When purchasing a premium pre-owned sports car like a Chevrolet Corvette, reaching back a generation or three can be nostalgic, romantic, and a solid automotive investment.
Chevrolet Corvettes produced between 1983 and 1996 are known as fourth generation or C4 models. The C4 Corvette generation saw the return of the convertible, more powerful engines, higher top-end speeds and a corresponding increase in MSRP’s at the time. The C4 featured a new chassis and sleeker styling than its predecessors and was noted for many first, including the first production Corvette to feature a glass hatchback. The Chevrolet C4 featured an electronic dashboard as a standard feature and aficionados may know the C4 Corvette saw a return to single headlights for the first time since 1957. Corvette continued with the retractable headlight feature with the C4, however.
A Generation of Corvettes with Six Special Edition Models
Through the years, Chevrolet produced a half-dozen special edition C4 Corvettes. They first marked the official return of the Corvette Convertible in 1986 that had been missing since the 1975 model. This was the 1986 Indianapolis Pace Car Edition and each of the over 7,300 convertible special editions produced carried a “Indy 500 Pace Car” identification on the console.
In 1988, Chevrolet celebrated the 35th anniversary of the sports car with its special “Triple White” edition. This special edition was a fastback coupe produced with a white body, white wheels and a white interior including a unique white steering wheel. There were only 2,050 of these special edition models produced with only about 180 manufactured with manual transmissions. That makes finding a Triple White with a manual transmission a rare find indeed. Five years later, the 40th Anniversary Edition Package was available for all 1993 models and included metallic ruby-red paint, ruby-red leather sports seating and special edition emblems. Over 6,700 models of this special edition C4 Corvette were produced.
In 1994 and 1995, Chevrolet C4 special editions were once again produced to promote races at the Indianapolis 500. In 1995, just 25 special edition red and black Corvettes were produced to mark the first NASCAR race at the track. In 1995, another Pace Car special edition was produced with just 527 of the special ‘vettes made.
The C4 era came to a close with the production of the special Grand Sport Edition. Just 1000 of the cars were produced with only 190 of those convertibles.
A Unique Generation of Corvettes
While at the time, sales for the C4 were not impressive for Chevrolet today, they remain an interesting option for those in search of a classic edition Corvette. This was an automobile that took some chances and began building bridges into a new generation of automotive technology. It began replacing some fiberglass panels, previous generations were noted for, with molded plastics. The Chevrolet C4 Corvette was a bit of a trendsetter and that continues to capture the imagine and interest of car and Corvette enthusiasts to this day. Whether you come across a special edition of this generation of Corvette or not, each is worth your consideration.