Prices, Specifications & 360° Interactive
Chevrolet Corvette C4 - Price, Specs and 360° Interactive
Chevrolet Corvette C4 - 360° Interactive
Chevrolet Corvette C4 - Key Specifications
Chevrolet Corvette C4 Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Sports Car Coupé / Convertible |
| Released At | 1983 (as 1984 model) |
| Built At | Bowling Green, Kentucky, USA |
| Engine | 5.7 L L98 V8 / 5.7 L LT1 V8 / 5.7 L LT5 V8 (ZR-1) |
| Position | Front-Engine, Longitudinal |
| Aspiration | Natural |
| Block Material | Cast Iron (L98, LT1) / Aluminum (LT5) |
| Valvetrain | OHV, 2 Valves per Cylinder (L98, LT1) / DOHC, 4 Valves per Cylinder (LT5) |
| Fuel Feed | Tuned Port Injection (L98) / Multi-Port Fuel Injection (LT1, LT5) |
| Displacement | 5733 cc / 350 in³ |
| Bore | 101.6 mm / 4.00 in |
| Stroke | 88.4 mm / 3.48 in |
| Compression | 9.5:1 (L98) / 10.5:1 (LT1) / 11.0:1 (LT5) |
| Power | 186 kW / 250 hp (L98) / 223 kW / 300 hp (LT1) / 283 kW / 380 hp (LT5) |
| Specific Output | 43.6 hp per liter (L98) / 52.3 hp per liter (LT1) / 66.2 hp per liter (LT5) |
| BHP/Weight | 191 bhp per tonne (LT1) / 244 bhp per tonne (ZR-1) |
| Torque | 488 Nm / 360 lb-ft (L98) / 447 Nm / 330 lb-ft (LT1) / 522 Nm / 385 lb-ft (LT5) |
| Top Speed | 245 km/h / 152 mph (LT1) / 282 km/h / 175 mph (ZR-1) |
| 0 – 60 mph | 5.2 seconds (ZR-1) |
| 0 – 100 km/h | 5.4 seconds (ZR-1) |
| Body / Frame | Fiberglass Composite Body on Steel Birdcage Frame |
| Driven Wheels | RWD (Rear-Wheel Drive) |
| Wheel Type | Alloy Wheels |
| Front Tires | 255/50ZR16 (Base) / 275/40ZR17 (ZR-1) |
| Rear Tires | 255/50ZR16 (Base) / 315/35ZR17 (ZR-1) |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Discs |
| Front Wheels | 40.6 x 20.3 cm / 16 x 8 in (Base) / 43.2 x 22.9 cm / 17 x 9.5 in (ZR-1) |
| Rear Wheels | 40.6 x 22.9 cm / 16 x 9.5 in (Base) / 43.2 x 27.9 cm / 17 x 11 in (ZR-1) |
| Front Suspension | Independent, Transverse Fiberglass Leaf Spring with Gas Shocks |
| Rear Suspension | Independent, Transverse Fiberglass Leaf Spring with Gas Shocks |
| Curb Weight | 1480 kg / 3263 lbs (Base) / 1610 kg / 3549 lbs (ZR-1) |
| Weight Distribution | 52 % Front / 48 % Rear |
| Wheelbase | 2440 mm / 96.1 in |
| Length | 4470 mm / 176.0 in |
| Width | 1790 mm / 70.5 in (Base) / 1840 mm / 72.4 in (ZR-1) |
| Height | 1180 mm / 46.5 in |
| Transmission | 4-Speed Automatic / 6-Speed Manual (Later Models) |
| Fuel Economy (Combined) | 11.8 L/100 km or 20 mpg-US (LT1) / 14.7 L/100 km or 16 mpg-US (ZR-1) |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 liters or 20 gallons |
Some Interesting Chevrolet Corvette C4 Facts
First Complete Redesign Since 1963 The Chevrolet Corvette C4, introduced in 1984, was the first complete redesign of the Corvette since the C2, featuring a brand-new chassis, sleeker aerodynamics, and a modernized design.
Digital Dashboard Innovation The C4 was the first Corvette to feature a fully digital dashboard, with futuristic-looking LCD displays for speed, RPM, fuel level, and other essential gauges.
Focus on Handling Over Raw Power While early C4 models had modest power (205 hp in 1984), they prioritized improved handling, thanks to a completely new suspension design and a lower center of gravity.
The First Corvette to Reach 1G Lateral Acceleration Thanks to its advanced suspension and wide tires, the C4 Corvette became the first American production car capable of achieving 1G of lateral acceleration, making it a true cornering machine.
Return of the ZR-1 Supercar Killer In 1990, Chevrolet introduced the ZR-1 version, featuring a 5.7L DOHC LT5 V8 (developed with Lotus), producing 375 hp (later increased to 405 hp in 1993), making it one of the fastest cars of its time.
Pioneering the Targa Top Design The C4 was the first Corvette to feature a standard removable Targa roof, offering a balance between coupe and convertible driving experiences.
Controversial Clamshell Hood The C4 introduced a unique clamshell-style hood, which opened from the rear and exposed the entire engine bay, making maintenance easier but requiring precise alignment when closed.
The Corvette That Skipped a Year Production delays caused Chevrolet to completely skip the 1983 model year, making the C4 officially debut as a 1984 model, with only one 1983 Corvette prototype surviving.
Special Edition Grand Sport in 1996 The 1996 Corvette Grand Sport was a limited-edition farewell to the C4 generation, featuring a 330-hp LT4 engine, Admiral Blue paint with a white racing stripe, and red fender hash marks.
Influence on Future Corvette Models The C4 laid the groundwork for modern Corvettes by introducing key innovations like lightweight materials, advanced suspension tuning, and aerodynamic efficiency, paving the way for the C5 and later models.
Chevrolet Corvette C4 Price
The C4 Corvette is America’s last analog sports car—a pop-up-headlight, fiberglass-bodied icon that’s finally gaining respect. In Europe, clean LHD examples are rare but still affordable, with prices now rising for low-mileage, unmodified cars.
1. Price Ranges (EUR, Mid-2024)
Base Model (L98 V8, 1985–1991)
Project Car (Non-Running/Rust): €5k – €10k(Warning: C4s hate moisture—check frame rails!)
Driver-Quality (100k–150k km): €12k – €20k(Decent examples, may need minor fixes.)
Collector-Grade (<50k km): €25k – €35k(1990–1991 models with Z51 suspension preferred.)
LT1 V8 (1992–1996) & Special Editions
1996 Grand Sport (1,000 built): €50k – €80k(Admiral Blue w/ white stripe—most desirable C4.)
1990 ZR-1 (375hp DOHC V8): €60k – €100k(The "King of the C4s"—only 6,939 made worldwide.)
2. Key Factors Affecting Value
✅ Provenance Matters
Original EU Delivery: +15% (rare, but avoids import taxes)
Matching Numbers Engine: Non-negotiable for ZR-1s
✅ Value-Adding Options
6-Speed Manual (vs. Auto): +€5k
Z51 Performance Package: +€3k
FX3 Selective Ride Control: +€2k (if working)
⚠️ Critical Watch-Outs
Fiberglass Delamination: Check around windshield
Optispark Ignition Failure (LT1): €1.5k repair
Digital Dash Malfunctions: €2k+ to restore
3. Where to Buy in the EU?
Official Channels
Corvette Club Europe Classifieds
Classic American Car Dealers (Germany/Netherlands)
Private Sales
Mobile.de / Autoscout24(Search "Corvette C4 LHD")
Facebook Marketplace (Corvette Groups)
Pro Tip: Avoid convertibles with leaky T-tops—seals are NLA (No Longer Available).
4. Market Trends
📈 Late C4s Rising Fast
1996 Grand Sport up 30% since 2021
ZR-1s now €80k+ for <30k km
⚠️ Trap Warning
"Barn Finds" often need €15k+ in deferred maintenance
Fake ZR-1 Clones (Verify VIN with ZR-1 Registry)
5. Must-Do Checks
🔧 Mechanical:
LT1 Reverse Cooling Test: Check for overheating
Dana 44 Rear Diff Whine: €3k+ rebuild
4L60E Transmission Slippage: Common in autos
📄 Paperwork:
GM Build Sheet(Found under rear carpet)
Import VAT Docs(Avoid surprise €5k+ bills)
Fun Fact: The C4’s digital dash was inspired by fighter jets, but the tech was so new, GM dealers struggled to fix it!
C4 Buying Cheat Sheet
✅ Best Buy:1996 Grand Sport (6-Speed) ❌ Walk Away:1984 "Cross-Fire" V8 (Troublesome) 🔧 First Fix:Replace Optispark (LT1) or Weatherstripping 🎨 Most Desirable Color:Admiral Blue (Grand Sport)
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