Hi everyone
im a newbie in C4 matters and i wanna know
what are the main differences between years
is it possible to difference a 85 vs a 87 just by the looks of it ?
when was the year that the newer C4 got new tail and bumper ?
thnx !!

 

Just go to a used vehicle website. Like auto trader. Do a search that lets you look at everything from '84 to '96.

Many times you can tell by the wheels. Assuming they are original.

Mike Antonick's (sp) "Corvette Black Book" lists pretty much every difference, inside and out, for every year Corvette.

I just picked up a second copy from an auction site for under ten bucks with shipping. I highly recommend it.

Prepare to be blown away with Corvette Trivia!

And just to answer your questions.... An '85 will have a black center to the wheel, while the '87 will have a grey center. There may be other differences.

New bumpers came in '91. The ZR1 got the new tail in '90, but had the older style front.

 

The 85 was the last year without a third brake light.

The 1990 ZR1 got the rounded tail, in 1991 all cars got the rounded tail as well as the redesigned front end.

The front fenders (between the wheels and the door) were redesigned in 1995.

There were some subtle differences every year but nothing as drastic as, say, the changes between 1972, 1973 and 1974.

 

This site should help with the C-4 and help ascertain the differences or similaraities between '84 through '88.

Hope this helps


http://www.c4guru.com/modules.php?name=c4specs

 

thanx so much !
the c4 guru site ...i didnt know that one!
ill check that out
thanx !

 

I thought the convex rear bumpers came in '92?

 

Nope the rear/front body changes where in 1991 the LT1 arrived in 1992


http://www.100megsfree4.com/corvette/1990/vet91.htm

 

84's are the ugliest looking, 96's are the best looking, and mine is somewhere in between.

 

Differences were very subtle, if any. Sometimes I still cant tell most apart.
Part of the reason the ZR1 wasnt a big seller was it looked just like most any C4 unless you knew what to look for. They kind of blew it there. Badges on the bumper and some wheels, big deal.

 

Also, the interior was redesigned in 1990 to get the "Cockpit" look. The 1990 is an odd year with the new interior and the old rear bumper facia (excluding ZR-1's).

 

which is perfect for and odd guy, like me

 

96s are the only 91+ with the space between the side lamp and fog lamp painted the body color. 91-95 are black in that spot.

 

Here we go, assuming stock...

1984 black wheel centers, crossfire fuel injection on fender trim panel, no third brakelight, downturned exhaust tips.
1985 trim panel now states tuned port injection, straight exhaust tipes
1986 adds third brake, silver wheel centers
1987 charcoal wheel centers
1988 unique wheel on standard, adds optional wheel that is same on 1989's. Manuals are still 4+3
1989 manuals are now 6 speeds, same wheel and exterior cosmetics, 17" wheels now standard.
1990 Unique wheel similar to 1988 and 1989, but no center cap. Last year of this body, first year of new dash.
1991 changes body to the rounded style, four round exhaust tipes
1992 introduction of LT1 and square exhaust tips.
1993 No changes but all cars had 40th anniversary on the headrests
1994 Convertibles now have glass windows and glove box is eliminated
1995 new gills
1996 Body colour trim piece between fog lights and cornering lights.

Hard to tell 1988 from 89 if both are automatics with the 17" wheels.

--Tor

 

Me TOO! Some say "Special". That's what my Mamma said when she would walk me to the bus stop to get on the Short Bus.

 

There's a myriad of subtle differences, too. For instance, the door ajar switches alone changed design from 1992 to 1993.

 

So if you're looking at ablack car you're out of luck.

 

Yes for 1995 or 1996 (new side gills), 1994 eliminated the glove box, 1993 had the emblems on the seats, 1992 had the square tips, and 1991 had the round tips, so in effect, even on a black car, the hard part would be 1995 vs 1996.

 

Cockpit look and feel, if I gain any more weight I won't be able to get in or out of my 95!

 

For a rookie.

 

OK, make me go to the book. Dang, the prior list was from memory.

OK, OK, the seat design changed from 1988 to 1989. So now each year can be determined easily (except black 1995's and 1996's automatics since 1996 manuals were LT4's) by looking at the interior and exterior, as long as the car is stock.

1984 black wheel centers, crossfire fuel injection on fender trim panel, no third brakelight, downturned exhaust tips.
1985 trim panel now states tuned port injection, straight exhaust tipes
1986 adds third brake, silver wheel centers
1987 charcoal wheel centers
1988 unique wheel on standard, adds optional wheel that is same on 1989's. Manuals are still 4+3
1989 manuals are now 6 speeds, same wheel and exterior cosmetics, 17" wheels now standard, new seat design
1990 Unique wheel similar to 1988 and 1989, but no center cap. Last year of this body, first year of new dash.
1991 changes body to the rounded style, four round exhaust tipes
1992 introduction of LT1 and square exhaust tips.
1993 No changes but all cars had 40th anniversary on the headrests
1994 Convertibles now have glass windows and glove box is eliminated
1995 new gills
1996 Body colour trim piece between fog lights and cornering lights.