Mint 1996 Corvette Grand Sport Could Be A Decent Investment Opportunity
6
Sponsored Links
The C4 Corvette Grand Sport is largely thought to be one of the most collectible modern Corvettes. With just 1,000 examples built in a short, one-year production run, the Grand Sport is a seldom-seen variant of the otherwise abundant fourth-generation Corvette.
Of those 1,000 cars that were built, 810 were hardtop coupes and just 190 were convertibles. One of these exceedingly rare C4 Corvette Grand Sport Convertibles recently popped up for sale on Russo and Steele’s website, giving Chevy fans the opportunity to put this highly sought after Vette in their garage or collection.
The car being sold by Russo and Steele is also one of just 41 C4 Corvette Grand Sport Convertibles that left the factory with the red interior option and the F45 heavy-duty suspension. It has been extremely well preserved, featuring all factory original stickers and decals, an immaculate “as new” interior and the original Goodyear Eagle GS-C tires. Furthermore, the car will be delivered with all factory manuals and original dealer marketing material. Russo and Steele assures any would-be buyers that all 22,000 miles on the odometer have been “carefully driven.”
The only available engine in the C4 Corvette Grand Sport was the 6.2L LT4 V8, which is good for 330 horsepower and 340 pound-feet of torque. The gearbox is a six-speed manual from German supplier ZF, which sends power to the rear wheels through a set of 3.45 gears.
Russo and Steele is asking for $54,500 for this rare, mint-condition Corvette Grand Sport. Considering its rarity and museum-quality condition, we’d say this is a fair price. We can’t imagine its value will ever dip below $54,000 and we’d be surprised if it didn’t go up in the coming years. Check out the listing here for some more information and high-quality images.
Subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevrolet Corvette news, Chevrolet news, and 24/7 GM news coverage.
- Sweepstakes Of The Month: Win a 2023 Corvette Z06 Convertible. Details here.
Sponsored Links
RPO F45 was not “heavy duty suspension”? It was a new adjustable system called “Selective Real time damping”. The console mounted dial allowed for 3 choices, Tour, Sport or Performance for the electronically controlled shocks/dampers. It was a pricey option at the time $1695.00.
The LT4 engine was not 6.2L at this time, it was 5.7L.
$54,500? Even for one with “red guts”, that is all the money for a car with 22K. One of these same cars, with 31K and black interior, only bid to $23-24K today on BaT.
A stunning example of the end of the C4 gen. Yes, brand new this car was above 50 large, and a low production example with just 190 of 1000 built in convertible guise. Granted the red interior(just one of 41 of the 190 made) is rare, but 22,000 miles on any ’96 Chevy Corvette Grand Sport convertible is no way worth $54,500. The fourth generations are at rock bottom prices right now(and as the above comment made noted, the car is worth less than 25K). Just as an afterthought, if this car was still in bubble wrap, then yes it would be worth every penny of the asking price, otherwise, pass. (Owning seven C4s doesn’t make me an expert by any means, just a well seasoned Corvette guy).
Kerbeck had 1,still may in their private collection for sale in the mid 40’s.I’m driving a Ruby 40th /6 Spd/Vert.Thats the 8th Vette I have owned thru out the years.
Definitely a very optimistic price. They’ll be sitting on it for a while. Nice car for sure.
Odd question, did they not fender flare the verts like they did the coupes? I’m an expert on early C4s 84-91 but after that I don’t know much.
Grand Sport Coupes were equipped with P275/40ZR-17 tires on 17×9.5″ wheels in front and P315/35ZR-17 tires on 17×11″ wheels in the rear. Grand Sport Convertibles were equipped with P255/45ZR-17 tires on 17×8.5″ wheels in front and P285/40ZR-17 tires on 17×9.5″ wheels in the rear. Coupes came equipped with molded fender flares above the rear wheel arches while the convertibles did not. Grand Sport Wheels were the same as the 1994-1995 ZR-1’s 5 spoke wheels except painted with a glossy black finish and a 50mm offset rather than the ZR-1’s 36mm.