Corvette fans are an incredibly dedicated bunch and many of them have devoted countless hours to learning everything they can about the history and future of the legendary C4 Corvette from 1984-1996. You may think you know everything there is to know about the ’Vette, but you’d probably be surprised at how much you don’t actually know about this famous sports car. Here are 10 facts you didn’t know about the Corvette C4 that every enthusiast should commit to memory.
1) The C4 was the first Corvette with a fiberglass body
The Corvette C4 was first introduced in 1984 and was America’s first sports car with a fiberglass body. Fiberglass is one of the most popular materials for making cars because it’s lightweight and durable. The C4 is also pretty fast, with a top speed of 180 miles per hour.
2) The C4 was available with a Doug Nash 4+3 transmission
The C4 was available with a Doug Nash 4+3 transmission. That’s right, you could get your ‘vette with a manual transmission! The 4+3 was an extra-cost option, but it came standard on ZR-1s. A four-speed automatic was also offered as an option, in place of the 3+2.
The fuel economy is 15 mpg city/21 mpg highway and 17 mpg combined with the four-speed auto transmission and 16 city/25 highway/19 combined for those who go for three pedals.
3) The C4 was the first Corvette to be produced entirely in Kentucky
The first-generation Chevrolet Corvette, also known as the C4 or third-generation Chevy Corvette, is a sports car produced by Chevrolet from 1983 to 1996. This generation saw many significant changes over its lifetime and is often considered one of the most desirable generations in terms of collectability. The C4 was the first Corvette to be produced entirely in Kentucky, USA. Upon its release in 1983 it quickly became known for its fuel efficiency and cutting-edge tech.
4) The C4 was available with a ZR1 performance package
The Chevrolet Corvette is a sports car manufactured by General Motors since 1953. The first generation of the Chevrolet Corvette was introduced in 1953, as an open-top roadster featuring a powerful V8 engine. It’s notable for being America’s first muscle car. In 1962, it was redesigned with a removable hardtop and became known as the ‘C2’. The third generation of this iconic vehicle, dubbed the ‘C3’, was introduced in 1968 and would come to be one of the most popular generations of all time.
5) The C4 was the first Corvette to be produced with a live axle
The Corvette is known for its performance and elegance. The 1984 release of the new Corvette, dubbed the C4, was a radical change from previous models. Not only did it have a live axle, it also had four-wheel disc brakes and a driver air bag.
6) The C4 was available with an automatic transmission
The first generation of Corvettes, from 1953 to 1962, were available with a choice of 3 transmissions: 4-speed manual, 2-speed Powerglide automatic, or 4-speed manual. This changed for 1963 when Chevrolet introduced the new Muncie M20 wide-ratio 4-speed transmission. The M20 transmission was available on all 1963 Corvettes and would remain an option until 1965 when it became standard equipment on all models.
7) The C4 was the first Corvette to be produced with ABS
In 1987, the C4 was introduced to the world and became an instant classic. It was a major departure from its predecessor, which had been in production since 1983. The 1986 model year also marked the first time that ABS brakes were offered on a Corvette. The four-spoke steering wheel was replaced with a two-spoke unit that was borrowed from other General Motors vehicles, and safety belt anchors were integrated into headrests for both front seats for added safety.
8) The C4 was available with a Bose sound system
The Corvette C4 was equipped with a Bose sound system. The Bose sound system had an amplified mono speaker in each door and one in the center of the dash. The speakers were powered by a 50-watt amplifier, which was also located in the center of the dash. There was no control knob for adjusting volume or bass levels; instead, both adjustments were done using an individual slider on each side of each speaker.
9) The C4 was the first Corvette to have power windows
In addition to its other features, the Corvette C4 was also one of the first cars in America to have power windows. This made it a very desirable model for many drivers. The power window switches are located on either side of the driver’s seat, and they control all four windows at once.
10) The C4 was the first Corvette to have a removable roof panel
The Chevrolet Corvette was originally introduced in 1953 and has continued to evolve with newer models. The fourth generation, or C4, is known for being the first model to have a removable roof panel. In 1986, General Motors introduced the third generation of Corvettes that were equipped with a targa top called an easy-action top. This new feature allowed drivers to remove the roof panel without having to remove any other panels or components from their car.
