GTOger interesting I own a 90 coupe in...red of course. Your’s was a game changer though. My uncle had a 64 GTO; silver, black vinyl top, black gut, 4spd Saginaw.
I put run all kinds of shit out there on the highway. Teal expensive Lexus beamers and shit. Mustangs other vettes. They act surprised? They shouldn't be.. the 74 is a great corvette
@@dukeman7595 I disagree on the C2 being sexier than the C3. Aesthetics are purely subjective, after all. As far as the C3 being a dog, well... yeah. That's part of what made them difficult to live with. CHEERS! 🇱🇷
@@armedinbama We all have are favorites of course, however, I was fortunate to own a 1963 c-2 (first year of the c-2) 327 c.i. approx. 350 h.p. 4-speed, it was beautiful and quick. I also owned 2 1975 c-3s, one was a 4 speed the other an automatic. The 4 speed was worked, engine was putting out approx. 300 horse, the auto was stock and a big pig. In my opinion the c-2 was much more sexy and fast. However, I respect your opinion as well we all have different tastes, cheers..
My 1st boss used to get a new car every year. I still remember when he got the 84 c4..... because he let me drive it.... Yup. He let an 18 year old college freshman drive his less than 200 mile C4 to lunch with him, and he said, "go ahead, give it some beans."
The C3 is interesting because it always seemed like more of a design exercise than a performance focused machine. The C2 was perhaps a better balance between form and function. But the C4 was the beginning of the civilized Corvette that anyone could drive comfortably. And not only did the performance improve vastly over the years, I think the design aged beautifully.
I am so happy that C-4s are finally getting recognized again as the ground breaking moment in automotive history that they were. I have owned 8 Corvettes in my lifetime. I currently have a 2000 6spd Arctic White Coupe, and an '87 auto Speedway White Convertible. My first, at age 15, was a '58 4spd, then a '64 auto, then a '76 L-48 auto, then an '81 Artic White Coupe, an '87 Red Coupe auto, a ' 93 Yellow auto Coupe, and to my current ones. Corvettes have marked my life at every point. While cutting my teeth on C-1s,2s,and3s, so to speak, it was the huge technological jump of the C-4s, that grabbed me for good. Most don't remember, but this was the first production car on the planet to pull a full G at over 70mph on a lateral skid pad without losing traction. It also marked a change in automotive manufacturing design to a modular assembly of parts. While the early ones are a bit harsher, my 93 was a great car, aside from that optispark bull.... and as much as I love my C-5, the engineers made many mistakes with it, instead of building on the principles learned from the C-4, they concentrated on the negatives of the C-4 and tryed to eliminate them. Still to this day, hands down. The C-4s clamshell is the best thing that ever happened to a car for serviceability. Once opened, you have complete access to everything and you can do most of the work while sitting on the tire, without bending way over. If you want bang for the buck. Nothing beats a C-4 Corvette. Even thrashed 1500.00 ones will give you a thrill before failure, while still outperforming 80% of the cars on the road. Oh and BTW. The ABS braking systems,we all are so used to now, from all manufacturers, were developed in the C-4 platform.
Scott Ireland I agree with you. I get tired of hearing people’s comments about how much better or faster the newer ones are. I love the c4, it’s the style I think of when I hear corvette. Such a sleek design with that digital dash. I couldn’t care less that it won’t run a 10 second quarter mile; not the reason I love em.
@@98triffid the polarizing film went out on mine so you cannot see it whatsoever unless the light hits it just right. I started shopping for a new cluster and they’re around 400 bucks:( I do agreed they’re cool but they’re just gimmicky to me. I’d much rather have an analog cluster that you can read easier.
What was I doing in 1984? I was a young -4 years old yet. But I also used to have a model of an early C4 that I treasured, up there with my F40 model. Now, I've got my own '84 that I'm slowly getting back to fighting condition for autocross, track, and day trip duty. Thanks, Car Wizard, for taking us on a tour of yours!
Hey man..from one Corvette owner to another I bought a c4 LT1 and drove several Crossfire engines. LT1 is much stronger but Crossfr still a blast to drive. Upgrades or not if its what you wanted fk the haters giving thumbs down. I love the channel and plz do more on the C4 in the future. Super cool guy w a very informative channel. Beautiful car man for an 84. ✌
I've been fortunate to have had 3 corvettes in my lifetime. A 1970, a 1979, and a 1996. I think you're going to have a good time with it. Congratulations.
Of all the car reviewers I’ve watched on TH-cam since 07’ I like yours the best. You give the back story of the vehicle, the context of the time when the vehicle came out, and your mechanical knowledge makes it all the better. Keep it up!
The most funny is this guy: Curious Cars th-cam.com/video/L3q9aquW0qg/w-d-xo.html The C3 Corvette Saw the Peak of the Muscle Car Era, and The Height of the Malaise Era
If you’re handy with the soldering iron you can replace the failed capacitors on the amp boards for almost nothing. I have an 89 and did all four for about $12 with Nichicon caps. The Bose system actually sounds really good for as old as it is. The C4 is genesis for the modern Corvette. Previous generations are donkey carts when it comes to handling and braking. The underappreciation of these cars makes them a stellar value.
I was a fan but now even more. I have that same shirt and am I’m on my 5th Corvette. I fell in love with the Corvette when I was four years old and a friend of the family had a 1978 black Stingray. I loved riding in it. I also remember seeing commercials for the 1984 Corvette back in 1983. It was a white one and I was so amazed at the technology. Glad you got an unmolested one and I’m looking forward to seeing the repairs to make it as good as it can be.
In 1984 I was going with my dad to pick up his '85 Corvette.. I still have it! Glad to see you picked up one of these. Valve cover leaks come standard from the factory, Fel-Pro makes a silicone gasket that works a lot better than the old cork gaskets. The old Doug Nash 4+3 gets a bad wrap but it is more weird than unreliable.
Ahhhh the 1984 Corvette.... The first time I saw the '84 Vette i was in the 7th grade and a saw an old lady driving a white on red. I thought these were the most gorgeous cars of its day (and even now). I actually test drove an '84 Vette back in '96. Couldn't afford to buy it then...lol It had the Z51 suspension but I didnt find it to be bad at all. Maybe because I was just happy I was driving it at all. I owned an '85 Vette back in 2000 but had to sell it because I was getting married in '03. In a year and a half ill be turning 50 and I actually may buy a low mileage '84 Vette (same color combo). But definitely a C4...!!! DID YOU KNOW THAT THE 1984 CHEVROLET CORVETTE WAS THE MOTOR TREND CAR OF THE YEAR IN 1984?
When I was 16 I drove a 68 convertible and fell in love with the C3, 27 years later I'm shopping for a C3 but started reading all the articles and tests on the C4 which was better than the late 70 C3 in almost every way. I bought a 90 C4 that was 16 years ago, love it. I also have a C6 but I drive the C4 more. You just feel a little better when your driving one.
Absolutely spot on video Wizard. Great insight on the C4 (1984-1996) Corvette. Still drive the last model in this generation, a '96 Corvette convertible (seven fourth gens later). *Subscribed.*
@@mrdumbfellow927 Yes GM was forced to retune the Z51 suspension on the 85 model due to the complaints of the harsh ride on the 84 Z51. Reality is they designed the Z51 to outhandle its competition and could be used on a track, the corvette needed perfomance cred. Bringing back the power in those days and meeting emissions/mpg requirements was in its infancy so handling was the focus. Every magazine test articles had skidpad numbers and comparasions back then.
The c4 will always be one of my dream cars. In particular, the zr1. Black on black. Manual. I love the retro “futuristic” feel these cars were going for all those many years ago 🥲👍🏽.
I had an 89 z51 and drove a few 84,85,87 z51 and it is identical. Its horrible and just harsh. To the point you hit uneven pavement and the vettes shutter. I strongly recommend that anyone who wants a c4 stay away from the z51. It just not worth it.
@@dogsbark5750 '84 Z51 front springs were 582 lb/inch and rears were 499 lb/inch. '85 Z51's were 362 front and 326 rear. The rest are here: www.corvetteforum.com/forums/autocrossing-and-roadracing/3614054-c4-z51-spring-rates-codes-and-sway-bar-sizing.html
I was in the service, and deployed, and wasn't paying attention to new cars at the time. In high school and after I was always a '69 Camaro guy. I had built 7 of them over the years. When I got home to my home town, the local bank manager had a brand new C4 Corvette convertible parked in front of the bank. Black paint, with tan top, seats, and black carpets. It was absolutely gorgeous. I knew some day I'd get one, and as you mentioned, they don't rust, which is a big deal in New England. I'm happy to say I bought a 1996 LT-1 C4 and it has been a great car. It only weighs 3,150 +/- pounds, and with 300 horsepower, the power to weight ratio is one horsepower to move a little over 10 pounds. Gets nearly 30 mpg, and goes 0-60 in less than 5 seconds. No dragster, but lots of fun to rip through the canyons, and windy mountain roads. The secret to getting in and out of the C4 is to lean back when sitting on the sill, and drop into the seat (I'm 6'3" and big). Hope you have a blast with your new car. Looking forward to your new videos. Take care Bud
Love my 84 C4. Owned since 92. 33,000 miles. Regular maintenance. All original except for brake pads (safety maintenance), tires ( have original recessed letter GoodYears), oxygen sensor, fuel pump/filter, trans oil/filter and oil/filter.
The reason that the 1983 Corvette was never released to the public for sale was because California imposed a last-minute emission control law which delayed the debut of the C4 Corvette. The few prototypes that GM had of the car were destroyed, except for one which was saved from the crusher. It sits currently on display at the national Corvette Museum in Bowling Green Kentucky.
Just sold my C-4 yesterday, but kept my 78 C-3 with a 496 big block. C-4 just isn't near as easy to put big block in the engine bay. Plus no more electrical problem like the 91 C-4. C-4 are a beauty and love the glass top trunk area. Sold the C-4 for $2500 with new tires not even mounted yet. Hoping it has good home and buyers enjoy it. Why so cheap? It's all I needed to have enough play money to purchase a 632 c.i. nitrous big block and let a person have their first corvette. Love corvettes and yes hard to get out of...with a full cage it's plain funny.
FWIW, there were 43 1983 corvettes built and there's only one left and it sits in the bowling green museum. The cars that were built were assigned to gm r&d until they were destroyed except for the one on display.
Pay no attention to the TH-cam “expert” haters. I’d be extremely confident 95% of the “comments mechanics” hating in the crossfire injection have never even seen one in real life. The majority probably weren’t even born when it was made. Much less drive one. 😂
Brandon Clark Agreed. Most of them are going by what theyve heard from a friend. The crossfire is actually very reliable. Most mechanics talk trash about them, because they cant hook an obd 2 scan tool to it and have instant answers to issues.
@@CarWizard Wizard what is your opinion of the Cadillac 500ci engines from the early to mid 70's? They get so much hate but have a small following of people who build them in to torque monsters, would love to hear your educated opinion
I owned one of these (well... not a crossfire) and while it was fun to drive it was dam near uncontrollable at the limit. Got grip, got grip got grip aaaaaand then you start doing 360s. It wasn't even speed related. The car had a wonderful skidpad rating but if you hit a bump or a damp spot all bets were off
Looking into it, it just seems like an inferior fuel delivery system. Sure you can get similar crank hp as a tpi with work, but it just seems simpler to just start with the l98 with tpi if you’re putting in work. Is there actually a real benefit to the crossfire engine that I’m missing? Or is it a case of a serviceable plant that gets unduly trashed by ignorants? Looking into getting a c4 in the somewhat near future and would like to know.
@@CarWizard I inherited an 84 (same colour as yours) and I love the thing to death. it's an Automatic with the grey cloth interior but I'll be paying close attention to your videos to get ideas on how to help it's performance.
Wizard, do a comparison to the green 90/96 in the back of your shop to show how the C4 improved up untill the end of the run in 96. I bought a new 94 with the Z06 package.
I turned 16 and got my license in October 1984. I've witnessed the renaissance in enthusiast cars from those dark ages to today. It really began with cars like that '84 Vette. Congratulations on the find.
When I was in high school I wanted a red one. Thirty three years later I recently got the exact one I always wanted. 1986 with 68K miles, excellent condition looks and drives like new.
I looked and looked to buy a C4 and could not find one decent enough to buy. Then I changed my mind and looked for a C5. After looking at listings from all the internet I found one at a dealership. They did not want to play with the door glass issues or fix any of the codes on the DIC dash reporting system(OBD2) built into the car. I bought it and fixed the door regulators cleared the codes and did O2 sensors before the cats. I dropped the trans pan and found very little evidence of wear. I did a complete transmission service with Mobil 1 synthetic and put an extra magnetic filter and trans cooler on the lines to the radiator. Also put a catch can on the breather which actually catches oil. I love the thing. Really. It is my daily driver.
Thanks to my dad having Vettes all my life and planting a seed in my DNA for Vettes, too me there is no car like a Vette. The C3 is my #1 fav and C4 is my #2......learned how to drive manual in my dad's 88 Anv. took it to prom and turn heads, dad still have it, super clean and original. He also has a 2015 Zo6 and i own a 89 hatchback some color as your 84. Trying to convience my dad to go get the C8, i know he wants it, he just don't want to have 3 Vettes as an young-old man. My next Vette will be a 1980 or 1982 collector edition.......I PROMISE TH-cam.....YALL HAVE MY WORD AND MY WORD IS BOND !!! Great video 👍 and nice Vettes
Wizard, my dad bought me this very car used in 1986. That cars was a thrill. It had the clear smoked top and solid top. I was 24 at the time. My insurance was $1,200 every 6 months. That was a lot of money in those days. I sold it to buy my brothers 86 vet... it was with red leather like this one. When I sold my 84 it was being shipped over seas to Sweden. A broker bought it. He said it was in much demand over there. I would love to find a clean one like this one. You have my interest peaked. I know the C4s are still a good buy. I like the style of the early C4s not so much the 90s C4s. Keep us posted on the progress...👊
Wizard can easily unlock 300whp which would make this a fun car. But for now he should be careful with that tire shredding 150hp & 4spd+OD.. Atleast we know he won't LS swap it, maybe mid engine North Star swap but not LS 😁.
There is one 1983 corvette left in existence. They built something around 40 of them to test out the assembly line and when they got to the end they took them apart and started over. But there is one complete left.
I remember how surprised I was when I drove the 4+3 model and it downshifted by itself when I got on it. I also remember my dad buying them for only about $3500 at the dealer auction around the mid 2000’s!
There is one '83 Corvette! It's in the Corvette museum in Bowling Green, KY. It was covered up and forgotten about in a back lot at the assembly plant. When all the production '83's were ordered crushed...the covered up one in the back of the lot was missed, so it survived! The crusher left town before that last '83 was re 'discovered.'. It was saved and remains on display in the museum.
When I had my '95 C-4, it was annoying to get in and out of, though getting-in wasn't as bad. I'm surprised the Wizard said C-3's are twice as hard to get in and out of. I can't say because I'm not familiar with the C-3's, but I can tell you that getting in and out of my C-4 was a lot more difficult than my Pontiac Fiero. I think the longer a person's legs are the easier it is getting out of a C-4. I'll have respect when I see senior citizen's driving a C-3 or C-4.
65 years old and loving every second of the C4 experience. You don’t get in a C4, you put it on. I love all Corvettes, but the C4 is my absolute favorite! 100% Corvette! And, still a head turner.
C4 is the only Corvette designed as a race car first and a street car second. It's one of the most capable vehicles Chevy ever produced, especially the ZR-1 which has some of the most sophisticated engineering Corvettes had seen until the C8
March, 1983 *Lil' red Corvette* on the cover of my Road & Track Magazine. The moment I realized I could actually experience an "Automotive Orgasm". I simply couldn't get my mind or eyes away from the Wonderful, Gorgeous, Awesome, Coolest, Smartest Vette ever! C4, finally a new series!!! Too bad mom threw away my mag. collection when I left home.
I had a 4+1 corvette, got it without the +1 working but drove it for over a 1000 miles, when I finally tried to figure it out, realized it had no fluid in it, filled it up, fixed the cooler line it leaked out of, worked the rest of the time I had it... I was AMAZED
Have a 85 with just under 100,000 original miles on it. Bone stock it still smokes 80% of car's on the road now ! Classic Muscle that never goes out of style !!!
In December of ‘84 I was 20 yrs old and had my first of 4 children. I graduated high school in May of ‘83 and started working putting in buried telephone and cable tv lines.
welcome to the Club!!!!! I bought my 88 coupe brand new, and still have it, also have a 95 roadster w/6spd manual. these are greatly UNDER appreciated cars, they were such a HUGE leap in tech for Corvette and GM at the time, sure now that there going on nearly 40 yrs old they have issues, show me a 40yrs old Ferrari or Porc that doesn't. They respond well to simple mods, have a simple small block chevy, so not big money. The only issue with 84's is, a lot of the 84 only parts are getting very hard to find, and that means expensive.
The C4 gets little love these days, but I find it to be a classic. I happily drove my 1990 ZR-1 in to work today.
GTOger Fellow C4 owner and huge fan of your channel from Denton, TX ! Keep those drums beating GTOger
C4 brotherhood!!! Beautiful cars!!!
My favorite ZR1 is the 90. What color do you drive?
@@mmmmcheese4850 Red. As God intended good Corvettes to be.
GTOger interesting I own a 90 coupe in...red of course. Your’s was a game changer though. My uncle had a 64 GTO; silver, black vinyl top, black gut, 4spd Saginaw.
The C3 will always be my favorite body style. Absolutely gorgeous.
Mine also.
I put run all kinds of shit out there on the highway. Teal expensive Lexus beamers and shit. Mustangs other vettes. They act surprised? They shouldn't be.. the 74 is a great corvette
Richard C3 lifetime
I have a c4 but I agree the body looks way better on the c3
I own a 1973. Love the "transition year". Looks stock, but too many upgrades to list here.
I've always loved the '84. Probably because Face in the A-Team drove one.
Don Pablo I suspected they jacked it up to a 45° angle to let him jump in it like he did.
Don Pablo true 😂😂
Sam Kinison died in his.
That shoe got me into Vetted. I thought I might be the only one.
@Kristoff Gerhardt Crap. I stand corrected. But he also drove a black C4 with personalized tag "EX REV."
I doubt that there will ever be a car as beautiful, and as difficult to live with, as the C3 Corvette.
C2
The c-2 was better locking than the c-3 and the c-4 blows the 3 away in performance.
@@dukeman7595 I disagree on the C2 being sexier than the C3. Aesthetics are purely subjective, after all.
As far as the C3 being a dog, well... yeah. That's part of what made them difficult to live with.
CHEERS! 🇱🇷
@@armedinbama We all have are favorites of course, however, I was fortunate to own a 1963 c-2 (first year of the c-2) 327 c.i. approx. 350 h.p. 4-speed, it was beautiful and quick. I also owned 2 1975 c-3s, one was a 4 speed the other an automatic. The 4 speed was worked, engine was putting out approx. 300 horse, the auto was stock and a big pig. In my opinion the c-2 was much more sexy and fast. However, I respect your opinion as well we all have different tastes, cheers..
@@dukeman7595 nope c3 for me.
My 1st boss used to get a new car every year. I still remember when he got the 84 c4..... because he let me drive it.... Yup. He let an 18 year old college freshman drive his less than 200 mile C4 to lunch with him, and he said, "go ahead, give it some beans."
That is so fucking awesome
Except it didn't have very many beans. LOL Great memory.
C4's are very underrated. I had a later 89 TPI C4 here in the U.K. with the 6 speed ZF manual. A great car.
Steve Pickup if you enjoy hitting your head and feeling like you are 90 years old getting out of it. C4 is great!
Top Shelf Innovations I am 6ft 7, never banged my head on the C4?
I had one too, the one in my profile pic.
@@caseytbss You can say the same thing for most of the sports cars/super cars of that era.
@@caseytbss stop hating
From a styling standpoint, you simply cannot beat the C3!!
C2
The C3 is interesting because it always seemed like more of a design exercise than a performance focused machine. The C2 was perhaps a better balance between form and function. But the C4 was the beginning of the civilized Corvette that anyone could drive comfortably. And not only did the performance improve vastly over the years, I think the design aged beautifully.
I am so happy that C-4s are finally getting recognized again as the ground breaking moment in automotive history that they were. I have owned 8 Corvettes in my lifetime. I currently have a 2000 6spd Arctic White Coupe, and an '87 auto Speedway White Convertible. My first, at age 15, was a '58 4spd, then a '64 auto, then a '76 L-48 auto, then an '81 Artic White Coupe, an '87 Red Coupe auto, a ' 93 Yellow auto Coupe, and to my current ones. Corvettes have marked my life at every point. While cutting my teeth on C-1s,2s,and3s, so to speak, it was the huge technological jump of the C-4s, that grabbed me for good. Most don't remember, but this was the first production car on the planet to pull a full G at over 70mph on a lateral skid pad without losing traction. It also marked a change in automotive manufacturing design to a modular assembly of parts. While the early ones are a bit harsher, my 93 was a great car, aside from that optispark bull.... and as much as I love my C-5, the engineers made many mistakes with it, instead of building on the principles learned from the C-4, they concentrated on the negatives of the C-4 and tryed to eliminate them. Still to this day, hands down. The C-4s clamshell is the best thing that ever happened to a car for serviceability. Once opened, you have complete access to everything and you can do most of the work while sitting on the tire, without bending way over. If you want bang for the buck. Nothing beats a C-4 Corvette. Even thrashed 1500.00 ones will give you a thrill before failure, while still outperforming 80% of the cars on the road. Oh and BTW. The ABS braking systems,we all are so used to now, from all manufacturers, were developed in the C-4 platform.
C4 is my personal favorite. I know the newer the better, but I prefer the old style dash from the earlier C4's.
It was very cool looking, sadly it was virtually unreadable if you took the targa top off
Scott Ireland I agree with you. I get tired of hearing people’s comments about how much better or faster the newer ones are. I love the c4, it’s the style I think of when I hear corvette. Such a sleek design with that digital dash. I couldn’t care less that it won’t run a 10 second quarter mile; not the reason I love em.
@@98triffid not really i have a 89 convertible and you can easily see in on a bright summer day, even with sunglasses on.
@@98triffid the polarizing film went out on mine so you cannot see it whatsoever unless the light hits it just right. I started shopping for a new cluster and they’re around 400 bucks:( I do agreed they’re cool but they’re just gimmicky to me. I’d much rather have an analog cluster that you can read easier.
enjoy your corvette no matter the year there a joy to drive
I love how the tach shows your powerband
Wizard, you should do a video showing how that overdrive transmission works on the road
Yes and the all the relays and much more i have an 85 please show more about the corvette
I drive a 1993 Corvette daily, but I have a red c3 as well. I love both but I prefer the c3 body style.
Must be nice!
Nice!
Thanks guys! Also have a 71 boss mustang. The c4 is such a great bang for your buck car tho!!
A beautiful woman with a beautiful 'stang! 🥰 Please marry me..
I have a c5 it’s a great value but it’s a great summer ride
Grew up with an 84 and a 89 corvette great cars and always have a place in my heart for them.
Mom had an 84 and 89 too.
Dad had 80, 97, and 07.
My brother has the 80 and 07 today.
Congratulations on your beautiful C4 purchase! Glad to see the '84 getting love! C4 Vettes are pretty sweet cars!
I love the c4, I own a 85 myself. I’m. It a big fan of the crossfire injection so I bought the year right after
What was I doing in 1984? I was a young -4 years old yet. But I also used to have a model of an early C4 that I treasured, up there with my F40 model. Now, I've got my own '84 that I'm slowly getting back to fighting condition for autocross, track, and day trip duty. Thanks, Car Wizard, for taking us on a tour of yours!
Hey man..from one Corvette owner to another I bought a c4 LT1 and drove several Crossfire engines. LT1 is much stronger but Crossfr still a blast to drive. Upgrades or not if its what you wanted fk the haters giving thumbs down. I love the channel and plz do more on the C4 in the future. Super cool guy w a very informative channel. Beautiful car man for an 84. ✌
I've been fortunate to have had 3 corvettes in my lifetime. A 1970, a 1979, and a 1996. I think you're going to have a good time with it. Congratulations.
I like them both, but seriously, the 80-82 just look wicked.
Driving them sucks tho...Hood too long. .. Interior too small
@@bilbobaggins4710 u crazy, that is what makes them so great!
Put your hand up above the fuel tank on the C4 and you may find a build sheet. Frame is galvanised. Awesome car. I had a project one decades ago.
I am very pleased that the unrecognized Chevrolet Corvette C4 is becoming a classic, and is gaining popularity.
Of all the car reviewers I’ve watched on TH-cam since 07’ I like yours the best. You give the back story of the vehicle, the context of the time when the vehicle came out, and your mechanical knowledge makes it all the better. Keep it up!
The most funny is this guy: Curious Cars
th-cam.com/video/L3q9aquW0qg/w-d-xo.html
The C3 Corvette Saw the Peak of the Muscle Car Era, and The Height of the Malaise Era
I have 1995 C4 Black Convertible, I love it!
SUCH A GORGEOUS CAR!!!
Congrats!
If you’re handy with the soldering iron you can replace the failed capacitors on the amp boards for almost nothing. I have an 89 and did all four for about $12 with Nichicon caps. The Bose system actually sounds really good for as old as it is. The C4 is genesis for the modern Corvette. Previous generations are donkey carts when it comes to handling and braking. The underappreciation of these cars makes them a stellar value.
I was a fan but now even more. I have that same shirt and am I’m on my 5th Corvette. I fell in love with the Corvette when I was four years old and a friend of the family had a 1978 black Stingray. I loved riding in it. I also remember seeing commercials for the 1984 Corvette back in 1983. It was a white one and I was so amazed at the technology. Glad you got an unmolested one and I’m looking forward to seeing the repairs to make it as good as it can be.
In 1984 I was going with my dad to pick up his '85 Corvette.. I still have it! Glad to see you picked up one of these. Valve cover leaks come standard from the factory, Fel-Pro makes a silicone gasket that works a lot better than the old cork gaskets. The old Doug Nash 4+3 gets a bad wrap but it is more weird than unreliable.
Gotta love those C4 Vettes! I cant wait to see what you do to this one Wizard. Keep the videos coming on this sleek sportscar!
My "new" 1996 C4 lives in love now....great show.
I can’t help but feel happy for him. He seems to be a very nice person.
Mr. Wizard I envy your knowledge
Ahhhh the 1984 Corvette....
The first time I saw the '84 Vette i was in the 7th grade and a saw an old lady driving a white on red. I thought these were the most gorgeous cars of its day (and even now). I actually test drove an '84 Vette back in '96. Couldn't afford to buy it then...lol
It had the Z51 suspension but I didnt find it to be bad at all. Maybe because I was just happy I was driving it at all. I owned an '85 Vette back in 2000 but had to sell it because I was getting married in '03. In a year and a half ill be turning 50 and I actually may buy a low mileage '84 Vette (same color combo). But definitely a C4...!!!
DID YOU KNOW THAT THE 1984 CHEVROLET CORVETTE WAS THE MOTOR TREND CAR OF THE YEAR IN 1984?
When I was 16 I drove a 68 convertible and fell in love with the C3, 27 years later I'm shopping for a C3 but started reading all the articles and tests on the C4 which was better than the late 70 C3 in almost every way. I bought a 90 C4 that was 16 years ago, love it. I also have a C6 but I drive the C4 more. You just feel a little better when your driving one.
Absolutely spot on video Wizard. Great insight on the C4 (1984-1996) Corvette. Still drive the last model in this generation, a '96 Corvette convertible (seven fourth gens later). *Subscribed.*
Im loving my C4. Needs Flowmaster Super 10's!!!!
I own an 86 Z51 and it rides fine..it's not supposed to ride like a Cadillac..it's a sports car..
I daily an 87 z52, it's actually fairly comfortable for what it is.
Yeah that's because the 84 was the brutal one. They returned the suspension 85 and beyond.
@@mrdumbfellow927 still harsh but I love it
@@mrdumbfellow927 Yes GM was forced to retune the Z51 suspension on the 85 model due to the complaints of the harsh ride on the 84 Z51. Reality is they designed the Z51 to outhandle its competition and could be used on a track, the corvette needed perfomance cred. Bringing back the power in those days and meeting emissions/mpg requirements was in its infancy so handling was the focus. Every magazine test articles had skidpad numbers and comparasions back then.
Sold my C4 got C3 feels very light and comfortable.
That blue 928 in the background is saying "David, I don't know what you are doing...."
Cocaine
I was hoping to see more of a comparison of the undercarriage between C3 and C4.
The c4 will always be one of my dream cars. In particular, the zr1. Black on black. Manual. I love the retro “futuristic” feel these cars were going for all those many years ago 🥲👍🏽.
The 84 with Z51 package was also a brutally rough ride. They softened it in later years, at the expense of a reduction in the skidpad numbers.
I had an 89 z51 and drove a few 84,85,87 z51 and it is identical. Its horrible and just harsh. To the point you hit uneven pavement and the vettes shutter. I strongly recommend that anyone who wants a c4 stay away from the z51. It just not worth it.
@@dogsbark5750 '84 Z51 front springs were 582 lb/inch and rears were 499 lb/inch. '85 Z51's were 362 front and 326 rear. The rest are here: www.corvetteforum.com/forums/autocrossing-and-roadracing/3614054-c4-z51-spring-rates-codes-and-sway-bar-sizing.html
@@JesseOsby hahahaha yep...84 had the harshest spring and sway bar set up...Got a 84 Z51 rear spring for my 85 Z51 eBay ..Doesn't feel harsher tho
I have one and it is comically bad lol
My 1st car was an 87 corvette, it was a fun car, it got me hooked on cars. You have a nice set of vettes there.
Beautyful streamline brick. I always liked c4 and iroc-Z.
A 70s/80s kid myself, I always loved 'Vettes. Looking forward to more on the C3 & C4, thanks for the awesome content. Rock on, Wizard!🤘🎸
I graduated high school in 1984! Love Corvettes, specially C3 and C4. New sub.
Same....sucks being old
I was in the service, and deployed, and wasn't paying attention to new cars at the time.
In high school and after I was always a '69 Camaro guy. I had built 7 of them over the years.
When I got home to my home town, the local bank manager had a brand new C4 Corvette convertible parked in front of the bank.
Black paint, with tan top, seats, and black carpets. It was absolutely gorgeous.
I knew some day I'd get one, and as you mentioned, they don't rust, which is a big deal in New England.
I'm happy to say I bought a 1996 LT-1 C4 and it has been a great car.
It only weighs 3,150 +/- pounds, and with 300 horsepower, the power to weight ratio is one horsepower to move a little over 10 pounds. Gets nearly 30 mpg, and goes 0-60 in less than 5 seconds. No dragster, but lots of fun to rip through the canyons, and windy mountain roads.
The secret to getting in and out of the C4 is to lean back when sitting on the sill, and drop into the seat (I'm 6'3" and big).
Hope you have a blast with your new car. Looking forward to your new videos.
Take care Bud
I miss my old 84 with the Greenwood package and the lingenfelter performance package
shane shannon lingenfelter eh? Did it take off and fly
Very nice indeed!! I am with you on the radio. It's amazing the butchery that is done to cars by putting aftermarket radios in them.
Awesome Corvette! It looks to be in fantastic condition! Well done!
Love my 84 C4. Owned since 92. 33,000 miles. Regular maintenance. All original except for brake pads (safety maintenance), tires ( have original recessed letter GoodYears), oxygen sensor, fuel pump/filter, trans oil/filter and oil/filter.
The reason that the 1983 Corvette was never released to the public for sale was because California imposed a last-minute emission control law which delayed the debut of the C4 Corvette. The few prototypes that GM had of the car were destroyed, except for one which was saved from the crusher. It sits currently on display at the national Corvette Museum in Bowling Green Kentucky.
So true, 5500, I've seen it. Just sold my "85 4+3. Not really missing it..........Yet!
@@waukeshapilot6462 Funny you mention that. I had an "85 4+3 myself that I sold years ago.
California has been a menace for years.
Just sold my C-4 yesterday, but kept my 78 C-3 with a 496 big block. C-4 just isn't near as easy to put big block in the engine bay. Plus no more electrical problem like the 91 C-4. C-4 are a beauty and love the glass top trunk area. Sold the C-4 for $2500 with new tires not even mounted yet. Hoping it has good home and buyers enjoy it. Why so cheap? It's all I needed to have enough play money to purchase a 632 c.i. nitrous big block and let a person have their first corvette. Love corvettes and yes hard to get out of...with a full cage it's plain funny.
Congrats. 84 was my first Vette. I remember the Super Bowl commercial that was part of the C4 rollout.
FWIW, there were 43 1983 corvettes built and there's only one left and it sits in the bowling green museum. The cars that were built were assigned to gm r&d until they were destroyed except for the one on display.
I just bought an ‘84 Corvette yesterday
Best of luck with it!
yea ok.... you should post a video about it
Where you at??
I love you
Pay no attention to the TH-cam “expert” haters. I’d be extremely confident 95% of the “comments mechanics” hating in the crossfire injection have never even seen one in real life. The majority probably weren’t even born when it was made. Much less drive one. 😂
Brandon Clark Agreed. Most of them are going by what theyve heard from a friend. The crossfire is actually very reliable. Most mechanics talk trash about them, because they cant hook an obd 2 scan tool to it and have instant answers to issues.
@@CarWizard Wizard what is your opinion of the Cadillac 500ci engines from the early to mid 70's? They get so much hate but have a small following of people who build them in to torque monsters, would love to hear your educated opinion
I owned one of these (well... not a crossfire) and while it was fun to drive it was dam near uncontrollable at the limit. Got grip, got grip got grip aaaaaand then you start doing 360s. It wasn't even speed related. The car had a wonderful skidpad rating but if you hit a bump or a damp spot all bets were off
Looking into it, it just seems like an inferior fuel delivery system. Sure you can get similar crank hp as a tpi with work, but it just seems simpler to just start with the l98 with tpi if you’re putting in work. Is there actually a real benefit to the crossfire engine that I’m missing? Or is it a case of a serviceable plant that gets unduly trashed by ignorants? Looking into getting a c4 in the somewhat near future and would like to know.
@@CarWizard I inherited an 84 (same colour as yours) and I love the thing to death. it's an Automatic with the grey cloth interior but I'll be paying close attention to your videos to get ideas on how to help it's performance.
Wizard, do a comparison to the green 90/96 in the back of your shop to show how the C4 improved up untill the end of the run in 96. I bought a new 94 with the Z06 package.
There was no zo6 package for 94, or any c4.
Well spotted , your are right , it was a typo O, I should of typed ZO7, adjustable suspension package
I turned 16 and got my license in October 1984. I've witnessed the renaissance in enthusiast cars from those dark ages to today. It really began with cars like that '84 Vette. Congratulations on the find.
Good luck with that Doug Nash Wizard. Also you take that top off and you will experience some serious cowl shake. I love the C4. Owned 2 of them.
I had a 92. I'm sorry I sold it.
When I was in high school I wanted a red one. Thirty three years later I recently got the exact one I always wanted. 1986 with 68K miles, excellent condition looks and drives like new.
Awesome!! These really are special cars. The way they are built is sooooo far beyond a Camaro
I've got a 1986 Z51. It rides pretty rough. Nice car though. Fully loaded, 4+3 stick. 70,000 miles. I bought it in 1988. Time flies.
Damn...Got me Beat.. atill have my 85 I got in 91
They're both gorgeous.
Wizard, I say this is all due respect, but you and your wife have such mom and dad voices.
Hey man.....it's a soothing voice ok
I looked and looked to buy a C4 and could not find one decent enough to buy. Then I changed my mind and looked for a C5. After looking at listings from all the internet I found one at a dealership. They did not want to play with the door glass issues or fix any of the codes on the DIC dash reporting system(OBD2) built into the car.
I bought it and fixed the door regulators cleared the codes and did O2 sensors before the cats. I dropped the trans pan and found very little evidence of wear. I did a complete transmission service with Mobil 1 synthetic and put an extra magnetic filter and trans cooler on the lines to the radiator. Also put a catch can on the breather which actually catches oil.
I love the thing. Really. It is my daily driver.
Wizard, nice ride. One of my favorite Corvette body styles. Good luck with it.
Thanks to my dad having Vettes all my life and planting a seed in my DNA for Vettes, too me there is no car like a Vette. The C3 is my #1 fav and C4 is my #2......learned how to drive manual in my dad's 88 Anv. took it to prom and turn heads, dad still have it, super clean and original. He also has a 2015 Zo6 and i own a 89 hatchback some color as your 84. Trying to convience my dad to go get the C8, i know he wants it, he just don't want to have 3 Vettes as an young-old man. My next Vette will be a 1980 or 1982 collector edition.......I PROMISE TH-cam.....YALL HAVE MY WORD AND MY WORD IS BOND !!! Great video 👍 and nice Vettes
although I love synth, it would have been predictable to play that when you pulled up
heavy metal was a great choice 🤘🏻
Wizard, my dad bought me this very car used in 1986. That cars was a thrill. It had the clear smoked top and solid top. I was 24 at the time. My insurance was $1,200 every 6 months. That was a lot of money in those days. I sold it to buy my brothers 86 vet... it was with red leather like this one. When I sold my 84 it was being shipped over seas to Sweden. A broker bought it. He said it was in much demand over there. I would love to find a clean one like this one. You have my interest peaked. I know the C4s are still a good buy. I like the style of the early C4s not so much the 90s C4s. Keep us posted on the progress...👊
Wizard can easily unlock 300whp which would make this a fun car. But for now he should be careful with that tire shredding 150hp & 4spd+OD.. Atleast we know he won't LS swap it, maybe mid engine North Star swap but not LS 😁.
There is one 1983 corvette left in existence. They built something around 40 of them to test out the assembly line and when they got to the end they took them apart and started over. But there is one complete left.
I never had any issues with the cross-fire-injection.
I had an ‘82 Z28. That Crossfire was POS
This is the first fibreglass suspension I have ever seen. I did not know they even existed. This is why I subscribe.
It's not actually fiberglass. It is a composite material and would be more accurately called plastic. The same with the body.
C3 is so much better looking, the C4 is so 80s too.
I remember how surprised I was when I drove the 4+3 model and it downshifted by itself when I got on it. I also remember my dad buying them for only about $3500 at the dealer auction around the mid 2000’s!
Haha great rockin’ intro.
My uncle had a '67 C2, arguably one of the best generations for the Corvette.
Nice clean car! Glad you got it!
There is one '83 Corvette!
It's in the Corvette museum in Bowling Green, KY.
It was covered up and forgotten about in a back lot at the assembly plant.
When all the production '83's were ordered crushed...the covered up one in the back of the lot was missed, so it survived! The crusher left town before that last '83 was re 'discovered.'.
It was saved and remains on display in the museum.
am i the only one who is interested in that Nissan Forklift?
Wanna do a RB26DETT swap?
Nope That's crazy D's favorite forklift use it daily
yes
yes
When I had my '95 C-4, it was annoying to get in and out of, though getting-in wasn't as bad. I'm surprised the Wizard said C-3's are twice as hard to get in and out of. I can't say because I'm not familiar with the C-3's, but I can tell you that getting in and out of my C-4 was a lot more difficult than my Pontiac Fiero. I think the longer a person's legs are the easier it is getting out of a C-4. I'll have respect when I see senior citizen's driving a C-3 or C-4.
65 years old and loving every second of the C4 experience. You don’t get in a C4, you put it on. I love all Corvettes, but the C4 is my absolute favorite! 100% Corvette! And, still a head turner.
gen 1 350's are so good you can build it anyway you want from a towing truck engine to a high rpm race car
I LOVE my 1970 vette. It's rude and crude and a blast to drive. I've had it 41 years. My son keeps asking when it's going to be his. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I'll take any C3 anyday in black
My dad had an '86 he bought new. It was a lot of fun to drive and cruise the main drag.
Diesel Cadillac? Love the Atari screen on your vette guess the shirt came along for the nostalgia.
A c4 Corvette will always be my favorite way to pass a kidney stone
It's all fun and games, until the headlight motors go.
Easy fix
When the pop up headlights were made, it was a big thing, it was very advanced technology way back then.
Easy fix
C4 is the only Corvette designed as a race car first and a street car second. It's one of the most capable vehicles Chevy ever produced, especially the ZR-1 which has some of the most sophisticated engineering Corvettes had seen until the C8
Awesome video. The C4 was so advanced for its time and I really did not know much about the early years.
Keep up making these great videos.
March, 1983 *Lil' red Corvette* on the cover of my Road & Track Magazine.
The moment I realized I could actually experience an "Automotive Orgasm". I simply couldn't get my mind or eyes away from the Wonderful, Gorgeous, Awesome, Coolest, Smartest Vette ever! C4, finally a new series!!!
Too bad mom threw away my mag. collection when I left home.
Wizard,
When you work on the Bose Amps please clue us in.
I guess I'm the only one who isn't that big of a fan of the C3's looks. The C4 though....absolutely gorgeous.
congrats on the cool car, Wiz.
I had a 4+1 corvette, got it without the +1 working but drove it for over a 1000 miles, when I finally tried to figure it out, realized it had no fluid in it, filled it up, fixed the cooler line it leaked out of, worked the rest of the time I had it... I was AMAZED
There is 1 '83 Corvette. Its at the Corvette museum in Kentucky.
Yep exactly!
Yes with a cracked windshield from body flex and 15” wheels. Velour seats. They claim there were 50 and they crushed all but one.
Wasn’t it like 20 made?
I looked it up and there were made 14 prototypes and 43 pilot car for testing but the cars were marked for destruction. But one survived
It may have been damaged in the sinkhole.
Have a 85 with just under 100,000 original miles on it. Bone stock it still smokes 80% of car's on the road now ! Classic Muscle that never goes out of style !!!
Nice Vette Wizard - enjoy!!
In December of ‘84 I was 20 yrs old and had my first of 4 children. I graduated high school in May of ‘83 and started working putting in buried telephone and cable tv lines.
Peel out and listen to some Bon Jovi in the C4. You're my generation Wizard. lol
Steve Winwood, or Poison!!
welcome to the Club!!!!! I bought my 88 coupe brand new, and still have it, also have a 95 roadster w/6spd manual. these are greatly UNDER appreciated cars, they were such a HUGE leap in tech for Corvette and GM at the time, sure now that there going on nearly 40 yrs old they have issues, show me a 40yrs old Ferrari or Porc that doesn't. They respond well to simple mods, have a simple small block chevy, so not big money. The only issue with 84's is, a lot of the 84 only parts are getting very hard to find, and that means expensive.
Love the C3, but the silver over black C4 is my dream Vette!
I just purchased a 92 zr1 with under 60k miles. So far, I love the car.