This page contains information on the fourth generation in the Corvette marquee. This generation spans from 1984 to 1996. Most information used on this page comes from the “Corvette Black Book”, a book published every model year.
1983, The year that never was.
One of the few 1983 Corvettes built.
1984, The first C4 emerges from Bowling Green.
The third major redesign in the Corvette’s history, the 1984 Corvette was built with special considerations of handling in mind. Because it met all federal safety regulations for 1984, this new generation Corvette was released as a model for 1984 in March of 1983. Several 1983 Corvettes were built, serial numbered, and tested, but were never released for sale to the general public. Design demanded more ground clearance, more interior room, but less overall height than previous years. To achieve this, the exhaust system was routed down the center tunnel. A new “4+3” 4-speed manual transmission was introduced in 1984. The three in the latter half of the name stemmed from the fact that the transmission had overdrives in each of the top three gears, improving economy. This new transmission was not available early on in production. The new one piece lift-off roof panel replaced the t-tops of the generation before. New digital dashes were also present. The rear hatch present on the 1982 Collector’s Edition was now standard. Brakes, although remaining disc at all four corners had all new components, including stainless steel calipers. The large pad on the passenger side dash was a sort of passive restraint device precursor to airbags. The radiator was also new, constructed of aluminum fins and plastic reservoirs. Export models included provisions for leaded fuel, electrical, license plate, mirror, glass, and lighting differences. Plastic leaf springs were implemented on both the front and rear. Wheels were constructed of an aluminum alloy. Exterior colors included White, Bright Silver Metallic, Medium Gray Metallic, Black, Light Blue Metallic, Medium Blue Metallic, Gold Metallic, Light Bronze Metallic, Dark Bronze Metallic, Bright Red, Silver/Medium Gray, Light Blue/Medium Blue, and Light Bronze/Dark Bronze. Interior choices were carmine, bronze, graphite, medium blue, medium gray, and saddle. Because of the long production run, 51,547 Coupes were built in 1984, the second longest in Corvette history. Only 1979 (53,807) had more.
1985
Though absent for nearly two decades, fuel injection finally returned to deliver Corvette fuel in 1985. The new system, built by Bosch replaced the throttle body injection set-up of the two previous years, and featured a mass air flow sensor, tuned intake runners, a mold-cast plenum, and an air cleaner located in front of the radiator support. The new L98 outgunned the L83 from the year before by 25 horsepower and nearly 49 ft./lb.. torque. At the same time, the L98 achieved an 11% increase in fuel economy. As a result of “rough ride” complaints, Chevrolet softened the springs on the base model. Bigger stabilizer bars were an option to compensate for the softer springs. Also modified was the distributor to prevent underhood sparks which could lead to a fire. Save for the brighter red and silver hues, all colors and combinations carried over form the year before. 1985 production numbers stand at 39,729 Coupes.
1986
1986 Marks the return of the convertible after an absence of over a decade. Also designated as the Pace Car for the 1986 Indianapolis 500, all Corvette convertibles were dubbed Pace Car Replicas, regardless of color. Decals were shipped for dealer or customer installation. Also new were standard anti-lock brakes. Aluminum cylinder heads were introduced in 1986, but were limited to late build coupes and all convertibles due to design complications. Brake lights were also incorporated into the list of refinements for 1986. The brake light was mounted above the rear glass on coupes, and in the rear bumper on convertibles. Paying homage to the founder of the first New Jersey Chevrolet Dealership, Malcolm Konner, 50 coupes were built with special Silver/Beige paint and graphite interior. Other available colors were Silver Metallic, Medium Gray Metallic, Medium Blue Metallic, Yellow, White, Black, Gold Metallic, Silver Beige Metallic, Copper Metallic, Medium Brown Metallic, Dark Red Metallic, Bright Red, Silver/Gray, Gray/Black, White/Silver, and Silver Beige/Medium Brown. Interior choices were blue, graphite, medium gray, red, saddle, and bronze. Soft top choices included white, black, and saddle. 35,109 was the total production for 1986 with 27,794 Coupes and 7315 Convertibles.
1987
The big news for 1987 was the Callaway Twin Turbo engine package. Not a Chevrolet installed option, the Corvettes ordered with this option were sent to the Callaway Plant for an engine and other upgrades. All Twin Turbos had manual transmissions in 1987, and a scarce 184 were built. This is not too surprising considering the $20,000 option alone cost more than two-thirds of the Corvette’s $28,000 base price tag. Subtle refinements included optional electronic air conditioning for coupes and convertibles, convenience group changes. and relocation of the overdrive light. An optional low tire pressure warning system registers as an option in 1987, but difficulties with false alarms limited this option to paltry 46 units. All interior, exterior, and color options were borrowed from the previous year, save for the Special Edition color scheme of 1986. Production was 30,632, including 20,007 Coupes and 10,625 Convertibles.
1988
Not much changed in 1988 from 1987. The few refinements that did occur included carpeted door sills, better flow through ventilation for coupes, relocation of the parking brake, and new six-slot wheels. A thirty-fifth anniversary option was available for coupes, and included special paint and interior colors and emblems. Chevrolet also built 56 street legal Corvettes for competition in the SCCA Challenge race series. Also continuing in limited numbers was Callaway’s Twin Turbo option. This option also included automatic transmissions in 1988. Exterior color options were Black, Yellow, White, Silver Metallic, Medium Blue Metallic, Dark Blue Metallic, Dark Red Metallic, Bright Red, Gray Metallic, Charcoal Metallic, and 35th Anniversary White/Black. Soft tops were either black, white, or silver, and interior colors were blue, black, gray, red, saddle, and (35th Anniversary only) white. Total production was 22,789 with 15,382 Coupes, and 7406 Convertibles.
1989
New for 1989 was the ZF six-speed manual transmission, replacing the 4+3. It featured computer aided gear selection for improved economy. Also new were twelve slot wheels, and a new ride selective suspension (FX3) replaced the sport suspension option of previous years. The last year for the Corvette Challenge series, 60 units were built for this occasion. Though not available to the general public as a 1989 option, 84 ZR-1’s were built in 1989 for evaluation. testing, and media preview. Callaway Twin Turbo sales dwindled to a mere 69 units. Color options were White, Medium Blue Metallic, Dark Blue Metallic, Black, Dark Red Metallic, Bright Red, Gray Metallic, and Charcoal Metallic. Soft top choices remained black, white, and saddle. Interior selections were blue, black, gray, red, and saddle.
1990
This was the first year for the high performance Corvette from the days of old. Much anticipated RPO ZR-1 delivered the goods and produced the “King of the Hill”. The heart of this option was the LT5 powerplant, a 375 horsepower engine designed jointly with Chevrolet and Lotus. This was also the first Corvette engine to feature four overhead camshafts. Also included in this option were unique body panels, 11 inch wide rear wheels, power passenger seat, power driver seat, leather sport seats, electronic selective ride control suspension, CD Bose stereo, low tire pressure warning system, a six-speed manual transmission, and a special solar tinted windshield. Despite nearly doubling the cost of the base Corvette, 3,049 coupes, the only body style available, were sold. World Challenge Corvettes also saw limited production in 1990. Camshaft revisions, among other things, resulted in a five horsepower gain over the previous year’s base L98 engine. Other refinements included improved ABS and an engine oil life metering system. White, Steel Blue Metallic, Black, Turquoise Metallic, Competition Yellow, Dark Red Metallic, Quasar Blue Metallic, Bright Red, Polo Green Metallic, and Charcoal Metallic were the exterior color options. Interior pallet consisted of blue, black, gray, red, and saddle. Soft top options were black, saddle, and white. Total production was 23,646 with 16,016 Coupes and 7630 Convertibles.
1991
The rounded rear end of 1990’s ZR-1 was incorporated into all 1991 Corvettes. Out was the wedge-style rear end of last year’s base models. Also out was the front end, as both base model and ZR-1 received a new front bumper with wrap around parking lamps. The wider body moldings gave the Corvette a more refined look. Aside from the ZR-1s, which kept the roof mounted brake light, the newly designed rear bumper housed the light on all other models of Corvettes. Another new feature was the power delay which allowed the stereo and power windows to operate for fifteen minutes (or until the driver’s door was opened) after the car was shut off. Renovations to the mufflers improved performance, and a float contained in the oilpan alerted drivers when oil was low. This was also the last year of the ultra-expensive option of the Callaway Twin Turbo, as 62 were built and the option rose to more than the base model cost. All colors carried over from the year before. 20,639 was the total production, with 14,967 Coupes and 5672 Convertibles.
1992
Exterior styling remained quite the same as the year before, and the ZR-1 received ZR-1 badges on its side fenders. Instrument gauges became all black, and the digital speedometer was relocated to just above the fuel gauge. Supplanting the L98 base model engine was the new LT1 engine. The second generation in the LT1 saga, this base model engine produced 65 more net horsepower than the L98 it replaced. Traction control became standard, as did Goodyear’s new GSC tires. Weather-stripping and insulation was also improved to help better seal out the elements and road noise. Total Corvette production reached 1,000,000 with the 1,000,000th Corvette being built on July 2,1992. Dr. Allen Sachery opened the Corvette Americana Hall of Fame and Americana Museum in Cooperstown, New York in July of that year (now closed). White, Yellow, Black, Bright Aqua Metallic, Polo Green II Metallic, Black Rose Metallic, Dark Red Metallic, Quasar Blue Metallic, and Bright Red were on the 1992 color pallet. Interior choices were black, light gray, light beige, red, and white. Soft top options were black, blue, white, and beige.20,479 was the total production of 1992, with 14,604 Coupes and 5875 Convertibles.
1993
The aesthetic side of the Corvette once again carried over. The new 40th Anniversary color option was available on all three platforms (ZR-1, Coupe, and Convertible) and consisted of Ruby Red paint and interior (and soft tops for convertibles) as well as special badges. All leather sport seats bore the 40th Anniversary logo. The LT1 engine was also refined to run more quietly. The ZR-1 LT5 powerplant was revised to produce a whopping 405 horsepower, 30 more than previous years. A passive keyless entry system was used for the first time when a battery operated key fob emitted a signal to unlock the doors when in close proximity to the car. The Ruby Red was the only “all new” color option as White and Yellow were replaced with Arctic White and Competition Yellow. Beige, black, light gray, light beige, red, and white (ruby for 40th Anniversary) were interior options. Beige, black, and white soft tops (ruby for 40th Anniversary) were the only options. A total production of 21,590 yielded 15,898 Coupes and 5692 Convertibles.
1994
The big news of 1994 was opening to the public the National Corvette Museum in September. Of the several refinements to the LT1 base engine was the addition of a new sequential fuel injection system and a more powerful ignition system. Also new were passenger side air bags, all leather seats, express down windows, glass soft top windows with defogger, and new five spoke ZR-1 wheels. All colors carried over save for the Ruby Red, and two new colors Admiral Blue and Copper Metallic were added. White was dropped from the list of interior choices, and all others carried over. All soft top choices were the same as well. Total production was 23,330 with 17,984 Coupes and 5346 Convertibles.
1995
The final year for Chevrolet’s “King of the Hill” ZR-1 was also marked by subtle refinements. Predisposed for a 1995 fate, all LT5 engines were built by 1993. The engines were then equally distributed over the next three years, making all 1993-1995 ZR-1s structurally identical. Also new was a Pace Car Replica paint scheme taken from the Indianapolis 500 Corvette Pace Car. Optional “run-flat” tires made the need for a spare tire obsolete and reduced body weight. Dark Purple Metallic was the only new exterior color option, and Copper Metallic and Black Rose Metallic were removed from the line up. Soft top and interior choices carried over as well. Total 1995 production was 20,742 with 15,771 Coupes and 4971 Convertibles.
1996
The end of the C4 era, the 1996 model year hosted a variety of new options. The new LT4 engine was a modified version of the LT1 and outmuscled the base engine by 30 horsepower. LT4s were limited to manual transmissions. Grand Sport Corvettes were one of the several platform variations and included Admiral Blue Paint with a White center stripe, LT4 engine, ZR-1 styled wheels painted black, fender flares, and several other accented variations. Only white soft tops were available for convertibles, and red-black or solid black were the only interior choices for Grand Sports. The Collector’s Edition enjoyed Sebring Silver paint and special trim badges. This edition also sported five-spoke wheels painted silver. Interior choices were restricted to black, red, or light gray while soft tops came only in black. Selective Real Time Dampening Suspension replaced the FX3 suspension of previous years. Diagnostic readouts were also much more sophisticated. All other interior and exterior colors were carried over save for the Dark Red Metallic. Total production of 1996 was 21,536 with 17,167 Coupes and 4369 Convertibles.
