Vehicle Description
In 1988, the Corvette was still the king of American performance,
and in roadster form it was the best example of General Motors'
engineering might. Full of technology and with performance that
could humble the best Europe had to offer, it is part of the
foundation that gave us today's amazing C7. This clean convertible
offers an awesome color combination, a bunch of upgrades, and hails
from a warm climate, so you know it's as clean as they come
underneath.
You could be forgiven for thinking that all early C4 Corvettes were
red, but yes, it's true, there were other colors available.
Anonymously called "Silver Metallic," the finish is nonetheless a
Corvette tradition as much as red might be, and with only 385
painted that color in 1988, you're not likely to see another one.
It's in great condition, too, and still looks awesome almost 25
years later thanks to the Bowling Green assembly plant's well-known
quality standards and excellent care since it was new. There are a
few signs of use here and there, as you'd expect from a car built
to be enjoyed, but it's pretty obvious that this one has always
been someone's fair-weather flyer and not a daily driver (although
it's certainly capable). If you like your Corvettes perfectly
imperfect, this is an ideal example, especially for preservation
class judging, and we have to admit that any Corvette convertible
is going to attract plenty of attention.
The red leather interior is as futuristic as 1988 could make it,
with digital gauges, a trip computer, and enough buttons to command
the space shuttle. To be honest, the red leather interior is fairly
rare, particularly in a convertible, making this a very low
production ragtop that many folks have never seen before. Both
seats are in excellent condition and are every bit as comfortable
as they look once you master the unique step-in procedure the C4
requires. The leather is showing some age-related comfort marks,
but nothing major and on a 'Vette, that kind of stuff is character,
not a defect. Cold A/C, a powerful aftermarket AM/FM/CD stereo,
power windows and locks, cruise control, as well as a tilt wheel
were all part of the package, making the Corvette a true grand
touring car. Those of you with sharp eyes will spot the Keisler
shifter, which is linked to a Tremec 5-speed manual gearbox,
replacing the clunky Doug Nash 4+3 setup, a very noteworthy
improvement all by itself. Even the original black canvas top,
which stows invisibly under the flush-fitting deck lid, is still in
very good condition although the rear window is getting a little
cloudy.
The L98 350 cubic inch V8 remained at 230 horsepower, which was the
biggest number available in an American V8 (remember, this was
1988). Where it really excels, however, is torque production, and
with the 5-speed manual transmission, this car simply carves
through traffic and is an incredible point-and-shoot machine. The
engine bay is quite clean, with the familiar L98 long-tube
induction system, and unlike so many of its siblings, it has not
been modified or abused. It's in excellent shape and history has
proven that it's virtually indestructible no matter how hard you
drive it, and despite all the modifications available, it appears
stock. Underneath, this one is ultra clean, with evidence of its
desert history apparent everywhere you look. Beautiful "A-Mold"
wheels replace the originals, and it's a look that updates the car
in a big way and allows the use of seriously big 275/40/17
rubber.
Get your piece of fiberglass history for less than the price of a
used Hyundai. The performance is still impressive and there's
nothing else quite like a Corvette roadster. Call today!