Chevrolet offered 1988 Corvette buyers a choice of eleven single-shade paint colors and, as is typical, some proved significantly more popular than others. This ’88 Convertible features one of the rarer colors, and it is interesting because it changes markedly, depending on the prevailing light. It is a time capsule that presents superbly, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting it listed here on Craigslist in Deer Valley, Phoenix, Arizona. You could fly in and drive this Corvette home after handing the seller $14,950.

Of the eleven paint shades offered in 1988, only 1,046 buyers selected the Code 96 Charcoal Metallic. That represents a take-up rate of only 3.6%, and while there were rarer colors, it isn’t one that you will see every day. It is interesting because, as the supplied images show, it changes markedly, depending on the light. This ‘Vette presents beautifully, with its exterior showing no evidence of significant flaws or defects. The Black soft-top fits as tight as a drum, while the new-for-1988 17″ alloy wheels appear flawless. The Convertible first hit the road in Boise, Idaho, but spent most of its life in California before finding its way to its current location. The seller doesn’t mention rust problems, and the favorable climate it has enjoyed for most of its life should have allowed it to remain rock-solid.

Powering this Corvette is the L98 version of the company’s 5.7-liter Tuned-Port Injection V8 producing, according to the sales brochure, 240hp and 340 ft/lbs of torque. Shifting duties are handled by a four-speed automatic transmission, with stopping power provided by 11½” four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes. The power and torque figures sound modest by modern standards, but the car’s performance demonstrated that Chevrolet was definitely finding its way out of the misery of The Malaise Era. The seller claims that this gem has a genuine 53,725 miles on the clock and, considering the vast array of supplied documentation, it appears that verifying evidence exists. One task that may await the buyer is replacing the tires. They only have 1,400 miles under their belt, but are date-coded for 2011. They might be okay, but this is a case where discretion is the better part of valor. Otherwise, this Corvette is a turnkey proposition with no mechanical needs or problems.

The first owner had one eye on luxury when ordering this Corvette, splashing the additional cash to substitute leather for cloth on its seats. The car features all of the creature comforts you would expect, including air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, cruise control, a tilt/telescopic wheel, heated exterior mirrors, and a Delco/Bose stereo. That last item deserves special mention because the seller recently spent a considerable sum having the entire stereo refurbished to retain the Convertible’s originality. The easy answer would have been a replacement, but you have to give this seller credit for their attention to detail in their quest for originality. Otherwise, there is nothing inside this car deserving criticism. The leather and vinyl look excellent, there is no evidence of plastic damage, the recently-recharged A/C blows cold, and I can’t spot any wheel wear.

The C4 Corvette was a much-maligned creature upon its release. The styling received widespread positive reviews, but the performance was not what many believed the badge deserved. Chevrolet addressed those perceived shortcomings by the time our feature car rolled off the line in 1988, with the acceleration and top speed beginning to make inroads toward recapturing the glory days of the potent chrome-bumper C3 vehicles. This Convertible reflects those changes, and the seller deserves credit for going above and beyond to protect its originality. I’ve never been a fan of the term “time capsule,” but it seems appropriate in this case. With summer fast approaching, I can’t think of many better ways to spend a day than behind the wheel of this classic with the top down and the wind in my hair. If you feel the same, could you see yourself doing so in this Corvette?