1985 Chevrolet Corvette C4

Details

Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale this low mileage, very original 1985 Chevrolet Corvette C4.

The VIN code prefix of 1G1YY confirms this as a 1985 build car. The eleventh digit of the VIN is a ‘=5, which confirms that the car was built at the Bowling Green, Kentucky assembly plant.

The original RPO (Regular Production Option) sticker is still present in the car, which confirms it was highly optioned. This car was delivered new with power driven seats, power door locks, cloth trim, electric rear window defogger, manual air conditioning, twin remote heated outside mirrors, trim color compatibility override, Delco-Bilstein shocks, rear axle 2.73 ratio, engine oil cooler, 120 amp generator, cruise control, 4-speed automatic transmission, AM/FM stereo system Delco-Bose, saddle interior trim and saddle cloth sport seats. It also confirms that the original colour was light bronze metallic (RPO code 63U), which is how the car is presented today. This car most likely carries its original paint, save for the odd touch up. Only 3,892 Corvettes C4’s left the factory in this particular colour, which was only available for the model years 1984 and 1985.

The majority of this car’s American history is not known. It was sold by Mecum at their Kissimmee Auction in 2016 and at that time it was advertised as a genuine 26,500 mile car. The car was sold again by Mecum at their Kissimmee Auction in 2019. This time the car was advertised with 28,000 actual miles.

There is a Certificate of Title from the State of Indiana on file dated 12^th April 2016. That title shows the mileage at 28,533 miles in January 2019. The car was acquired by an Australian and there is an Import Approval on file dated 13^th February 2019. There is also a Victorian compliance report on file dated 23^rd December 2019 and at that time the mileage is noted as 28,638 miles. The car was subsequently registered in Victoria with the registration COOLC4.

The current owner acquired the car in June 2022 from The Healey Factory in Melbourne and at that time the mileage was noted as 29,662 miles. At the time of our photographs the odometer read 31,708 miles, so he has used the car and travelled just over 2,000 miles in his twelve months of ownership. Whilst he loves this car, a change in direction with his car collection means he has decided to part with his Corvette.

This 1985 Chevrolet Corvette C4 is a real ‘time capsule’ and today it still presents beautifully. We just love the light bronze metallic colour, which really suits the car and gives it quite an elegant appearance. Over all the paint work is in really good condition, retaining a strong depth of colour and nice gloss finish throughout. Overall, its presentation is commensurate with its mileage rather than its age. It is hard to believe that this car it is not too far away from being 40 years old! That said, there is the odd stone or blemish in the paint. Most noticeably, there is a small scuff mark on the right side of the roof. The front spoiler sits quite low to the ground and it has had the occasional altercation with a speed bump or parking kerb, resulting in some damage. The car has colour coded bumpers and mirrors, so the external trim as such is minimalistic. The front badge shows some minor wear.

The Corvette C4 was built with a colour coded targa roof, which is easily removed and stowed in the boot.

All the glass is in excellent condition with no chips or scratches evident. The correct 16 inch ‘Salad Shooter’ alloy wheels are unique to the Corvette and are in good condition with no curb rash. They are currently shod with BF Goodrich 255/50ZR16, which are date stamped 04/19 (week 04, 2019). The tyres have travelled around 2, 000 miles and they are still in excellent condition.

The interior of this car is ‘so eighties’ and ‘so cool’. The saddle upholstery is a perfect colour combination with the light bronze metallic exterior. Overall, the interior is in very good condition with some light wear here and there. The seats are a real feature and the ‘Corvette’ embossed headrests are a nice touch. They are comfortable and provide ample support. The fabric is still in excellent condition with no rips or tears in the fabric. Both door trims, the dashboard and centre console and even the carpets and are in good condition. Like the exterior, the interior presents as one would expect from a car that travelled a tick over 30,000 miles. We should mention that the three knobs that control the lumbar seat support on the driver’s seat are missing. The internal door handles show some wear. All the instruments appear to be in good working order.

Under the glass rear hatch, the boot section appears to have hardly been used. The carpet is in excellent condition. There is a spare wheel accessible from under the rear of the car.

Under the massive bonnet is Chevy’s 5.7 litre V8 engine. The engine bay is also very original, clean and tidy.

With great excitement we make ourselves comfortable behind the steering wheel and prepare ourselves to take the car out for our test drive. The seats are great and you immediately feel right at home. The first thing you will notice when you turn the ignition on is the digital dashboard. I think we mentioned ‘eighties and cool’ . . . You then turn the ignition key further to start the car. The 5.7 litre V8 engine burst into life at pretty much first crank. There is something about an American V8. The power plant on this car sounds like it means business and it quickly settles into a smooth idle. On a warm Brisbane afternoon we try the air conditioning and we can confirm that it works well and blows cold air. Nice . . . move the gear selector to ‘D’, release the handbrake and with the slightest touch of the accelerator the car quickly surges forward. It accelerates effortlessly and a fleeting glance at the speedo on the digital dashboard confirms it did not take long to reach the speed limit. Typical for an American V8, in top gear the engine just plods along at low revs and it is therefore very quiet . . .  until you put your foot down! Then the gearbox will shift down quickly and the car will accelerate hard accompanied by that typical V8 roar. On this car, the automatic gearbox shifts smoothly up and down. This car handles surprisingly well and it is solid on the road with no rattles or squeaks or rattles. The ride is smooth and very comfortable. This is not a sports car, rather a refined GT car that does have an edge when pushed. Whilst we love the V8 symphony, it is pertinent to mention that this car retains its original AM/FM radio cassette radio.

To be honest, we have always been somewhat ambivalent about the C4 Corvettes. Our view has now changed and this car has surprised us. It is good, really good and this example is ‘something special’. Surely these cars have to be great value for money.

This car is ready to continue its Australian story and it is ready for its next owner to use and enjoy.

Accompanying the car is a history file with the American title, the Australian Import Approval, the compliance report, a few invoices for work done in Australia and an original owner’s manual.

Highlights:

• Powered by Chevy’s L98 tuned, port injected 5.7 litre V8 engine.
• Highly optioned from new with electric seats, air conditioning, power windows and more.
• Fantastic colour combination of light bronze metallic with a saddle interior.
• Low mileage original example, a real ‘time capsule’.
• Beautifully presented.

 

 

Background

The Chevrolet Motor Car Company was founded in Detroit, USA in 1911 by Swiss race car driver and automotive engineer Louis Chevrolet, his brother Arthur Chevrolet, William C Durant and investment partners William Little (maker of the Little automobile), former Buick owner James H. Whiting and Dr Edwin R Campbell (son-in-law of Durant). In 1912 they were joint by RS McLaughlin, CEO of General Motors in Canada.

The first Series C Classic Six prototype was ready months before Chevrolet was actually incorporated. However, the first actual production car was not built until 1913 when in the fall of that year the new 1913 model was introduced at the New York Auto Show.

The company was merged into General Motors in 1917 and subsequently became a division of that company. Chevrolet is an iconic American brand that is well known the world over.

The 1950’s and 1960’s were a time of great change in America and the automobile played a significant part in the American way of life at that time. Chevrolet is recognised as producing the great American family car, however, Chevys have also enjoyed much success in motor racing. The small block V8 is considered by many to be one of the greatest engines of all time and the Corvette is perhaps the company’s crowning achievement.

In the 1950’s sales were declining and brand manager Thomas Keating was eager to reverse course. The solution he came up with was a sports car. The project was code named “Project Opel”. General Motors’ chief stylist Harley J. Earl came up with the design and in January 1953 the EX-122 concept car made its debut at the GM Motorama in New York City.

The Chevrolet Corvette is without doubt America’s most popular sports car. Since its introduction in 1953, the Corvette has gone through many iterations and is an ‘automotive icon’ recognised throughout the world. The first generation, or C1 series cars, were produced from 1953 to 1962 and are often referred to as the ‘straight axel’ cars because independent rear suspension was not introduced until 1963 on the second generation or C2 series cars. 1962 was an important year for the Corvette. Not only was it the last year of the C1 series cars as noted above, it was the first year of the legendary 327 cubic inch engine. The third generation of Corvette, the C3, was introduced in August 1967 and production ran for an astonishing 14 years confirming the popularity of this model. Whilst the engine and chassis of the C3 cars were essentially the same as its predecessor, this car had completely new body styling and interior. The C3 was available with both a small block and a big block engine. Initially the big block was a 427 cu (7.0 litre) V8 but for the 1970 model year this was increased to 454 cu (7.4 litre).

In 1984 the Corvette C4 was introduced, which was a huge leap forward for Chevrolet. The C4 was one of the most seamless looking cars of the time, which was achieved in part via a rub strip that circled the entire car. The integrated bumpers were also a key part of the cars design and look. The C4 was also the first car General Motors subjected to wind tunnel testing. The car was a great success and just over 358,000 cars were built before production ceased in 1996.

Some 69 years after the first C1 Corvette rolled off the production line, Chevrolet is still building the Corvette today (which is designated as C8).

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