Vehicle Description
Considering all of the American classic muscle cars in the world,
none come to mind that are more adored than the Corvette. Every one
of Chevy's fantastic-plastic sports cars have an eager and
enthusiastic following and cars like this 24,713 original mile 1996
Corvette coupe will always be an A-list choice for collectors. And
with only 320 cars made in this rare color combination, this
incredibly well-preserved piece should easily top that list.
1996 was the final year of C4 production, and while GM rolled out
some special edition cars, few were as appealing as this
rare-colored Dark Purple Metallic coupe. A non-Grand Sport,
non-Collectors' Edition coupe with an automatic and the 5.7L LT1
engine is a relatively rare bird all by itself, and someone
obviously felt that it deserved to be preserved for posterity.
Vivid colors like Dark Purple Metallic never goes out of style
course, and gives the Corvette an appropriate look that's
practically legendary. With the exception of some small marks in
the clear coat from numerous washes through the years, the car is
in remarkable condition considering the age. Traveling just over
24,000 miles probably means this one might have never seen
inclement weather and like many Corvettes, probably had a very easy
life as a collector vehicle rather than a daily driver. Build
quality was very good on these final C4s and it shows throughout
this one, which looks like it should cost thousands more than it
does.
Inside you find an equally well-preserved cabin. The gray leather
seats show well and are as supportive as they were in 1996. Real
leather was used and has held up well, particularly in a coupe, and
the purple-on-gray combination is pretty hard to beat. The carpets,
dashboard and frankly everything your eyes see or hands touch is in
very good shape, again indicative of a car that was properly
maintained and very seldom used. All the gauges are fully
functional, and the combination of digital and analog instruments
is not only cool, but surprisingly easy to read. You may also have
noticed that we almost ran out of room listing all the features
these cars carried as standard equipment, including automatic
climate control, power windows, locks, mirrors, and seats, a trip
computer, cruise control, and a great-sounding AM/FM/Cassette/CD
stereo system fitted in the center. And it is all fitted inside a
cabin that wraps around you like a cockpit and your hand rests
comfortably on the shifter, which is connected to a slick-shifting
4-speed automatic transmission.
The 1996 Corvettes used the final variant of the venerable 350,
called the LT1 and generating an impressive (for 1996 anyway) 300
horsepower. Mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission, power flows
to the wheels seamlessly, and explosive acceleration is only a prod
of your right foot away, making this perhaps the ultimate
point-and-shoot machine. The engine bay is practically showroom
fresh, suggesting expert care and a distinct lack of foul-weather
driving, and despite how modification-friendly these cars are, this
one is completely stock. The suspension is capable and by 1996 it
was no longer rock hard so this roadster makes for a fine
grand-touring machine that's competent without being on edge all
the time. Powerful brakes, complete with ABS and traction control,
are a Corvette hallmark, and it wears gorgeous chrome A-mold wheels
and staggered 255/45/17 front and 285/40/17 Nitto radials.
People who buy Corvettes normally treat them with care, use them
sparingly, and maintain them to the highest standards. If a slick
Corvette has always been on your bucket list, call us today!
