1984
Coupe & Convertible
Targa roof returns in 1984; convertible joins the line in 1986.
C4
Reborn
A clean-sheet redesign with a digital dash, a clamshell hood and — eventually — the Lotus-engineered LT5 that turned the ZR-1 into a 180-mph supercar.
1984 – 1996
The Story
Chevrolet skipped the 1983 model year entirely to perfect the C4. When it arrived in March 1983 as a 1984, it brought a fully digital instrument cluster, a one-piece lift-off targa roof and a chassis so stiff it became the basis for Corvette racing through the 1990s.
The 1990 ZR-1 — built in Bowling Green using Mercury Marine-assembled Lotus LT5 engines — produced 375 horsepower (later 405) and proved Corvette could finally trade blows with European supercars.
Thirteen model years, the introduction of the LT1 small-block in 1992, and the Grand Sport finale in 1996 closed out the era.
Specifications
- Layout
- Front engine, RWD
- Engine (L98)
- 5.7L TPI V8 · 245 hp
- Engine (LT1)
- 5.7L V8 · 300 hp (1992+)
- Engine (LT5/ZR-1)
- 5.7L DOHC 32v V8 · 375–405 hp
- Transmission
- 4+3 / 6-speed ZF manual / 4-speed auto
- Top Speed (ZR-1)
- 180 mph
- Production
- 358,180 units
- Years
- 1984 – 1996
The Lineup
1987
Callaway Twin-Turbo
RPO B2K — 345+ hp factory-warrantied twin-turbo upgrade.
1990–1995
ZR-1
Lotus-designed LT5 V8. The King of the Hill.
1996
Grand Sport
Admiral Blue with white stripe. 330-hp LT4 — the C4 finale.
Member-Owned C4's
Coupes and convertibles from our club's garages
Doug & Cynthia MacDougall
1995 White Coupe
Kevin Hurd
1987 Convertible
Own a C4 in Nova Scotia?
Bring it out to the next cruise — we'd love to meet you and your Corvette.
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