Swan Song: 1996 Chevrolet Corvette C4 LT-4/Six-Speed Coupe – Sold?

September 18th Update – The Craigslist ad for this C4 Corvette expired during the past week, so while we’re marking this car “Sold” there’s a chance we’ll see this car listed next spring if the seller didn’t complete this task recently.

August 4th Update:  It looks like we have a motivated seller as we just confirmed the seller once again updated his most current listing with a $2,000 price decrease bringing this C4 in just $300 above the Hagerty Insurance #3 “Good” estimate.  The seller says he is firm on this new low price and if this ad expires without a sale he will keep the C4 until next Spring.

July 24th Update: Frankly, when we first featured this final year Corvette in Polo Green over tan leather on June 6th, we assumed this C4 would sell quickly.  Fast forward six weeks and it’s still available for an even more favorable asking price of $12,499.  With a great color combination, and equipped with the highly desirable six-speed manual mated to the then-new LT4 power plant, this is one of the few C4 Corvettes that will likely rise in value. 

Chevrolet’s “C4” Corvette produced from 1983 through 1996 may be the most unloved of the brand’s beloved sports car, but the final-year LT-4 powered swan song makes a compelling and affordable entry into Corvette ownership.  A prime example is this 84K mile Polo Green over tan leather example listed earlier this week on Craigslist in Vernon, Connecticut where the current caretaker is now asking $12,499, which is down from the original ask in June of $14,999  Researching that price on the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool determines private seller has his C4 priced somewhere between the #2 “Excellent” appraisal of $19,100 and the #3 “Good” estimate of $10,700.

Hagerty Insurance provides a great overview of the 1996 Corvette:

“1996 marked the final year of the C4 Chevrolet Corvette as well as the introduction of a new engine called the LT4. It was available only with the 6-speed manual transmission and made 330 horsepower and 340 lb-ft of torque. The LT1 was still the base engine, which had 300 horsepower and 335 lb-ft of torque on tap.

With the ZR-1 gone, Chevy filled the upmarket gap with the Corvette Grand Sport and Corvette Collector Edition. The Grand Sport can easily be distinguished by its Admiral Blue paint job with a large white stripe down the middle and red “hash marks” at the front fender. This car was fitted with the LT4 and so was only available as a 6-speed. These cars also featured unique two-piece black five-spoke wheels. The 1996 Grand Sport Corvette was available in both coupe and convertible form.

Chevy also offered a Collector Edition of the last year of the C3 Corvette, and continued that tradition with the C4. The 1996 Collector Edition is distinguished by its exclusive Sebring Silver paint, silver five-spoke wheels, and “Special Edition” badging. It came with the LT1 and automatic transmission, though the LT4 and manual were optional.

The Z51 performance package was tuned more aggressively for autocross events, making it a true “driver’s” option. This was also the first year for ODB II diagnostics across the lineup, which will pay dividends for troubleshooting Corvette owners out there.

Another unique feature to the 1996 Corvette was the “Real Time Damping” system. As the name suggests, this system measured the wheel travel at all four corners, and electronically adjusted the suspension for each wheel individually – all in real time.

Sales for the 1996 Corvette were up from the year prior to 21,536, which was pretty good considering the C4’s long production run and the anticipation for the upcoming C5 generation. The Collector Edition represented 5,412 of those sales, but the true collector car from this year is the Grand Sport, with only 1,000 built.”

In addition to the more potent LT-4/6-speed powertrain, we like that this final-year C4 is neither a Grand Sport nor Collector’s Edition. The Polo Green exterior is a bonus.  The modifications made by the current caretaker are performance oriented and very subtle to all but the most knowledgeable eye.  Good luck with the purchase!

Here’s the seller’s description:

“The LT-4 Engine was available only 1 year (1996) and only on manual transmission Corvettes. All stock, no mods other than the new stereo.
Polo Green Metallic over Tan interior LT-4, 6 speed, Corvette. The car is clean, runs great, serviced and ready to enjoy! As the pics show, the interior is very clean with only slight wear on the drivers seat bolster which is typical but otherwise zero tears or flaws. Carpet, door panels, dash, console and weather stripping are excellent. Removable Targa top with original Targa top bag.
The wheels are pewter 17″X 11″ ZR1’s in mint shape with no road rash. Front tires are new and rear are great.
It has upgraded rotors, new shocks and front disc pads.
The engine is the Grand Sport 350 LT-4 rated at 330 hp and 340 lbs of torque with 10.8:1 compression. The LT-4 came with improved aluminum heads and upgraded cam, crank, water pump,timing chain, drive gear and main bearings versus the normal C-4 LT-1 engine. Recent full tune-up, plugs, wires, new opti-spark, new water pump, oil and trans fluid and filters, radiator flush.
It has an upgraded Bluetooth radio.
The Vette has a larger front sway bar has been added and the exhaust has newer performance mufflers with a great medium “droneless” roar. Mileage is 84K. Clean title in hand.
If its posted, its still for sale. Low ball offers will not get a response.“

Do you have a C4 LT-4 story you’d like to share?  Comment below and let us know!