, so you’re not driving on them. The Corvette is listed here on eBay and bid to just under $6,000 at the moment in a no reserve auction, so someone is taking home a modern-day muscle car for a song.
At least the seller is realistic.
Optispark Distributor right under the water pump is the LT1 Achilles heel, and not like it’s an easy repair, what did these have? 300hp? Pretty good for the 90’s not so much today
Frank
Everything isn’t about speed.
Opti-Spark redesigned in 94-95. 300hp with 340 lb-ft torque is plenty. 150 mph+ top speed if you have the nutz to try it.
I own a 1992 C4 with the original Opti, no issues and love my vette….
Always liked the looks of these but not the interior so much and especially the dash and gauges. Hard to go wrong at this price however if in the market for one I’d take a trip to a Mecum auction and pick up a nicer example with lower miles for mid teens.
Wow what a great way to get into a nice entry level priced muscle car. 300 horse power is plenty enough to have fun with this Vette. These were great cruisers and that’s what they were made for not the drag strip. Windy country roads is where there most fun as they handle like there on rails. GLWTA and to the buyer enjoy the ride.
I’m not a huge fan of stripes in general and would prefer this Vette without BUT, since it’s there I’m wondering if those collector rims could be professionally refinished to match the strip…
Might look sharp.
As a big fan of C4s it’s nice to see feedback from people who have actually driven or owned one. (The lone detractor has obviously done neither.)
Bid is now up to $7,600 which is still a good price but not the outright steal that $6K would have been. Tires should definitely be in the overall budget. The rest of it can be fixed as you go and that huge clamshell hood gives you easy access to a lot of it. The HVAC issue could be a bad vacuum check valve located along the right side valve cover. Takes 2 minutes to replace and can be bought in the Dorman Help section at your local Advance, Auto Zone, or O’Reillly’s.
I like it! I’m a C4 fan, can fondly recall road tests of the day with the C4 vs Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2… I own one of those but have never owned a Corvette!
After C3s from 1968-1972, C4s are my second favorite choice of Corvettes. Don’t get me wrong I like the early models as well and all Corvettes in general. IMO, the C4s especially towards the end of the run; are great bargains. And if you don’t think 300 horsepower is enough for an enjoyable street driving experience in one of these; then you might be Formula 1 material.
That unnecessary gold ‘stripe’ isn’t helping this car!
C-4s are less than desirable, and being an automatic doesn’t help, but that said it could be a fairly reasonable way to into a Corvette.
Awesome looking ride would look great on the streets of New Zealand
If you have it shipped over, get in touch with these lads.
https://ncrs.co.nz/
I had a C4. Great to drive, but miserable to own. I had five distributors in that boltbucket in three years. Only a lunatic would build an engine with the dist under the water pump. To top it all off, three deep puddles and your ride was toast.
I owned a C4. It was fun to drive but miserable to own. I had five distributors in it in three years. Only a lunatic would put the distributor in front and under under the water pump. Three deep puddles and your afternoon ride was toast.
SOLD for $7,801.