c4 corvette lcd panel factory

If you"re considering doing this, you have a 25+ year old Corvette. Vibrations, current flow, heat and time conspire to cause internal components to break down and solder joints to break. This manifests itself in the following ways:

Sunlight causes the LCD polarizing filters to fade, which causes the information on the cluster to disappear. The LCD panels should appear black while the cluster is off. If you can see the colored info when the cluster is off, the polarizing film has faded and should be replaced. Click Here to buy.

13) Inspect the polarizing filters on the LCD panels. If you see a fade ring around the edges, consider replacing the polarizing filters on the LCD panels. Now is the time to do that repair.  Click Here to purchase.

15) If the black paint on the back of the LCD panels has worn through, light will shine through the panel in areas other than the places it should. Use black enamel acrylic paint designed for glass and a small paint brush to repaint that area. Note that we supply the correct paint and a brush if you purchase our LCD Polarizing Film kit. Be careful to avoid areas near the factory graphics, and in the areas of the LCD segments!

If your cluster displays randomly flickering LCD segments along with intermittent backlighting, the onboard power supply (Fig 1) may need to be rebuilt. We sell a kit of parts to replace commonly needed components - Click Here

Awesome", The Polarizing Film Restoration Kit fit the lens perfectly. once the old polarizing film was removed with a razorblade and the lens cleaned perfectly, the new Film installed, my Instrument Cluster looked liked it was bran new, I will recommend this product if you"re restoring you Instrument Panel/Cluster. don"t pay any attention to the negative add, that person didn"t know what they were doing. One more note; once the lens are clean use a little mild soapy water so you will be able to get the air bubbles out when installing the Polarizing Film

Awesome", The Polarizing Film Restoration Kit fit the lens perfectly. once the old polarizing film was removed with a razorblade and the lens cleaned perfectly, the new Film installed, my Instrument Cluster looked liked it was bran new, I will recommend this product if you"re restoring you Instrument Panel/Cluster. don"t pay any attention to the negative add, that person didn"t know what they were doing. One more note; once the lens are clean use a little mild soapy water so you will be able to get the air bubbles out when installing the Polarizing Film

Corvette C4 8489 Instrument LCD Polarizing Film Restoration Kit for Repair Worn and Sunfaded LCD Panels 1.Replacement for Corvette C4 19841989 instrument cluster if your LCD screen looks completely lit up and unreadable 2.Hot climates and garaging outside can cause the polarizing film on the cluster LCD screens to fade. Try viewing the LCD screens through polarized sun/3D glasses, if it is visible, the polarizing film is definitely the problem. 3.Please peel off the protetive film of both side for using it. The matt surface and have label`s side is on top toward you, reverse side with glue toward screen. 4.Package included 3pcs polarizing film. 2PCS for speedometer or tachometer and 1pcs for center info panel. 5.Complete videos and instructions of the repairs are already for you at YouTube by fill words inch8489 Gauge Fix #3 Sun Faded LCD Repairinch

Display for 1987-1988 Chevrolet Corvette C4 Digital Cluster TachometerApplication:Chevrolet Corvette C4 Digital Instrument Cluster Tachometer (1987-1988)Note:YOU ARE PURCHASING THE REPLACE SPEEDOMETER LCD ONLY, NOT THE WHOLE CLUSTER.  THIS IS NOT A COMPLETE DASH CLUSTER!This kit consists of 1PCS BRAND NEW LCD (not reworked) and 5PCS Elastomeric Zebra Connector Rubber Strips to replace tachometer scratched, faded or cracked LCD Display found in the C4 1987-1988 Corvette digital dash cluster. Ships free to US!PLEASE Verify THE MODEL YEAR OF THE CLUSTER YOU ARE WORKING ON, WHEN PURCHASING.Model year of cluster can be determined by the cluster tachometer LCD89: upshift arrow "one to four"87/88: upshift arrow "upshift for best economy" AND "D" symbol near LCD center86: upshift arrow "for best economy"85: no upshift arrow84: unique pattern (smaller) with sharp curve at top of tach sweepIt not fit for 1984-1986 and 1989 Chevrolet Corvette C4 Digital Instrument ClusterPackage Included:1PCS Chevrolet Corvette C4 Digital Cluster LCD for Tachometer and 5PCS Elastomeric Zebra Connector Rubber Strips

The Corvette instrument panel is a thing of beauty. The first of the electronic instrumental panels, the colorful "84-"88, was replaced by the more conventional analog "needle" gauge and center display package in "89, then with the truly inspired C5 system for the new "97s. Regardless, all of the instrument panels have their "personality problems" that serve to irritate their drivers. After all, what part of your car do you see most when driving? It makes sense that it couldn"t be perfect.

The standard LCD Corvette instrument panel is a nightmare for many owners. Dark or non-operative, the instrument panel that was so pretty when new is often a major problem. For those not suffering with totally dark instrument panels, there are often intermittent lighting failures such as the dash winking out to blackness on railroad crossings. But, contrary to rumor (and we"ve heard plenty), there is a fix.

Carefully remove the instrument panel by removing the surrounding panels. There are four screws holding it in place to the dashboard framework as well as a large plug system on the right side of the unit. Unplug the unit, then remove the screws and carefully lift the instrument panel out of the dashboard. Remove the screws carefully. The color display panel, which is made of glass, is one of the most breakable parts of the dashboard. For those versed in the careful art of television repair, tapping or banging on the glass will not fix your problem. For those more aggressive in this kind of repair technique, the glass panels sell for about $150 each, so be ready for a heavier bill if you can"t wait to send the unit to the folks at AER. Estimated cost for most repairs is under $500.

These instrument panels are far more reliable than the earlier units and significantly less complex internally. For the most part, the biggest problem with these clusters is missing segments (light squares) within the center electronic display. The most common display problem is not an error of the instrument panel, but rather customer viewing error. Basically, the analog (needle) gauges are not set up on a linear fashion. In other words, the halfway point for the needle is not the halfway point for the reading (numbers). Case in point: The temperature gauge may have a top reading of 260 degrees F, but the halfway point is not 130 degrees. Likewise, the temp gauge may move all the way up to the three-quarter mark before the electric cooling fans kick in and drop the needle back to the halfway point. This misread is a common misperception with these clusters and a common reason they are sent in and sent back with no repair completed.

These instrument panels also unbolt in a similar fashion to the first-era units; however, the wiring loom attachment is in the back of the instrument panel. Be careful with all connectors-don"t ever pry at the panel to remove one, as it will surely break and cause further repairs.

AER does all of the GM repairs in the western U.S., and can repair your system if you take the time to send your instrument panel to the company. Wrap it up carefully and insure it for $1,000 or more. Replacing an early instrument panel can cost more than $2,000, as cores are hard to come by and AER won"t sent you one of theirs unless you send them one of yours.

All of these units require that you send them a core or that you repair your instrument panel. On C5 units where the odometer is electronic, they must reset the mileage based on the unit you provide. AER prides itself on 24-hour turnaround on repairs so once it"s in their hands, you should have it back quickly.

You can save hundreds of dollars by doing this yourself. When calling about the service, give them the part number on the sticker located on the top of the instrument panel. Don"t worry if you can"t find one, as they have a tendency to become brittle and break off. If you don"t have the information, AER can still help when the unit arrives. When you send in your instrument panel, include a complete description of when the unit fails or other problems you"ve encountered (for example, AER had one customer send in a unit that failed only after the trip odometer hits 649 miles-if you don"t tell them they may not test for your problem). AER will repair the problem you list and check the unit for other problems as well. When you receive the unit back, it will be under a warranty from AER for one full year.

AER also fixes pesky climate-control systems and that chronic C4 problem: touchy Bose speaker amplifiers. For those with early Corvette instrumental panels, they have contacts to help there as well. Full service, to be certain.

In 1953, GM executives accepted a suggestion by Myron Scott, then the assistant director of the Public Relations department, to name the company"s new sports car after the corvette, a small maneuverable warship.convertible, was introduced at the 1953 GM Motorama as a concept car; production models went on sale later that year. In 1963, the second generation was introduced in coupe and convertible styles. Originally manufactured in Flint, Michigan, and St. Louis, Missouri, the Corvette has been produced in Bowling Green, Kentucky, since 1981, which is also the location of the National Corvette Museum.

The first generation of Corvette was introduced late in the 1953 model year. It first appeared as a show car for the 1953 General Motors Motorama, held January 17–23 at New York"s Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.

Unique to Corvette was its hand laid-up fiberglass body. This generation was often referred to as the "solid-axle" models, with independent rear suspension appearing in the next.convertibles were produced, all Polo White, for the 1953 model year.

The 1953, 1954, and 1955 model years were the only Corvettes equipped with a 235 cu in (3.9 L) version of the second-generation Blue Flame inline-six rated at 150 hp (112 kW; 152 PS).

The 1955 model offered a 265 cu in (4.34 L) V8 engine as an option. Despite the poor sales of the Corvette at the time, the brand-new V-8 was an overwhelmingly popular option. Only 6 of the 1955 models were produced with the inline-six. With a large inventory of unsold 1954 models, GM limited production to 700 for 1955. With the new V8, the 0–60 mph time improved by 1.5 seconds,Ford Thunderbird and the Studebaker Speedster introduced that same year, and the larger Chrysler C-300.

1956 Chevrolet Corvette transistorized "hybrid" (vacuum tubes and transistors) car radio option, which was GM"s first start in using the modern solid-state electronics for a production car model.

The 1958 Corvette received a body and interior freshening which included a longer front end with quad headlamps, bumper exiting exhaust tips, a new steering wheel, and a dashboard with all gauges mounted directly in front of the driver.

In 1961, the rear of the car was completely redesigned with the addition of a "duck tail" with four round lights. The light treatment would continue for all following model year Corvettes until 2014.Small-Block was enlarged to 327 cu in (5.36 L). In standard form it was rated at 250 hp (190 kW). For an extra 12% over list price, the fuel-injected version produced 360 hp (270 kW),

The second generation (C2) Corvette, which introduced Sting Ray to the model, continued with fiberglass body panels, and overall, was smaller than the first generation. The C2 was later referred to as mid-years.Larry Shinoda with major inspiration from a previous concept design called the "Q Corvette," which was created by Peter Brock and Chuck Pohlmann under the styling direction of Bill Mitchell.Mitchell Sting Ray" in 1959 because Chevrolet no longer participated in factory racing. This vehicle had the largest effect on the styling of this generation, although it had no top and did not give away what the final version of the C2 would look like.mako shark Mitchell had caught while deep-sea fishing.

Production started for the 1963 model year and ended in 1967. Introducing a new name, "Sting Ray", the 1963 model was the first year for a Corvette coupé and it featured a distinctive tapering rear deck (a feature that later reappeared on the 1971 "Boattail" Buick Riviera) with, for 1963 only, a split rear window. The Sting Ray featured hidden headlamps, non-functional hood vents, and an independent rear suspension.Zora Arkus-Duntov never liked the split rear window because it blocked rear vision, but Mitchell thought it to be a key part of the entire design. Maximum power for 1963 was 360 hp (270 kW) and was raised to 375 hp (280 kW) in 1964. Options included electronic ignition, the breakerless magnetic pulse-triggered Delcotronic first offered on some 1963 Pontiac models.

1967 was the final model year for the second generation. The 1967 model featured restyled fender vents, less ornamentation, and backup lamps - which were on the inboard in 1966 - were now rectangular and centrally located. The first use of all four taillights in red started in 1961 and was continued thru the C2 line-up except for 1966. This feature returned for the 1967 model year and then continued on all Corvettes since. The 1967 model year had the first L88 engine option that was rated at 430 hp (320 kW), but unofficial estimates place the output at 560 hp (420 kW) or more.Tri-Power, was available on the 427 L89 (a $368 option, on top of the cost for the high-performance 427).

Duntov came up with a lightweight version of the C2 in 1962. Concerned about Ford and what they were doing with the Shelby Cobra, GM planned to manufacture 100 Grand Sport Corvettes, but only five were actually built.Roger Penske, A. J. Foyt, Jim Hall, and Dick Guldstrand among others. Today the five cars (001-005) are all held by private owners, and are among the most coveted and valuable Corvettes ever built.Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum and is in running condition.

The third-generation Corvette, patterned after the Mako Shark II concept car, was introduced for the 1968 model year and was in production until 1982. C3 coupes featured the first use of T-top removable roof panels. It introduced monikers that were later revived, such as LT-1, ZR-1, Z07, and Collector Edition. In 1978, Corvette"s 25th anniversary was celebrated with a two-tone Silver Anniversary Edition and an Indy Pace Car replica edition of the C3. This was also the first time that a Corvette was used as a Pace Car for the Indianapolis 500.

Styling changed subtly throughout the generation until 1978 for the car"s 25th anniversary. The Sting Ray nameplate was not used on the 1968 model, but Chevrolet still referred to the Corvette as a Sting Ray; however, 1969 (through 1976) models used the "Stingray" name as one word, without the space.bumper was changed to a 5-mile-per-hour (8 km/h) system with a urethane bumper cover.

In 1974, a 5-mile-per-hour (8 km/h) rear bumper system with a two-piece, tapering urethane bumper cover replaced the Kamm-tail and chrome bumper blades, and matched the new front design from the previous year. The 1975 model year ended the convertible body style until it returned 11 years later, and Dave McLellan succeeded Zora Arkus-Duntov as the Corvette"s Chief Engineer.catalytic converter"s high operating temperature. For 15 model years the names Corvette, Sting Ray, and Stingray were synonymous. 1977 was the last year the tunneled roof treatment with a vertical back window was used, in addition, leather seats were available at no additional cost for the first time. The black exterior color returned after a six-year absence.

The 1978 25th Anniversary model introduced the fastback glass rear window and featured a new interior and dashboard. Corvette"s 25th anniversary was celebrated with the Indy 500 Pace Car limited edition and a Silver Anniversary model featuring silver over gray lower body paint. All 1979 models featured the previous year"s pace car seats and offered the front and rear spoilers as optional equipment.aerodynamic redesign that resulted in a significant reduction in drag. After several years of weight increases, 1980 Corvettes were lighter as engineers trimmed both body and chassis weight.St. Louis, to Bowling Green, Kentucky (where all subsequent Corvette generations have since been manufactured),

The fourth-generation Corvette was the first complete redesign of the Corvette since 1963. Production was to begin for the 1983 model year, but quality issues and part delays resulted in only 43 prototypes for the 1983 model year produced that were never sold. All of the 1983 prototypes were destroyed or serialized as 1984 model year except one with a white exterior, medium blue interior, L83 350 ci, 205 hp V8, and 4-speed automatic transmission.

September 1984 through 1988 Corvettes were available with a "4+3" transmission designed by Doug Nash - a 4-speed manual coupled to an automatic overdrive on the top three gears. It was devised to help the Corvette meet U.S. fuel economy standards.ZF 6-speed manual transmission in 1989.

In 1986, the second Corvette Indy Pace Car was released. It was the first convertible Corvette since 1975. A Center High Mounted Signal Light (CHMSL) – a third center brake light – was added in 1986 to comply with safety regulations. While the color of the pace car used in the race was yellow, all 1986 convertibles also had an Indy 500 emblem mounted on the console, making any color a "pace car edition". In 1987, the B2K twin-turbo option became available from the factory. The Callaway Corvette was a Regular Production Option (RPO B2K). The B2K option coexisted in 1990 and 1991 with the ZR-1 option, which then replaced it. Early B2Ks produced 345 hp (257 kW) and 450 lb⋅ft (610 N⋅m);

1988 saw the 35th Anniversary Edition of the Corvette. Each of these featured a special badge with an identification number mounted next to the gear selector and was finished with a white exterior, wheels, and interior.

A special 40th Anniversary Edition was released in 1993, which featured a commemorative Ruby Red color, 40th anniversary badges, and embroidered seat backs. The 1993 Corvette also marked the introduction of the Passive Keyless Entry System, making it the first GM car to feature it. Production of the ZR-1 ended in 1995 after 6,939 cars had been built.LT4 engine. The 330 hp (246 kW) LT4 V8 was available only with a manual transmission, while all 300 hp (224 kW) LT1 Corvettes used automatic transmissions.

Chevrolet released the Grand Sport (GS) version in 1996 to mark the end of production of the C4 Corvette. The Grand Sport moniker was a nod to the original Grand Sport model produced in 1963. A total of 1,000 GS Corvettes were produced, 810 as coupes and 190 as convertibles.LT4 V8, producing 330 hp (246 kW) and 340 lb⋅ft (460 N⋅m). The Grand Sport came only in Admiral Blue with a white stripe down the middle, black wheels, and two red stripes on the front left wheel arch.

The C5 Corvette was redesigned from the ground up after sales from the previous generation began to decline. Production of the C5 Corvette began in 1996 but quality/manufacturing issues saw its release to the public in mass delayed until 1997, and continuing through the 2004 model year. The C5 was a completely new design that featured many new concepts and manufacturing breakthroughs that would be carried forward to the C6 & C7. It had a top speed of 176 mph (283 km/h) and was judged by the automotive press as a breakthrough with vastly improved dynamics in nearly every area over the previous C4 design. Innovations included a 0.29 drag coefficient, near 50/50 weight distribution, and active handling (the first stability control for a Corvette). It also weighed less than the C4. It was the first time the platform was badge engineered as the Cadillac XLR with limited sales.

The Z06 model replaced the FRC model as the highest-performance C5 Corvette. Instead of a heavier double-overhead cam engine like the ZR-1 of the C4 generation, the Z06 used an LS6, a 385 hp (287 kW) derivative of the standard LS1 engine. Using the much more rigid fixed roof design allowed the Z06 unprecedented handling thanks to upgraded brakes and less body flex.

The C6 generation did not match the previous generation"s relatively good fuel economy, despite its relatively low 0.28 drag coefficient and low curb weight, achieving 16/26 mpg (city/highway) equipped with automatic or manual transmissions; like all manual transmission Corvettes since 1989, it is fitted with Computer Aided Gear Selection (CAGS) to improve fuel economy by requiring drivers to shift from 1st gear directly to 4th in low-speed/low-throttle conditions. This feature helps the C6 avoid the Gas Guzzler Tax by achieving better fuel economy.

For 2008, the Corvette received a mild freshening: a new LS3 engine with displacement increased to 6.2 L (380 cu in), resulting in 430 hp (321 kW) and 424 lb⋅ft (575 N⋅m) (436 hp (325 kW) and 428 lb⋅ft (580 N⋅m) if ordered with the optional performance exhaust). The 6-speed manual transmission also has improved shift linkage and a 0–60 mph (97 km/h) time of 4.0 seconds, while the automatic is set up for quicker shifts giving the C6 automatic a 0–60 mph (97 km/h) time of 4.0 seconds, quicker than any other production automatic Corvette. The interior was slightly updated and a new 4LT leather-wrap interior package was added. The wheels were also updated to a new five-spoke design.

The historical name Grand Sport returned to the Corvette lineup in 2010 as an entirely new model series that replaced the Z51 option. The new model was an LS3 equipped Z06 with a steel frame instead of aluminum. It retained many of the features of the Z06 including a wide body with 18x9.5 and 19x12 inch wheels, dry-sump oiling (manual transmission coupes only), 6-piston 14-inch front brakes and 4-piston rear, and improved suspension.

Beginning with the 2011 model year, buyers of the Corvette Z06 and ZR1 were offered the opportunity to assist in the build of their engines. Titled the "Corvette Engine Build Experience," buyers paid extra to be flown to the Wixom, Michigan Performance Build Center.

Development for the seventh generation Corvette started in 2007. Originally set to be introduced for the 2011 model year, its introduction was delayed for three years. It was finally released for the 2014 model year.Mid-engine and rear-engine layouts had been considered, but the front-engine, rear-wheel drive (RWD) platform was chosen to keep production costs lower.

To GM"s product planners and marketers, the fact that the Corvette had become known as an "old man"s toy" became a prime factor in developing the next generation. Studies showed that about 46 percent of Corvette buyers in 2012, through October, were 55 or older, compared with 22 percent of Audi R8 and 30 percent of Porsche 911 customers. The head of Chevy marketing, Chris Perry, acknowledges that too many people saw it as the car of "the successful plumber." John Fitzpatrick, Corvette"s marketing manager said "It"s the old saying, "Nobody wants to be seen driving an old man"s car, but everybody wants to be seen driving a young man"s car." "

The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette includes an LT1 6.2 L V8 (376 cu in) making 455 hp (339 kW) or 460 hp (340 kW) with the optional performance exhaust. The LT1 engine (the "LT1" designation was first used by GM in 1970 and then later in 1992.) is in the Gen V family of small block engines, which will be used in GM vehicles as the new small V8 option. It features three advanced technologies to the new LT1 V8 engine: direct injection, variable valve timing, and an active fuel management system.

Features of the new generation"s structure include a carbon fiber hood and removable roof panel. The fenders, doors, and rear quarter panels remain composite. At the rear of the car, the trademark round taillights have changed to a more squarish form. The underbody panels are made of "carbon-nano" composite and it makes use of a new aluminum frame that locates the four wheels an inch farther apart, front to rear and side to side. Luggage space decreased by 33% from the previous generation"s.

The new generation Corvette resurrected the "Stingray" name. Originally spelled "Sting Ray" on 1963 through 1967 models and "Stingray" from 1969 until 1976.

The last C7 Corvette (also making it the last front-engined Corvette), a black Z06, was auctioned off on June 28, 2019, for $2.7 millionBarrett-Jackson Northeast auction. The auction benefited the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which helps pay off mortgages for the families of first responders that were killed in the line of duty and builds "mortgage-free, accessible smart homes" for injured service members.

The 2020 Corvette model, both coupe and convertible configurations of the base-model Stingray made their debut within a 3-month gap. The coupe made its debut on July 18, 2019, with three launch colors, red (with the Z51 Package), white, and blue while the convertible made its debut on October 2 at the Kennedy Space Center along with the C8.R race car, which took part at the 2020 Daytona 24 Hours.

The Corvette C8 is the first production Corvette to have a rear mid-engine configuration.Pontiac Fiero. The base engine is a 6.2 liter naturally aspirated V8 (called the LT2), which generates 495 horsepower and 470 lb/ft of torque when equipped with either the performance exhaust package or Z51 performance package. The C8 is the first Corvette to be offered without a traditional manual transmission, while the convertible is the first Corvette with a retractable hardtop.

The Corvette C8 Z06 is expected to debut in the 2023 model year. It will feature a 670 horsepower 5.5 liter naturally-aspirated DOHC flat-plane crank V8. This engine, the LT6, is the most powerful naturally aspirated production V8 engine. The Z06 is redlined at 8600 RPM and feature the same dual-clutch transmission as the Stingray, albeit with gearing changes specific to the performance of this model.

Car and Driver magazine selected the Corvette for its annual Ten Best list sixteen times: the C4 from 1985 through 1989, the C5 in 1998, 1999, and 2002 through 2004, the C6 from 2005 through 2009, and the C7 in 2014.

Automotive Engineering International selected the 1999 Corvette Convertible, (along with the Mercedes-Benz S500) "Best Engineered Car of the 20th century".

The 2005 Corvette was nominated for the North American Car of the Year award and was named "Most Coveted Vehicle" in the 2006 Canadian Car of the Year contest.

Astronaut Alan Shepard, a long-time Corvette owner, was invited by then GM Chief Engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov to drive pre-production Corvette models. General Motors executives later gave Shepard a 1972 model with a Bill Mitchell interior. Jim Rathmann, a Melbourne, Florida Chevrolet dealer and winner of the 1960 Indy 500, befriended astronauts Shepard, Gus Grissom, and Gordon Cooper. Rathmann convinced GM President Ed Cole to set up a program that supplied each astronaut with a pair of new cars each year. Most chose a family car for their wives and a Corvette for themselves.Last Man On The Moon, Gene Cernan describes how this worked. The astronauts received brand-new Corvettes, which they were given the option to purchase at a "used" price after they"d been driven 3000 miles. Alan Bean recalls Corvettes lined up in the parking lot outside the astronaut offices at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, and friendly races between Shepard and Grissom along the Florida beach roads and on beaches as local police turned a blind eye.Apollo Lunar Module or Lunar Roving Vehicle. Cooper talked of the races along Cocoa Beach in his eulogy of Shepard at the Johnson Space Center in 1998.

Corvette concept cars have inspired the designs of several generations of Corvettes.Harley Earl"s 1953 EX-122 Corvette prototype was itself, a concept show car, first shown to the public at the 1953 GM Motorama at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City on January 17, 1953. It was brought to production in six months with only minor changes.

Harley Earl"s successor, Bill Mitchell was the man behind most of the Corvette concepts of the 1960s and 1970s. The second-generation (C2) of 1963 was his, and its design first appeared on the Stingray Racer of 1959. It made its public debut at Maryland"s Marlborough Raceway on April 18, 1959, powered by a 283 cu in (4.64 L) V8 with experimental 11:1 compression aluminum cylinder heads and took fourth place. The concept car was raced through 1960 having only "Sting Ray" badges before it was put on the auto-show circuit in 1961.

In 1961 the XP-755 Mako Shark show car was designed by Larry Shinoda as a concept for future Corvettes. In keeping with the name, the streamlining, pointed snout, and other detailing was partly inspired by the look of that very fast fish. The 1961 Corvette tail was given two additional tail lights (six total) for the concept car. The body inspired the 1963 production Sting Ray.

In 1965 Mitchell removed the original concept body and redesigned it as the Mako Shark II. Chevrolet actually created two of them, only one of which was fully functional. The original Mako Shark was then retroactively called the Mako Shark I. The Mako Shark II debuted in 1965 as a show car and this concept influenced Mitchell"s redesigned Corvette of 1968.

The Aerovette has a mid-engine configuration using a transverse mounting of its V8 engine. Zora Arkus-Duntov"s engineers originally built two XP-882s during 1969. John DeLorean, Chevy general manager, ordered one for display at the 1970 New York Auto Show. In 1972, DeLorean authorized further work on the XP-882. A near-identical body in aluminum alloy was constructed and became the XP-895 "Reynolds Aluminum Car." Duntov and Mitchell responded with two Chevrolet Vega (stillborn) Wankel 2-rotor engines joined together as a 4-rotor 420 hp (310 kW) engine which was used to power the XP-895. It was first shown in late 1973. The 4-rotor show car was outfitted with a 400 cu in (6.6 L) small-block V8 in 1977 and rechristened Aerovette. GM chairman Thomas Murphy approved the Aerovette for 1980 production, but Mitchell"s retirement that year, combined with then Corvette chief engineer Dave McLellan"s lack of enthusiasm for the mid-engine design and slow-selling data on mid-engined cars killed the last hope for a mid-engine Corvette.

five-louver fenders are unique; Big-Block hood bulge redesigned as a scoop; parking brake changed from pull-out under dash handle to lever mounted in the center console; Tri-power 427 would become a sought-after Corvette.

Third generation (C3) begins; New body and T-top removable roof panels, new interior, engines carried over, three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic replaces two-speed Powerglide as automatic transmission option.

First year of the 350 cu in (5.7 L) Small-Block; longer model year extended to December 1969 due to delay in the introduction of 1970 model; "Stingray" front fender nameplates added, new interior door panels and inserts, 17-inch black-vinyl steering wheel (replaced 18-inch wood-rim wheel).

First year for the LT-1 Small-Block and 454 cu in (7.44 L) Big-Block; three-speed manual transmission dropped and four-speed manual became standard with Turbo Hydra-Matic available as a no-cost option with all engines except LT-1 350; posi-traction made standard equipment; introduced along with the second-generation Chevrolet Camaro on February 26, 1970, new egg-grate metal front grills and fender grills, lower molded fender flares, new hi-back seats and interior trim, the new custom interior option included: leather seat trim, cut-pile carpeting, lower-carpeted door panels, and wood-grain accents.

5 mph (8.0 km/h) rear bumper system with urethane cover to match previous year"s front bumper, new recessed taillamps, and down-turned tail-pipes. 1974 is the only year with a two-piece rear bumper cover with a center split. No gas lid emblem was used. Aluminum front grills (all-black), dual exhaust resonators added, revised radiator cooling and interior a/c ducts, and integrated seat/shoulder belts in the coupe. Last year for a true dual exhaust system, last year for the 454 big-block engine in a Corvette, which was the 270 hp LS4.

First-year for steel floor panels, cold-air induction dropped, new aluminum alloy wheels option, new one-piece rear "Corvette" nameplate (replaces letters). The L82 350 had 210 hp.

Last year of 1968 flat rear glass design, Black exterior available (last year-1969), new design ""Corvette flags" front end and fender emblems. New interior console and gauges, universal GM radios. The biggest engine was the L82 350 with 210 hp.

Sport seats (from the previous year"s pace-car); front and rear spoilers optional, glass t-tops optional; New interior comfort features; highest Corvette sales year to date. L82 had 225 hp.

Convertible C5 debuts with the first trunk in a Corvette convertible since 1962; Indianapolis 500 Pace Car replica offered; Active Handling System introduced as optional equipment.

Eighth generation (C8) begins; New chassis and body is first mid-engine corvette. New LT2 motor with 495 hp (Z51 performance package). The C8 shares less than 5% of its parts with the previous C7 generation.

According to research by Specialty Equipment Market Association and Experian Automotive, as of 2009, there were approximately 750,000 Corvettes of all model years registered in the United States. Corvette owners were fairly equally distributed throughout the country, with the highest density in Michigan (3.47 per 1000 residents) and the lowest density in Utah, Mississippi, and Hawaii (1.66, 1.63, and 1.53 registrations per 1000 residents). 47% of them hold college degrees (significantly above the nationwide average of 27%), and 82% are between the ages of 40 and 69 (median age being 53).

In 1960, three C-1 Corvettes were race modified and entered in the 24 Hours of Le Mans by team owner Briggs Cunningham and were numbered #1, #2, and #3 cars in the race. The numbered #3 car was driven by John Fitch and Bob Grossman and it had finished the race in eighth place overall, but it had won the big-bore GT class.

The Chevrolet Corvette C5-R is a grand touring racing car built by Pratt & Miller and General Motors for competition in endurance racing. The car is based on the C5 generation of the Chevrolet Corvette sports car, yet is designed purely for motorsports use.

In 2005, the factory Corvette Team began racing the C6.R to coincide with the new sixth-generation (C6) Corvette being released to the public. Private teams, primarily in Europe, continued to race the C5-R for a couple of years before switching to the C6.R. Corvette C6.R went on to win its class at every race it entered in the 2005 ALMS season.Le Mans 24 Hour class victories in the LMGT1 category (2005, 2006, 2009). 2007 and 2008 races were won by the factory Aston Martin squad"s DBR9. The last official race for factory GT1 Corvettes was the 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans.

While some privateers continued to use the GT1 version of the C6.R in Europe, the official factory team Corvette Racing switched from the slowly dying GT1 category to the much more competitive and popular GT2 class in mid-2009. The new GT2 C6.R used a modified version of the ZR1 model body but does not have the ZR1 supercharged engine. GT2 rules are based more on production vehicles, therefore the GT2 C6.R naturally aspirated engine was considerably more restricted and less powerful than its predecessor. The car debuted at Mid-Ohio"s ALMS round. They achieved one ALMS race victory in the remaining 2009 ALMS season, and one victory at the final round of the 2010 ALMS season, Petit Le Mans. Corvette Racing"s two GT2 C6.Rs also led most of the 2010 24 Hours of Le Mans, but both cars were forced to retire. Racing in the new GTE Pro class, the C6.R raced in the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans with the No. 73 car taking the class victory. The No. 74 car led the class for most of the race but crashed in the morning hours. The C6.R raced by Larbre Competition also took the GTE Am class victory.

IN 2014, Corvette Racing introduced the new C7.R to coincide with the launch of the seventh-generation C7 Corvette. The car made its track debut at the 2013 Rolex Motorsports Reunion and later participated in the 2014 Roar Before the Rolex 24 to prepare for the 2014 United SportsCar Championship. The car"s new livery debuted at the 2014 North American International Auto Show. In 2015, the Corvette Racing C7.R took class victories at both the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

In October 2019, at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, the C8.R made its surprise debut during the world premiere of the C8 Convertible. Two cars took part in the 2020 Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway. The cars placed 4th and 7th in the GTLM Class. For the 2022 model year, Chevrolet offered a C8.R inspired IMSA GTLM Special Edition package for the production Corvette Stingray.

The Indianapolis 500 race has used a Corvette as its pace car 18 times.Chevrolet Camaro SS was selected. The Corvette"s pace car years and details include:

"Redesign intended to re-establish Corvette"s cool factor". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on January 13, 2013. Retrieved January 13, 2013.

Krisher, Tom (January 13, 2013). "C7 Corvette, 2014 Model, Bursts Onto The Road After 9 Years". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved March 29, 2013.

"New 8-Speed Enables Quicker, More Efficient Corvette". gm.com. August 20, 2014. Archived from the original on December 22, 2014. Retrieved August 21, 2014.

Colwell, K.C.; Quiroga, Tony; VanderWerp, Dave (October 26, 2021). "2023 Chevy Corvette Z06 Brings 670 HP of Naturally Aspirated Fury". Car and Driver. Retrieved May 24, 2022.

This mount allows you to mount a Holley 6.86" dash in your 90-96 C4 vette and bolt in just like it came from the factory. Our unique design method starts with a scan of an OEM instrument panel, which is then modeled over in CAD to ensure precise fit to your interior. A blank option is also available for adding your own custom gauges. Contact us if other modifications are desired.

1990 Red C4 CorvetteThe fourth-generation Corvette was the first complete redesign of the Corvette since 1963. Production was to begin for the 1983 model year but quality issues and part delays resulted in only 43 prototypes for the 1983 model year being produced that were never sold. All of the 1983 prototypes were destroyed or serialized to 1984 except one with a white exterior, medium blue interior, L83 350 ci, 205 hp V8, and 4-speed automatic transmission.[11] After extensive testing and modifications were completed, it was initially retired as a display sitting in an external wall over the Bowling Green Assembly Plant"s employee entrance. Later this only surviving 1983 prototype was removed, restored, and is now on public display at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky. It is still owned by GM.[51][52] On February 12, 2014, it was nearly lost to a sinkhole which opened up under the museum. Eight other Corvettes were severely damaged.[53]

September 1984 through 1988 Corvettes offered a Doug Nash-designed "4+3" transmission – a 4-speed manual coupled to an automatic overdrive on the top three gears. It was designed to help the Corvette meet U.S. fuel economy standards.[54] Since 1981 (when it was last offered), a manual transmission returned to the Corvette starting with production in late 1984. The transmission proved to be problematic and was replaced by a modern ZF 6-speed manual transmission in 1989.[55]

In 1986, the second Corvette Indy Pace Car was released. It was the first convertible Corvette since 1975. A Center High Mounted Signal Light (CHMSL) – a third center brake light – was added in 1986 to comply with safety regulations. While the color of the pace car used in the race was yellow, all 1986 convertibles also had an Indy 500 emblem mounted on the console, making any color a "pace car edition". In 1987, the B2K twin-turbo option became available from the factory. The Callaway Corvette was a Regular Production Option (RPO B2K). The B2K option coexisted from 1990 to 1991 with the ZR-1 option, which then replaced it. Early B2Ks produced 345 hp (257 kW) and 450 lb⋅ft (610 N⋅m);[56] later versions boasted 450 hp (336 kW) and 613 lb⋅ft (831 N⋅m).[57]

1988 saw the 35th Anniversary Edition of the Corvette. Each of these featured a special badge with an identification number mounted next to the gear selector and was finished with a white exterior, wheels, and interior.[20] In 1990, the ZR1 option Corvette was introduced with the LT5 engine designed by Lotus and built in the Mercury Marine plant in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The LT5 engine was a 4 cam (DOHC) design producing 375 hp (280 kW) when at "open throttle". The C4 ZR1 ran from 1990 thru 1995 model years. In 1991, all Corvettes received updates to the body, interior, and wheels. The convex rear fascia that set the 1990 ZR-1 apart from the base model was now included on L98 Corvettes, making the styling of the expensive ZR-1 even closer to that of the base cars. The most obvious difference remaining between the base and ZR-1 models besides the wider rear wheels was the location of the CHMSL, which was integrated into the new rear fascia used on the base model, but remained at the top of the rear-hatch on the ZR-1"s.[25]

For the 1992 model year, the 300 hp (220 kW) LT1 engine was introduced, an increase of 50 hp (37 kW) over 1991"s L98 engine. This engine featured reverse-flow cooling (the heads were cooled before the block), which allowed for a higher compression ratio of 10.5:1. A new distributor was also debuted. Called "Optispark", the distributor was driven directly off the front of the camshaft and mounted in front of the timing cover, just above the crankshaft and harmonic balancer.[25] Also new for 1992 was Acceleration Slip Regulation (ASR), a form of traction control that utilized the Corvette"s brakes, spark retard, and throttle close-down to prevent excessive rear wheel spin and possible loss of control. The traction control device could be switched off if desired.[20]

A special 40th Anniversary Edition was released in 1993, which featured a commemorative Ruby Red color, 40th anniversary badges, and embroidered seat backs. The 1993 Corvette also marked the introduction of the Passive Keyless Entry System, making it the first GM car to feature it. Production of the ZR-1 ended in 1995, after 6,939 cars had been built.[54] 1996 was the final year of C4 production, and featured special models and options, including the Grand Sport and Collector Edition, OBD II (On-Board Diagnostics), run flat tires, and the LT4 engine. The 330 hp (246 kW) LT4 V8 was available only with a manual transmission, while all 300 hp (224 kW) LT1 Corvettes used automatic transmissions.[32]

Chevrolet released the Grand Sport (GS) version in 1996 to mark the end of production of the C4 Corvette. The Grand Sport moniker was a nod to the original Grand Sport model produced in 1963. A total of 1,000 GS Corvettes were produced, 810 as coupes and 190 as convertibles.[32] The 1996 GS came with the high-performance LT4 V8, producing 330 hp (246 kW) and 340 lb⋅ft (460 N⋅m). The Grand Sport came only in Admiral Blue with a white stripe down the middle, black wheels, and two red stripes on the front left wheel arch.[58]

The fourth-generation Corvette, also known as the C4, lasted for twelve model years, from 1984 to 1996. While the C4 Corvette won’t go down in history as the fastest or most popular Corvette in history, it moved the Corvette forward from the old rattly C3 muscle car, to a car that started to compete with offerings from Ferrari and Lamborghini like we see with the C8 Corvette today.

While the C4 was slated for an early 80’s debut, the car was eventually pushed for a 1983 model year release, with multiple pre-production cars built, but at the last minute, the car was pulled from the production line, something that is unheard of today.

Though the 1983 Corvette was canceled, 61 cars were produced. Of these 61 cars, all were crushed other than one example. This is the story of the only 1983 Corvette.

Due to new emissions, fuel economy regulations, and safety regulations being introduced in the mid-70s, the development of the C4 was hit with adversity that the designers at GM never had to overcome in the past. While the Corvette was being tweaked to meet these new regulations, the 1983 model year was reaching its end, and it was too little, too late for the 1983 Corvette. The C4 would not make it to market for the 1983 model year.

Even though only a few early production model 1983 Corvettes were even produced, they were ordered to be crushed. 42 of the 43 1983 Corvettes were crushed, except for number 23, the car that survived.

When GM ordered that all 43 1983 C4 Corvettes were to be crushed, it was decided for convenience-sake that all of the cars would be crushed in Bowling Green, Kentucky, where they were produced.

In June of 1982, Ralph Montileone, a worker at the plant, was assigned to use a mobile crusher to get rid of the 43 1983 Corvettes that had been built. All of the cars were destroyed, one by one, until Montileone got to the last car, number 23. Out of nowhere, it started to downpour over Bowling Green, and Montileone decided to save the final crushed car until the next day.

While the one and only surviving 1983 Corvette faced the crusher and lived, the story did not end there. After the crusher was taken off the plant property, the 1983 was driven to a back lot of the plant and parked indefinitely at the time.

After GM missed the 1983 model year, to this day, the only year without a Corvette, things were tough and emotions were high among the company, people had other things to worry about other than this car that missed the crusher. Not only did the 1984 car have to be better than the 1983, but it also had even stricter emissions and safety requirements that they had to meet.

After the C4 got its footing and started to sell well into its first few years, a plant manager noticed the lone white Corvette sitting in the back of the parking lot and found out that it was a 1983 model, although all records indicated that they were all crushed.

It was decided that this car would be brought into the front lobby of the Corvette plant after a fresh paint job, and it would be on display as the only surviving 1983 Corvette.

After years and years of hiding in plain sight as a showpiece of the lobby of the Corvette plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky, the 1983 Corvette was officially repainted its original all-white color to keep the car as it was when it came off the line.

Finally, the GM executives in Detroit sent the team at Corvette a relieving message that they would be able to keep the car, not only to act as the only remaining Corvette in a year without a Corvette but also to act as a piece of history to educate visitors about the history of the plant.

A few years later, the National Corvette Museum was officially opened, and the only 1983 Corvette was sent across the street to the museum to be displayed, where it sits today.

The 1983 Corvette still sits in the National Corvette Museum today, where it has its original body panels, colors, and it even runs and drives. Over a quarter of a million people visit the museum every year to see this piece of automotive history, the car that survived its destruction for years thanks to a little luck and some love from the team at Corvette.

As Corvette owners today argue about which Corvette is the rarest, there is no doubt that the only 1983 Corvette is the rarest existing Corvette today. A true one-of-a-kind car that helped pave the way for every Corvette we have enjoyed since.