What's up everybody, first post here.

To start, here's our subject - 1989 convertible, automatic, 40k miles.


Backstory: Long story short, this car was being stored in my girlfriend's garage and while the owners were still paying rent, the car had not been touched for at least 5 years. Wanting the space back, she texted them in late 2025 and asked that they find a new home for the car. They responded that they were happy to do so but needed some time, and mentioned that they were looking for a buyer. My always helpful self urged her to ask how much they wanted, expecting an unreasonable price.

When they said $3000, I told her that while she unfortunately may not be getting the space back, she will at least get a chance to drive around in the car that had been in her way for so long (she didn't seem to love that development, weirdly).

Two months, a lost and re-issued title, and $3000 later, the car was now mine.

First task was to pop out the fuel pump/sending unit assembly and check on the condition of it, and the tank. No corrosion or junk anywhere, just nasty smelling fuel. I drained about 15 gallons out, put 5 gallons of fresh fuel in, threw a battery in, made sure it had oil, and after a long crank and a couple of sputters, fired right up. Brakes worked, reverse worked, moved forward, time to top off the tires and a spin around the block.

The car definitely shows some age being 37 years old, but feels quite solid overall with only 40k on the clock (up to the 25 mph I've had it).

The plan: Not knowing the history of the car, lots and lots of maintenance. Tires, oil & filter, fuel filter, air filter, trans fluid and filter, hoses, thermostat, serp belt, idler and tensioner pulleys if needed, plugs, wires, cap & rotor, diff fluid, new front right wheel (pretty badly bent), shocks, most likely brakes. Will get a good polish and full detail, and I'll do my best to repair or replace any broken plastic bits I come across.

The car is also throwing a code 34 with an intermittent SES light, so some diag to do there as well.

The goal isn't to make it perfect, but to just get it really well-sorted mechanically and fix any glaring flaws, drive it around a bit, do an autocross or two, probably lend it to my parents for a while, and then find someone who wants to keep it long term.

I'll document everything I can and post updates here.

Before the rest of the photos, anything obvious I'm overlooking?

I'm no stranger to GM, but am not an expert on these cars, and most of my GM knowledge is on either older (squarebody) or newer (GMT800) platforms.

How the car sat when I came upon it:



On the inaugural 1/4 mile spin around the block:



And after a "quick detailer and half a box of microfiber rags" wash (it'll be getting a full polish later on).




Not sure what the deal with the Z07 badge is, but it's not correct for the car. Will be coming off.



The top is not perfect, unsure if I'll be able to get the mildew spots out of the vinyl but will do my best to save it. Window is in good shape, still feels fairly pliable, and no major tears.






Overall, the car seems to be fairly well-kept, and mostly unmolested. Looking forward to some time in the garage, and some ripping around with the top down.

 

Code 34 would indicate a MAF issue. If you plan on going hands on with revival you should purchase a Factory Service Manuel for that year. It would contain all the diagnostic steps for any issue you come across during your adventure.

You have a very nice example there and you will enjoy it. One thing I suggest is check the age of the tires and replace them if over 5-7 years old.

 

Thanks! I like the FSM idea, will definitely see if I can source one.

Tires have a 2014 date code, so those are already budgeted into the plan.

 

I also had 89, same color combinations and great cruising car, I took to shows and trips!

Enjoy the ride!

 

Pretty good deal for good paint and essentially a clean car. I had a code 36 which eventually required a new MAF since the cheap replacement installed did not have a burnoff circuit. As you go, you'll probably find more stuff but it's fun to learn. Enjoy the ride!

 

My ‘89. Tan interior / tan top.

I’ve went through probably 50% of this car within the last 14 months of ownership, also put 9K miles on it. Happy to help with questions you may have as you’re working through it. As someone who did the complete opposite of this - I suggest getting it to a point where it’s safe to drive and then enjoy it. You’ll learn of consistent sounds/behaviors and can start tackling it that way, see what bothers you the most.

1) The cars run warm, it’s normal. If you’re sitting in traffic, the main fan will come on around 228* to cool it down. Once you’re steadily above 35mph or so and cruising, temps should drop quick.

2) Manual + this forum + YouTube, has all the information you may need.


Good luck and have fun.

 

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your new Corvette!! Your car is really in amazing shape and for 3k, you got one heck of a deal!! There will be a few things that you'll find need addressed, but once the car is sorted out, it will give you years of mostly trouble free enjoyment!! Did the seller tell you any of the car's previous history?

 

$3K for a 40K mile car in great condition? You stole that thing. Sounds like you're going about things the right way. I am a huge proponent of preventative maintenance, as I just finished that on my '96. It's a lot of work, but nothing beats the piece of mind you'll have when you get in the car and know you can drive it cross-country without hesitation.

Keep us updated.

 

Thanks all! I'll definitely be keeping this thread up to date as I go. Still in the process of getting settled after moving and getting the garage set up properly so things might be slow for a few weeks, but I'm looking forward to starting to chip away at things.

I don't have much history on the car, it looks like the previous owners bought it from a family member in 2014, but they were clearly not car people and didn't say much other than that it ran well for them while they owned it. Since I don't have much history, the plan is just a bunch of (possibly excessive) preventative maintenance. I have enough other projects going on that I want to just get the vast majority of everything figured out in the next couple months for this car, and then enjoy it in the nice weather. Good to know that they tend to run warm though, that could have definitely sent me down an unnecessary rabbit hole!

For shocks, I have always been happy with Bilstein B6s whenever I've used them, are there any others for this platform that stand out that I should consider?

 

Share a picture of your RPO sticker that is located under the center console lid. It will be helpful is determining what is stock for your car vs. not. I ran B6s on all 4 corners, they've been sufficient. I've read that B8s can be a little too firm. The biggest change in my handling (to this point) has come from replacing bushing in the control arms and dog bones.

 

Here’s the RPO sheet:

 

FE1 = Base suspension. B6s will be comparable.
B4P = Auxiliary Fan (small secondary fan in your front air dam). Some remove it, some re engineer to come on first.
GU2 = 2.73 rear gear ratio. Nice win there.
CC2 = Factory hardtop.... it is a bummer you don't have this with the car. May be worth asking the previous owners if they remember having it.

 

The front rims are backward. That's the only obvious thing I see.

Looks like you got a great deal on a clean car.

Maybe get inside and have someone hose the convertible top down really well while you're in there and check for any leaks.

 

That hardtop completely changes the look of the car, too. Looks really nice when installed. Looks better than the coupe that way, I think.

But the ragtop is convenient.

From what I've read the hardtop is kind of time consuming to take on and off every time you want to ''put the top down.'' Also takes two people.

 

I owned an 89 convertible for 12 years. Easy enough to work on. Since it's been sitting for a while you may want to put fresh injectors in at some point. I can see the exhaust is not original. There should be 4 tips instead of two. Should you decide to do a cat back upgrade B&B makes a nice sounding exhaust for the C4. Best of luck with your resto and know there are a lot of talented people on this forum to give you advice and assistance.

 

Wow, great looking car! Good luck with it and welcome to the Forum.

 

Thanks all!

I'm sure from talking with the PO that the hard top is long gone, I don't think they ever even had it. I had a Miata back in college with a hard top, and while they look great on the car (the C4 is no different), they're a pain to deal with. Plus if I'm in a convertible, the top is gonna be down 99% of the time. I ended up selling the hard top for that Miata to buy a motorcycle haha.

The car does have a Flowmaster exhaust on it. In the one trip around the block I've made, the drone is horrific until engine speed gets above 2k. I'll see what I decide to do about the exhaust once I get more miles on the car, and get it up in the air to see the condition of everything. Might build something if I'm feeling sassy.

No real updates, other than I put in a $400 order for a bunch of maintenance items yesterday, and the Quick jacks that I ordered are scheduled to be delivered tomorrow. I don't have the height or concrete thickness for a 2-post like we put in my parents' garage a few years ago, and I was going back and forth between the Quick jacks and a scissor lift, but the quick jacks went on sale and I jumped on them. Only about 24" lift height, but the portability and lower profile will be nice. My 1979 C10 would struggle to clear a scissor lift anyway.

More pictures when stuff arrives!

 

You know what one of the coolest things is about the verts from the earlier years of the C4 generation?

This...



The coupes only have a couple of crossed baseball bats, still cool, but the verts have the really cool Easter egg.

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wow what a deal !!! I hate you , lol