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The C4 Corvette is a perfect study of evolution in action. Where the early models were quick, by the end of the line in 1996, they were downright ferocious, but sported a high polish that also made them ideal long-distance touring vehicles and civilized enough to be driven every day. The powertrain was virtually bulletproof, and the suspension had evolved to the point where it was no longer necessary to use hard springs and shocks to deliver impressive grip. And few will argue that 1996 was not the pinnacle of C4 styling. If you’re a Corvette fan looking to add a C4 to your stable, it will be difficult to find one nicer than this 1996 roadster.

Finished in traditional Corvette Torch Red with a matching bright red leather interior and black top, this roadster shows just 14,150 original miles. It is a 2-owner car, and has been expertly maintained from new by enthusiasts who understand that Corvettes are not mere transportation appliances. The bodywork is in exceptional condition, and sports 100% of its original paint, which by 1996 was pretty darned good. Corvettes were some of GM’s best-assembled cars, with very high quality rankings, and the care that the guys in Bowling Green put into their jobs is evident. The sound the doors make when they close, the fit of that massive clamshell hood, and the flush-fitting urethane end cap that was modeled after the ZR-1 all suggest that these cars were special. There’s also a snug-fitting black canvas top that shows no wear, creases, or fading, and stows quickly and easily behind the seats, where it vanishes under a hard decklid.

Once you master the unique step-over procedure for climbing over the ‘Vette’s tall side sills, you’ll find a comfortable and effective driving environment. The brilliant red leather upholstery is as-new, with deeply bolstered bucket seats, matching black and red door panels, and fitted red carpets. The seats were a point of pride with GM, offering exceptional comfort and support and almost infinite adjustability, and they look flat-out awesome. There is absolutely no wear or damage to any of the seating surfaces, not even the driver’s side bolsters, which often get scuffed with use. The instrument panel is a surprisingly effective mixture of digital and analog gauges, all of which are fully functional, and the airbag-equipped leather-wrapped steering wheel gives excellent sightlines. Almost everything was standard equipment on a Corvette, including A/C, power windows and locks, cruise control, power mirrors, and interval wipes, making it as much luxury car as sports car.

1996 was also the last year for Chevy’s venerable small block V8, which would be replaced by the all-new LS1 in 1997. Tracing its lineage all the way back to the first small block in 1955, it was the ultimate evolution of the engine that defined high-performance for more than four decades. By 1996, it was making 300 horsepower and 335 pounds of torque, enough to give the Corvette low 13-second quarter mile times, yet it could still pull down 25 MPG on the highway. Fortified with fuel injection, a reverse-flow cooling system that cooled the heads first, and a sophisticated engine management system, it is everything you’d hope your Corvette engine would be. It starts instantly, idles with enough of a lope to let you know there’s some serious horsepower under the hood, and pulls hard at virtually any speed. Thanks to the breathing improvements that the LT1 received, it doesn’t run out of breath at high-RPM like the L98 did, and the sound is one of the most melodious in all of the automotive kingdom. 

In this roadster, the LT1 is backed by GM’s reliable and quick-shifting 700R4 4-speed automatic transmission, which makes this perhaps the ultimate point-and-shoot machine. You’ll find yourself blasting through lesser traffic, allowing the engine and transmission to work as a team, and enabling you to focus on the road. Unlike in years past, the automatic transmission is not a performance handicap, with contemporary road tests showing a scant 0.1 second difference in the blast to 60, a margin which shrinks even more as speeds increase. The C4’s fully-independent suspension was highly refined by 1996, and the transverse leaf springs were compliant enough to offer a supple ride without sacrificing handling. Of course, some of the credit must go to the tires, which are the original Goodyear GS-C performance radials and true state-of-the-art in 1996. Always famous for its braking performance, the 4-wheel discs are augmented by standard ABS, and deliver powerful stops and virtually zero fade, even under track use, should that be your intention. 

Documentation on this stunning, well-preserved Corvette includes the original manuals, window sticker showing a $45,625 bottom line, and the original build sheet with a build date of January 29, 1996.

If you’ve been watching the Corvette market, you know that prices on the late C4s like this 1996 convertible are on the move. They long ago stopped being mere used cars, and have crossed over into the realm of true collectables. This one, with just over 14,000 original miles, carries all of its factory-issued equipment, including the original tires, belts, hoses, and brake pads, making it a time-capsule for preservation class judging at the highest levels. Or perhaps you’re just looking for the cleanest C4 you can find, and this one certainly qualifies—I don’t even think it has ever seen the rain. Today, as when new, the C4 Corvette represents tremendous performance for not a lot of money, and we’ve never seen one nicer than this.