It’s not every day you get a chance to bid to own the first of anything, let alone the first C4 Chevrolet Corvette sold to the public. This one took me by surprise as it’s not listed on any of the major auction sites but instead listed on an established, but not nearly as popular, bidding platform. It just goes to show you that you never know where a collector car will be found. The 1984 Chevrolet Corvette shown here on Proxibid is claimed to be heavily documented establishing its authenticity, and mileage is just 277 – yes, safely under 300 – on top of being the first production C4 to roll off the assembly line in Bowling Green. Bidding is at $25,000 with the reserve unmet.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader Mitchell G. for the find. The story behind this particular Corvette is fascinating, because despite its obvious notoriety, it has been hidden away for decades. The long-term owner went through multiple hoops to acquire this significant Corvette, even taking out a second mortgage on his house to buy it (apparently, without his wife’s consent or knowledge – that’s a bold move.) Despite these efforts, the Corvette sat in storage, mostly, with online accounts seemingly confirming the Corvette only made it out for a handful of drives and otherwise remained in storage.
Another detail about the production numbers that bears mentioning here: this is actually the 71st C4 to roll off the assembly line but it holds the cherished VIN number confirming it is the first production C4. The initial batch of 70 cars were considered test vehicles by Chevrolet, so once the 71st car was produced, it was officially cleared as the first one to be offered to the public for sale. Given the Corvette’s notoriety, it was donated to a national Corvette club, and eventually raffled off. After buying it from the winners of the raffle, the long-time owner proceeded to keep it in preserved condition. While it was discovered covered in dust, it’s clear that the condition underneath is excellent.
The C4 chassis is well known around these parts for being eminently available – in other words, cheap. The ZR-1 remains a smoking bargain on the supercar landscape. But the bulk of the C4s available for sale are decidedly uncollectible, so paying big money for one is a calculated risk. This one certainly seems to be worthy of spending a bit one, provided the documentation checks out. There are some scans of paperwork included in the listing but not enough for my liking; hopefully, there’s a bit more to go on, like a statement of authenticity from the NCRS. What do you think should be the final hammer price for a special C4 Corvette like this one?
Do any of the initial batch of 70 cars still exist? Are those considered pilot cars with some different-than-stock/possibly handmade parts?! If so, could any have been later sold, assigned a special VIN, & been driven on public roads?
Those were likely scrapped. Occasionally you hear of some mules that got saved, but not likely.
The 1 corvette no one seems to know much about is the silver early ’60s split window with an opening hatchback!
https://www.hotrod.com/features/c2-1963-1967-sting-ray-coupe-almost-had-a-hatchback
Does Chevy still have it & did it have a drivetrain? Or was it a painted clay mockup? If the latter, i’m going to assume tho it would be impossible to preserve a clay car body for decades. It sure would be something tho to see mockups of ’60s cars in person whose designs differed from final approved designs.
I sure wish GM didn’t destroy the non powered wild 1964 Runabout, Firebird IV & GM-X Stilleto.
Not every company for every car is willing to have test mules. In many cases the test mule is the car u buy, then deficiencies are corrected. The X1/9 Fiat was represented with a different external sheet metal in American races (under the Abarth name) to test the 1,5lt engine under duress from 1970 to 1971. In 1971 they offered some pre-production cars for races inside Italy (and it mostly won in its class). The offical number 0001 car came only in 1972.
According to what I’ve read, orders from “upstairs” were to destroy the initial batch of C4 prototypes, but one slipped through and was found parked alongside the assembly building. That particular car is now resting comfortably in the National Corvette Museum, under the moniker of being the only 1983 Corvette in existence.
So, GM had 70 test mules out there, driving around, and still managed to put out a car that has been described by some as the worst Corvette ever produced?
I owned a C4 and have driven numerous C3s. Those who know Corvettes understand that they go through constant development throughout each generation. C3s don’t compare to C4s which in turn are inferior to C5s.
Common knowledge has been described by some as thoroughly unenlightening.
The C4s dont ‘compare’ to C3s in chassis and handling, but its also pretty universally accepted in Corvetteland, that they were significant step down in looks and style. From the sexy body lines of the C3, with ‘hips’ over the rear wheels and a woman’s curves when viewed from above (or a Coke bottle if you have little imagination) to the flat and uninspiring straight lines of the C4. Not sure what the designers were thinking but theres a reason the C3 are still in significantly higher demand (which is still fairly moderate).
That is spot on!
We must have had a unicorn ‘84 Vette. Step Mom tried driving it through flooded roads in Ocean Springs, MS, lightly put it in a ditch. Insurance totaled it (entire front of car under water).
Dad bought it back, took out the computer, dried it out, took out spark plugs, spun it over. We then disconnected the exhaust and used a fence pole to bang and tear out the cat.
Car ran flawlessly for the next 8 or so years. I’d romp on it by the golf course (allegedly) out of town in North Texas over 140mph. Lol good times, car sounded GOOD without the cat.
This seller is going to be very disappointed with the bidding on this auction. By trying to go CHEAP with an relatively unknown auction company in collector car circles, little to no promotion of the car this car by the auction house, this Corvette will bid a very low number and not sell. That in turn will “Price” the car in the collector car market and subsequent efforts to sell/auction the car will again bring a low selling number.
This car should be at Mecum, Barrett, GAA Greensboro or one of the other well known auction companies that would properly promote the car and bring in buyers who would pay dearly for another number 1 Corvette!
Website says hammered sold at $110,000. https://www.proxibid.com/1984-C-4-Corvette-1G1AY078XE5100001/lotInformation/97084526
Was $110,000 too cheap?
No it was $100k overpriced
Sold for 110k.. I think the seller is happy
This one should be in the Corvette Museum next the the only 1983 Vette.
Just park it in the parking lot at the Vette Museum in Bowling Green with a For Sale sign in the window.
I interviewed Jerry Palmer, who designed the 84 Corvette. I think the exterior was good looking, certainly better looking than a C8. The 84 is terrible due to lousy mechanicals, that hideous dash and rock hard ride. Amazing the C4 lasted as long as it did. VIN 0001. So what. It will never get driven.
Imagine if the current vette looked like the beautiful mid engined 4 rotor/aerovette.
Jerry Palmer designed that 4 rotor Vette also.
That’s cool you got to interview jerry Palmer.
Q: How would I contact Jerry to see if he would
sign my glove box cover on my ’93 Vette ??
Thanks
Don
I remember when these came out. Always loved the restyle and look of the C4’s and thought they looked better than the C3’s. The new ones now are an abomination of styling.
Seems like stylists thought “If enough is good, too much is better!”
If this vehicle was stored as a special, unique collectable, where and how was it stored? I get it’s historical providence being the first serial numbered production model of it’s run, but if that is true, why was it not stored and maintained as such? 2 of the 4 wheels are in terrible condition with corrosion running away under the clear coat on the aluminum wheels where they are scratched. One rocker cover bolt has been impacted and not realigned or repaired. Rusted bolts heads are found in various places, and the A/C compressor and brake booster edges are rusting. For the value of a special collectable car to retain it’s maximum worth, some regular attention to detail and maintenance still needs to be performed. You cannot just drive the car into a garage and expect its condition to maintain itself to as new on its own.
Sold for: $110,000
Color me amazed, and I do mean amazed! That someone would be willing to drop that kind of spending money on this car is completely beyond me. They must have really coveted that serial number.
When the 84 Corvette’s finally came out and dealers were getting them to sell,they were so late and should have been 83 model’s. Plus the overall build quality reminded me of the 68 model’s. They literally fell apart sitting still. Yes they were fast for the times,but I would have to pass on this one. I don’t really like the design either.
I guess this one got away from Rick Hendrick, who owns 20 Corvettes
with VIN #1.
Yes, exactly this, If Rick Hendrick, The Corvette Museum, and the big name auction houses aren’t involved, then there is something not honest about this particular car.
For as much hate that this post has brought from the anti C4 crowd, it is still the #1 car, so deserves special attention. But, the facts that I mention above cast doubt on the claim.
The C4 is unmistakably 80s in style and technology. Any attempt to be best in class can result in going overboard. Handling was better than ever at the sacrifice of ride and comfort. Of course, these still had to comply with emissions and fuel economy. I like it for the classic color combination. The test and pilot vehicles likely wore 1983 VINs or *EXP###*. My question is, was this a company car that was later released for sale? Who was it sold to and why isn’t there more backstory?
Bought one at auction. Told my car buying friends that if I ever raise my had to bid on another corvette just slap the sh*t out of me and i’ll take you to lunch.
Check out WD Detailing on YouTube to see how it was stored and cleaned up
At $110,000, this investment yielded 4% annually for 41 years before expenses. Hope the owner enjoyed looking at it.
Test
Received loud and clear.
LOL thank you, Jay.
I was testing because I wrote this fairly long post about a Corvette and it never posted. Second time today.
Same thing happened to me a couple of times yesterday, Angel.
I was too lazy to re-post what I had to say, though. LOL.
@PRA4SNW
Me, too.
I’m holding out for Aztek serial #00000001.
😂😂
WDDetailing on YouTube detailed this https://youtu.be/UOEZyuoBdsU
How much did this sell for?
Just kidding – it amazes me how many people post without reading any of the already posted comments.
Hagerty just published an article about this sale. Apparently, it was an estate sale, so was handled by a smaller auction house.
They have the feeling that this will show up at a major televised auction very soon.
https://www.hagerty.com/media/market-trends/hagerty-insider/sale-of-the-week/this-vin-1-corvette-sold-for-110k-could-it-have-fetched-more/