Kitschy Eighties Goodness: Modified 1984 Corvette
This custom C4 Corvette must have been quite impressive when it was originally built. We think it still is.
“Kitsch” is a German word that has been borrowed to mean, in plain English, something that’s just so overwrought, garish, and tacky that you can’t help but love it. This 1984 Corvette we found on Hemmings is kitsch, personified.
Looking like a background vehicles straight out of an episode of Miami Vice, this ’84 Corvette will be forever linked to the decade of excess that birthed it, thanks to its era-correct modifications. Like a moment frozen in time, this Corvette is a rolling monument to the phrase “it seemed like a good idea at the time.”
That’s not to say that we don’t find this gold-plated monstrosity more than a bit endearing. There’s just so much to take in, and we haven’t yet grown tired of looking at it. If we were lucky enough to see this ’80s time capsule at a car show, we’d happily while away the evening poring over every detail.
No panel is untouched by aftermarket fiberglass. Even the rear hatch is replaced my a notchback-style panel, all the rage back in the days of pastels and synthesizers. The rear wing and tail panel are clearly inspired by the contemporary Ferrari F40, while the implied side scoops are clearly a tribute to the Testarossa.
The hood and ground effects package remind us a bit of a Greenwood C3, but the front spoiler — located on the leading edge of the hood — is something we’ve never seen before. Naturally, the two-tone gold paint is accentuated by custom pinstriping.
We’re quite fond of the three-piece, gold mesh wheels. Ditch the knockoff center caps and put them on a stock two-tone beige or grey early C4 and they’d make for a solid upgrade over the standard salad shooters.
Inside, the plush custom upholstery, wood gearshift knob, and period radar detector install all add to the kitschy retro ambiance of this unique C4 Corvette. We’re not sure how this car survived for over thirty years unscathed, but we’re certainly glad it did.
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