Looking for a unicorn?
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,180
Likes: 2,511
From: ...tearing up the highways, one state at a time™®©
How about a 1989 Callaway? 
1989 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe RWD - $34,995 (OUTLIER)
Mileage: 49,157
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/link/365106236
1989 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe RWD - $34,995 (OUTLIER)
Mileage: 49,157
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/link/365106236
No GH0, but the Callaway turbos more than make up for that
Racer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 313
Likes: 128
This is the car I bought slightly less than a year ago. At the time I knew that I wanted the pure 80's aesthetics of '89 or earlier but I was on the fence regarding the transmission. On the one hand, I had only ever driven 4+3s before and while I enjoyed them for their rough and tumble nature, I also knew the 6-spd was a technically superior trans. Still, I wasn't letting that one attribute narrow my search so I was looking at any manual Z51s '89 or older (except '84s, of course..)
In hindsight, I am really glad I got the '89 with the ZF because I freaking love the transmission. However, in your case, given the difficulty of your search, I would suggest that perhaps you consider the possibility of taking a 4+3 car and swapping a TKX (or hell--maybe even a used ZF6) into it. This gives you 5 good years to work with instead of 1.
And here's another issue to consider: The '89, in my opinion, isn't all wins. The consensus seems to be that the original front suspension geometry from 84-87 is actually better (as in more performance oriented) than the second iteration starting in 88. So an earlier 85-87 car with a 6-spd swap might be considered even better than the '89.
In hindsight, I am really glad I got the '89 with the ZF because I freaking love the transmission. However, in your case, given the difficulty of your search, I would suggest that perhaps you consider the possibility of taking a 4+3 car and swapping a TKX (or hell--maybe even a used ZF6) into it. This gives you 5 good years to work with instead of 1.
And here's another issue to consider: The '89, in my opinion, isn't all wins. The consensus seems to be that the original front suspension geometry from 84-87 is actually better (as in more performance oriented) than the second iteration starting in 88. So an earlier 85-87 car with a 6-spd swap might be considered even better than the '89.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,389
Likes: 6,531
From: Melbourne, FL
This is the car I bought slightly less than a year ago. At the time I knew that I wanted the pure 80's aesthetics of '89 or earlier but I was on the fence regarding the transmission. On the one hand, I had only ever driven 4+3s before and while I enjoyed them for their rough and tumble nature, I also knew the 6-spd was a technically superior trans. Still, I wasn't letting that one attribute narrow my search so I was looking at any manual Z51s '89 or older (except '84s, of course..)
In hindsight, I am really glad I got the '89 with the ZF because I freaking love the transmission. However, in your case, given the difficulty of your search, I would suggest that perhaps you consider the possibility of taking a 4+3 car and swapping a TKX (or hell--maybe even a used ZF6) into it. This gives you 5 good years to work with instead of 1.
And here's another issue to consider: The '89, in my opinion, isn't all wins. The consensus seems to be that the original front suspension geometry from 84-87 is actually better (as in more performance oriented) than the second iteration starting in 88. So an earlier 85-87 car with a 6-spd swap might be considered even better than the '89.
In hindsight, I am really glad I got the '89 with the ZF because I freaking love the transmission. However, in your case, given the difficulty of your search, I would suggest that perhaps you consider the possibility of taking a 4+3 car and swapping a TKX (or hell--maybe even a used ZF6) into it. This gives you 5 good years to work with instead of 1.
And here's another issue to consider: The '89, in my opinion, isn't all wins. The consensus seems to be that the original front suspension geometry from 84-87 is actually better (as in more performance oriented) than the second iteration starting in 88. So an earlier 85-87 car with a 6-spd swap might be considered even better than the '89.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 313
Likes: 128
Here's a thread I started on the matter of the suspension geometry change, soliciting input from people who know about it. It's worth checking out:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...pressions.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...pressions.html
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 449
From: NJ
An 89 6 speed is somewhat rare and they do have a bit of their own following for the same reasons you cited. Why don’t you throw up a WTB post on here in the C4 for sale section. You just might get a seller off the fence or one who was not really even considering selling. Money talks.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,389
Likes: 6,531
From: Melbourne, FL
Here's a thread I started on the matter of the suspension geometry change, soliciting input from people who know about it. It's worth checking out:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...pressions.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...pressions.html
In today's world, the tires all have VASTLY more grip than what was available when these came out. This means that you're not forced to maximize every little bit of contact patch, a decent tire today with less camber will outgrip the best tires from the 80s or 90s with a perfect setup.
Matt is, characterically, approaching it from a racing perspective. He even noted on the street, all this goes out the window because it doesn't matter, and the improvements with the later suspension will be felt more day to day.
When you start talking about racing, rules dictate winning a lot more than we wouldike, and in the eyes of most bodies, a c4 is a c4, ans really, all gens of Corvettes are still a Corvette.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 741
Likes: 329
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
An 89 6 speed is somewhat rare and they do have a bit of their own following for the same reasons you cited. Why don’t you throw up a WTB post on here in the C4 for sale section. You just might get a seller off the fence or one who was not really even considering selling. Money talks.
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Oil Producer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 9,377
Likes: 2,737
that one went fast on facebook.
sometimes u gotta fly across the country and settle for a mouse infested roach then clean it up. Not many zf6 fe7 sprung 89 (or 90) cars out there….though i do see you are not specifically looking for that car. FX3 is great. Really great.
Personally i use the fx3 feature on my zr1 allllll the time and splurged for the new replacement fx3 shocks. Worth every penny. 89 fx3 is a one year only setup inside the early interior. Thats rare too. 😃
They are a sweeeet spot though.
I cant bring myself to sell my 89Z51.
sometimes u gotta fly across the country and settle for a mouse infested roach then clean it up. Not many zf6 fe7 sprung 89 (or 90) cars out there….though i do see you are not specifically looking for that car. FX3 is great. Really great.
Personally i use the fx3 feature on my zr1 allllll the time and splurged for the new replacement fx3 shocks. Worth every penny. 89 fx3 is a one year only setup inside the early interior. Thats rare too. 😃
They are a sweeeet spot though.
I cant bring myself to sell my 89Z51.