Vehicle Description
35,030 original miles. 100% stock and unmodified. Clean CarFax. New
Michelin radials. Beautiful Torch Red with black leather interior.
Loaded with options. C5s represent what might just be the biggest
bargain in the entire collector car world!1998 was the first year
of the Corvette C5 convertible and Chevy pulled out all the stops.
It's hard to over-state just how revolutionary the C5 really
was?from performance to comfort to efficiency, it transformed what
America's favorite sports car could be. Today the C5 represents the
biggest bargain in performance anywhere and this 1998 Chevrolet
Corvette convertible is a great example. With just over 35,000
original miles, it has been treated like something special from day
one. Like most Corvettes, it was saved for sunny day driving and
stored in a warm garage when the weather turned inclement. As a
result, the factory Torch Red paint practically leaps off the
bodywork?we have it parked next to a later 2014 Corvette that's
also Torch Red and the C5 is notably more vivid. Fit and finish
were vastly improved on the C5, so the doors swing shut with a sold
THUNK, the lightweight hood snaps closed with your fingertips, and
the trunk lid?the first in decades?doesn't require a heavy slam to
secure it. Both headlights snap to attention, there are no major
dings or scratches, and you can tell right away that this is a car
that was washed and waxed on a regular basis. Bright red Corvettes
tend to make people fall in love.The black leather interior was
where the C5 really showed its upgrades. Getting in is no longer an
exercise in flexibility; with low sills and plenty of legroom, even
tall drivers have no problem getting comfortable behind the wheel.
The leather bucket seats are comfortable for all-day cruising and
show only light wear but no damage or other issues. The carpets
have been protected by monogrammed floor mats and remain in
excellent condition, while the door panels remain firmly affixed
and don't even show a small divot where the driver might have
rested his elbow. Options include the Bose audio system with CD
player and dual-zone climate control in addition to the long list
of standard features. The gauges snap to attention the moment you
turn the key, and no, this car does not have the ignition lock
issue that plagues some other C5s. Everything works properly, which
you should expect from the C5, which has turned out to be
incredibly reliable. The 'waterfall' between the seats makes for a
dramatic look and offers access to the rather spacious trunk, which
has plenty of room even with the top down. And speaking of the top,
it's an easy-to-stow black canvas unit that seals up well and
remains in excellent condition overall.Today the LS1 is almost a
household word, but in 1998, it was brand new. The all-aluminum
5.7-liter OHV V8 punched out 345 horsepower and 350 lb-ft. of
torque, enough to make the C5 considerably quicker than the C4 it
replaced and right on the heels of the mighty ZR-1. The last 25
years have taught us that the LS motor is also bulletproof
reliable, making the C5 a great choice if driving instead of
tinkering is your thing. It springs to life quickly, idles
properly, and pulls the relatively lightweight convertible with
genuine vigor. This is still a seriously fast car. Of course, you
get traction control and ABS brakes to help keep things in line,
and as with all Corvettes, the brakes are extremely powerful. The
4-speed automatic transmission was standard equipment, and it's a
great partner regardless if you're cruising or running hard on a
twisty road?it always seems to be in the right gear. And with 2.73
gears in back, it's a fantastic high-speed cruiser that
effortlessly consumes pavement while turning in surprisingly good
fuel economy. You'll note that the undercarriage is clean and has
never seen winter weather, with most of the factory markings still
visible. The car's lone modification is a quartet of chrome tips on
the factory exhaust, but they look so good you won't complain.
Chrome factory wheels look awesome against the red paint and carry
new 245/45/17 front and 275/40/18 rear Michelin Pilot
radials.Documentation includes the original books and manuals, a
copy of the window sticker, a build sheet, advertising literature,
and a few souvenirs.We're big fans of the C5. It does everything
well and asks for almost nothing in return other than gas and oil.
They're still stylish with a classic Corvette look, and nobody will
complain about the accommodations. If you're looking for a
reasonably-priced convertible that will make you smile every time
you get behind the wheel, a C5 Corvette is an outstanding choice.
Call today!Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal
or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior
to purchase.
