Is This Pristine C4 Grand Sport Worth $50k?
06-18-2015, 05:30 PM
#1
CorvetteForum Editor
Thread Starter
Is This Pristine C4 Grand Sport Worth $50k?
This 1996 Grand Sport has the original window sticker, only one owner, and just 480 miles on the odometer.
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06-18-2015, 05:56 PM
#2
I saw that while surfing the classifieds the other day. I don't think those cars are worth that much yet. MAYBE a crazy rare ZR1
Kind of reminds me of watching Barret Jackson the last few years. After the muscle car buy up boom in the early 2000, people got the wrong impression that any old muscle car was worth a ton of money, so in the last few years you see late 70's 80's and 90's cars go across the block "no sale" all the time now
Kind of reminds me of watching Barret Jackson the last few years. After the muscle car buy up boom in the early 2000, people got the wrong impression that any old muscle car was worth a ton of money, so in the last few years you see late 70's 80's and 90's cars go across the block "no sale" all the time now
06-18-2015, 06:16 PM
#4
To some extent, the Grand Sport crowd is justifying the higher asking prices due to the rarity of the car. GM built only 1000 C4 Grand Sports. Those with red interiors generally being more expensive than those with black interiors. The convertibles with red interiors being the rarest with only 53 (of the 1000) produced.
The problem I have with the Grand Sport is that it is just a paint and tape special (albeit an attrative one). The same 330 HP engine could also be ordered with the CE (Collector Edition) or even with the base cars. In my mind, they are like the 78 Pace Cars. No performance difference than the regular editions, but early on demanding large dollars. I can even remember when Pace Car owners were asking more for their cars than for L88s!
But performance in a generation always wins out in the end. In every other generaton, the most powerful editions are (generally) the most valuable. The Fuelie 57 or 62 are generally the most valuable C1s (excluding the special status of the 53 as the first Corvette) because of their performance capability. The C2s can almost be ranked in order of performance capability or racing heritage with L88s, L89s, L71s, L84s with their special engines all being worth a mint. Same is true for the L88s, LS6, and L71/89s for the C3 generation. At the opposite end of the age spectrum, the C5 Z06 and the C6 ZR1 would lead the way - and they are of course the performance editions.
Where does this leave the C4? The ZR-1 is the factory performance leader for the generation (with maybe the best looking engine ever offered in ANY Corvette) and is the only Corvette to utilise DOHC technology and set world records in an event that was open to all comers production or otherwise. The later ZR-1s also break that magic 400HP barrier (at a production level little higher than the Grand Sports - but over 3 years).
For these reason, and the fact that this GS does not have the red interior, I do not think this car is worth $50K. But then again, to someone out there who have been wishing for one of these cars when they were brand new - it might be worth it.
The problem I have with the Grand Sport is that it is just a paint and tape special (albeit an attrative one). The same 330 HP engine could also be ordered with the CE (Collector Edition) or even with the base cars. In my mind, they are like the 78 Pace Cars. No performance difference than the regular editions, but early on demanding large dollars. I can even remember when Pace Car owners were asking more for their cars than for L88s!
But performance in a generation always wins out in the end. In every other generaton, the most powerful editions are (generally) the most valuable. The Fuelie 57 or 62 are generally the most valuable C1s (excluding the special status of the 53 as the first Corvette) because of their performance capability. The C2s can almost be ranked in order of performance capability or racing heritage with L88s, L89s, L71s, L84s with their special engines all being worth a mint. Same is true for the L88s, LS6, and L71/89s for the C3 generation. At the opposite end of the age spectrum, the C5 Z06 and the C6 ZR1 would lead the way - and they are of course the performance editions.
Where does this leave the C4? The ZR-1 is the factory performance leader for the generation (with maybe the best looking engine ever offered in ANY Corvette) and is the only Corvette to utilise DOHC technology and set world records in an event that was open to all comers production or otherwise. The later ZR-1s also break that magic 400HP barrier (at a production level little higher than the Grand Sports - but over 3 years).
For these reason, and the fact that this GS does not have the red interior, I do not think this car is worth $50K. But then again, to someone out there who have been wishing for one of these cars when they were brand new - it might be worth it.
Last edited by bb62; 06-18-2015 at 07:37 PM.
06-18-2015, 06:22 PM
#5
Melting Slicks
To some extent, the Grand Sport crowd is justifying the higher asking prices due to the rarity of the car. GM built only 1000 C4 Grand Sports. Those with red interiors generally being more expensive than those with black interiors. The convertibles with black interiors being the rarest with only 53 (of the 1000) produced.
The problem I have with the Grand Sport is that it is just a paint and tape special (albeit and attrative one). The same 330 HP engine could also be ordered with the CE (Collector Edition) or even with the base cars. In my mind, they are like the 78 Pace Cars. No performance difference than the regular editions, but early on demanding large dollars. I can even remember when Pace Car owners were asking more for their cars than for L88s!
But performance in a generation always wins out in the end. In every other generaton, the most powerful editions are (generally) the most valuable. The Fuelie 57 or 62 are generally the most valuable C1s (excluding the special status of the 53 as the first Corvette) because of their performance capability. The C2s can almost be ranked in order of performance capability or racing heritage with L88s, L89s, L71s, L84s with their special engines all being worth a mint. Same is true for the L88s, LS6, and L71/89s for the C3 generation. At the opposite end of the age spectrum, the C5 Z06 and the C6 ZR1 would lead the way - and they are of course the performance editions.
Where does this leave the C4? The ZR-1 is the factory performance leader for the generation (with maybe the best looking engine ever offered in ANY Corvette) and is the only Corvette to utilise DOHC technology and set world records in an event that was open to all comers production or otherwise. The later ZR-1s also break that magic 400HP barrier (at a production level little higher than the Grand Sports - but over 3 years).
For these reason, and the fact that this GS does not have the red interior, I do not think this car is worth $50K. But then again, to someone out there who have been wishing for one of these cars when they were brand new - it might be worth it.
The problem I have with the Grand Sport is that it is just a paint and tape special (albeit and attrative one). The same 330 HP engine could also be ordered with the CE (Collector Edition) or even with the base cars. In my mind, they are like the 78 Pace Cars. No performance difference than the regular editions, but early on demanding large dollars. I can even remember when Pace Car owners were asking more for their cars than for L88s!
But performance in a generation always wins out in the end. In every other generaton, the most powerful editions are (generally) the most valuable. The Fuelie 57 or 62 are generally the most valuable C1s (excluding the special status of the 53 as the first Corvette) because of their performance capability. The C2s can almost be ranked in order of performance capability or racing heritage with L88s, L89s, L71s, L84s with their special engines all being worth a mint. Same is true for the L88s, LS6, and L71/89s for the C3 generation. At the opposite end of the age spectrum, the C5 Z06 and the C6 ZR1 would lead the way - and they are of course the performance editions.
Where does this leave the C4? The ZR-1 is the factory performance leader for the generation (with maybe the best looking engine ever offered in ANY Corvette) and is the only Corvette to utilise DOHC technology and set world records in an event that was open to all comers production or otherwise. The later ZR-1s also break that magic 400HP barrier (at a production level little higher than the Grand Sports - but over 3 years).
For these reason, and the fact that this GS does not have the red interior, I do not think this car is worth $50K. But then again, to someone out there who have been wishing for one of these cars when they were brand new - it might be worth it.
Also lets not forget the crazy money a 350 69 Camaro brings these days...doesn't get much more lame or dime a dozen than a car which was literally just, a run of the mill smallblock!
1k production total, special parts, special engine, is a winner.
Is it a 50k car? I don't think there's a such thing as a 50k used corvette in general. I wouldn't pay 50, for a used C6 ZO6. Even if it was a ZO7.
Last edited by MavsAK; 06-18-2015 at 06:27 PM.
06-18-2015, 07:06 PM
#8
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It's all in the eye of the beholder. Every single person on this forum could say "No Way" but the reality is it only takes ONE person who falls in love with THAT CAR to say "Yes."
06-18-2015, 07:27 PM
#10
06-18-2015, 07:34 PM
#11
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Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20
For $50,000 I can buy an used C6 Z06 in excellent condition, and sometimes cheaper. Used C7Z51 are selling around $60,000.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...o6-3lz-tx.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-corvette.html
If you read my post you know I always write "enjoy your car". You buy a Corvette to let it sit, 20 years go by, and now you'd want to get your money back.... WRONG ANSWER
480 miles is an insult to all Corvettes built.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...o6-3lz-tx.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-corvette.html
If you read my post you know I always write "enjoy your car". You buy a Corvette to let it sit, 20 years go by, and now you'd want to get your money back.... WRONG ANSWER
480 miles is an insult to all Corvettes built.
06-18-2015, 07:38 PM
#12
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06-18-2015, 07:39 PM
#13
Team Owner
A low mile GS vert just sold at auction for $77k.
If we every expect the C4 to go up in value, we need to stop being cheap bastards...
There was a GS that sold at auction for $80k a few years back.
There is a pecking order coming into play for the C4...
#1. Grandsport, lower the miles, and convertible are gold
#2. Specials within specials... a 93 ZR1 Anniversary, for example
#3. ZR1
#4 Specials - 88 and 93 anniversary; Indy pace cars; Malcolm Conner; Callaway
#5 Preserved, low mileage, with minimal options and those better be performance related. Or loaded with every option.
After that, the C4 is a used car.
If we every expect the C4 to go up in value, we need to stop being cheap bastards...
There was a GS that sold at auction for $80k a few years back.
There is a pecking order coming into play for the C4...
#1. Grandsport, lower the miles, and convertible are gold
#2. Specials within specials... a 93 ZR1 Anniversary, for example
#3. ZR1
#4 Specials - 88 and 93 anniversary; Indy pace cars; Malcolm Conner; Callaway
#5 Preserved, low mileage, with minimal options and those better be performance related. Or loaded with every option.
After that, the C4 is a used car.
06-18-2015, 07:41 PM
#14
Le Mans Master
Well if it's all in mint condition with red guts, I'd say it's a fair asking price considering a convertible with red guts and equally low miles went for 80 grand years ago at auction. True, I'd rather drive one and meticulously maintain it but there's a segment that appreciates time capsule cars down to the original plastic covering the seats when delivered to the dealer.
06-18-2015, 07:49 PM
#16
Race Director
The J55 brakes were standard by then, so the brakes and suspension on the GS weren't any different than could be had on any other '96 Corvette.
Please explain what performance difference a GS would have over a CE LT4, or any other LT4 with the same suspension.
The only difference from a GS and all other LT4 cars, was the GS coupe came with 315 series rear tires on 11" rims. Those rear tires were not available on the convertible GS.
06-18-2015, 07:50 PM
#17
Melting Slicks
Hell no, maybe 8k tops.
06-18-2015, 07:53 PM
#19
I just gave, fricken gave, my 1 of 30 Festival Verts away that had 58,000 on it. No way in hell would I give 50gs for a C4. I don't care if Christ himself signed the dash. OK, maybe if Christ signed it I would pay 50.
