Despite aging nicely and presenting a favorable bang for the buck, the fourth-generation Corvette often still catches grief from some enthusiasts for being the generation that almost brought the Corvette brand down. Maybe it’s because the Corvette’s styling and performance have improved exponentially since the C4’s introduction, but to this day, the C4 still gets more hate than it deserves. CorvSport’s founder and contributor Scott Kolecki summed up the dynamic of these older Corvettes nicely when he said:

“The classic Corvettes from the fifties (C1), sixties (C2) and early-seventies (C3) were (and still are) commonly recognized as high-dollar “garage queens” or collectors’ cars.  Corvettes from the late seventies and early-eighties (1978-1982) were under-powered, considered cheaply made and were just not that aesthetically or mechanically appealing. Even the early C4s – which promised improved performance and drivability – had their problems, what with the 1984 Cross-Fire Injection and its unusual 4+3 manual transmission.  By the late 1980s, the fourth-generation Corvette had evolved into a more desirable automobile, thanks in part to the arrival of the ZR-1.  Still, as with the older-generation Corvettes, the late model C4s were largely out of reach financially for many of us.

Fast-forward to the present and you’ll discover that this is no longer the case.  With four generations of Corvette now separating the C4 from its newest, mid-engine sibling, and with the refinements to both the form and function of each iteration of the car that followed the fourth-generation model, prices have never been better on Corvettes built between 1984 and 1996.  In fact, purchasing a C4 is a fun-and-affordable way to indoctrinate yourself into the Corvette lifestyle – even on a budget…” Continue Reading The C4 Corvette Buyer’s Guide

Now that we have pumped up the fourth-generation Corvette to its rightful position in our history, it’s time to jump in with today’s edition of Garage Queens For Sale! [Author’s Note: This article is FREE and not behind a paywall. If/when any popups occur, please click to make them disappear and continue enjoying the article.]

#3

499 Miles

• 1996 Corvette Grand Sport Convertible
• Listed Price: $49,777
• Sold By: Dealer
• Full Listing Here
• Interesting Factoid: This 1996 Grand Sport sold at Mecum’s Kissimmee 2023 auction for $57,200.