1988 Chevrolet Corvette C4

The Corvette's history is filled with significant accomplishments and milestones, not the least of which was reaching its 35th year as America's Sports Car, four years into the development of the fourth generation that would gestate over 16 years and culminate with a new era of Corvette supremacy. By the Corvette's 35th year anniversary, approximately 900,000 examples had been produced.

Corvette celebrated its 30th anniversary in 1983 - the only problem being no Corvette with which to celebrate. Late development delays on the incoming C4 replacement resulted in skipping the 1982 model all the way into 1984. The delays proved worthwhile, and in 1988 America's Sports Car celebrated its 35th year, showcasing the tremendous technological advances made by the fourth generation. Horsepower in the L98 Coupe increased to 245 horsepower, and significant revisions to the suspension and brakes took full advantage of the new 17x9.5-inch aluminum wheels and P275-40ZR-17 Goodyear Eagle GT tires of the optional Z52 Sport Handling package.

In a nod to the Waldorf-Astoria debut on the original Motorama car, the 35th Anniversary Corvette was introduced in high style at the New York Auto Show on April 1st of 1988. The coupe-only 35th Anniversary Edition, officially listed as RPO Z01, was finished in White (in recognition of the original 1953 Corvettes) with matching mirrors, door handles, body-side moldings and aluminum wheels, with a contrasting Black roll hoop and a dark tinted acrylic roof panel. Special 35th Anniversary badges were placed on the front fenders, and the car's White leather interior featured dual six-way power Sport seats with 35th Anniversary Edition-embroidered headrests. Additional amenities included power windows and heated mirrors, electronic air conditioning control, Delco-Bose AM/FM audio system and a special numbered plaque mounted on the console. Chevrolet announced a production limit of 2,000, which eventually grew to 2,050, having an original MSRP of $35,072.

The late-1983 introduction of the all-new fourth-generation (C4) Corvette had initially commenced with concept drawings in 1976. With development overseen by GM Chief Engineer Dave McLellan, the new C4 body design was far more aerodynamic and purposeful. The all-new, leading-edge chassis design utilized front and rear monoleaf springs, precise rack-and-pinion steering gear, and the independent rear suspension utilized five locating links. It continued the Corvette's use of four-wheel disc brakes, and new alloy wheels were mounted with Goodyear's all-new 'Gatorback' unidirectional radial tires. Power was sourced from Chevy's venerable 350 cubic-inch V8 with Cross-Fire throttle-body fuel injection, a combination carried over from the 1982 model. Gearbox choices included GM's 700-R4 overdrive automatic and the Doug Nash '4+3' manual unit, essentially the Borg-Warner T-10 with computer-controlled overdrives for the top three gears, providing immense flexibility under a wide variety of driving conditions. Top speed increased to 155 mph and skidpad performance of over 0.90 g, making the new Corvette one of the fastest and best-performing vehicle's on the market.

Modifications and refinements came quickly, with the 1985 model year bringing the release of the L98 Tuned-Port Injected 350 engine, which added 25 horsepower, 40 pounds-feet of torque, and improved fuel economy. 1987 brought roller valve lifters which helped increase output to 240 horsepower.

Except for restyled six-slot wheels, little changed on the 1988 Corvette. Chevrolet made modifications to the suspension system which were intended to improve control during hard braking. The brake components also received attention, including the use of thicker rotors. The 350 cubic-inch V8 was given a pair of modified aluminum cylinder heads. Total output was rated at 245 BHP with a torque rating of 345 lb-ft of torque.

Body styles included a hatchback coupe which listed at $29,480 and a Convertible which sold for $34,820. In total, Chevrolet produced just 7,407 Convertibles and 15,382 coupes.

by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2013