THE KNOWLEDGE

TIMELINE

1983 Jan Build begins (MY84*): 205bhp L83

MY85 230bhp L98, tuned port injection

MY86 Convertible added; Pass Key security

MY87 Roller tappets, 240bhp; B2K Callaway Twin-turbo option (c500 converted to 1991)

MY88 Softened suspension

MY89 ZF six-speed manual replaces ‘4+3’

1989 Mar ZR-1 added, with 375bhp LT5 V8

MY90 245bhp; driver’s airbag standard

MY91 Facelift: restyled exterior and interior

MY92 300bhp LT1; traction control standard

MY93 Keyless entry; ZR-1 up to 405bhp

MY95 Minor restyle; ZR-1 dropped

MY96 Grand Sport (GS): 330bhp LT4 engine, blue/white stripes, special trim (1000 built)

1996 Jun Last C4 produced

FACTFILE

Sold/number built 1983-’96/358,180 (inc 6939 ZR-1S) Construction galvanised steel chassis, bulkhead and floor, glassfibre body

Engine iron-block, alloy-head (from ’86) ohv (or all-alloy, dohc) 5735cc V8, electronic fuel injection Max power 205bhp @ 4300rpm to 405bhp @ 5800rpm Max torque 290lb ft

@ 2800rpm to 385lb ft @ 5200rpm

Transmission four-speed manual overdrive (six-speed from ’88) or four-speed auto, RWD Suspension independent, at front by double wishbones rear twin trailing arms, lower transverse links, adjustable tie-rods, fixedlength driveshafts; glassfibre transverse spring, telescopic dampers, anti-roll bar f/r

Steering power-assisted rack and pinion

Brakes 111/2 -13in (292-330mm) vented discs, with servo Length 14ft 81/2 -101/2 in (4483-4534mm) Width 5ft 101/2 in-6ft 1in (1796-1859mm) Height 3ft 101/2 -11in (1179-1201mm) Wheelbase 8ft (2443mm)

Weight 3234-3503lb (1467-1589kg) 0-60mph 7-4.7 secs Top speed 139-181mph Mpg 15-30 Price new c£26,000 (1984)

CLUBS

Classic Corvette Club UK corvetteclub.org.uk C4 Vette Registry c4vetteregistry.com

SPECIALISTS

Eurovettes 07702 156402 Claremont Corvette corvette.co.uk Customville American customville-american.co.uk

Corvette Kingdom corvettekingdom.co.uk Autopics autopics.co.uk CCM Vettes 07842 496988 Dromey Corvettes 01507 450699

Topcats Racing topcatsracing.com

American Glass americanglass.co.uk Ecklers ecklerscorvette.com Mid America mamotorworks.com ZIP Corvette zipcorvette.com Rockauto rockauto.com

WHATTOPAY

Project/average/show**

Coupe £2000/4000/10,000

Convertible £2500/7000/15,000

ZR-1, Callaway, GS £8000/15,000/40,000