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, making it a special
'Vette with a fantastic look.
This particular LT4/6-speed Collector's Edition coupe shows just
15,408 original miles, and is one of those rare C4 Corvettes that
hasn't been modified or abused. The lovely Sebring Silver paint job
on the Collector's Edition stands out with its subtlety, especially
next to the flamboyant Grand Sport. 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, it has been
immaculately maintained from new, and since it was purchased it has
lived in a warm climate, so you know there's no rust or snowy
weather in this car's past, and certainly no abuse. Paint is about
what you got in 1996 and shows well; it's especially important for
preservation classes, for which Corvette clubs are famous. The
special badging doesn't make a big fuss about being a special
edition, but Corvette guys in the know can spot one of these a mile
away. It looks great from any angle but doesn't advertise that it
was the fastest 'Vette you could buy in 1996. That's pretty
cool.
You could get black, red, or light gray upholstery with your
Collector's Edition, and there's nothing more handsome than black
leather in a silver sports car. Seating surfaces remain in
excellent shape, with the driver's seat perhaps showing only the
most minor signs of use, and 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, power
driver's seat, and a Delco/Bose music system. It all works
perfectly, as you'd expect from a car whose reliability is
legendary and which has been properly maintained. The headliner was
just replaced, so it looks like new, and there's a fresh gasket for
the rear hatch, a known trouble spot that won't be troublesome for
the new owner.
The Collector's Edition received the upgraded LT4 powerplant
available in the Grand Sport, and with 340 horsepower on tap,
performance is explosive. Paired with the slick-shifting ZF 6-speed
manual transmission (which was the only transmission available with
the LT4), 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 spark plugs, and GM engineers went the
extra mile to make the LT4 look pretty under that big clamshell
hood, with the red intake manifold setting the LT4 apart from the
garden-variety LT1. The chassis is equally clean, with original
components throughout, and it has been recently serviced, so all
the little things work like they should, and there's a brand new
battery. Handsome 17-inch A-mold wheels were part of the package,
and wear staggered 255/45/17 front and 285/40/17 rear Nitto
performance radials.
Complete with maintenance records, manuals, and other
documentation, this is the Collector's Edition for the serious
Corvette collector. Call today!