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I am considering buying a 1996 Corvette that is in fine condition. My only concern is the front bumper alignment with the hood seems peculiar as it slightly droops on the driver side. I understand that the urethane bumper can develop deformities over time. There is no history of any accident and the owner appears straightforward. Please take a look at these photos and let me know your thoughts. Thanks in advance.
Last edited by silverja; Feb 20, 2017 at 03:39 PM.
My '96 is like that too, albeit to a lesser degree. It's never been bumped to my knowledge. I just looked at mine and it seems like it may be more likely the hood is kind of tweaked out of alignment rather than the bumper. On mine, the point where the corner of the hood meets the door just below the A pillar is just slightly higher on the drivers side than the passenger side. I can understand how that could happen over 21 years of opening/closing and I imagine it's adjustable, although I couldn't tell you how off the top of my head.
My '96 is like that too, albeit to a lesser degree. It's never been bumped to my knowledge. I just looked at mine and it seems like it may be more likely the hood is kind of tweaked out of alignment rather than the bumper. On mine, the point where the corner of the hood meets the door just below the A pillar is just slightly higher on the drivers side than the passenger side. I can understand how that could happen over 21 years of opening/closing and I imagine it's adjustable, although I couldn't tell you how off the top of my head.
Thank you for your response. Your observation about 21 years of opening and closing could cause a misalignment. I will visit a local body man to see what is required.
I don't know if you can see it or not from this picture, but my '87 has that misalignment on the passenger side. As mentioned above, no worries and rather common.
I don't know if you can see it or not from this picture, but my '87 has that misalignment on the passenger side. As mentioned above, no worries and rather common.
Thanks. Very nice '87 you have there. I also owned an '87 for 13 years. Loved that C4. Many happy memories.
Thanks. Is the '96 you are considering a replacement for your '87?
A few years ago I sold my '87 after filing for divorce and relocating to downtown Pittsburgh. Not a Corvette friendly place. A retired state trooper purchased it and it found another owner who would properly maintain and care for it. The '96 is its replacement, which will be my fourth Corvette. Funny how I cannot stay away from them too long. Anxious to see how it differs from my '87.
A few years ago I sold my '87 after filing for divorce and relocating to downtown Pittsburgh. Not a Corvette friendly place. A retired state trooper purchased it and it found another owner who would properly maintain and care for it. The '96 is its replacement, which will be my fourth Corvette. Funny how I cannot stay away from them too long. Anxious to see how it differs from my '87.
This 1996 Corvette is located in Western PA. Glad to have found it. Previous owner had it since 2000.
Excellent. I'm in the area also. The market here is very hit and miss anymore. Either very nice or very abused. There doesn't seem to be anything in between.
Excellent. I'm in the area also. The market here is very hit and miss anymore. Either very nice or very abused. There doesn't seem to be anything in between.
Very true. Peculiar marketplace. Some nice values out there in very limited supply.
Last edited by silverja; Feb 20, 2017 at 11:00 PM.
Pre Purchase Question
