chdaro05

Hey all. I am new to the world of Corvettes. Been my dream car since I was a kid and Now I got a 1985 Corvette for free! I have been doing my research on these cars and have found alot of useful info. My question though is this, what is the difference between a "1st" design and a "2nd " design 1985 vette? I cant seem to find any info on this... Some parts a need to order ask for this info and I dont want to order the wrong parts. Any help is appreciated!

PAINTER MAN

I have never heard of design differences in the 85. In 1986 there were design differences made in mid year.

antfarmer2

Welcome to the forum just use your vin number there are mid year changes on many cars. Never herd of first and second design. Not sure what year they changed the window regulators but it might be yours.

Joe C

long time 85 owner - can't say I've ever heard of 1st/2nd design, but just when you thing you have thing figured out, someone throws you a curve. OP might be thinking of an 86 - early 86 vs late 86

chdaro05

Thanks. I was looking in the Eckler's corvette catalog at their 1984-196 reproduction stock front spoilers.( front air dams) And they list 2 different sets. Part # 25-120929 for 1985 2nd design and Part # 25-213310 for 1985 1st design. Has something to do with the size of the spoilers. My car does have the Z51 performance package.

antfarmer2

Look again it comes in three parts with three differant part numbers. It looks like the higher dollar center piece is considered a upgrade.

FASTAZU

You are correct the Z51 front air dam is larger than the standard.

WVZR-1

OP - Early and late lower deflectors for '85 were either "ribbed" for support or not and the height was different. If you're wanting to match what is on yours remove the old and use the molded part#'s on the old to make the choice.

Early would have these casting #'s 14043137, 14043136 & 14043135

Late would be cast 14089635, 14089634 & 14089636

Some feel that '86 all got the "late" but I don't know that's so.

Years after '86 all except Z51 got the "early" and Z51 got the "late".

xrav22

85 is my fave too but I mix and match what I can (I have z spoiler in front) but 85 is an only year that is what I like about it ,also like the forgrd trw pistons,good luck

brushmor

There were some other changes during the 85 model I can think of. One was the placement of the overdrive switch for the manual. It went from the console to the gear shifter. The valve covers were originally sealed with some orange goop that leaked and got replaced with an actual gasket. But I don't think there was a early design/late design cut off. The changes happened over the production run.

chdaro05

Thanks for all of your responses. It's cool to see so many willing to help out! I think I will take the old ones off and measure them and also look for those molded numbers...Thanks WVZR-1 for that list. Have to admit, I love this car! It was sitting in a garage for the last 17 yrs. I have already got it running, now I just need to start replacing weatherstripping, plastics, etc. Car only has 70,000 miles on it.

VikingTrad3r

I just sold my 1985, welcome to the forum, you will love the car, we need pictures!!

ghoastrider1

welcome to the forum. You have just had two of the more knowledable folks chime in on your post. Ant Farmer is a pretty good hand to have around and wv seems to know every part number and size of everything on the c-4s (thank goodness). Usually when folks talk about 1st or second design is the 86s..somewhere, midyear, Chevy switched to Alum heads. There is much debate over just how good these heads are other than light weight. Stick around, there is an absolute wealth of info to be had on this forum.
BTW, don't hit the gas hard going around a turn, you wil be looking at were you just came from if you do,lol.

rfn026

I've never heard of 1st and 2nd designs for the '85. There are always some running changes during the course of the model year but they tend to be pretty insignificant.



My '85

Richard Newton
C4 Solo Legend