SRowan

Hello,
I am new here. First post and everything!

I am looking at purchasing a 95 C4 that has been sitting in a field for at least 3 years. The owners do not know where the keys are and I am assuming the battery is dead. I would like to go check out the car and maybe see if it will at least crank over. I am prepared to take a battery and tools but would like some advice on the best way to get into the car.

I am assuming the 95 has some sort of transponder key that will prevent it from starting.

I would hate to call in a locksmith for a car I don't own.

It has an automatic transmission.

Thanks for the help.

Steve

1bdvet

First let the owner pay for the keys to the car, it's his car, and if he wants to sell it, let him pay.

Your best bet is locksmith, car comes with vats, you need to know the number of the vats, before any key is made.

I don't think dealership has the vin number book to make a key, on old car. You might luck out and ask dealership if they still have the book.
If they do, you need proof that you own the car, before they will cut key, and have the vat number of the key. Might has well have the door key made also.

Also not sure, but I would bet the car also came with two remotes, on that year?

Here link to a key you need just to price on keys cost.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-Corvette...JY68~e&vxp=mtr

Paul Workman

I just this week went through this on a Buick Le Sabre my wife is selling. No ignition key (lost it somewhere, including the spare).

I was directed by a locksmith to go to a dealer with the REGISTRATION and photo IDs. With that, they were able to give me a key code and the VIN series number for the ignition key, and also the door key.

Back at the locksmith, with codes in hand, the smith was able to make duplicates. Now I have fresh keys and spares.

cv67

^^^
if he wants to sell it tell him to get off his lazy **** and do it otherwise assume the worst as far as offering price. Do they have papers on it? Why would someone leave something like that in the middle of a field?
Curious

unclet1

Looks like maybe a 1989 to me. ?

1bdvet

Look at the dash, it's flat, and the wheels look like 88 or 89.

SRowan

Thanks for the key making advice.

Yes. That is the listing.

I am not sure how to tell without looking at the Placard.

The story I was giving is the young woman who owns this and many other vehicles in same field inherited them when her Father/Brother/Husband passed away three years ago. Somehow she doesn't have keys for any of them.

I am going to see it this afternoon. At least the window is open. I should be able to learn a lot more about it.

I have to admit I don't care much about the condition of the body or interior. I am just need the chassis, drivetrain, suspension, and steering components as a donation to another project. This Corvette has seen better days and might be a good donor.

belairbrian

Wouldn't it be 84 or 85. No Center mounted high brake light

Don't think getting in it would be that hard the window is open.

So If you just want to turn the motor over you can jumper 12v to the starter solenoid.

WVZR-1

If you're only interested in components year matters - what sort of project? If you can get a snapshot of the SPID label on the console door you could determine much about the drive-train and components that might interest you.

Make sure SPID VIN matches the windshield VIN and I'd say you'd be all set. Do you know if it's an automatic or a manual trans yet?

There's an early SPID in this post - several snapshots from the top. 7th I believe.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1594587964

I'm inclined to believe this also but who knows! It's got colored door handles also!

OP - If by VIN it's actually an '84 or '85 the SPID if there is one would be on a rear storage compartment lid.

10th digit of windshield VIN is all you need. E-84, F-85, G-86, H-87, J-88, K-89, L-90

SRowan

Make sure SPID VIN matches the windshield VIN and I'd say you'd be all set. Do you know if it's an automatic or a manual trans yet?

There's an early SPID in this post - several snapshots from the top. 7th I believe.

The project is a go-kart.

Kinda like this:




I believe it is an automatic. I would prefer a manual but I don't have a lot of room to beg when looking at trashed cars.

I will be sure to check for the SPID sticker. I will also take a battery and see if it will crank over.

SRowan

I did go to Santa Fe yesterday afternoon.
I vehicle in question is parked in a mobile home park. There was another C4 and a C3 with it. None of them are running.

I took a few pictures.
Here is the link to the gallery SMUGMUG

The good:
The car has been covered most of the last few years.
For the window being down, the interior was rather clean.
The car was unlocked and the hood was already released(release handle seems to be broken)
I took some tools and was able to manually turn over the engine
Confirmed it is an 85

The Bad:
Tires are trash
No keys
The Yellow was a home brew paint job
All stickers were painted over
A lot of bolts are missing on the intake manifold.(Story is her brother was trying to figure out why the White C4 wouldn't start so he took the Maroon(Yellow) one apart to compare things. I don't know why taking the intake apart would have helped him but who knows the real reason)
The Girl who owns it is very proud of it.
Most parts of the car have taken damage at come point. I think it would be hard to sell any parts from it to try to recoup the purchase price.

hcbph

Though it looks like it's got later wheels on it (probably with spacers). If it an 84 or 85 then you don't have to worry about vats and any competent locksmith should be able to make keys for it and you won't have to worry about any resistors on the keys. Obviously if it's an 84 or 85, easy way to tell would be whether it's got a crossfire or TPI intake

ChumpVette

Junk, just let it go into the ground.

1bdvet

It's shame to see Corvette just sitting there rotting away, no respect for the name of Corvette.

SRowan

Does that mean I should buy it and salvage the parts I need for my project?

I would probably pull the motor and trans and swap them for a LS1 and manual eventually.(assuming the LT1 will run)

ChumpVette

Means you should walk and forget about it.

kenmohr

run rowan run