1996 Chevy Corvette Grand Sport Rag Top Arizona Auction Bound

The 1996 Chevy Corvette marked the end of the fourth generation as the 1997 model year would have all-new frame, bodywork, interior, and drivetrain. Rather than standing on its laurels, the Corvette team pulled out all the stops and sent the C4 off with two special editions and a limited-production, high-performance Small Block V8, the 330-horsepower LT4.

The Chevy Corvette LT4 engine had 10.8:1 compression instead of the base LT1’s 10.4:1, a revised aluminum head design, Crane roller rocker arms, and a different cam profile, giving the LT4 30 more horsepower. The LT4 redline was 6,300 rpm compared to the 5,700 rpm redline for the LT1. The LT4 came exclusively with the RPO MN6 six-speed manual transmission. The LT4 was available on any Corvette model. Production for both the LT4 and MN6 was 6,359 units.

One of the two special-edition 1996 Chevy Corvettes was RPO Z15, the Collector Edition, which was finished in Sebring Silver Metallic and included ZR-1 style seventeen-inch five-spoke wheels finished in metallic silver, P275/40ZR17 front and P285/40ZR17 rear tires, perforated sport seats with “Collector Edition” embroidery, special trim, and Collector Edition badging. Production totaled 5,412 units, 4,031 coupes and 1,381 convertibles.

The other special-edition 1996 Chevy Corvette was RPO Z16 Grand Sport Package, finished in Admiral Blue with a wide white center stripe, and a pair of red hash marks over the driver’s side front fender, seventeen-inch five-spoke ZR-1 wheels painted gloss black, black brake calipers with silver “Corvette” script, P275/40ZR17 front and P315/35ZR17 rear tires, black floor mats, and perforated sport seats with “Grand Sport” embroidery. Grand Sport coupes had flared rear fenders to accommodate the larger rear tires, but convertibles had an added flare tacked on over the rear fender opening. Grand Sport interiors were either red (270) or black (730). Total Grand Sport production was 1,000 units, with 810 coupes and 190 convertibles.

Our feature 1996 Chevy Corvette Grand Sport convertible is finished in Admiral Blue with a white center stripe and red stripes over the driver’s front fender with a white vinyl convertible top over a red leather interior, one of only 53 so trimmed. It is powered by the 330-horsepower LT4 Small Block backed by the six-speed manual transmission. The odometer shows just 11,621 miles from new. It is equipped with power steering, power disc brakes, dual power seats, F45 Selective Real Time Damping electronic suspension, and Delco BOSE AM-FM/cassette/CD stereo. The passenger side engine cover appears to have been signed by former Corvette Chief Engineer Dave McLellan.

This rare, low-mileage 1996 Chevy Corvette Grand Sport convertible will soon cross the Mecum Auctions block at their Glendale, Arizona sale Thursday, March 20^th.