Should I buy - help please
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
From: Mobile Alabama
Should I buy - help please
1985 Coupe, Automatic, 81000 Miles, Glass Top, Red with Red Interior, Z51, interior in really good shape, all original, engine has had smog pump delete with chip and the cataltic converter has been removed and a cat back exhaust. 2nd owner never wrecked original paint, wheels - really nice car - glass top. The bad, bumpers are fading and mirrors losing clear coat, tires are 50%, cruise control doesn't work. Price is 5200 - started at 6500 - so what would you think - good or so/so deal - any major problems to watch for on 85?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,272
Likes: 17
prices are different from one end of the country, you might want to see what they're selling for out there, out here, I'd expect about a 3000-4500 price and try for the low end of that., or that its had any mechical work done. 2nd owner car should have maint. records. if it hasnt had much done, you may get stuck with doing it, and thats never as much fun as it is made out to be. hope this helps.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,765
Likes: 5
1985 Corvette Z51 Auto Coupe has a factory 2,056 RPM stall converter.
All other years had a 1,800 RPM stall.
Have an original 1985 Corvette torque converter put away in my garage.
Code "B" torque converter.
Makes for quicker launches off the line with a Tuned Port engine stock or lightly modded.
1985 Z51 cars sit about 1/2 " lower than other standard C4's.
Created less areodynamic drag at speeds over 140 mph.
The 1985 Vette you are looking at had a rated top speed of 150MPH.
I have several old magazine articles in my hotrod collection of the 1985 Z51 A4 Corvette.
Neat vintage reading material & informative.
The 1985 Z51 Auto Trans Corvette has 3.07 : 1 gear ratio gearset in its Dana 36 rear differential.
Don't worry about the cast iron heads.
It does not slow a good running 1985 Vette down.
My late friend had a 1985 A4 Z-51.
It was very fast after his mods & tuning tricks.
I seen over 170 MPH riding shotgun with him.
Helped me get hooked on C4 Vettes myself.
BR
All other years had a 1,800 RPM stall.
Have an original 1985 Corvette torque converter put away in my garage.
Code "B" torque converter.
Makes for quicker launches off the line with a Tuned Port engine stock or lightly modded.
1985 Z51 cars sit about 1/2 " lower than other standard C4's.
Created less areodynamic drag at speeds over 140 mph.
The 1985 Vette you are looking at had a rated top speed of 150MPH.
I have several old magazine articles in my hotrod collection of the 1985 Z51 A4 Corvette.
Neat vintage reading material & informative.
The 1985 Z51 Auto Trans Corvette has 3.07 : 1 gear ratio gearset in its Dana 36 rear differential.
Don't worry about the cast iron heads.
It does not slow a good running 1985 Vette down.
My late friend had a 1985 A4 Z-51.
It was very fast after his mods & tuning tricks.
I seen over 170 MPH riding shotgun with him.
Helped me get hooked on C4 Vettes myself.
BR
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,765
Likes: 5
Z-51 cars( & later Z-52's) had 9-1/2" wide rims on all 4 corners too.
Helps greatly with high speed handling.
16" rim tires new are getting tough to find though.
Helps greatly with high speed handling.
16" rim tires new are getting tough to find though.
Last edited by 87 vette 81 big girl; May 31, 2011 at 07:33 AM.
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