1996 LT-4 Question
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2011
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1996 LT-4 Question
So I just recently bought a 1996 LT-4 Corvette. I wanted to know is this car a future collector car? I know I have at least five years before it hits that mark.
I come from a world of if it's a real (add your brand here) dont mess with it. I'm in that fram of mind and I'm also a guy who likes cars that are not stock.
So I ask is this C4 Vette a future collector car and should I keep it stock and just enjoy it? I know either way I will enjoy the car.
Thanks all.
I come from a world of if it's a real (add your brand here) dont mess with it. I'm in that fram of mind and I'm also a guy who likes cars that are not stock.
So I ask is this C4 Vette a future collector car and should I keep it stock and just enjoy it? I know either way I will enjoy the car.
Thanks all.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
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St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
No, just another C4 Corvette.
Race Director
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From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
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The only way it will ever be valuable as a "collector" is if it is it factory new condition, and has extremely low miles (less than 1,000).
Anything other than that, and it is just another "driver" C4.
I don't think any C4 will ever achieve the collector status like the C2 and Chrome Bumper C3's.
Just about all computer age cars are disposable.
Anything other than that, and it is just another "driver" C4.
I don't think any C4 will ever achieve the collector status like the C2 and Chrome Bumper C3's.
Just about all computer age cars are disposable.
Team Owner
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From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
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if mid year owners in the early 70's knew their cars would bring the coin they do today. I think things would be different. back then the collector cars as we know them were just another used car. just like your C4. point is know one knows what will be collectible in the years to come. so enjoy your car.
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if mid year owners in the early 70's knew their cars would bring the coin they do today. I think things would be different. back then the collector cars as we know them were just another used car. just like your C4. point is know one knows what will be collectible in the years to come. so enjoy your car.
I will enjoy driving this car!
What I bought. It does need paint and a good cleaning-
Here is the project car I sold. I owned it for twelve years and after having a stroke at age twenty-nine and health problems. I want no more real project cars.
Last edited by CoronetRTguy; Dec 3, 2011 at 12:37 AM.
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Thread Starter
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I took a sleeping pill called Ambien and it triggered it. They did find I have a gene that will cause me to have strokes so I'm sure in the future I will have another one. Ambien also enlarged my heart.
I went three years of not knowing who or what was going on. I lost 90% of my memory and taught myself how to type again and a lot of things.
Johns Hopkins said at my last visit I was a miracle. My dad and I were restoring the 70 Coronet R/T when I got sick and then he closed his shop due to health.
So the LT-4 Vette is a small project for us both and it is one that my dad and I will do together just as we were with the R/T.
My dad is legally blind and he looked at me the other day and said lets get this Corvette ready to paint and he will shoot the paint on it. So I will once again have a car that my dad has touched and we've both worked on.
So where is the best place to buy rubber moldings? This was a daily driver car and needs it around the top. I'm going to try and go over the car this weekend and see what I do really need.
I'm a die hard MOPAR guy that is very happy with this Vette.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,482
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From: folsom california
mods that work without hurting value ? factory LT4 Hot Cam; factory LT4 Extreme Duty timing chain set; free flowing exhaust ala Corsa (save all the old parts for possible reinstallation at a future date); upgraded clutch when time for a new one comes.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
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From: Phoenix Arizona
yes, just ask the man who owns one.
mods that work without hurting value ? factory LT4 Hot Cam; factory LT4 Extreme Duty timing chain set; free flowing exhaust ala Corsa (save all the old parts for possible reinstallation at a future date); upgraded clutch when time for a new one comes.
mods that work without hurting value ? factory LT4 Hot Cam; factory LT4 Extreme Duty timing chain set; free flowing exhaust ala Corsa (save all the old parts for possible reinstallation at a future date); upgraded clutch when time for a new one comes.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,022
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From: SW Fla
LT4 collectable? I say nah, do with it what you want. Make it what you want. GS being collectable, maybe, bringing big money in 10-20 years like a mid year did 30-40 years later, not likely. I drive mine like I stole it and have modded it to my liking over the years.
My '66 BB vert that sits in the garage and never gets driven, if I had the funds, that car would be turned into a pro touring car in a heartbeat and not look back for a second. Until then, it will sit until funds allow or someone comes along with a stack of cash to drive it away.
My '66 BB vert that sits in the garage and never gets driven, if I had the funds, that car would be turned into a pro touring car in a heartbeat and not look back for a second. Until then, it will sit until funds allow or someone comes along with a stack of cash to drive it away.
Team Owner
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From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
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My '66 BB vert that sits in the garage and never gets driven, if I had the funds, that car would be turned into a pro touring car in a heartbeat and not look back for a second. Until then, it will sit until funds allow or someone comes along with a stack of cash to drive it away.
brakes and they look unique. That generation is the most elegant of all.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
Nobody knows what will be collectable and what won't be. But if it were mine I wouldn't do anything to it that couldn't be reversed.
Keep in mind the LT4 is one of two C4 engines that can run with the stock C5 Ls1, and that alone may not make it collectable but it sure makes it unique.
Keep in mind the LT4 is one of two C4 engines that can run with the stock C5 Ls1, and that alone may not make it collectable but it sure makes it unique.
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Intermediate
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The guy that owned it kept it stock never did anything but matince when needed. He was not a collector just liked the car and loved to drive it.
Thanks everyone on the comments and I do agree dont change anything that cant be put back to original. I think if I mod anything inside I will find good used parts to do that with.
I will check out that vendor and see what I can find. I need to make my parts list.
I have a question why did GM do a one year only motor for the last year of the C4?
Thanks everyone for the info. I can't wait for summer.
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
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From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
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I had '68 Coronet 500 that I sold after 19 years of owning. I wish I still had it.
As for the '96, buy it, it doesn't need much even in stock form.
My '95 is still pretty much stock and can whip the pants off some more modified cars. All depends on the driver.
I've had mine for 12 years now with no major modifications and it's still a fun ride.
As for the '96, buy it, it doesn't need much even in stock form.
My '95 is still pretty much stock and can whip the pants off some more modified cars. All depends on the driver.
I've had mine for 12 years now with no major modifications and it's still a fun ride.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
Yeah when I was looking at the car to buy I didnt notice after I got it and took the pic I was like they are on back words.
The guy that owned it kept it stock never did anything but matince when needed. He was not a collector just liked the car and loved to drive it.
Thanks everyone on the comments and I do agree dont change anything that cant be put back to original. I think if I mod anything inside I will find good used parts to do that with.
I will check out that vendor and see what I can find. I need to make my parts list.
I have a question why did GM do a one year only motor for the last year of the C4?
Thanks everyone for the info. I can't wait for summer.
The guy that owned it kept it stock never did anything but matince when needed. He was not a collector just liked the car and loved to drive it.
Thanks everyone on the comments and I do agree dont change anything that cant be put back to original. I think if I mod anything inside I will find good used parts to do that with.
I will check out that vendor and see what I can find. I need to make my parts list.
I have a question why did GM do a one year only motor for the last year of the C4?
Thanks everyone for the info. I can't wait for summer.
So it was most likely just an upgrade so they could put it in the Grand Sport.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,165
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From: Coast MS
I think it will be collectible to a small market many years from now.
You can get 30 year old corvettes in great shape for 10k. The cost of upkeep over the years on a C4 will most likely outweigh any real collector value over the years.
I do think it will hold it's value in it's current condition. If you pile on miles then the value drops. That's what makes C4's such a great value now. They have pretty much depreciated to their limit.
You can get 30 year old corvettes in great shape for 10k. The cost of upkeep over the years on a C4 will most likely outweigh any real collector value over the years.
I do think it will hold it's value in it's current condition. If you pile on miles then the value drops. That's what makes C4's such a great value now. They have pretty much depreciated to their limit.
