Vehicle Description
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 all-new fourth-generation (C4) Corvette was a landmark event in automotive history; one so highly anticipated that the new car was released as a 1984 model. In anticipation, the long-running third-generation "Shark" or C3 models, which debuted for 1968, were quietly retired after 1982. GM Chief Engineer Dave McLellan oversaw the new Corvette's development, which commenced with concept drawings in 1976. While clearly identifiable as a Corvette, the new C4 design was far more aerodynamic, purposeful, and modern.
The new Corvette's all new, leading-edge chassis design utilized front and rear monoleaf 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. Power was provided by Chevrolet's 350 cubic-inch small-block V-8 equipped 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, essentially the Borg-Warner T-10 with computer-controlled overdrives for the top three gears, providing immense flexibility under a wide variety of driving conditions. Performance was a quantum leap forward, with 140-plus mph on tap and skidpad performance of over 0.90 g, making the new Corvette a strong contender with such exotic competitors as 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, which added 25 horsepower, 40 pounds-feet of torque, and improved fuel economy to boot. Roller valve lifters debuted for 1987 to bring total output to 240 horsepower. Underneath, all Corvettes were upgraded to Z52 standard by 1989 with huge Goodyear ZR40 tires on 9.5-inch alloy wheels, structural reinforcement, and Bistein gas-pressure shock absorbers. No longer a contender, the Corvette had by this time become the standard to which other sports cars were judged.
This very clean California/Arizona-based 1989 Corvette is offered from a highly knowledgeable owner and it is highly attractive with less than 5,000 miles of use per year. A highly desirable West Coast find, this Corvette benefits from proper care and features a hard-to-find white exterior complemented by a set of updated wheels for a great look. Other highlights include both transparent and body-color T-roof panels, 4-speed automatic, and powerful L98 350 V-8 with Tuned-Port Injection. As such, it is a highly desirable, collectible, and enjoyable example of the celebrated C4.
