Vehicle Description
Chevrolet knows their clientele, and with the 1996 Corvette
Collector's Edition, put together a special package that would
entice hard-core 'Vette fans with a unique tribute to the outgoing
C4 model. The $1250 option brought unique Sebring Silver paint,
5-spoke wheels, and, of course, special badges and embroidery that
left no secret about what it was. 5412 Corvette fans ultimately
stepped up to the plate and took one home.
This particular Collector's Edition shows a conservative 64,424
original miles, and is one of those rare C4 Corvettes that hasn't
been modified or abused but rather expertly maintained. The lovely
Sebring Silver paint job on the Collector's Edition stands out with
its subtlety, especially next to the flamboyant Grand Sport, and
aside from a couple of very tiny chips (we're talking small here,
as in put on your glasses to find them), this one wears its
original paint that's in fantastic, top driver-quality shape. It
gives the slinky 'Vette a sophisticated look, and by 1996, build
quality was among the best in the GM stables. Always a cherished
collector's item from when new, it has always lived in a sunny,
warm climate since it was born, so you know there's no rust or
snowy weather in this car's past. Paint is about what you got in
1996, smooth to the touch and very uniform, and it's especially
important that it shows well for preservation classes, for which
Corvette clubs are famous.
You could get black, red, or light gray upholstery with your
Collector's Edition, and we like the subtle combination of silver
with gray leather. Seating surfaces remain in good overall shape,
with the driver's seat perhaps showing some wear-and-tear that is
commensurate with the convertible's mileage, but the dramatic
stitching and special embroidery remains its strongest visual
statement. All Corvettes came loaded with standard equipment, but
this one also features the Preferred Equipment Group, which
includes electronic A/C, cruise control, tilt wheel, power
windows/locks/mirrors, and power driver's seat, and a Delco/Bose
music system, which, on this car, was also augmented by an
additional $396 upgrade. It all works properly, as you'd expect
from a car whose reliability is legendary. A black convertible is a
great complement to the silver bodywork and you'll quickly develop
your ability to flip it out of sight in a matter of seconds, making
this a fantastic car for almost any occasion.
The Collector's Edition received the LT4 powerplant when paired
with the exciting and quick-shifting 6-speed manual transmission,
an upgrade which brought 330 horsepower on tap, so performance is
explosive. Still, it remains a superlative highway cruiser and
slices through rush-hour traffic like a scalpel. It's also
notoriously easy to modify, so finding one that hasn't been hopped
up (and by association, raced or abused) can be a challenge. This
one is stock right down to the original air filter housing, and GM
engineers went the extra mile to make the LT4 look pretty under
that big clamshell hood. The chassis is equally clean, with
original performance components throughout, including power 4-wheel
disc brakes with ABS, Acceleration Slip Regulation, power steering,
and a unique-to-Corvette 5-link independent rear suspension - all
of which improve acceleration and performance. Handsome A-mold
wheels were part of the package, and wear staggered 235/45/17 front
and 285/40/17 rear Continental radials.
Complete with its original owner's manuals and a clean bill of
health on its Vehicle History Report, this is the Collector's
Edition for the guy or gal who likes to drive his hardware instead
of admiring it in a sealed garage. Call today!
