C4 Corvette Basics<\/h3>\n
Generation: <\/span><\/strong>C4 Corvette<\/span><\/a> \/ <\/span>Body Styles:<\/span><\/strong> 2 Door Coupe (1984 – 1996), 2 Door Convertible (1986 – 1996) \/ <\/span>Production Years: <\/span><\/strong>1984-1996 \/ <\/span>Designed by: <\/span><\/strong>David R Mclellen, Jerry Palmer \/ <\/span>Production: <\/span><\/strong>358,180 (1984-1996) \/ <\/span>Model Years:<\/span><\/strong> <\/span>1984<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>1985<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>1986<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>1987<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>1988<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>1989<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>1990<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>1991<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>1992<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>1993<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>1994<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>1995<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>1996<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Unbeknownst to consumers at the time, the C4 would not arrive in time to celebrate Corvette\u2019s 30th anniversary. It was decided early on that the C4 would debut as an early 1984 model. While the C4 would technically be available late in 1983, all models would be identified as 1984 models. By failing to produce the Corvette in 1983, General Motors lost a great marketing opportunity to produce a special 30th anniversary edition.<\/p>\n <p>DID YOU KNOW?<\/p><\/small><\/p>\n The C4 generation Corvette cars should have begun selling in 1983, but they didn\u2019t. Development and quality control issues prevented the introduction of the C4 Corvette until March of 1983, 6 months beyond the typical September new model introduction. In short, no 1983 Corvettes were ever offered to the public; the C4 was introduced as a 1984 model. As GM was still struggling with ever-increasing emissions regulations, the focus for early C4 Corvettes was on handling and chassis dynamics. Despite the delay, the C4 was an instant success, selling a total of 51,547 units in its first year. Reviewers appreciated the car’s modern amenities, such as the instrument cluster with a digital LCD and the 16-inch 50-series Goodyear tires. The 1984 model also featured the small-block L83 V8 engine from the 1982 Corvette, which included the short-lived throttle-body Cross-Fire fuel injection. It put out 205 horsepower and 290 foot-pounds of torque. Due to a lack of support for the fuel injection, some modern car collectors are critical of the 1984 Corvette.<\/span><\/p>\n Chevy continued to improve the C4 Corvette over the years. In 1985, the controversial L83 V8 engine was replaced with a more powerful and fuel-efficient L98 featuring the tuned-point fuel injection, with a healthy 230 horsepower and 330 foot-pounds of torque. Top speed was 150 mph. The suspension for the 1985 C4 was also softened by 25 percent and 39,729 units were produced.<\/span><\/p>\n 1986 saw the return of the Corvette convertible for the first time in 11 years. Based on the yellow C4 convertible pace car used in the 1986 Indy 500, the Corvette convertible sold for an extra $6,000 and featured an Indy 500 pace car plaque. 1986 was also the year the Corvette got the Pass Key I passive anti-theft system. This system only unlocked the car doors if it detected one of 15 electrical resistance values produced by a special pellet in the car keys. The 1986 Corvette also introduced antilock brakes, electronic climate control and a third brake light. In 1986, a total of 35,109 C4s were sold.<\/span><\/p>\n In 1987, the Corvette C4’s engine gained roller hydraulic lifters to boost its horsepower to 240. Customers who wanted to supercharge their engine could buy the $19,999 B2K twin-turbo engine conversion, supplied by Callaway Cars in partnership with Chevrolet, to increase the engine’s horsepower to 345 and its torque to 465 foot-pounds. The result was one of the fastest cars of its time. In 1987, 30,632 C4s were sold.<\/span><\/p>\n The 1988 model year saw the release of the 35th Anniversary Edition Corvette, also known as the Triple White Corvette. This car is all-white, including its wheels and interior, and features a special engine and removable black top. Of the 2,050 Anniversary Edition Corvettes produced, only 180 have manual transmissions.<\/span><\/p>\n C4s also underwent suspension changes and a new wheel design in 1988. The emergency brake was also moved toward the rear of the car for easier entering and exiting. In 1988, 22,789 C4s were sold. 1988 was the last year the Doug Nash 4+3 transmission was available. This transmission combined a four-speed manual with an automatic overdrive on three gears. The ZF six-speed manual replaced the 4+3 in 1989. In 1989, 26,412 C4s were sold at a base price of $32,045.<\/span><\/p>\n With the help of Group Lotus, a UK-based engineering consultant, Chevrolet sought to produce the fastest production car in the world. The result was the ZR1, a Chevrolet Corvette C4 option package released in 1990, which broke the record for the 24-hour, 5,000-mile land speed, achieving speeds of 175 mph. The C4 ZR1 cost $58,995, making it by far the most expensive Corvette up to that point. However, the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 sold well. Over 3,000 people bought it in the first year, and some paid over $100,000 for it.<\/span><\/p>\n The regular C4 also saw refinements in 1990: a drivers-side airbag and an optional 200-watt six-speaker sound system. In all, 23,646 C4s were sold in 1990. 1991 saw minor tweaks. The cost for a C4 rose to $33,005, and the exterior had some restyling. 20,639 C4s were sold. 1992 saw much larger changes. Most notably, the LT1 V8 replaced the L98, delivering 300 horsepower and 330 foot-pounds of torque, plus the short-lived optically triggered Optispark ignition system. 1992 also witnessed the one-millionth Corvette ever made. The price for a standard C4 rose to $33,635, and 20,479 of the cars were sold.<\/span><\/p>\n In 1993, Lotus helped Chevrolet modify the C4’s valvetrain, exhaust system and aluminum cylinder heads to improve power and torque. Passive keyless entry was added to all models as well, and an exhaust re-circulation system was introduced to make controlling emissions easier. This model year also saw the release of the 40th Anniversary C4, featuring ruby metallic paint and ruby leather seats. At a base price of $34,595, a total of 21,590 C4s were sold in 1993.<\/span><\/p>\n 1994 didn’t see many changes. The base price rose to $36,185, a passenger airbag was added, and the LT1 engine received a mass airflow sequential fuel injection. In all, 23,330 Chevrolet Corvette C4s were sold. 1995 was similarly uneventful. It saw a second-generation Optispark ignition system and some exterior restyling. The car cost $36,785, and 20,742 were sold. In 1996, there was an optional LT4 engine was produced, delivering 330 horsepower. Plus, an optional real-time damping system was available, which monitored the road to reduce vibrations. The 1996 C4 also debuted Chevrolet’s OBD II onboard diagnostics system.<\/span><\/p>\nThe C4 Corvette Story & Details<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
The C4 Corvette Model Timeline<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\n1984 Corvette<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\n1985 – 1986 Corvette<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\n1987 – 1989 Corvette<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\n1990 – 1993 Corvette<\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.corvsport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/1994-chevrolet-corvette-convertible.jpg\")
<\/p>\n1994 – 1996 Corvette<\/h2>\n
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