1988 C4 Chevrolet Corvette Model Guide
History, Specifications, VIN, Options, Performance, & More
1988 Corvette Research
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Everything You Want to Know About the 1988 Corvette, All in One Place.
The arrival of the 1988 model year brought with it the 35th anniversary of the Chevy Corvette. For General Motors as a whole, and especially for the teams of people responsible for the design and development of “America’s Sports Car”, this anniversary was significant not only because of the milestone it represented, but because the thirtieth anniversary of Corvette had passed with barely a whisper.
After all, the Corvette had turned thirty years old in 1983, and, because of engineering decisions that were made to support increasingly high emissions standards, Chevrolet had opted not to build an ’83 Corvette at all. The result was that Corvette had gone a decade without any type of anniversary special edition model to celebrate its ongoing successes.
So, for its 35th anniversary year, the Corvette was treated to a number of important engine and chassis upgrades. With Tony Rudd, Lotus’s former technical director, leading a team of design engineers in an engine development program to advance the L98’s overall performance, the 1988 Corvette would serve as a platform upon which his design advances could be utilized.
For 1988, the L98 received another five horsepower bump in power thanks to the addition of freer-breathing cylinder heads and a re-profiled camshaft.
Additionally, Chevrolet introduced a new, less restrictive muffler package for the 1988 model. Believed by many to be another possible cause for the horsepower bump, these new mufflers were introduced only on Corvette coupes that were fitted with the optional 3.07:1 performance axle.
1988 Corvette - The Ultimate Guide
A new tire/rim assembly was only offered as part of the Z51 and Z52 suspension package upgrades in 1988, the standard 16 x 8.5 inch rims were similarly updated, featuring a new six slot pattern that was mated to P255/50ZR-16 Z-rated tires. With the introduction of the higher performance tires to its platform, Corvette engineers wanted to ensure that they utilized the new tires’ greater durability while also developing better directional control of the Corvette during hard stops.
1988 Corvette Special Editions
The arrival of the 1988 model year brought with it the 35th anniversary of the Chevy Corvette, so we saw an in-house special edition car produced. More exciting for 1988 though, was the work by Callaway on a tuned Corvette you could only describe as totally bananas.
1988 Corvette Pictures, Wallpapers & Videos
Because who doesn't love a good-looking fourth generation Corvette?
1988 Corvette Technical Research & Data
Dig into the numbers behind the 1988 Corvette and check out these hand-curated research papers and data-driven reports, including VIN information, production numbers, pricing/options, color samples, and more.
1988 Corvette Engines
Looking for information on the engines powering the 1988 Corvette? Look no further.
1988 Corvette Market & Sales Data
1988 Corvette auction and sales area. We share upcoming auctions, recent auction results, cool 1988 Corvettes we find for sale and commentary on the current market for the 1988 Corvette.
The Best Resource for 1988 Corvette News, Auctions, Reviews & Videos
Get all the latest news stories, upcoming auctions, prices, videos and more about the 1988 Chevrolet Corvette! The latest headlines here.
The Corvette Challenge started in 1988 following the removal of the C4 Corvette from the Showroom Stock racing class by...
In 1988, only 2,050 of the 22,789 Corvettes produced got the exclusive Z01 35th Anniversary Edition package, with just seven...
Completed by CSOC Racing in December 2018, this custom build masterfully blends the best design elements of the classic 1963-67 Sting Ray with the solid foundation of the modern 1988 Corvette. Aptly named “Hammerhead” in contrast to the “Mako Shark” nickname of the 1968-1982 Corvette series, this stunning vehicle is...
Recognized as one of the world’s foremost automobile manufacturers, General Motors has established itself as a prolific producer. Among their...
This Callaway-tuned C4 Corvette boasts a 350ci (5.7-liter) V8 engine that has been twin-turbocharged and is capable of producing 390hp...
Reeves Callaway ordered this 1988 Corvette coupe with Regular Production Option code B2K from the dealer, which was then sent to Callaway Engineering in Old Lyme, Connecticut. There, it was transformed into the 51st Callaway Twin Turbo Corvette of that model year and chosen as the donor vehicle for Callaway’s...
This custom build, completed by CSOC Racing in December 2018, pays homage to the classic styling of the 1963-67 Sting...
A shootout between two iconic American nameplates: Corvette vs Mustang. Both of these cars are powered by a V8 engine...
Although there was a lot of uncertainty about the Corvette’s long-term viability in its early days, the public’s perception of the brand had changed radically by the late 1970s. The Corvette, which was now commonly referred to as “America’s Sports Car,” had gained traction with consumers across North America. It...
These are the top full exhausts for 1984-1996 Corvettes. The installation of a custom exhaust provides a great way to...
Filmed on an airstrip on a cold-weather day, a 1988 C4 Corvette challenges a 1987 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 on...
Based on a 1988 Chevrolet Corvette, the Sledgehammer was designed and manufactured by Corvette aficionado and legend Reeves Callaway. The Sledgehammer’s twin-turbo V8 engine produced a staggering 898 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 772 pound-feet of torque! Even by today’s standards, those numbers are incredible. Despite the number of 250+ mph...
This high-performance Chevrolet Corvette is one of a limited number of Callaway C4s fitted with the full twin-turbo upgrade including...
The 1988 model represented the 35th Anniversary of the Corvette. 2,050 35th Anniversary Corvettes were built to commemorate this occasion....
Based on a 1988 Chevrolet Corvette, the Sledgehammer was designed and manufactured by Corvette aficionado and legend Reeves Callaway. Callaway had already become known for developing turbocharged variants of several production Corvettes, and in so doing, building cars that could achieve speeds well over 200 miles per hour....
The C4 Corvette debuted to a frenzy of publicity and would ultimately enjoy a lengthy run, spanning 13 years of production. During this period, GM installed a number of memorable powerplants. Many of these engines proved to be quite innovative in design, even when saddled with newly-mandated emissions equipment of the era. The following is a comprehensive guide to powerplants of the C4 era.
For all 1988 Corvettes, the Vehicle Identification Number was stamped on a plate on the inner vertical surface of the left windshield pillar visible through the windshield.
Download this 1988 Corvette Dealers Sales Brochure for a quick look at the features of the car. The handling and performance of the Corvette Coupe is uncompromised. Yet the comforts and appointments are luxury-class. It is not surprising that the critics have called...
The 1988 Corvette was maturing as both a performance platform and as an aesthetic knockout. Get all the options, pricing, and color data here.
The following list of common issues is intended for individual reference only, and may not reflect the specific issues of every 1988 Corvette.
