Vehicle Description
FROM THE MISSOULA AUTO MUSEUM COLLECTION Vehicle to be offered for Auction sale WITHOUT RESERVE and SOLD to the highest bidder January 19th - 22nd, 2017 at Russo and Steele's 17th Annual Scottsdale Arizona Auction at the Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Please contact us for more information.
The late-1983 introduction of the fourth-generation 'C4' Corvette was a landmark event in automotive history; one so highly anticipated that the 1983 model year was skipped and the new car released as a 1984 model. GM Chief Engineer Dave McLellan oversaw the new Corvette's development cycle, which began with concept drawings penned in 1976. While clearly identifiable as a Corvette, the new design was far more aerodynamically efficient and servicing was made easier with the entire clamshell hood now tilting forward. Underneath, the new Corvette's leading-edge chassis design utilized front and rear mono leaf springs, precise rack-and-pinion steering gear, and the independent rear suspension utilized five locating links. The Corvette continued to use four-wheel disc brakes, and new alloy wheels were mounted with Goodyear's all-new Gatorback unidirectional radial tires for superior road holding.
Power for the 'C4' was provided by Chevrolet's venerable 350 cubic inch small-block V-8 engine throughout its production run, initially delivering 200 horses with Cross-Fire throttle body fuel injection, the combination carried over from the 1982 model. Transmission choices included GM's 700-R4 overdrive automatic and the innovative Doug Nash 4+3 manual unit. Performance was a quantum leap forward, with 155 mph on tap and skidpad performance of 0.90 g, making the new Corvette a true alternative to exotic European competitors including the Ferrari 308, Lotus Esprit Turbo, and both Porsche's 911 and 928. Refinements came quickly, with 1985 heralding the release of the L98 Tuned-Port Injected 350 engine, now making the Corvette the standard to which other sports-car manufacturers aspired, a status further solidified by the LT5 32-valve Corvette ZR-1 of 1990 through 1995 and the more conventional LT-1 V-8, which was rated at 275 net horsepower.
In commemoration of the final 'C4' model year in 1996, a limited 1,000-unit run of special Grand Sport Corvettes was released to instant collectible status. Recalling the handful of Grand Sports unleashed during the early 1960s to put Carroll Shelby's upstart Cobras back on their trailers, these 'C4' cars continue to spark the collective imaginations of Corvette collectors and enthusiasts. Inspired by the limited-edition 1996 Grand Sport, this 1995 Corvette is offered without reserve from the Missoula Auto Museum Collection as the product of more than 75,000 invested in upgrades including its White exterior finish with Grand Sport-style stripes. However, performance is even better with a celebrated Lingenfelter 383 cubic-inch V-8 stroker engine that produces approximately 500 horsepower in concert with a six-speed manual transmission. Additional updates include a coil over suspension, upgraded braking system, complete MSD electronics, and power sport seats, plus all of the other convenience and power options that one has come to expect from the modern Corvette.
