The
fourth generation Corvette was the first all-new Corvette since 1963.
Production was to begin for the 1983 model year but quality issues and
part delays resulted in only 44 1983 model prototypes being produced which
were never sold. All of the 1983 prototypes were destroyed except one with
a white exterior, medium blue interior, L83 350ci, 250HP V8, and 4-speed
automatic transmission. After extensive testing and modifications were
completed, it was initially retired as a display sitting in a external
wall over the Bowling Green Assembly Plant's employee entrance. Later this
only surviving 1983 prototype was removed, restored and is now on public
display at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky. It is
still owned by GM.
Regular fourth generation
production began on January 3, 1983 as the 1984 model year and delivery to
customers began in March 1983. The 1984 model carried over the 350 cu in
(5.7 L) L83 L83 "Crossfire" V8 engine from the final 1982 third generation
model. New chassis features were aluminum brake calipers and an
all-aluminum suspension for weight savings and rigidity. The new one piece
targa top had no center reinforcement. A new electronic dashboard with
digital liquid crystal displays for the speedometer and tachometer was
standard. Beginning in 1985, the 230 bhp (170 kW) L98 engine with tuned
port fuel injection was the standard engine.
September 1984 through 1988
Corvettes offered a Doug Nash designed "4+3" transmission — a 4-speed
manual coupled to an automatic overdrive on the top three gears. It was
designed to help the Corvette meet U.S. fuel economy standards. Since 1981
when it was last offered, the return of a manual transmission to the
Corvette was highly anti
cipated
for 1984 but production was delayed until September, 1984 when thirty 1984
Corvettes were produced of which 12 were tested extensively at the proving
grounds and then destroyed while the other 18 were kept at the factory and
street tested for approximately 100 miles (160 km) before being released
for delivery in November to customers and regular production began. The
transmission was problematic and was replaced by a modern ZF6-speed manual
gearbox in 1989. In 1986 the 2nd Corvette Indy Pace Car was released. It
was the first convertible Corvette since 1975. A Center High Mounted
Signal Light (CHMSL, a third center brake light) was added in 1986 to
comply with federal law. All 1986 convertibles had an Indy 500 emblem
mounted on the console making any color a pace car edition. The color of
the actual pace car (used in the race) was yellow.
In 1987, the B2K twin-turbo
option became available from the factory. The Callaway Corvette was a
Regular Production Option (RPO B2K). The B2K option coexisted from 1990 to
1991 with the ZR-1 option, which then replaced it.
Early B2Ks produced 345 bhp (257
kW) and 450 lb·ft (610 N·m); later versions boasted 450 bhp (336 kW) and
613 lb·ft (831 N·m).
1988 saw the 35th Anniversary
Edition. Each of these featured a special badge with an identification
number mounted next to the gear selector. These Corvettes were easily
identified with their white exterior, wheels and interior.
In 1991, all Corvettes received
updates to the body, interior, and wheels. The convex rear fascia that set
the 1990 ZR-1 apart from the base model was now included on L98 Corvettes,
making the styling of the expensive ZR-1 even closer to that of the base
cars. The most obvious difference remaining between the base and ZR-1
models besides the wider rear wheels was the location of the CHMSL (center
high mounted stop lamp), which was integrated into the new rear fascia
used on the base model, but remained at the top of the rear-hatch on the
ZR-1's.
For
the 1992 model year, the 300 bhp (220 kW) LT1 engine was introduced, an
increase of 50 bhp (37 kW) over 1991's L98 engine. Also new for 1992 was
Acceleration Slip Regulation (ASR), a form of traction control which
utilized the Corvette's brakes, spark retard and throttle close-down to
prevent excessive rear wheel spin and possible loss of control. The
traction control device could be switched off if desired.
1993 saw a special 40th
Anniversary Edition featuring a commemorative Ruby Red color, 40th
anniversary badges and embroidered seat backs. The 1993 Corvette also
marked the introduction of the Passive Keyless Entry System, the first GM
car to feature it. Production of the ZR-1 ended in 1995, after 6,939 cars
had been built.
1996 was the final year of C4
production, and featured special models and options, including the Grand
Sport and Collector Edition, OBD II (On-Board Diagnostics), run flat
tires, and the LT4 engine. The 330 bhp (246 kW) LT4 V8 was available only
with a manual transmission, while all 300 bhp (224 kW) LT1 Corvettes used
automatic transmissions.
Chevrolet released the Grand
Sport (GS) version in 1996 to mark the end of production of the C4
Corvette. The Grand Sport moniker was a nod to the original Grand Sport
model produced in 1963. A total of 1,000 GS Corvettes were produced, 810
as coupes and 190 as convertibles. The 1996 GS came with the
high-performance LT4 V8 engine, producing 330 bhp (246 kW) and 340 lb·ft
(460 N·m). The Grand Sport came only in Admiral Blue with a white stripe
down the middle, and black wheels and two red stripes on the front left
wheel arch added to its distinctive look.
More Trivia . . .
A total of 43 - 1983 model Corvettes were
built, but there were so many quality problems with them it was decided to
halt production until they could be corrected. By the time the problems
were corrected, it was so late into the model year that the car was
brought out as a 1984 model which was run for a year and a half. The
1983's were never sold to the public and the only one that is known to
still exist is in the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY
The 1984 Corvette was the first American
production car to have a 64% windshield angle.
A single transverse plastic front and rear
spring first made it's appearance on the 1984 Corvette.
Twenty 1986 Corvettes were sent to Lotus in
England to be converted into LT5 powered prototypes for the ZR1 project.
In 1986, Corvette offered the "Malcolm
Konner Commemorative Edition" with two transmissions. A manual
4-speed and an automatic. Only 20 4-speed manual transmissions were
installed at the factory.
In 1987 you could buy a Corvette without an
engine installed by the factory.
A total of 30,632 Corvettes were produced
in 1987. 184 of these Corvettes were Callaways, and 121 of the Callaway's
were coupes.
1982 and 1987 Corvettes had something in
common, 16 exterior colors were available.
The last year a CB radio was offered as a
Corvette option was 1985.
In 1988 a thirty-fifth anniversary edition
Corvette package was available for coupes only. It featured a two tone
exterior of white with black roof bow, white leather seats, steering
wheel, special interior and exterior accents, a console-mounted
anniversary plaque, special emblems and other special features. Sales
totals 2,050 cars.
In 1988, Corvette started using a
unidirectional 17" wheel as an option with RP0 Z51 and Z52. New six
slot 16x8.5 were standard with P255/50ZR16 Tires.
In 1989, the ZR1 was produced to
approximately 80 cars, however, none were sold to the public. The last of
these ZR1s were shipped out of the factory on Dec. 22, 1988
1991 was the 10th anniversary of Corvette
production at the Bowling Green, KY plant
The LT4 exhaust system has a distinguishing
feature from the LT1 system. It has a balance tube incorporated into it!
96 Grand Sports: There is a small area
behind the hatch roof and in front of the panel that attaches to the rear
window that is taped, not painted. It is 1" long and the tape is
about 18" wide. This change was early in production. The purpose is
to eliminate a problem area in the paint booth during manufacturing.
96 Grand Sports: The Grand Sport's stripe
is not the same width all the way back. It gets wider as it goes up the
hood, and the top is narrower, and then it gets somewhat wider in the back
end.
