Chevrolet Division of General Motors Company

 

Dave McLellan had damn big shoes to fill when Zora Arkus Duntov aka the Father of the Corvette retired in 1975. Although he had been working in Chevrolet since 1968, this was his first try at a chief developer position.  

His signature first became visible when Chevrolet presented the successor to the Corvette C3 at the end of 1982. The Chevrolet Corvette C4 officially started production in 1984 and showed the world that GM was beginning to learn lateral forces.  

The Corvette C4 was built from March 1983 to the end of 1996 with a number of 358,180 units, including 74,651 convertibles. At the beginning of 1997, after 13 years of construction, the successor model Corvette C5 appeared.

The C4 embodied a radically new philosophy, although there are also disappointed voices. They complain that once again, it has not been possible to realize one of Duntov's favored mid-engine dreams. It came out with the front-mounted eight-cylinder engine, moved a few inches toward the rear. That resulted in a much more balanced weight distribution.

"We couldn't set any new standards in terms of driving performance, so we concentrated entirely on the handling." Dave McLellan puts it in a nutshell. The Corvette, which over the years has become a slightly fatter boulevard cruiser, is now a true sports car. One who does not have to hide behind the European competition.

With the development of C4, the Corvette was able to shoot around corners like a Porsche or Ferrari. It easily reached very high cornering speeds, it can be directed easily and precisely, and it had almost no snags even at the limit. A new world opened up for Corvette aficionados who previously had to live with a chassis design dating back to 1963.

 

Production

Chevrolet Division of General Motors Company

 

GM announced the Corvette C4 in 1983 and started production in 1984. It had a tough objective,  replacing the C3 model, which with its Coke Bottle look had already become a classic and had the longest construction period of all Corvettes (1968 to 1982). 

The C4 presents itself as the far better car from a sporting point of view, but initially it also suffers from careless workmanship, which is noticeable in leaky roofs and rattling bodies. As usual with the Corvette, a more or less extensive model update was carried out continuously. 

C4 also had important turning points through its construction period.  In 1985 Chevrolet gave it a  power raise up to 230 hp, and improved suspension comfort. The convertible was introduced in 1986 and GM added ABS as standard equipment.

When the calendars hit 1990, Chevrolet introduced the Corvette ZR1 with four-valve V8. It was a considerably more sporty car. 1991 brought a front and rear styling change. Passenger airbags were installed in 1994 and leather upholstery becamse standard. Those were the last changes before the C5 model came in 1997 as its successor.

 

Technology

Chevrolet Division of General Motors Company

 

The engine of the Chevrolet Corvette C4 , a 5.7-liter version of the famous Chevrolet small block V8, is carried over from the predecessor for cost reasons. The power output was just 205 horsepower, which was good enough for the C4, but by no means overwhelmingly powerful.

Everything other than the engine was new in 1984. For example, the glass-fiber-reinforced plastic body was now resting on a new load-bearing steel structure. It was much stiffer than before but has the disadvantage of requiring unusually high side supports and entry sills - an evident shortcoming that Corvette will only eliminate with the C5 generation. 

The suspension system of the C4 was also entirely new, classic wishbone constructions with carriers forged from light metal. The suspension is provided by transversely installed plastic leaf springs, which save space and, above all, are very light. But it also has its downsides.

Because sportiness was at the top of the list, nothing remains of the cozy suspension comfort of the predecessor: the C4 is tough. It loses a lot of its good-natured character on bad roads because the rear axle tends to trample and move sideways. 

The manual transmission that can be supplied instead of the standard four-speed automatic is also no reason to celebrate. The idiosyncratic four-speed design has an overdrive for the top gears (4+3) to reduce fuel consumption and is characterized by lousy shift ability. 

No wonder almost no Corvette buyer liked the new manual. However, the automatic fits well with a large-volume US eight-cylinder, and the small block of the Corvette remains the heart and soul of the fast car. However, it does not play a decisive role.

 

Sales

Chevrolet Division of General Motors Company

 

The fourth generation of the Corvette, the C4, was redesigned for the first time since 1963. But unfortunately, due to technical difficulties and delays in production, Chevy produced only 43 prototypes and didn’t sell any of them in 1983.

After a troublesome year, the production of the 1984 model C4 started on January 3, 1983. It came with an engine that is five hp more powerful than its predecessor. In addition, electronic indicators and speedometers with LCD became standard in 1984 and starting in 1985, 230 horsepower L98 engines became available.

In 1986 the second Indy Pace Car version of the Corvette was introduced, making it the first convertible produced after 1975. Then, in 1987, GM introduced the B2K twin-turbo engine option, and Chevrolet later used this engine in the ZR-1 model between 1990 and 1991.

In 1988, Chevrolet produced a special model for the 35th anniversary of the Corvette, and they added a small plate with the vehicle-specific serial number right next to the gear lever of this model. In addition, the interior, exterior, and wheels of this 35th-anniversary model were all white.

In 1991, the Corvette's interior, exterior, and wheels were facelifted, and in 1992 the Corvette C4 met with its new engine producing 300 horsepower. This engine had 50 more horsepower than the L98 used in the 1991 models.

In 1993, a unique model was prepared for the 40th anniversary of the Corvette, in ruby ​​red, with the 40th-anniversary badge and embroidered seat cover. In addition, in 1993, the "passive keyless entry system" was also used in Corvettes, and it was the first car of General Motors to use this system.

1996 was the end of the C4 series, and the Corvette C4 Grand Sport series, inspired by the 1963 Corvette, was produced specifically for this reason. A total of 1,000 units of this series were produced, of which 810 were coupés, and 190 were convertibles. The Corvette C4 Grand Sport uses a V8 engine named LT4, which produces 330 horsepower and 460Nm of torque. The color pattern of the Grand Sport range was blue, with a white line running through its center, black wheels, and two small red stripes above the left front fender.

 

Protecting a Chevrolet Corvette C4

 

Corvette C4 is a true driver’s car. If you like pushing your car to its limits on the corners, you should definitely try driving a C4. Because we know that as soon as you try one, you are going to buy one.

Chevrolet Corvette C4 is not an expensive vehicle nowadays but you still need to protect its fragile plastic body and interior. Don’t worry, Chevrolet already has a solution for that. Their partners, Coverking produce custom covers with precise fitting for each model. 

Autobody Armor Car Cover from Coverking is simply the best if you have an indoor garage area you can use to store your vehicle. It will protect ultimately from the dust and moisture. As far as outdoor covers go, you can’t find one better than  StormProof Car Cover from Coverking. 

The interior of the Corvette C4 is not the prettiest among classic cars so you might want to use a Molded Carpet Dash Cover or a Designer Velour Dash Cover to cover it up and protect it with the best in the market while you are at it.

If you also want to protect and preserve your seat upholstery, you can use a SpartanShield Custom Seat Cover. Alternatively you can give it a lot more character with Diamond Stitched Custom Seat Cover.

 

Resources

 

Coverking Links

 

Tankut Basar

Tankut Basar is an ARA (American Rally Assoc.) Racing Driver and an FIA Bronze Category License Holder. His passion for driving began with karting like most racers. He started racing internationally at the age of 22. Tankut loves everything car-related and will keep enjoying the drive until the end.

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