The C4 Corvette is a bit of a conundrum: they are exceedingly good values as a collector car most of us can afford and that is easy to own over the long-term. However, as an investment, it makes less sense. This is a great case in point: this 1991 Chevrolet Corvette is in pristine condition, according to the seller, with just under 50,000 original miles. The design is timeless and the performance plenty respectable for the era. The seller has done an impressive job of preserving the clean cosmetics, and there’s little doubt this Corvette has been loved. The price for all this tender loving care? Just $14,900, listed here on craigslist in Tampa Bay, Florida.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader Rocco B. for the find. I am a big fan of the early 90s Corvette, especially when it’s a ZR1 or wearing some period-correct colors like teal or fly yellow. A manual transmission helps, too. But most Corvettes from this era don’t fall into that category, instead wearing fairly standard colors and sporting automatic transmissions. This is one of those cars, featuring white over a saddle cloth interior with a slushbox in the console. However, given the lengths the seller has gone to in order to preserve the cosmetics, this C4 definitely stands out from its many peers listed across any number of internet classifieds pages.
The cloth interior is an uncommon sight, as I feel like 90 percent of all C4s had leather. Frankly, I like it better, and if this were a 5-speed manual car in blue, I’d be tempted to make an offer on it. While the lower-spec option may not seem desirable to some, it has to be rare as hell. In fact, as the seller points out, just 154 cars in 1991 came with this interesting hounds tooth pattern. The interior definitely shows off how carefully this Corvette has been used, as with the exception of some wrinkling on the top of the armrest, there’s not much inside that suggests heavy wear and tear.
The seller hasn’t spared any expense under the hood, either, making improvements of both the mechanical and cosmetic kind. He notes that the C4 benefits from the following improvements: the transmission, differential, and power steering fluids have all been flushed and replaced; the A/C system serviced and now blowing ice cold (sort of critical in Florida); the cooling fan has been modified to come on automatically when the car starts; a Magnaflow stainless steel exhaust has been installed, along with a K&N cold air intake; and some chrome valve covers thrown on for good measure. It’s a well done car, and one that’s clearly been looked after – but with plenty of cheaper C4 ‘Vettes out there, is it enough to justify buying this one?
I’m hoping Frank Sumatra comments on this car. One Corvette in my lifetime is on my radar and would really like to hear his opinions of value and pricing on later C4s or C5s.
Is Frank Sumatra all-knowing? ;-)
If Frank were here he would say, buy the newest ‘Vette you can afford. Funky colors and autos are the cheapest, but hard to resale. Manual in red or black is the friend of Jack.
This vette is nothing special. Auto in white, with cloth? Not to mention ’93 and back run R12 A/C. If you want a C4, ’94-’96 is the hot ticket.
The Steve R. of all things Corvette.
Some say “Yes”
Good morning! Frank would say “Move on to the next C4” 1992 brings with it the 300 HP, mighty LT-1.
$14,000 should put you in 1995/1996 range if your are patient (As you should be when buying). You will get the most refined C4 and the re-designed Opti-Spark.
Here is the “Sumatra” Benchmark- 1995 6-speed, white over red leather. Flawless NCRS Top Flight. 2 maintenance fanatic owners.(Still had the shipping plastic seat and steering wheel covers) All records and dealer delivery paperwork. Ohio car (Stored winters). 48,000 miles at time of purchase (2019) Sales price- under $13,000 from private owner.
That armrest is an aftermarket wrap. That’s why it looks wrinkled.
I think those intake runners are aftermarket also. I had a 91 L98 Z28 and I believe the engines were the same and I remember separate intake runners. Nice car and they are definitely a value. I think if you were looking for a sub 15k daily driver you cant go wrong but I’m not sure about stashing it as an investment.
Correct on the intake runners – aftermarket. Looks like a nice cruising car for the right person. I think the asking price is a tad high but that’s just my opinion.
Jeff, there was never a factory 5 speed transmission a Corvette, NEVER…
Lots of Vettes like this. C-4’s in white (especially with red interiors) seemed to be the favorites of overweight dyed-blonde divorcees spending their exes alimony.
Is your research based on your Tinder fails? Or your divorce settlement?
Absolutely nothing to do with this particular C4 but I saw this and thought it would be of interest in the everlasting C4 debate,
https://www.corvetteblogger.com/2021/02/17/video-800-c4-corvette-races-a-30000-mustang-for-bragging-rights/
Oh wow. A C4.
These C4 Corvettes are nice, but prefer the 92+ with the more powerful engine. They cars are hard to enter or exit if you have less-than-perfect knees or back. Agree with you about the relatively rare teal color but not the yellow, a taste I have yet to acquire. The white is somewhat unusual on a Corvette but has become my choice for ease of maintenance.
Nice C5’s can be found for less than this cars asking price. Even though I like the looks of the late C4 body style better, if I were interested in a Corvette I’d focus my energy on finding one of them instead.
Steve R
True, but it all depends on what you like.
C5 being newer doesn’t equate to a better experience.
I may be jaded because I drove a C3 for quite a long time, but when I drive a C5, I feel like I’m driving any Chevy from the same era – no real driving excitement.
I’ve found that driving a C4 is a far more enjoyable experience.
On the other hand, my friend who has owned and loved several C5 Vettes hates C3 Vettes.
Looks like a pretty nice C4 and I especially like the mint and rare cloth interior that I prefer to the scuff-prone leather. But it’s ambitiously priced for the following reasons:
1) It’s a ’91 as opposed to the ’92 and up LT1 versions with more power. You can get nice pre-’92 C4s all day long with similar mileage for $10k.
2) You can get very nice 1995-1996 C4s (with the improved and less trouble-prone OptiSpark) with mileage in the 30-35k range for less than $15k.
3) It has a few questionable appearance mods — the black painted gills and the red Corvette letters on the rear fascia may limit potential buyer pool.
I had a 95 LT1, loved it but seating and pedal position was horrible, body flexed on every curb, dashboard fit and finish very bad, great mpg, great body lines.
I posted this comment TWO days ago (Feb 17) and it just went up now?
C’mon Barn Finds, you’re better than that.
Sorry man. I get priority boarding on C4 comments.