corvetteronw

I came upon an ad for GS #631 and wonder if anyone knew of its history. The dealer (Holt Auto Sales) is only about 45 minutes from me. They have a reputation for being relatively honest but their prices are usually quite high.
I am not a member of the Grand Sport Registry so am not able to post questions on their forum.
The car only has 25K on it and they are asking $19,995 which seems like a decent price.
It has a roll bar so I am thinking that it may have been beat on quite hard by the previous owner(s). Thus the moderately low price?
The last 3 digits of the VIN are 631 so I am presuming that this is 631 out of 1,000.



Ad is at www.holtautosales.com

1993C4LT1

I don't know anything about the car's history, sorry. Getting back into a C4?

tony58

As a person in the market for a "Grand Sport"I have been following this car for awhile.They have had this car for 6-9 months.They have advertised it on several places on the net for quite awhile.I see now it finally made it to ebay,must be getting disparate.With all the modifications it wouldn't be for me.Price isn't bad if the miles are right?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>
Form ad: It is powered by a modified 350 c.i. LT4 engine that came stock with 330 h.p. but this engine was given professionally performed enhancements resulting in considerably more power.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>
Thanks,
Tony

corvetteronw

I watch the Grand Sports as they have always been my favorites. Mainly curious but unable to buy anything right now as we are moving to Arizona this summer if the house sells.
Who knows what the future will bring.

tony58

I've been seriously looking for one for around 3 months.Hope to pull the trigger soon.Looking at several.When they only made a 1000,can't do nothing but go up.Thats not the reason for me buying one,I just love the car and color.But,can't live with a replica.SUPER nice replica on the c 4 Buy/sell board now...
Tony

mtwoolford

Okay, so I don't own a Grand Sport, but I do own a 96 LT4 coupe...essentially the same car...and if I came across ANY Lt4 coupe, Grand Sport or not...with only 25,000 miles at anywhere near (and I suspect the dealer is willing to negotiate) the asking price, I'd jump on it.

ZR1's not withstanding, I'd predict Grand Sports will be the first C4 to show any appreciation, and by that I mean $$$ appreciation in the near future...not just owner appreciation, especially a low miler like this.

I SUSPECT that this was someone's weekend toy; and even if they autocrossed it every weekend so what ? new tires ? new brake pads ? a clutch ? maybe, but you can pretty much predict that the first time you drive it..

Go for it. tell the dealer that everyone on the c4 forum told you that he's asking way too much money for it (it'll be near enough to the truth)

Of course have a mechanic look at it, but basically, after all it's just a small block chevy . Based on my own personal experience, I'd WAY RATHER fix something mechanical on a low mile cosmetically near perfect Grand Sport than resurrect a high miler that (one) ain't all that great cosmetically, and (two) ain't and never will be a Grand Sport.

Just do it.

sledge_78

Folks, I purchased a GS about a year and a half ago.. It's GS #746
with 83K miles. The car runs & looks like brand new with only the typical C4 things like dash pad curl at the winshield, some interior parts were scratched from wear, and weatherstripping. It is completely stock which is what I was looking for. I have always liked the GS even back in 1996 when they were new. It is a real show stopper. Whenever I take it somewhere people stop look, and ask. It's fun to have a classic. The LT 4 engine is a real strong reliable engine if maintained properly. I would suggest to anyone thinking of geting one to also get hold of the Factory Service Manua. It really is helpful when you need to take something apart.

Sledge_78 ,

corvetteronw

I have looked at some of their cars and did a couple of test drives but have purchased from private parties in the past due to their high prices and inflexibility. One of my friends bought a C5 from them about 10 years ago. He ended up paying full price as they would not deal. It was a great car though and he had many years of fun with it.

Every time you purchase a car you have to consider what will happen when you eventually have to sell it. I think this one might be a tough sell unless you could get a good history on it.

As the Grand Sports age they will be easier to sell and bring more money if they remain unmodified. I am sure there are exceptions.

It would be interesting to find out what kind of life it once led.

sledge_78

corvetteronW,
Have you determined where in Arizona you are planning to move to?
Sledge_78
Scottsdale,AZ

corvetteronw

Kingman. We have relatives in Golden Valley but it is way to hot for my Yankee blood. Prices seem good there with lots of houses to choose from. Also have relatives somewhat nearby in Bullhead City, Vegas and Torrance, CA.
We are retired so there is no worry about employment.

B17Crew

GS experts can weigh in on my observation.

Visited Holts site and took a look at the posted photos. The shiny outer lip on all of the wheels appears to be aftermarket width and not the OEM width. OEM GS wheels shiny outer lip is not as wide. They are more like this: http://www.rogerscorvette.com/carNew...nv/96gsc_00104

Are these the OEM wheels? If not OEM, is this one of the reasons why this GS has a low price? OEM GS wheels cost a pretty penny.

B17Crew

1993C4LT1

They are not OEM GS rims.

corvetteronw

Weather still not good here (and a lot of other areas of the country). Once it gets better I will motor on over there and take a closer look at it.
I used to own an LT4 vert and belonged to the GS Registry at the time. I bet someone on there can find out this car's history.
I remember a GS owner warning a prospective buyer about a GS that was being sold with a clear title several years ago. He was a registry member and found out the car had been in an accident with a semi truck and had been totaled by the insurance company. He even had post accident pics of it.

Grand Sport

I've seen it, let's talk.

And yes the wheels are aftermarket, not original as stated in the ad.

Hutch

I have quite a bit of info about this Grand Sport in my database (available to Grand Sport Registry members). Suffice it to say that the car has been heavily modified hence it's lower than expected price. No known accident history, however.

corvetteronw

What did you notice?

tony58

Here is the current ad running on ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevrolet-Corvette-2dr-Cpe-1996-corvette-coupe-grand-sport-24-796-actual-miles-350-c-i-lt-4-v-8-6-/261784482368?forcerrptr=true&hash=item3cf3923240&item=261784482368&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

Grand Sport

Sent you PM

corvetteronw

Some interesting history but it is still a Grand Sport. If some one buys it then they should have the engine checked out and make sure to get a good Carfax. Does not look like it was ever wrecked but may have had a supercharger on it at one time and may have had some engine problems at some time in the past.

blownrunner

Ya know, you can get a nice early C4 ZR-1 with the same miles for the same price...