Vehicle Description
If there's a bigger performance bang for the buck than the C4
Corvette, we're not sure what it might be. Even 32 years later,
this 1987 Chevrolet Corvette offers handling that'll embarrass more
than 80% of today's cars, powerful brakes, and the legendary L98
small block V8. With only 39,725 original miles, this clean and
unmolested Corvette coupe is a heck of a lot of horsepower and
handling for the price of a 5-year-old Hyundai.
The low-key white paint gives this Corvette a sophisticated look
that is a pleasant change from all the silver and black C4s you see
just about everywhere you go. Corvettes are plastic, so there's
obviously no rust or damage to the bodywork, and the doors, as with
most C4s, close with a reassuring thunk. The big clamshell hood
fits well, another bugaboo that haunts 'Vettes that have been
bumped, and the paint is in great shape for its age although it
could stand a cut and buff if you'd like to show it again. Both the
front and rear bumpers are in nice condition with no cracking or
discoloration, and I, for one, have always liked the high-mounted
light atop the B-pillar hoop, which reminds me of the mighty ZR-1.
The chin spoiler hasn't been terribly beaten up by steep driveways
and the rockers have obviously avoided gravel roads in. There
really aren't any demerits to speak of, other than that a
professional cut and buff would kick the Corvette up a notch, and
even after all of these years this C4 still has a commanding street
presence.
The Saddle cloth interior was part of Corvette's state-of-the-art
presentation, and GM poured every bit of tech they could dream up
into the 'Vette, and even though this particular C4 isn't fully
loaded, it still offers several amenities that make the driving
experience a delight. The sport seats have been recovered and are
some of the most comfortable ever fitted to a GM car, even today,
and it's easy to find just the right position. There's a bit of
very minor wear and tear inside, as you'd expect, but the cabin
overall is in good condition and certainly commensurate with its
age and mileage. The door panels are excellent, the carpets are
well-maintained, and the dash is uncracked, although a slightly
saggy headliner can be easily addressed to erase the only demerit
of note inside. The digital dash was perfectly in tune with the
tech-happy 1980s and Corvettes came loaded with options like power
windows and locks, A/C (could use a charge), a tilt wheel, cruise
control, and a decent AM/FM/cassette stereo that has been left
untouched, a rarity for an '80s sports car. The trunk area under
the hatch is reasonably-sized and in excellent condition, too.
Power comes from Chevy's legendary tuned-port fuel injected 350
cubic inch V8, designated the L98 in the Corvette. In 1987,
upgrades to the powerplant were substantial, like roller lifters
for the camshaft and a revised exhaust system, so horsepower was up
10 to 240 and torque was rated at an impressive 345. It starts with
a bark from the exhaust system and is at its best in cut-and-thrust
driving where it's perhaps the ultimate point-and-shoot machine.
Linked to a 4-speed automatic transmission, it's a fine grand
touring machine whose road manners and performance were much
improved over earlier models. Of note, it has not been modified or
abused and it wears original 16-inch wheels with a machined finish
that still look very good, all wrapped in performance radials at
each corner.
You probably won't find more performance for less cash anywhere
else, and there's no question that the C4 Corvettes have
bottomed-out the value scale, so they have nowhere to go but up
from here. If you need a low-cost way to have some fun and get into
the hobby with some of the best enthusiasts around, this might be
your chance. Call now!
