mszietlow

Hey all,

I've been searching for information on the 96 Collectors Edition. I guess what mainly sparked my interest were a few listings on eBay with people selling their "Collectors Edition" 1996's at quite a low price. Mileage on these two specific cars were in the 120k - 150k range. The 'Buy-it-now' price being between $9,000 and $10,000 (for the two cheapest ones).

So I'm thinking to myself. SWEET! Why settle for a plain ole run of the mill 96/c4 for the SAME price, when I could get the COLLECTORS EDITION!?!?!?

I'm looking at these CE's to see whats wrong with them... They're in great shape- new tires, new seats, new this, new that, 2 tops, 2 sets of wheels, complimentary moist towelettes to wipe your bum before you enter the vehicle ( OK, so I may be exaggerating a little here)... but it's hard for me to tune out the constant ringing of the BS bell in the background.

"If it's too good to be true, it probably is."
This isn't chump change to me, but how can I tell DEAD on that this seller is BSing or telling the truth about a 'CE'? After all, I could paint my car Sebring Silver too, ya know.. Are there codes within the VIN? Were the CE's strictly LT4, or was there an LT1 option as well?

Thanks for the lesson and

Marty

Relic

Not sure about the VINs, but there's not much special about a Collector Edition. It's silver, and has special emblems.

RollaMo-LT4

Nothing in the VIN that would indicate Collector Edition.
But it did have an RPO Code: Z15 Collector Edition $1250

As you know, they were all Sebring Silver in color so there would that paint code on the RPO sticker as well.
RPO Sticker should be under the lid of the storage compartment behind the passenger lid.
If the RPO Code sticker is missing, you can get a build sheet from the Corvette Museum. All they need is the VIN.

And yes, there were both LT1 and LT4 models produced:
5,412 Total Collector Edition Corvettes, close to 25% of the total 1996 production run.

CE Production Numbers:
1,540 LT4 Coupes
2,491 LT1 Coupes

469 LT4 Verts
912 LT1 Verts

Aurora40

There were over 5,000 Collector Edition 'vettes made. Sebring Silver (only available on CE's) was the most popular color in 1996. So a '96 CE is more common than a red '96.

They look nice in silver, they had the more attractive GS brakes (calipers are black and say "CORVETTE"), and they had the more attractive 5-spoke wheels.

They don't command much of a premium over other '96s. I don't know why someone would go to the effort to clone one, as they don't command more money. Only reason would be if they already had a 'vette and just liked the color (who could blame them).

You can look for the RPO code "Z15" on the SPI label in the glovebox. Or if you really want to do your homework, you could order a build sheet for the car. They could be had as LT4's or LT1's. Basically any options could be combined with the CE option (other than obviously any paint color options or the Grand Sport option).

beadist

Hey Marty,

I searched for 6 months, mostly online. ebay always had the best prices. In July I saw a 96 LT4 CE go for 9700.00. It looked and sounded about mint with 55K on it. It was in Miami. That's when I started looking exclusively for that car. I didn't think I'd see it for 9700.00 again tho, and I haven't.There are alot of vettes in SoFla.

I saw them on ebay listed from 7k to 22k. On 9/11 I spotted one. 55k and looked perfect. Better than the one in Miami. No bidders met the reserve (including me). I called the seller got a bit more info and thought about it overnight. It became mine by 11AM. People seeing the car cannot believe it is 14 years old. Built 12/95. It is pristine, and I hope to keep it as close to that while alternating it with my other car. It will be a year round almost DD for me. It's very hard to leave it at home.....

It was 2k more than I was hoping to pay, but there is one listed on the forum now asking 2k more than I paid. The prices cover a huge range. Decide what you can afford and look in that range. I knew I'd find it if I had some patience.

There were over 3000 CE's made and they had both LT4's and LT1's. Google it, there are many good facts available online rather than trust my memory.

Don't get it for the Collectors Edition hook. Get it cause it is the vette you want at the price you can afford. It's not BS. They are out there. Do your research on the CE and the LT4 so you know what you're looking for and at. There are alot of forum members that have them so this will not be your only reply. I had a private convo from a guy who checked out the car in Omaha before I bought it. Our info and prices matched.

It's a dream car, and more fun than should be legal.....

Karin

olcrusty

Vin numbers for Collector Editions are as follows -

VIN Numbers: 1G1YY22PST5100001 through 1G1YY22PST5120536

BTW, the Collector Edition are a notch above the rest especially with the LT4 and the amenities that went with the car. Search the internet for this car and reap the fruits of one of the greatest Corvette in the C4 line. Then see if it is only different by merit of badging.

Aurora40

Are you confused? The VIN numbers you listed are for Collector Edition cars, but only in the sense that they are the numbers for all 1996 LT1 powered coupes including CEs.

The CE did not have a different VIN series than the regular cars. And not all CE's had LT4's. I'd bet the majority were automatics, just like the majority of base cars.

What amenities are you referring to that are CE specific?

jrzvette

Those are the VIN numbers for all 20,536 cars built in 1996 except the 1000 Grand Sports. The CE did not have a special VIN.

There were 5,412 CEs built, more than 25% of total production, including the GS. They are beautiful cars but are collectable in name only.

Aurora40

I know what you are saying, but technically 'verts and LT4's would have those particular digits changed in the series he listed.

lt4obsesses

The only things that distinguish the CE from any other '96, as mentioned, is the Sebring Silver paint and the badges and stitching on the interior, and silver painted five spoke wheels. They were available with whatever other options as any other Vette made that year. The LT4 option required the manual six speed, and the manual six speed required the LT4. So, if you want an auto, it's going to be an LT1, if want manual, it's going to be LT4.

The CE's seem to bring a little bit of a higher price, simply because some buyers like the word "collector". However, if you are looking for value retention or actual collectability, a non collector LT4 may, and I repeat may, be a better find than a collector LT1. Of course a collector LT4 would be better than a non collector LT4. But, if your just looking for a 96 Vette, and are not married to the idea of a CE, than there really isn't much difference and a non CE could save a few bucks.

The LT4 BTW was a one year issue motor from GM put into the C4 as a going away present for that generation. That's what may, and I repeat may, make the LT4 a collectors item down the road.

MK 82

There were 21536 built. That VIN range does not reflect the GS.

olcrusty

http://www.idavette.net/facts/96.htm

dogfish246

I dont know about you, but I would never pay 10-12k for a Vette with 150K miles (unless its something special)! Even if everything works and it looks to be in great shape, it could be a ticking time bomb for problems.

There are plenty of LT1s and LT4s (non CE) in your price range with half the mileage. Unless you really want a CE, go for a non CE with lower mileage, Thats what I would do...

5POINT7

A lot of great vettes out there for 10-12k with half the miles of what youve seen.

RedVette84

also.

96 Vette CE

I love my CE and wouldn't trade it for the world. The only thing really special about the CE is that it was produced to mark the last year of the C4 era. As the '82 CE did for the C3 era. It all depends on what your looking for in a vette. Myself i love the Sebring Silver with the black interior,but to each his own. Good Luck!

By the way,you should be able to find a CE (LT1) in good condition with 50-60,000 miles for around $12,000. LT4's will cost you a few more bucks.

beadist

Not much more, but if you have to have the 6 speed manual it''s worth it. If you want a selection of light colored cars with light colored interiors, the CE offers the best selection. I'm in the Deep South and the light colors make a huge difference. But no one is allowed to drink red wine in there......

jrzvette

I guess Sonic's is out too. Those chili dogs can make a real mess.

beadist

Got that right! If I wanted the interior to be to be red, I would have bought a car with a red interior! Actually- no food of any color allowed in there with the exception of white wine.....