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Old Feb 23, 2022 | 09:22 PM
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Hey guys! Brand new user and im looking at buying my first corvette (the car pictured above) the seller says its a 1989 with 80xxxkm.

However I have questions as to if this car is an 89 or a later model, the car has the "tuned port injection" lettering and the two vent design on the front fender, however it also appears to have the rounded rear bumper that is found on later model years. Can anybody help indentify this car, I dont really want to ask the seller if he knows what year his car is as that may seem insulting.
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Old Feb 23, 2022 | 09:31 PM
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That's interesting.

They had to have swapped out the doors and rear fenders, too, right?

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Old Feb 23, 2022 | 09:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Natty C
That's interesting.

They had to have swapped out the doors and rear fenders, too, right?
Thats what I was thinking, and if thats the case im wondering if the car was involved in an accident at some point. If thats the case I will use it as a bargaining point, the seller is asking $15K CAD
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Old Feb 23, 2022 | 09:36 PM
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Just request the VIN and it will tell you what year the car is. This '89 appears to have the later year tail grafted onto it and it looks quite nice IMO, along with modified exhaust tips, etc. Those are '88 - '89 wheels - although they can be on any car so that's not definitive. The interior also looks correct for '89 (not a later car) as that dash shape and digital Atari dash were changed in 1990. But get the VIN.
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Old Feb 23, 2022 | 09:52 PM
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The rims are '88-'89

Maybe someone just wanted to update it to the later look.

I thought about doing it to my 90, but I'd rather just put the money in the jar toward a C3.
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Old Feb 23, 2022 | 09:53 PM
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What's the motor look like?
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Old Feb 23, 2022 | 09:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Natty C
What's the motor look like?
That is currently the only photo I have, he lives 3.5 hours away and the potential purchase date is still months away, way to much snow and salt on the roads to take it home just yet. However more pictures are expected in the coming days and I will probably be able to tell for myself once I see the interior. The rear bumper just had me really curious
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Old Feb 23, 2022 | 10:03 PM
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Guys have been sticking later model bumpers on vettes forever. Doesnt necessarily mean its been wrecked.
88-89 cuisinart wheels. 88 at least had them on the Z51-2 pkg, standard base model got a different 16" wheel.
All 89s far as I know were just like that pic. For a sec the 3rd brakelight had me thinking you may have a Z lol
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Old Feb 23, 2022 | 10:11 PM
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The VIN would 'tell all' and it appears to be a very well thought out and executed modification. The CHMSL and the later rear cover would 'hint' ZR-1 to many I guess!

It deserves a very close look. If under hood and interior is as clean as the exterior appears in that snapshot it's something to be considered. You mentioned CAD $$ so it might be interesting if the SPID actually confirmed for sure it's Canadian export!

If SPID displays Z49 and the VIN matches then it's Canadian.

Last edited by WVZR-1; Feb 23, 2022 at 10:24 PM.
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Old Feb 24, 2022 | 08:16 AM
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Originally Posted by wrenchturner98
Thats what I was thinking, and if thats the case im wondering if the car was involved in an accident at some point. If thats the case I will use it as a bargaining point, the seller is asking $15K CAD
I paid $15’s for my 1989, 6,000 miles (original) mint condition, show car.
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Old Feb 24, 2022 | 10:21 AM
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Originally Posted by Melvin Dale Pempsell
I paid $15’s for my 1989, 6,000 miles (original) mint condition, show car.
Well - that would be 19K+ CAD now and in USD the ask the OP mentions is 11.7 now. Miles for the OP's car would be 49K+.

Your 'original/mint' was bought when? There's an A$$ for every seat. I don't see the relevance of your comparison - sorry!

*** I mentioned 'deserves a look'! A deal? Could be!
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Old Feb 24, 2022 | 11:01 AM
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Originally Posted by WVZR-1
Well - that would be 19K+ CAD now and in USD the ask the OP mentions is 11.7 now. Miles for the OP's car would be 49K+.

Your 'original/mint' was bought when? There's an A$$ for every seat. I don't see the relevance of your comparison - sorry!

*** I mentioned 'deserves a look'! A deal? Could be!
Now my friend, let me say this about that. The $15 grand was paid in USD in the US. I purchased my 1989 November of 2020. The comparisom is the differance in miles. for equal money Sorry if yiu cannot see the revelence.

Stay safe.
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Old Feb 24, 2022 | 11:53 AM
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Just a couple of observations having more time to look at the photo.

The wheels have some aluminum corrosion under the clear coat near the center caps and other spots. That's fairly normal for a car of that age that's seen salt/snow roads so not too concerning. But I'd want some photos of the undercarriage to see the general state of rust on the chassis and exhaust components.

You should plan on about $250 USD if you want that window tint removed, best done by professionals. That back window glaze tint is hard to remove without damaging the defogger, and ammonia is used by pros. Well worth the cost.

That paint color match on the rear bumper work is outstanding. Whoever did that bumper fiberglass work and paint did an excellent job. The panel covering the battery access area (behind the front wheel) is an example of a not-perfect color match, but still pretty good.

The interior color looks to be gray as I can still see the inside door panel even through that window tint film. I have the same color combination and it's really good, but check photos of the interior to see the state of the leather seats and carpets.

Good luck.
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Old Feb 24, 2022 | 01:28 PM
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My guess is it's an 89 with an aftermarket updated rear bumper cover. My neighbor had an 84 with that style of bumper cover.
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Old Feb 24, 2022 | 08:22 PM
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Nice looking car anyway . I bet the interior color is saddle . The window tint is throwing it off . When I clicked on the pic and moved my finger left I see a black C5 fixed roof coup or Z06 pointing to possible body damage on the right rear .
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Old Feb 27, 2022 | 05:52 AM
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Originally Posted by ZWILDZR1
Nice looking car anyway . I bet the interior color is saddle . The window tint is throwing it off . When I clicked on the pic and moved my finger left I see a black C5 fixed roof coup or Z06 pointing to possible body damage on the right rear .
Those other two pictures are from the related thread below this one. They should have no connection to the red C4👍
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Old Feb 27, 2022 | 08:44 AM
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As stated by many looks to be an 89 just going by the wheels. The CHMSL was standard from 86-90. You will need the vin # and a pic of the SPID tag under the center console lid to confirm year and factory options as WVZR-1 suggests.

Good Luck.
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