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.
This particular Collector's Edition shows 89,917 original miles,
and is one of those rare C4 Corvettes that hasn't been modified or
abused but rather expertly maintained. The lovely Sebring Silver
paint job on the Collector's Edition stands out with its subtlety,
especially next to the flamboyant Grand Sport, and aside from one
small touch-up, this one wears its original paint that's in
fantastic shape. 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 from when new, it has always
lived in a sunny, warm climate, so you know there's no rust or
snowy weather in this car's past.. Paint is about what you got in
1996, and shows well and it's especially important for preservation
classes, for which Corvette clubs are famous.
You could get black, red, or light gray upholstery with your
Collector's Edition, and we like the subtle combination of silver
with gray leather. Seating surfaces remain in decent shape, with
the driver's seat perhaps showing some very minor stretching and
creases that are commensurate with its mileage, but 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, which, on this car, was also augmented by an
additional $396 upgrade. It all works properly, as you'd expect
from a car whose reliability is legendary. A black convertible is a
great complement to the silver bodywork and you'll quickly develop
your ability to flip it out of sight in a matter of seconds, making
this a fantastic car for almost any occasion.
The Collector's Edition received the same LT1 powerplant as the
rest of the C4 lineup, and with 300 horsepower on tap, performance
is explosive. Paired with a smooth 4-speed automatic overdrive
transmission (which was standard equipment on the Corvette in
1996), 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 air filter housing, and GM engineers
went the extra mile to make the LT1 look pretty under that big
clamshell hood. The chassis is equally clean, with original
components throughout, including the optional rear gear, which
improves acceleration and performance. Handsome A-mold wheels were
part of the package, and wear staggered 245/45/17 front and
275/40/17 rear BFGoodrich G-Force radials.
Complete with its build sheet, reproduction window sticker, and
original manuals, this is the Collector's Edition for the guy who
likes to drive his hardware instead of admiring it in a sealed
garage. Call today!
