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How to tell the difference?

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Old May 3, 2003 | 08:21 PM
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Default How to tell the difference?

This is strictly for the 1990-1996 C4 corvettes. I want to know how you can tell the difference between all of them. I know the 1990 except for the ZR-1 had the concave rear fascia so it was easy to tell what year that was, but how do you know that is a 1990 and not an earlier model? Then i know that from 1991 on to 1996 the rear fascia was convex, but how can you tell if the corvette is a 1991 or a 1992 or a 1993 all the way up to 1996? What are the little differences for all of the years...thank you very much. :auto:
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Old May 3, 2003 | 08:25 PM
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Default Re: How to tell the difference? (4thgenvetty35)

concave, convex? Man, it's been a while since I heard those terms. There is also the tail light differences, round vs rectangle(sorta).
I can't tell the difference between 92 and 96 :confused: I don't think there are too much differences in apperance.
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Old May 3, 2003 | 08:29 PM
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Default Re: How to tell the difference? (vette_dreamer)

It's been awhile since you heard concave and convex? Well those are the only 2 terms I have ever used when describing the rear appearance of the Vette. What do you call it? What are the popular terms today? :auto:
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Old May 3, 2003 | 08:38 PM
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Default Re: How to tell the difference? (4thgenvetty35)

It's been awhile since you heard concave and convex? Well those are the only 2 terms I have ever used when describing the rear appearance of the Vette. What do you call it? What are the popular terms today? :auto:
I heard them in my college math class, which has been a while. :D
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Old May 3, 2003 | 08:49 PM
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Default Re: How to tell the difference? (4thgenvetty35)

Do what I do, ask the owner what year is that.
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Old May 3, 2003 | 09:06 PM
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Default Re: How to tell the difference? (4thgenvetty35)

I am not an expert by any stretch of the imagination, but 91 and 92 have sawblades as wheels but they are not machined on the face. 93 they began machineing the face of the sawblade, also if you look closely the front tires on the 93 are narrower, 91 and 92 have the same size all the way around. In 94 or 95 - 96 the fins on the side of the car are slightly different than the fins on 91 - 93. The only difference between 91 and 92, I would guess, would be the LT1 style exhaust tips that started in 92 with the start of the LT1 motor.


[Modified by vette92_1, 8:12 PM 5/3/2003]
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Old May 3, 2003 | 09:39 PM
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Default Re: How to tell the difference? (4thgenvetty35)

In the 1991 models the radio and shifter bezels were gray; at some point in time they changed to black. Also, 1991 was the last year for the L98. So a check under the hood may help. :thumbs:

1991 has the amber icons on the radio and dash controls.
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Old May 3, 2003 | 09:41 PM
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Default Re: How to tell the difference? (vette92_1)

http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/4310/vetfacts.htm This may help you :cheers:
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Old May 3, 2003 | 09:56 PM
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Default Re: How to tell the difference? (bizaro1234)

95 and 96 have different side vents than 91-94
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Old May 3, 2003 | 11:09 PM
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Default Re: How to tell the difference? (4thgenvetty35)

You could usually guess it by the color. That is only if it is an unusual color that was made that year only.
Example the gold .


[Modified by CanadaVette, 4:09 AM 5/4/2003]
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Old May 3, 2003 | 11:21 PM
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Default Re: How to tell the difference? (JF_AH_64)

91's don't have the ASR button, the 92's due, same for the 93's and they have the seats embroidered for the 40th anniversary, the 94's changed the seats to the more wrap around style but have the same side vents. then the 95's and 96's have the different vents
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Old May 3, 2003 | 11:24 PM
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Default Re: How to tell the difference? (4thgenvetty35)

96 has the space between lamps on the front bumper painted body color instead of black.
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Old May 4, 2003 | 08:17 PM
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Default Re: How to tell the difference? (bizaro1234)

:iagree:
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Old May 4, 2003 | 08:37 PM
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Default Re: How to tell the difference? (4thgenvetty35)

They changed the side panels for 95 & 96 Models. (Streamlined the Shark's gills...)

In 1996 the front end corners (Body area at the corner between the front and side blinkers/running lights are painted to match the body color.
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Old May 4, 2003 | 08:38 PM
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Default Re: How to tell the difference? (GDP)

OK heres what i look at: (assuming all cars are stock)
1990 obvious
1991 4 round tailpipes
1992 sqaue tails 4 spoke steering wheel with grey ***** buttons
1993 Says 40 on the headrests and has black ***** buttons
1994 has two spoke wheel and console is flat to dash no trim seperating driver/passenger has 4 rectanular vents in fender
1995 same as 94 but vents on fender are angle forward and raised from body
1996 same as 1995 but if its a stick Tach goes to 8000 RPM

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Old May 4, 2003 | 10:26 PM
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Default Re: How to tell the difference? (4thgenvetty35)

Also, the way to tell a '90 from an earlier model is by the interior, it was the first to have the newer style interior. Also the wheels are one year only, there are similar to 88-89 except no lockable center cap.
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Old May 4, 2003 | 10:41 PM
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Default Re: How to tell the difference? (blk90rdstr)

OK heres what i look at: (assuming all cars are stock)
1990 obvious
1991 4 round tailpipes
1992 sqaue tails 4 spoke steering wheel with grey ***** buttons
1993 Says 40 on the headrests and has black ***** buttons

1994 has two spoke wheel and console is flat to dash no trim seperating driver/passenger has 4 rectanular vents in fender
1995 same as 94 but vents on fender are angle forward and raised from body
1996 same as 1995 but if its a stick Tach goes to 8000 RPM
Thats wrong,
grey buttons went out in 91.
The things that are different are in black.
Its extremely easy to find out what year a corvette is (from 90 to 96).
You can tell a 90 by its exterior and interior.
You can tell a 91 by its exterior/interior along with no TC button and gray buttons. Smooth sawblades.
You can tell a 92 by its black buttons and TC button.
You can tell a 93 by its "cut saw blades" along with its plastic rear seat backing.
You can tell a 94 by its new seat backing (non plastic) and its redesigned int.
You can tell a 95 by its side gills, and its non painted front corners
You can tell a 96 by its side gills plus, painted front corners.

I can do it with in seconds, my friends get astonished. :D
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Old May 4, 2003 | 11:10 PM
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Default Re: How to tell the difference? (4thgenvetty35)

If the 10th digit of the VIN is:

L = '90
M = '91
N = '92
P = '93
R = '94
S = '95
T = '96

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Old May 4, 2003 | 11:17 PM
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Default Re: How to tell the difference? (4thgenvetty35)

The little fenders behind the front wheels changed in 92 and again in 95. The emblem changed in 91 from the red, black and white with gold bowtie to just a red outline bowtie.
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Old May 4, 2003 | 11:37 PM
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Default Re: How to tell the difference? (Greg Johnson)

Great Point on the modernizing of the logo!!! Yes indeed the did change!!!
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