A Chevrolet Corvette C4 has been seized and its owner taken to jail following a high-speed car chase in Johnston County, North Carolina.
According to WRAL.com, the Corvette C4 was involved in a race with another vehicle on Cleveland Road in Smithfield when the two drivers (who reportedly did not know each other) passed a State Highway Patrol trooper. The trooper gave chase, which was no easy task as the cars were estimated as traveling at around 130 mph.
Chevrolet Corvette C4 (used for illustrational purposes only, not actual photo of C4 in question)
The other car was not involved for much longer because it broke down – perhaps fortunately, given the way the story was to develop. The Corvette C4, meanwhile, continued on its way for some considerable distance.
The situation became critical for the Chevy driver when he reached the intersection of Cleveland Road and NC Highway 210 and was faced with the choice of either making a sharp right turn followed by a sharp left (which would have required both considerable driving smarts and a law-abiding sensibility he had not shown up to this point) or heading straight on down the wrong side of the road.
Whichever of these options he picked, it must have been the wrong one, since he lost control and crashed into a guardrail. There were no injuries, and the Corvette C4 sustained what WRAL.com describes as “only minor damage”, though it can’t have been in as good a condition as it was when the owner bought it only days before.
Under North Carolina’s controversial “Run and You’re Done” law, which came into effect on June 23rd 2011, both cars were seized and both drivers were being held at the Johnston County Jail with charges pending against them.
Since it’s the next best thing to speeding, we invite to subscribe to GM Authority for honest Corvette news, peaceful Chevrolet news and law-abiding GM news coverage . . . or you’re done.
Comments
I am just shocked a regular C4 hit 130MPH.
It may have had some work done on it they didn’t say
The state of carolina should fix this classic up and convert it into a highway patrol car, and I highly disagree with other comments stating that this car is junk..not..it’s a classic and a beautiful one at that.
If you’re shocked, you might want to obtain a clue. The road tests back then show 145 from an L83, 155 from an L98, 165 from LT1, and 175 from an LT5. I don’t have any good places to make sustained high-speed runs, but 120 is a leisurely drive in a C4, a lot nicer than 90 in my Mustang.
I easily hit 140 in my 85 C4, had more to go but had let off for traffic.
Why would u be shocked? These Cars have been doing 130 for years before this model came out, I can only imagine how shocked u would be if u found out what the new one can do lol, around 200mph😯
Hahaha!! I’ll admit having the exact same thought!
And calm down everyone, yea, a C4 may have had a higher top speed when new, but 30+ years takes a toll. I’ve had a C4 and a C5. I love Vettes, but 130 is really getting up there for that generation. Did 145 in my C5, and I can’t say it felt great stability-wise. A bit floaty. Wouldn’t do it again.
If you street race always keep a small loan on your car and they cant take it because it belongs to the finance company
Not true in North Carolina (Can’t say about any other state). You loose regardless. Loan company may or may not end up with vehicle after court case. You will still pay loan company. Law is lengthy but here’s the cliffs notes for NC from the court system. https://www.nccourts.gov/help-topics/traffic-and-vehicles/vehicle-seizure .
You don’t know. C4s.
My c4 kicks ass
I take my $ for bail, cell phone to call someone lay my license on the console, along with registration. Put my foot in it. Oh and hopefully not meet no cops!
My old ’86 z51 4+3 could do 155mph…
Shit I’ve done 140 in my 06 Duramax with a topper on it. Guy that was surprised at 130 must own a Mustang that would never see 120!!!
My 1994 i got it up to 135 without pushing it
Mine.. 180 +
Mine.. 190+
Are you about to hit 200+ also?
My stock cross fire 84 got 130+ several times in boring IL highways. I got scared at 140, car was diving like it was doing 60.
I wrecked mine at 165 miles per hour thangly on god no thirds involve and i came out in good condition no scratches at all just a bruce thats all my car fully performe cam,transmision and 3600 stall converter alot of power to car it was a scary moment.already fix car now want to sell it.2001 c5 convertible ls1
I had my 87 c4 doing 150mph with no problem.
Not a road smooth enough to get any speed for a C5. But will find that road somewhere in Co.
My ’84 Vette did a verified 152 mph and still pulling. Verified by UHP who while smiling and joking cuffed and stuffed my ass.
Y’all stories are boring. After a drug control in Miami down town in 2010 I got away being chased by four police cars with blue lights on my ass in my black 1994 C4 running red lights and cutting through gas stations. Beat this bro’s.
My Tuna Boat 4dr CTS V on smooth flat asphalt will roll 190+ in comfort with the A/C blowing
Had one too- It was D3. You ain’t Bull5hitting- plus it was smooth as butter with the FE4 & FG2 options on BMR Fabrication and whisper quite inside with the performance upgraded & GM licensed RRS exhaust.
As the owner of the 1990 ZR-1, this car still owns the 24 hour world speed endurance record for a mass produced production car at just under 175 mph, the guys that did the record breaking attempt said on track they ran in the mid 190s for hours at a time. I would never run from law enforcement, that radio is pretty quick.
Corvettes finally catching up – the day of the trans am led the pack in foolishness.
Mike Wilete they take your car loan or not then they auction it off and you still owe the bank the money. Ask me how I know 😉
93 LT1. Chipped by Doug Ripple. Ram aired. Throttle body size increased. Read 340 HP at the tires. 173 across the Pennsylvania Turnpike. God I loved that car.
my LS powered 87 Chevette would smoke any Corvette on the street, I ate all challengers until the day it was stolen along with the trailer ot was in it’s been 4 years and still no word on its whereabouts.
Should have been more low key and less of a show off…
Tell him vic.
u bought the last MY chevette , should sell it back to GM so they can display at the heritage center
I had my 85 vette up close to 125 and still had some in the tank….
Top speed on a C4 stock is around 170
My 89 did 185 pulling boat trailer
uphill?
2010 ls3 conv. Never had to max. Love the car. Phil.
My 2005 Crossfire races to 145 and than with enough road will shake the needle at 165….but 145 comes very fast and the car is smooth as butter. Non aspirated I can only imagine the SRT-6!!
My 1958 modified fuel injected Vette clocked at 157 in the flying mile, Daytona Beach 1959.
Awesome vehicle I wish I still owned.
Crashed…..What a Maroon !!
Do not be shocked by Corvette performance. Just keep it quite. My C6 went through radar 167. We keep it quite to keep insurance rates down.
I can’t brag. My C7 Z06, from a stop light made it to 145 and still accelerating hard in less than 30 seconds. All factory. That SC makes it effortless. Would’ve kept on but my dear ole’ dad was along for the ride and didn’t want to do anything too stupid…
A story which has stuck with me from ’73 has to do with our chief mechanic at a chain discount store recounting his time with his split-window Corvette. I was 17 and this guy was in his early-30s and he ran the auto repair shop (six bays) in our store. “Boys!”, he told the usual assembly of three or four of us young punks, “Boys, I had that Vette doing one-forty and she still had plenty to give!” It sounded crazy and exotic at the same time. He married the prettiest girl in the store, probably the loveliest in the tri-state area, and I hope that they live on, happily ever after.
I had bought a 84 corvette cobalt blue brand new tires for just 2500.00 from a cousin of mine who needed cash now. I had barrowed the money from my boss. Paid him back in 3 weeks. I completely re did the interior. Beautiful car. I would speed through the back roads in Morgan hill, cali. At 120=130mph. I would pretend i was being chased by the cops and would speed all the way home and dip into my 1 car garage and chill behind the closed automatic door. Laughing and just staring at what an amazing car i was driving. Damn i loved that car..
My heart is aflutter being a former C4 owner. I got to babysit my friend’s ’96 LT4 in March of ’97 which helped me make up my mind. The face-lifted C4s (’92-’96) remain my favorite body-style. My affection stems from the vehicle’s lines, the tilt-up front clip (a conversation starter at gas stations!) and the headlights going through those wonderful gymnastics when they were switched-on. That’s it. That’s my case for the latter C4s being my favorite Corvette.
I restored and repaired Corvettes for 40 years.All I can say is l learned early that I die over 120 so l found that 0 to 100 is much more fun and exciting. You guys that think your going that fast, should take your car to the Silver state classic and see how fast you’r really going! I think you will all be disappointed! But you won’t kill someone else.
I had a C4 got rid of it. The LT1 motor was a dog. Had no power. I really doubt the speed of 130 mph is true.
Sorry the look on someone’s face when they realize they they don’t have the power they thought they did . 2012 chevy 1500 crate 6.2 with super charger and a bunch of mods with a programmer and a dana, the list keeps stacking up on who got to see the sign on the back , game over lol , but seriously keep it on the strip and if you can’t then at least know how to handle the power you have. And be smart about where you are doing it at .
And remember that deer don’t give notice as to when they will step out onto an active roadway and freeze, well, like deer-in-the-headlights.
As a responsible Corvette owner I disapprove of racing on public roads,; except of course drag racing!
like starting from a 55 mph roll?
if its not from a dig, its not a real race.
As both the story, as well as many of the related posts here prove, you can’t fix stupid.
Great story, @DavidFinlay, as were some of the comments!
racing on the street is a bi-gone era. Get in an accident the insurance automaticly becomes “Mutual of no Comprendre”..Find a parking lot and do a burnout if you must…but best bet take it to a local drag strip…maintain
I had a 72 Lt-1 that I had up to 130 & a 85 that I had up to 140 both had more to go.
American cars are build for cruising not speeding except on a never-ending straight. Americans are one of the worst drivers on the planet. This combo is not meant to be on a public road but on a biiig oval with no turns.
Proud Ruby C4 owner from Italy.
My 4cylinder ranger hit 160 on the way to your moms house. Best night of fun I had in awhile
C4 corvettes should keep it under 100 as they are junk! Want a real corvette get a c6 grand sport and put twin turbos on it I know exactly how fast my car is and yes on the streets 196 is all its got I drove a rental 488 on the same strip of road and 204 is all it had be careful have fun and get to know your local Sheriff
My 2006 Chrysler SRT8 with it’s 6.1 Hemi will do 160+. Wonderful well made ride. I work for GM and they lost my loyalty when they killed my beloved Pontiac!
Poor choices are made everyday. Glad no one was hurt.
Dang I know where all that went down! Yea I was wondering how fast a c4 could go! Man racing 40 yr old cars is not a good idea…. man my foxbody is kinda scary over 100. LoL
The state of carolina should fix this classic up and convert it into a highway patrol car, and I highly disagree with other comments stating that this car is junk..not..it’s a classic and a beautiful one at that.
Biggest bunch of liars I have ever seen.
I had my 2002 with a chip in it took it150mph on interstate95in Florida at that speed u start thinking about if a tire blows and other things makes u slow down quick
I had my 2002 with a chip in it took it150mph on interstate95in Florida at that speed u start thinking about if a tire blows and other things makes u slow down quick
Normally manufacturer will put tire that are speed rated above what car can do. I had a 14 Chevy SS with tires rated for 149 but I had to have one of the rear tires plugged but after the tire has a plug it is recommended that you don’t exceed the next lower speed rating. In my case that was 130. So I backed out of it at 128
with that stiff penalty I wonder what they do if the offender is not the owner or it is stolen,should be a long time on ice but it may be a sentence of counselling since NC is going liberal,sounds like a cash grab
Americans cant drive? Ever hear of a man called Earnhardt.
I had a ’60 Morris Minor with a modified speedometer face that I created. 10 mph became 30mph, 20mph became 40 mph, 30mph became 50 mph and so forth. My friends were very impressed how smooth and stable it ran going at high speed……..lol !!! This was for me the safest way to claim and brag about how fast I could drive a car….it was all illusion bull$hit…and I’m 88 years years old still tearing it up in my ’71 Charger R/T – 440, 4 speed !!
I had a highway completely to myself on the first morning of the lockdown. A stock 87 vert may or may not hit 163 mph.
Its the Russians who can’t drive ever see the videos.
Lmao you guys don’t know what fast is pull your tampon out get a cold beer and for God’s awesome realize what bathroom to us this is whats wrong with this world bunch of transgender nutless turds
This angry 😡 post is off-topic and should be removed.
Lots of wrecked vetted. They make good donor cars.
C4 is a dog.
You are super bored to post garbage like this .. Corvette seized , find something else to do , buy some chevy plastic models and glue , that way you entertained yourself … ,, Incredible
Years ago I took our 1961 Plymouth Belvedere four door with the two barrel carb poly 318 and push button torqueflite automatic up to 105 mph and kept it there for 4 miles and it had the aerodynamics of a “used” brick. So if this guy was only getting up to 130 in a C4 he must have had a couple of plug wires loose. It wasn’t very smart but a hell of a lot of fun.
I drove from new orleans to houston in 2018 , Ferrari Italia, passed two highway patrols on I-10 at 160 – 165, and they just waved. At one point I did 180.
Lol nissan Altima may or may not go 135mph
I have a friend that loves the C4 I wanna tell him to get a life. A low point in Corvette history in my opinion. I purchased a Hellcat last yr cause I’m a 50 yr old speed freak. I could not drive her responsibly. We saw 175 together on a quiet morning, I got out alive and sold her. Until you run a supercar you haven’t driven.
He needs his man card yanked only 130 and couldn’t keep from hitting a guard rail in a car capable of over 1g in a skidpad test pathetic.
I had a 85 C4 and I took it to 150 even though it’s a bottom feeder that front end with very light. GM said that it’s top speed is 150 for a C4. My 98 does 160 easy with throttle leftover haven’t seen much more than that! Stuff happens quicker the faster you go! Aka cows,deer,hogs,slow drivers.
79 short bed stepside c10 small block 383stroker I backed off at 145 because my passenger was trying to climb in the glove box!!!
If You don’t tell Anyone,,
I had the Wife’s,
08 STS Faster than that C-4.
Why Delete.??
I had my old 1995 LeBaron GTC up to 135 or so with the top down. That was all she had but still… That Vette should have had plenty of room to go.
I love my 85 and will NEVER know how fast it will go. Freeway speed is enough for me. I laugh at the idiots hating on the C4, these clueless children should look up Sledgehammer Corvette and realize that the C4 will always hold the record for the worlds fastest production car for the longest time. 25 years, beat that with whatever sad joke you are currently running.. 😎👌
I agree with you, you have a beautiful classic car.
We wouldn’t have a C8 if it wasn’t for the popularity of the C4 a crisp new design after the long boring run of the C3 same body and truck suspension since 1968. It brought the Vette back from almost extinction.
C3 has nothing to do with C4 bashing.. thanks.
It’s All relative. All you guys sound “real” slow.
Try the Autobahn you wusses!
120-130 on the entrance ramp just getting on!
Ya’ll in the junior leagues kids!
I have a 90 c4 and it’s plenty fast and I love it those that hate have never had a relationship with a c4. It has set set records that still stand today!
My 22 year old son has a Super charged 06 C6
Z06 that tipped 210 before letting off. C4 lol what a joke!
Grew up on those exact streets ..My family still lives just 3 miles from that intersection. …Love speed like the next guy…but buried too many friends in high school on those roads…..Yes I’ve at 130 plus on hwy 42 …..a coffin changes that…..prefer predictable options. At 58 yo