This video is so, so needed and in fact, I watched it twice just trying to absorb as much as possible. Such a great job pulling together something so scattered and confusing then packaging it in a well organized and digestible format and style. I love the 'Then' price premium and the 'Now' premium for comparison too. Bravo!
I've got a 40th Anniversary ZR-1 and absolutely love it. It's such a classy, gorgeous color, and the ZR-1 wide body and LT-5 engine make it a sinister looking and ripping fast machine. Very informative video, thank you!
@@corvettejimmy3323 I went to school with a girl that got the 40th anniversary ruby metallic Vette and still has it til this very day, sitting under a shed and I would just about bet, the car don't have 50,000 miles on it!
What an amazing video!!! Thanks for all the work put into it! I own a 91 white on red ZR1 and absolutely love it! Extremely high level of performance for a 90s car and very comfortable sporty cruiser on long drives. Moreover, over here in Europe, you genuinely never see them. Amazing cars!!
This was VERY interesting. my dad has a 95 corvette with 45k miles. a garage queen dark red metallic corvette. I grew up in the passenger seat. I LOVE late C4's.
Thanks! I know that very color, not one you see much anymore. Late C4's are my JAM. Early ones are great too, but something about the 90s cars just melts my heart that little bit more.
I'm shocked that these videos aren't blowing up yet, they're great! With as much effort you're putting into these if you just have some variety and drag in some other interests I'm sure you'll grow at the speed of a callaway corvette on full throttle. Love the video!
Cheers to you as well! Hope the video did your car justice, as I'm a big fan of the GS. I get why some people complain about how high their values are, but cmon, just LOOK at em!
Brad...great video, as the owner of several C4's I found this a very enlightening and interesting video. Up until now I never knew the complete story of C4 special editions...and I've watched your video many times, packed with so much info...great job, thanks again for making and posting !!!!
I’m fortunate to have a 91 ZR-1 and 96 LT4 base Convertible. Both are extremely fun and satisfying to drive . They both have their own unique personalities. The ZR-1 has bolt on mods , headers & exhaust , chip. The LT 4 is stock original except for collector / ZR-1 wheels. Great cars major bang for the buck. Under appreciated treasures for sure.
A great video, as a kid my dad was a corvette nut. He owned several c4s and had a business working on tuning and racing these cars. I learned to drive in a c4 and took my drivers ed test in a 87 vert that had 14 miles on the clock. My kids are now old my dad is gone but every time I see a c4 its like a time machine back to those days. Great video thank you.
I recently bought a 1988 Corvette that I'm going to be having some minor work done such as the paint job but I'm still not sure what color. Now that I've seen this video I'm gonna do more research to make it as close to original as possible. Otherwise the car runs extremely well and the engine is strong with the 4+3 manual transmission I still don't know much about but is actually a 5-speed. I'm looking forward to fixing up this little jewel as well as more of your videos thx and keep 'em coming!
@@RetroCarsForever Love my C4, it's a hot rod track car with no interior and tons of modifications etc and can't say enough on how great and underappreciated this car is.
Thanks Dan! I ended drawing a "line in the sand" to my considerations of what to include in this video...As I mentioned in the beginning, had to be street legal cars that you could buy at a Chevy dealership (as "aftermarket" cars are kind of a separate thing). Otherwise this video would've been HOURS long LOL I love those Supernaturals, but they weren't available at Chevy dealerships, so that's why they weren't included. Incredible machines tho!
I actually was able to pick up a 35th Anniversary about a year ago for $2500! I constantly have people complimenting it and everyone loves the retro styling of the white leather interior. Love watching these videos, keep it up!
Thanks Paul! Lots of editing/writing time went into making this flow/move as best I could, so I appreciate hearing that, esp from you. "Retina searing" red interior, because i remember when these were new, sitting inside one at a car show, and having to actually shield my eyes from how bright it was! Still pretty cool tho.
Anyone that owns a C4 loves their car . My 87 z51 rhd coupe turns more heads than anything here in Australia . I always get good comments n im proud of it
Great video! I am the owner of the 95 Indy Pace Car featured in your video.......I bought it a couple of months after you made this video of it on the turntable at Vanguard Motor Sales in Michigan and had it shipped to Texas where I live. I love this car.....it is like the day it was built in all respects and a blast to drive. The current mileage on it is 1070 miles. I entered it in NCRS top flight judging and it received an extremely high score. Basically all it got counted off for was having a replacement non LOF windshield and the driver's window has the correct LOF logo but a date code that signifies a date 5 months after the car was built. I've talked to the previous owners and they claim they never changed out any of the glass, so that is a mystery. My guess is that it was vandalized at the dealership before it was sold to the first owner.
Excellent video as always and my favorite C4 is the 1990 ZR-1. I am lucky because I live near ZR-1 Specialist in Addison, Illinois. They are great with the ZR-1 the only drawback is they have to do anything you have to wait to get an appointment and could be up to 6 months until they can take in your at.
@@howardbedford6075 ZR-1 Specialist and they are located in Addison, Illinois. If you can’t find them online let me know and I will look up a phone number for you. They get cars from all over the USA. Do you live in the area?
Thank you! Mustve been awesome selling one of the first ZR-1s our there. If you're interested, I actually made another ZR-1 video here, my first drive in one... ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Qpj6fSGhfjU.html
I’m not sure if you would count these, but they’re pretty special - 1.) Guldstrand GS80 2.) Lingenfelter 383 package 3.) Doug Rippie Motorsports with Coil-overs
Definitely special! But you couldn't order any of those cars directly from Chevrolet (that was my line in the sand towards what made it a "special edition" vs "aftermarket")
Thanks so much and good luck! As an owner of a low mileage 96 6 speed, I can tell you they're incredibly satisfying cars, if you find the right example.
Thanks! I'm very happy with my Collector Edition...Special enough to be unique, but common enough that I don't feel bad driving it every day! And yes, SO MUCH EASIER to service than most of its competitors in its day (compare the engine bay accessibility with a twin turbo 300ZX or a Mitsu 3000GT...Yikes!) Plus a lot of aftermarket support.
Very cool! The more I learned about those Brickyard cars the more I love them (I'm a big NASCAR fan and that era was incredibly special to the sport). I'm curious...Do YOU think they had any real performance mods from the factory? Or mostly stock?
@@RetroCarsForever I think so, I don’t have any documentation but I do have signatures on the inside of the heard from a couple of the directors of the tech center in Warren Michigan so it was there what was done to it I’m not quite sure, just what I was told from Mike
I have a 93 ZR-1, black on black (only 54 made that exterior color in 93) and after driving an LT-1 car there's just no comparison. The sound produced from an LT-5 is INTOXICATING. I don't even bother with the radio when I'm driving it.
Great video! Also, fun fact. The LT4 engine was actually more powerful than the stated 330 hp. It was closer to 360. They had to underrate it since the LS1 was coming out the next year.
Thanks! You’re correct about the underrated LT4s, but there was no way to order an LT4 with an automatic. Even says so in the brochure that you can see in this video! That said Id love to know where the source of you’re research that you could get an LT4 with an auto. If it’s legit I’ll post a correction.
@@RetroCarsForever Ok, I'll check into where I heard that. I have never seen an automatic LT4 but I specifically remember either reading it or seeing it in a video. That does not make that information accurate though. When I confirm, I'll reach back.out.
@@RetroCarsForever You are correct. I checked with the Corvette Museum and they confirmed that the base Corvette with auto trans and the Collector Edition auto trans could not be optioned with the LT4. I edited my prior response.
Awesome video. Back in the late 1990's and early 2000's I used to drag race in Richmond Virginia with a guy who owned a C4 Callaway twin turbo car. I've still gotten pictures and a video of that car at the track. It was running 11's in the 1/4 mile on slicks back then, which was extremely fast for a street car.
Thanks for the video sir. I'm strongly considering a '93 Ruby Red 40th with 23,600 miles for $23K to go with my '19 C7 GS Vert. The C4's have never really interested me until I saw the beauty I'm eyeing at a friends speciality car dealership. Man, that things is beautiful. Keep these videos coming as I need to educate myself on the C4's.
Oh man, I get it...Those 40th's are gorgeous cars. If you want to educate yourself more on C4s, check out my 2022 C4 Buyer's Guide here- ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-N0BW_TFzKng.html
Awesome video. Thanks for compiling all that information and sharing it. One quick note that I don't think you mentioned: The 1986 was the first year the C4 was offered in a convertible. I have one of the white convertibles with the somewhat overwhelming red interior. Oh...and I just read that in 1986 they produced a grand total of 4 Copper Metallic corvettes which appears to be even less than the 1994 run you mentioned.
Thanks! Regarding the 1986 Copper BRONZE Metallic...A few people have made that comment and wondered why I didn't include it. I was aware of it, but that color was available in much bigger numbers in other model years. So if you're talking ALL Copper Bronze Metallic Corvettes...Not really that rare/special. Whereas the 1994 Copper Metallic (a lighter/oranger hue) was ONLY available for that year and is very rare. So, very easy for carspotters to identify it, and a very rare color to spot on a C4.
Nice video! I love the prefacelift style, both exterior and interior. But I love track days. So I made it pretty hard for myself to find 1989' (last year of prefcelift interior) but first year with 6 speed manual which was necessity. 89' had a lot of technical upgrades compared to earlier C4 years. There were only two 1989'with manual for sale in whole Europe. I ended up with buying dark red 1989 Coupe with 6 speed manual that had oldschool Paxton compressor, Accel Supperram intake and Z51 package. Drove 1000 km back to home without problems. This year, when I opened up the engine, was bit surpised - a lot of upgrades previous owner did not know about. Forged pistons, cam roller lifters androller rockers, screw in rocker stud conversion, 4 bolt main block, Accel standalone ECU, oil pump drive upgrade, and some other stuff. Really pleased with it.
Thanks! Pretty awesome car you found there, esp in Europe. Always liked the 1989s, great “crossover” year. And agreed that the zf 6 speed is a big improvement over the 4 plus 3.
I have a 1996 C4 corvette coupe that I have only taken off twice.I am so glad to see this video because I learn so much about my car that I didn't know.I will watch this video over and over again so that I can know where all of the gadgets that you showed in the video.I am 78 years old but I still love my car it is Sebring Silver.I love love love it with only 82 thousand miles on it.
super informative, very concise, must see video. dare i say documentary? absolutely nailed it. hard to choose between these. probably the collectors edition.
Thanks so much! You could always get another one, they still haven’t exploded in value like the Japanese sports cars of the era, C4s are still a pretty good value.
I pushed my 94 so hard around a right corner the front passenger wheel started wheel hoping im guessing because i put kyb on the front & they started loosing traction the rear oem bilstein held Amazing performance car for the money.
@@RetroCarsForever I do love it, Having problems finding parts for a clutch but other than that it’s been really good I sent you a picture of it on Instagram
@@elliottvader2377 just saw this! Still keeping socially distant with anyone who’s just flown, but maybe some other time. Hope you’re a enjoying your new car!
There is a very rare Corvette C4 promoted by Chevrolet in the Corvette News Summer 1985 edition. It was several pages about a car called the LEROY NEIMAN COLLECTOR'S EDITION. The cars were specially modified to suit the world famous artist Leroy Neiman. The work was done at Lipman Chevrolet in Hartford Connecticut. 25 cars were planned but sadly only 9 were made, each one autographed on the drivers side headlight cover as 1/25, 2/25, 3/25 etc . Cars were white over gold, white interior seats with saddle carpet. The seats were gold leaf signatured and the door panels had "back lit" transparent slide of the painting done by Leroy .
Great vid! I have an arctic white special order 93' base couple with ruby red on black interior, got it for a steal. I hate to say I daily the thing, but I take good care of it, and it never fails to turn heads with the taillight louvers to top off that gorgeous retro look.
Thanks! Sounds like a sweet car, no shame in dailying it (I daily my Collector Edition LT4). If you ask me, dailying a Corvette is a lot better than just having it sit for months!
@@RetroCarsForever _My information comes directly from Reeves Callaway(yes, I only wish I knew him personally). You've done an amazing job in your research, the production value of your content, and hitting all the models(including the Malcolm Conner edition). Thanks for paying homage to our fourth gens._
loved this video! learned. few things i didn’t know! i have a 2008 30th Anniversary Emerson Fitapaldi Pace Car, car #200, canadian Convertible. Only 500 replicas made! Would love to see you do a similar feature for C5&C6 cars
The best-looking C4 I know of is the 1990 GT-1 race car. I know you said street-legal only, but let's face it: street illegal is where the most fun is at! I've got a couple of photos of one in red with deep dished wheels and that ultra wide body on it! The sound as well ☺ There's some footage of it racing onboard somewhere on RU-vid...
I own a 1996 CE LT4 convertible w/ Red interior, love the engine I find that it's plenty fast for me Love taking it out with top down And going threw the gears, great car for the money
I bought a 1990 convertible. While not a real collector edition,I always enjoyed the distinction that the 1990 was the only year that the non ZR-1 cars had the round tail lights and the new cockpit design. A distinction,if not a collectible. I beat on it mercilessly for over 10 years and 150,000 miles…. I may have to drag it out of the barn and restore a bit of my history.
Cool! I do think those “crossover years” of the mid C4 run are really interesting, as each year has something unique as the car slowly morphed between an 80s car and a 90s car.
Nice job. Especially with the rare but not officially special specials! I actually test drove that burgundy 40th Anniversary back in the day. Very sweet car.
Thanks so much! Yeah, had to include the "rare but not officially special specials" (heh) once I committed to making this a video about ALL "Special Editions." Couldn't risk leaving anything out that might possibly be considered one! Fun rabbit hole of research to fall into tho.
Slowly becoming a C4 enthusiast - I've grown tired of Mustangs and BMW's. This was by far one of the better "information gap filling" videos I have seen, very nice job. I had not yet known about the Copper Metallic C4, what a looker. You should gain many new subs for this video!
Thanks so much, glad you appreciated it. "Information gap filling" is exactly what I like to do on this channel when it comes to C4s...They can be confusing at first but there's a LOT to like, especially for the money.
I remember seeing a ‘96 Collector Edition convertible in the classified ads for $16k. At the time it was less than a ten year old car. But I recall thinking that it was such a nice car, and a lot of car for that kind of money.
Not GM production, but the Lingenfelter modified ZR-1's were truly the King of the Hill. Especially the 415cid and Twin Turbo Lingenfelter ZR-1's. All ultra rare, less than 25 415's and only 4 twin turbos were made by Lingenfelter.
I got a private tour of the Callaway facility in the 80's was so amazing. They were so far ahead in designing at the time, they don't get enough credit.
I agree the graphics at 8:47 are rad, though I think the teal color is what’s drawing me to that one. BUT... o...m...g... 5:08 ...I think I’m in love!!! That is one beautiful wild white horse!!!
Very nice video, super informative! I currently have an 85, nothing special other than people say the silver color is kinda rare. I hope to acquire a 93 Special Edition as that Ruby Red is probably my favorite color, and a nice coupe with auto is what I'll be searching for when that day comes!
Thanks! And best of luck with your search. You shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a 40th edition in that spec, as coupes and autos were the most popular choice.
Great video, Brad ... and congrats on a Gorgeous Collector Edition. I Love my 1991 ZR-1 so much, it's getting the facelift instead of my wife ;-) After 111,000 fun-filled miles, she''s going to Thomasville Georgia for an engine power upgrade and a few other treats. I just changed the interior from grey to Torch Red and will refresh the Black exterior as well. I'll send a pic when I'm done. Skal, Hawk ^v^
@@scarface9617 There's plenty of stock one's out there for museums or posterity. My 'particular' ZR-1 will get its just deserts. (Are you saying my wife needs the upgrade more?) 😉🤣😎^v^
I live in the central part of NY state. I was given my late father's 1987 C4. I want to take it to a corvette professional regarding some engine performance issues.
We have none other than Dave McLellan to thank for coining the "Sledgehammer" name when he told Reeves he was going to need a sledgehammer to obtain the speeds he wanted.
@@RetroCarsForever I recall learning that from his legendary tome hehe. I have it loaned out right now so I can't pull up the exact page for you. My current car goal is to meet Dave in person! Talk to you later and keep up the great '80s/'90s era content. Our generation has got to preserve and cling to it like the Baby Boomers preserve the '50s/'60s.
@@FirebirdDude Thanks! I'd love to meet Dave, seems like a brilliant guy. And I never thought about it but you're right, our generation is gonna be the ones to keep these 90s cars going!
Heh, on wide open roads it’s no contest, but on that really tight and slow canyon road, the cars were about equal! It helps that my friend driving that Abarth is a really good driver.
@@RetroCarsForever I’m surprised. Those little things can’t make much power before popping their little Italian 1.4T, but they weight almost nothing so it doesn’t take much to make them move. Then again an LT4 doesn’t need much to make more than enough power to get him on the straights.
@@destruxandexploze2552 Yep, but as you can see, not many straights on that little road! Here's a little video of us zooming along that road, you can see how tight it is... instagram.com/p/CL8CI42J5Zo/
I’m surprised you didn’t talk about the elusive greenwood edition! I see one around town all the time and am curious how many were made and how it compares to other editions.
There are a TON of "bodykits" or aftermarket mods out there for these cars, so I had to draw a line as to what a "special edition" meant for the context of this video so it wasnt hours long! My line in the sand was it had to be available from the factory, Greenwood kits were all aftermarket. Really snazzy though!
Thanks! You have no idea how long that took to make LOL I actually started with the same idea but including ALL 13 special editions, but it was just too much of a mess. So after a day of work, scrapped it to start over. Phew!
Always wanted a grand sport coupe. If I ever got a c4 I would have to hunt one down…. Big into special edition vehicles. I have a sts v a Mach 1 a SVT raptor and a 79 Foxbody “cobra” I call it the fobra lol
Those Greenwood kits are super rad! Didn’t include them here because that’s aftermarket, not something you could order from a dealership like all the special editions here.
Great video! I know a car lot in Gloucester va where a 40th anniversary Ed is rotting away. It’s been on that lot for like 20 yrs. Interior is jacked and paint is oxidized:( But could you imagine a zr1 40th anniversary edition?!
It saddens me when cars are left to rot, especially special edition rare cars like that. And I love the idea of the ZR-1 40th…it’s like a DOUBLE special edition!
Yea I almost bought it a few times but she just ran too rough and the last time we couldn’t keep it running bc the alt froze up. Didn’t want a corvette project as my first experience with a vette
