Visual differences between C4 years
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,448
Likes: 27
From: Valparaiso
Visual differences between C4 years
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 !!
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 !!
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,251
Likes: 1
From: Pueblo CO
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.
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.
Last edited by CSS996; Jun 26, 2007 at 12:57 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,971
Likes: 9
From: The reason time exists is so everything doesn't happen at once
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.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 470
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix Arizona
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
Hope this helps
http://www.c4guru.com/modules.php?name=c4specs
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
Likes: 13
From: Slidell Louisiana
Nope the rear/front body changes where in 1991 the LT1 arrived in 1992
http://www.100megsfree4.com/corvette/1990/vet91.htm
http://www.100megsfree4.com/corvette/1990/vet91.htm
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Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
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.
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.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 805
Likes: 3
From: Okeechobee FL
Interior Change in 1990
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).
Last edited by trulytex; Jun 27, 2007 at 08:54 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,131
Likes: 2
From: Panama City Beach FL
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
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
Last edited by finnor; Jun 27, 2007 at 08:37 PM.
Burning Brakes
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From: Okeechobee FL
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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There's a myriad of subtle differences, too. For instance, the door ajar switches alone changed design from 1992 to 1993.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: The reason time exists is so everything doesn't happen at once
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,131
Likes: 2
From: Panama City Beach FL
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.
Instructor
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 137
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From: London Ontario
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,131
Likes: 2
From: Panama City Beach FL
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.
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.
Last edited by finnor; Jun 28, 2007 at 08:22 AM.