The C4 was a milestone, justifying the 30 min episode. But the C8 is an even bigger milestone. So would love to see MotorWeek produce a similar episode with the C8!
People hate me for saying this, but the C4 is and always has been my favorite Corvette. People love to tell me that they arent as good looking as the older vettes and aren't as fast or perform as well as the newer ones, I've always loved them. Great review.
The C4 is my dream corvette. I don’t care about how slow it is by today’s standard. The body style and interior gauges remind me of sci-fi movies of the 70s and 80s.
Back in the mid to late ‘80’s I worked for Holiday Inn at the world HQ in Memphis, and they had in their fleet an ‘84 that was used primarily to give company executives, in from out of town, something special to tool around in. My boss was the facilities manager for the entire HQ complex, and it was his job to see that the ‘vette was washed and fueled prior to someone using it. It was a task he could have easily passed down to us underlings, but noooo, bossman always handled it himself. I waited over a year and a half till one day he’d come to work after no doubt a night of excessive alcohol consumption, so when the call came in from upstairs that the ‘vette was to be road ready in 2 hours, he just tossed me the keys. It had about a quarter tank of fuel and I knew a wash and fuel up would only take 30 min, so off I went. Thank God there was no GPS in those days, because I got my Corvette experience in big time that day, and managed to get it parked, fully fueled and shiny, with 20 min to spare.
@Guava Jelly, actually yes, but I’m a little pressed for time at the moment. Meanwhile, I’ve copied and pasted my original comment, which should hold you till I can get back to you. Back in the mid to late ‘80’s I worked for Holiday Inn at the world HQ in Memphis, and they had in their fleet an ‘84 that was used primarily to give company executives, in from out of town, something special to tool around in. My boss was the facilities manager for the entire HQ complex, and it was his job to see that the ‘vette was washed and fueled prior to someone using it. It was a task he could have easily passed down to us underlings, but noooo, bossman always handled it himself. I waited over a year and a half till one day he’d come to work after no doubt a night of excessive alcohol consumption, so when the call came in from upstairs that the ‘vette was to be road ready in 2 hours, he just tossed me the keys. It had about a quarter tank of fuel and I knew a wash and fuel up would only take 30 min, so off I went. Thank God there was no GPS in those days, because I got my Corvette experience in big time that day, and managed to get it parked, fully fueled and shiny, with 20 min to spare.
fosho 5.0 I've been watching motor week since a kid in the early 80's I live in Baltimore. My moms friend worked at mpt, on motor week. This show is 100% Maryland Pride
I remember going to a chevy dealer in 1983 to see this car. The thing I remember the most is the clamshell hood opened up and exposing the front suspension. This car was a really big deal back in the day!
I was 16 and my friend from HS drove up in his moms brand new 84. Like you I was BLOWN AWAY at the cockpit. In the age of Tesla it is hard for kids to understand how shocking this was. But what was most shocking to me was how great it must have been to have a cool mother that let a 16 yr old drive a new C4. RIP Ma, but you know.
I do remember when this 1984 Corvette came , it was mind blowing, my neighbor had one exactly like this one same colour gold same exactly model , he died in it , a truck lost his tire on a highway and it hit his Vette , I do remember me as kid seeing him driving past me at night with the pop up headlights on and I remember me going absolutely insane looking at it ... to me it as if I’ve seen a Extra-Terrestrial Flying Source , it was really out there design back in 1984 , I was 9 years old .
james morgan I was living in Brazil 🇧🇷 back then he was the owner of a tire company he had all the coolest cars even a super done up high end luxury SR XK DESERTER crew cab bumpside like a Chevrolet Avalanche before Avalanche with 4 doors and locked tube lid cover , I’ve moved to Australia 🇦🇺 in 1999 ( Google SR DESERTER XK and SR COUNTRY ( the Made in Brazil bronco bumpside back in when it was released it was 1.6 million in Brazilian currency)
Incredible car in 1984. That 5 link independent rear suspension was right off the race circuit. I had an 84, was a great car. In fact, I had other Vettes after it, and that 1984 Vette may have handled the best of em all. Landmark car in 1984.
I remember my best friends dad ordered, and received one of the first 1984s when I was a little kid. He took me for a ride in that car. From that day I was hooked on Corvettes! I have a 2014 Stingray in my garage now. Thanks for posting!
Recently acquired an '86 model that had been a daily driver. It has nearly a 1/4 million miles on it... and it feels like it. Nonetheless, the engine has been overhauled and the car definitely hauls ass. This will not be a restore project, just a fun car to fix up, repaint and put in better condition. It is very easy to work on, at least to my generation. I was 33 when this was a new car and still have a fun time driving it around. It is not my first Corvette, probably won't be the last. With any luck, she may be a fun car for someone coming behind me. Haha, once you hear the sound and feel the power, you'll be hooked.
I'm 22, and proudly picked up an 85 this year for 2200, what a bang for buck these C4's are these days, literally the most slept on Corvette generation.
I've got an 87,...the cars awesome, by then all the bugs have been killed, gets 24 mpg on the hyway, good stoplight to stoplight acceleration and handles like a razor.
Ronald Hartke I’ve got an 86 convertible and your 100% correct! Car still to this day handles great! 86 convertibles were Pace Cars and they came with the aluminum heads that came standard 87 n up. Think it had 10+ hp over the cast iron headed cars....240hp..lol! Nothing compared to today’s cars!✌🏻
peter papadimitriou damn, well I have a friend who’s brother has cerebral palsy and epilepsy, but he’s able to legally drive thanks to lane keep assist, and several other electronic aids
@@OMGILOVEBANANAS thank you Sir or miss. I'm peter from Hamilton Ontario Canada I was born with a whole in my heart and had open heart surgery when I was 4 years old and grew up some what normal until April of '06 when I got a blood clot which caused a stroke on my left side and then on September first of '08 I didn't wake up that morning I had a cardiac arrest which both my cat Nemo and my now ex wife Angy saved my life. I'm okay now use a cane for balance when I'm outside walking around and have a defibulator in my chest for if my heart slows down. Be safe where ever you are too
86 in very good condition, in garage, but times i leave it out, not a big deal, as long as you don't leave it in the snow, bad weather, nothing wrong with leaving it outside at times
@@AIIRHEAD11 So far I am so happy that I bought the C4. If you’re deciding between the two, I definitely recommend the C4. I think the C3 would be too outdated even with the C4. There are normal problems that you’re going to run into because the car is 40 years old. Also, it’s pretty simple to work on especially if you know how to do things yourself, I will say in my area. It is hard to find a good mechanic.
I'm sure I'm not the only one who would enjoy seeing more full episodes posted. Also, more retro reviews of pickups would be neat. For the TV broadcast, it would be cool to see you revisit vehicles reviewed in the past and compare to today's version if applicable.
My friends dad was a sales manager at Commander Ray Chevrolet in Cleveland, Ohio. Took all the kids on the block for a ride in it the Summer of '83. Still remember it.
Last year I took the family on a Corvette museum and factory tour in Bowling Green, KY. Really cool experience. While on the factory tour with my younger sons, a assembly line worker ( hanging the doors on the Vette ) came over and handed each of them a Hot Wheels Corvette 👍🏼. You can tell they take pride in building them in that town.
Thank you for posting! I recorded this (on Betamax) when this program first aired but sadly, it was inadvertently recorded over in my youth. Brings back memories. The 84' Corvette (and this program) spurred my passion for Corvettes and automobiles in general since. MotorWeek was my can't miss program for decades and it is great to see these "retro-reviews" posted on YT.
The C4 Corvette, in my opinion, was the best generation Corvette ever made. (Although I personally like the C7 as well.) The C4 was also the most important BECAUSE it not only put high performance American sports cars back on the map (as later evidenced with the LT5-powered ZR1), but it also helped make the American automobile industry (and the USA, as a whole) proud again. I'm sure many will disagree with me, but in the beginning, the 1980's were trying times in the USA. But there was also a sense of pride and achievement by the end of the 80's.
Bought my '85 while working in Germany. Fantastic Autobahn car for the time. It doesn't compare to a lot of vehicles now, but compared what was available at the time, you needed something like a Lambo Countach to keep up. 0-60 in 6 sec. 155 mph top end, which I successfully tested. It's amazing how far we've come...my 2012 Charger will do 60 in 4.3 and tops out at 180 mph, and has much more creature comfort.
EVERY 1984 CORVETTE THAT MY FRIENDS OWNED ALL CAUGHT ON FIRE! THAT CROSS-FIRE INJECTION WAS JUNK. THE NEW BODY STYLE THAT YEAR WAS BEAUTIFUL!!!!!! BUT THAT FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM USED IN 82 & 84 WAS DANGEROUS.
Took a ride in a 1959 red corvette, 10 years old, bought a new one 9 years later, owned 14 'vettes, never put a scratch on any of them. Drive them hard boys and girls, just know when to go and when to whoa.
really is that why I see em mounted atop a lifted 4x4 chassis where a pick-up truck should be the C4's are the least expensive used vettes because of their generic appearance
I graduated high school in 84 . Remember seeing one at the Chevy dealership. Wouldn't be until 2007 until I got my first Corvette. Had 2 more since. Fun cars for sure.
My Dad had one of the first '84 Corvettes in California. I believe he took delivery of it in April of 1983. I remember that crowds used to gather at gas stations when he opened the clam shell hood. Of course, this stopped when more of them became available later in the year. His has the Z51 handling package with Bilstein shocks and was silver on silver. I had it up to a top speed of 130mph and it took a long time to get there! This was confirmed by the CHP who did not pursue me, yet called my father! LOL. I drove it many times down Highway 1 and the car felt like it was on rails. However, hit a reflector mid corner and it skipped over like it was going to skid sideways. The stiffest riding car I have ever experience but with almost no body roll. The digital dash failed many times as well as a loud "tink" from the driveshaft when putting it into reverse.
I can confirm much of this. I bought a like new '84 in early '86, with only 5000 kms on it. Medium Blue Metallic, it was gorgeous (dated looking now, in hindsight). It had the Z51 suspension and indeed, it cornered like it was on rails. I think it was the first production car to pull more than 1g on the skidpad. It rode worse than a damn truck though, because of the Z51 suspension. If I hit a dip in the road, at speed, my head would smash into the roof. Probably the most uncomfortable car I have ever owned. I bought it to take a on a trip to Expo '86 in Vancouver, BC but ended up trading it before leaving, on an '83 BMW 533i because the ride was intolerable. I only ended up owning it for about 4 months. Even though it had no miles, a couple things broke on it. The driver's side cloth upholstery separated from the plastic part of the seat (some air bladder control), and the rear hatch solenoid failed, so you couldn't open the hatch. The digital dash was cool, at the time, but I always feared what it would cost if it failed, and I KNEW it was going to fail one day - because GM.
OneFastDuster In 1994, I test drove a 1987 with Z51 suspension. Absolutely the stiffest, harshest ride I have ever experienced - it would rattle your teeth loose. A logging truck (we had one) had a better ride than that car.
It seems “GM Sweats the Details” with very few vehicles across their mammoth product lineup. Imagine if the run of the mill Cavalier or Cutlass or LeSabre had such focus from concept to execution to delivery? GM would have been, and would be now in a much better place.
I'm driving my '85 these days, has less miles than my daily driver and receive lots of attention and compliments. I'm happy to be able to live the 80s with this car, love the style and feeling behind the wheels.
hihhii I just drove my 84 vette to work today and it has only 87,000 miles, not sure about the fancy electronic dash, maybe back than was nice but today it will set you $400 to have it fixed or you can pay $900 to install a plug and play old fashion gauges and its a straight fit, no mods. The Bose system at $900 wow I took it out as each speaker had an built in amp and installed a normal stereo. The C4 today is least favorite of all the vets out there but let me tell you I love driving it and it has a better exhaust sound then the Viper I drive (my avatar). Changing a water pump was a painful process but it was done over time in a driveway. Dont install the old fuel lines as you will never be able to put them back the way they were just run a fuel hose from TBI to the bottom by the frame, it will save you lots of time. When you change the water pump grab a pen and paper and lots of zip lock bags, and every step you do you write it down and label the bag with parts and what step number, when you are dont you will be happy you did it. Watch out for the bolt at 6 oclock on a AC clutch as you can not put a socket on it but an open end wrench I said open end wrench and most of all THE BOLT DOES NOT COME OUT, just loosen it up and put the AC clutCH to the side. The water pump has 4 bolts and MAKE SURE you mark where they go as they are different. Have fun R/R the one that is my the PS pump hihihii. If it runs hot which they all do go buy a 4 row radiator and install it and it will all the time at 197F DO NOT LOWER THE RATING OF THERMOSTAT TO 185 as some people do, NOOOOOOOOOOO as computer module wants to see that temp of 197 and not 185 trust me, You will have to do some modification to top end of a fan shroud to make it fit like cap opening, trans lines opening, and you will not need the old radiator rubber stoppers as they wont fit and if your transmission lines are frozen jsut cut them off install new stubs and run a hose between new stub and old trans line below. Have fun taking off the two bolts that hold the top end of the fan shroud to the bottom, as you will curse as every single 1/64" turn you do as you can not put a socket there and no room to turn the wrench as the bolts are housed in a cockoon next. Once you get the two bolts loose when you are ready to install the top shroud back do yourself a favor and cut off the plastic housing where the bolts go it will save you ton of time and most of all you will not get a heart attack lol. Once you cut it they go on with socket in on e minute.
Depends, I bought a 84 vette a year ago for 700 dollars, runs great, sat for 11 years ,they couldn't get it started , security device, cost me nothing, Started it up and cross fit was perfect, and I like the look of it,, I polished and ported it,, REALLY RUNS GREAT NOW.
I disagree,,as a real classic car guy,,,I know the first of any new production will bring the big money as time goes by,,,84, first year if the C4,,, the little bullshit won't matter..
Several interesting points in the factory....the plant manager was the only one applauding, number of people who were on the line, and naming the robots...which eventually replaced a lot of folks. My dad worked at the GM plant which made those headlights. Remember as a kid touring the factory and seeing the stress test of those lights...wow.
A customer argued with me over the mid engine corvette idea being around for a long time, then I showed him this video, and one about duntovs mid engine prototype
@@skbuydens7717 They can become hard to read after UV exposure wears out the coating on the screens after awhile and they do fail like anything else on a car this old (bulbs burning out is the big one), but support is plentiful and there are many options that will rebuild your gauge cluster to better-than-new (e.g. replacing bulbs with LEDS, better screen quality).
+TommyVercettism get one while the price is low. People ripped on the C3 for being crap......now look at where the collectability and prices are going,....one way UP
Well, they're good fun to drive, not the fastest cars in the world or the cheapest to run, but if you like the blend of V8 muscle and that angular exterior you can't go far wrong. As for prices going up... for anything other than really high-end 'Vettes (ZR-1s, Callaway B2Ks, Lingenfelters ect) I remain to be convinced, but they're certainly a magnificent bargain performance buy. And the L98 engines can be given some serious performance boosts...
The first C4s were nightmares. They were very hard to get in and out of even by sports car standards, early on GM was told people hated the electronic instruments but they would never change them. My favorite C4 was the 1987 model.
Good looking car let down by it's interior design and build quality, but that could be said about pretty much all of the American cars of the time... Roadkill did the best mod to a C4 EVER IMO.
As a Ford guy I gotta say I have shopped for a vet once, and if money was an option I would again. I've been into cars since the early 70s, and Corvettes have always been desirable. This model was very well received by the car community. It was seen as a major improvement of a tired design.
I thought I wanted a Vette in the mid 90's. Drove a couple and quickly realized the car was built so crappy, I never wanted one ever again... till the Stingray came back in 14. Luckily I was selling them and didn't need to buy one since I was around them everyday.
I owned both 1994 and 1995 back in the mid/late 90's. I had ZERO squeaks or rattles in either one. I got 26mpg on the highway and both had Autos. I had a friend who had the 6 speed version and he got around 30 driving in 6th. His also had to rattles and he dragged his almost every weekend.
Vettes are not built crappy. If they were Chevy wouldn't be on the 8th Gen right now w so much demand u can't buy em at MSRP. Every Vette gen had to be good to get to the 8th
I really liked the C4, I had a 96 with the LT4 engine. I wish I never sold it. It was a great car, probably because it was the last of the C4 so had all the refinements.
Those under hood "work lights" will run the battery down in about an hour and you will need a jump start. Also the '84 with TBI is a SLUG 0-60, even for an '84.
The '84 models were powered by a 205 hp L83 350 cubic engine V8. That's not a lot of power to haul a 1.5 ton automobile with any speed. This engine was replaced from 1985 to 1991 by an L98 TPI 350 with 230 hp. You won't be setting any speed records but it's better than the L83.
@@houseofno fun fact, the 84 was actually intentionally capped at 205. This was so they could boast about the next year's HP gain. On an 84, you can either replace or modify the intake runners to remove some material and get it closer to the 85 model's figures.
Had an 89. As far as the car and ride it was really a nice riding car. Would love to have one again as a daily driver. Beware though, these C4's were money pits and broke down to often for my taste and granted it was almost 30 years ago and times changed by now but there were very few things on the car you could actually fix yourself. Never spent so much for tow trucks in my life. Interesting listening to the guy talking about putting bigger tires on and then say it is not a big cost to replace the strut rod bushings. True, but the work it takes to just get to where you can get the struts off is a lot of work and removing the shock mount can be pretty challenging. I ruined one trying to get it out, the otherside just popped out, granted it was on my 69 C3, but seeing this video it looks the same.
Pat's discourse, was not reflective of an '84 Corvette rear end, he was demonstrating a 1982 Collector Edition Corvette. The rear control arms are beefier and the rear wheel bearing is now a self contained unit, with decreased torque loads on the bearings. (just an fyi)
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The C4 was a milestone, justifying the 30 min episode. But the C8 is an even bigger milestone. So would love to see MotorWeek produce a similar episode with the C8!
@@dash-ryan sorry buddy, the C8 is no longer a 'vette... Can you imagine a 911 with a front engine? regards
@@modernworldiscrap that’s what people said when the c4 came out.....
People hate me for saying this, but the C4 is and always has been my favorite Corvette. People love to tell me that they arent as good looking as the older vettes and aren't as fast or perform as well as the newer ones, I've always loved them. Great review.
The C4 is my dream corvette. I don’t care about how slow it is by today’s standard. The body style and interior gauges remind me of sci-fi movies of the 70s and 80s.
Back in the mid to late ‘80’s I worked for Holiday Inn at the world HQ in Memphis, and they had in their fleet an ‘84 that was used primarily to give company executives, in from out of town, something special to tool around in. My boss was the facilities manager for the entire HQ complex, and it was his job to see that the ‘vette was washed and fueled prior to someone using it. It was a task he could have easily passed down to us underlings, but noooo, bossman always handled it himself. I waited over a year and a half till one day he’d come to work after no doubt a night of excessive alcohol consumption, so when the call came in from upstairs that the ‘vette was to be road ready in 2 hours, he just tossed me the keys. It had about a quarter tank of fuel and I knew a wash and fuel up would only take 30 min, so off I went. Thank God there was no GPS in those days, because I got my Corvette experience in big time that day, and managed to get it parked, fully fueled and shiny, with 20 min to spare.
melodymakermark awesome story!
Cool story, they don't do that anymore.
Keep going. I've got time. Is there anymore you can share? About anything?
@Guava Jelly, actually yes, but I’m a little pressed for time at the moment. Meanwhile, I’ve copied and pasted my original comment, which should hold you till I can get back to you.
Back in the mid to late ‘80’s I worked for Holiday Inn at the world HQ in Memphis, and they had in their fleet an ‘84 that was used primarily to give company executives, in from out of town, something special to tool around in. My boss was the facilities manager for the entire HQ complex, and it was his job to see that the ‘vette was washed and fueled prior to someone using it. It was a task he could have easily passed down to us underlings, but noooo, bossman always handled it himself. I waited over a year and a half till one day he’d come to work after no doubt a night of excessive alcohol consumption, so when the call came in from upstairs that the ‘vette was to be road ready in 2 hours, he just tossed me the keys. It had about a quarter tank of fuel and I knew a wash and fuel up would only take 30 min, so off I went. Thank God there was no GPS in those days, because I got my Corvette experience in big time that day, and managed to get it parked, fully fueled and shiny, with 20 min to spare.
That was aswene i worked at a dealer for the 85to88 88-85 years
these old motorweeks are pretty cool
fosho 5.0 I've been watching motor week since a kid in the early 80's I live in Baltimore. My moms friend worked at mpt, on motor week. This show is 100% Maryland Pride
I love these! I never missed an episode back in the early ‘80s.
I wish I could make generic statements and get 146 likes...😄
@fosho 5.0 bucks whats the car on your profile picture?
@@daniel-c223 How is it possible for you to be interested in ancient motor week episodes while not being able to recognize a fox body mustang?
I remember going to a chevy dealer in 1983 to see this car. The thing I remember the most is the clamshell hood opened up and exposing the front suspension. This car was a really big deal back in the day!
I remember sitting in a C4 in 84 in a mall when I was 14. The interior was like nothing else.
Yea
Fine corinthian mouse skin leather
I was 16 and my friend from HS drove up in his moms brand new 84. Like you I was BLOWN AWAY at the cockpit. In the age of Tesla it is hard for kids to understand how shocking this was. But what was most shocking to me was how great it must have been to have a cool mother that let a 16 yr old drive a new C4. RIP Ma, but you know.
looking at the blacked out gauges couldn't wait to see em lite up.
OMG I have a very strong memory of sitting in a C4 in 84 in Melbourne Square Mall when I was 14. The dash was so futuristic, just like Knight Rider.
Hard to imagine the first year of the vette was closer to this video than we are now.
@Acoustic02 _ Yes it was. It was just posted to TH-cam in 2015.
Acoustic02 _ You trolling? I was a teenager in the 80’s, and watched Motorweek on PBS. This was definitely made in the 80s.
@@jarekstorm6331 yep! I remember ALWAYS watching Motor week with my dad all through the 1980's. He got me to LOVE this show!
@Acoustic02 _ So when was it filmed, genius?
Jarek Storm how stupid are you?
I love the C4 vette, my favourite sports car as a child.
I do remember when this 1984 Corvette came , it was mind blowing, my neighbor had one exactly like this one same colour gold same exactly model , he died in it , a truck lost his tire on a highway and it hit his Vette , I do remember me as kid seeing him driving past me at night with the pop up headlights on and I remember me going absolutely insane looking at it ... to me it as if I’ve seen a Extra-Terrestrial Flying Source , it was really out there design back in 1984 , I was 9 years old .
They had corvettes in England? I'm surprised but tally ho.
james morgan I was living in Brazil 🇧🇷 back then he was the owner of a tire company he had all the coolest cars even a super done up high end luxury SR XK DESERTER crew cab bumpside like a Chevrolet Avalanche before Avalanche with 4 doors and locked tube lid cover , I’ve moved to Australia 🇦🇺 in 1999 ( Google SR DESERTER XK and SR COUNTRY ( the Made in Brazil bronco bumpside back in when it was released it was 1.6 million in Brazilian currency)
@@chocodiledundee1 Nice. I figured England and Europe would tend to have BMW s and Maserati s compared to Corvettes and Camaros
My dad had a gold '84 from '88 to '97. I've had a white '92 for the last 5 years. I like my later C4 more but that gold was super cool.
Thanks Motor Week for digging this one out of the archive. I remember this car was a quantum leap forward back in '84.
Very nice this full episode Motor Week, i love Vette C4
Incredible car in 1984. That 5 link independent rear suspension was right off the race circuit. I had an 84, was a great car. In fact, I had other Vettes after it, and that 1984 Vette may have handled the best of em all. Landmark car in 1984.
Chrustopher McBurney. Corvette C4 is incredible car. My generation favorite, 1984- 1996 is best generation of Vette, 85, 86, 87 and 88 is my favorite
Love that old school dash! Total Night Rider action!
+Marco Godinez or a redone BTTF time machine that could easily hit 88mph without strugglin
+Don McCollough word.
I remember my best friends dad ordered, and received one of the first 1984s when I was a little kid. He took me for a ride in that car. From that day I was hooked on Corvettes! I have a 2014 Stingray in my garage now. Thanks for posting!
+marc martine I have a 1996 Lincoln Continental in my driveway
cool!
I have a 1877 steam powered go kart in my driveway
Yeah, sure... lol!
had a similar story, i fell in love with the c5 . i finally found a 2000 nassau blue..sits in my garage . its one car i will never sell
If I were to own 2 Corvettes it'd be the 1963 & 1984 models. Those have got to be my favorite years.
4:02 Had to do a head gasket job on one of these, with the front opening hood up, the front tires made a nice place to sit.
I had a '94 and tilting that front clip forward to check the oil at a gas station was a conversation starter.
@@TralfazConstruction what do you live in Japan or something ?
Ken Lee yeah because every car has a tilt forward hood from the manufacturer. 🤨
Recently acquired an '86 model that had been a daily driver. It has nearly a 1/4 million miles on it... and it feels like it. Nonetheless, the engine has been overhauled and the car definitely hauls ass. This will not be a restore project, just a fun car to fix up, repaint and put in better condition.
It is very easy to work on, at least to my generation. I was 33 when this was a new car and still have a fun time driving it around. It is not my first Corvette, probably won't be the last. With any luck, she may be a fun car for someone coming behind me.
Haha, once you hear the sound and feel the power, you'll be hooked.
Gotta love the 80's digital dials! Looks very nice and retrofuturistic.
i love these old reviews. I'm addicted, I can't stop watching!
I'm 22, and proudly picked up an 85 this year for 2200, what a bang for buck these C4's are these days, literally the most slept on Corvette generation.
935 hard to believe they use to paint cars all day without a face breather.
+blackericdenice Insane I know.
+blackericdenice Yeah, who knows what they were breathing in!
+blackericdenice Yup, ruined my grandfathers lungs. He knew better but he gave no shits.
+blackericdenice i guess OSHA gave no shit on restricting PPE back then
+blackericdenice I am surprised by that !!!!!!!!!!!!
I've got an 87,...the cars awesome, by then all the bugs have been killed, gets 24 mpg on the hyway, good stoplight to stoplight acceleration and handles like a razor.
Grand National was faster.
Charles Lowe but the corvette got more you more ladies.
Ronald Hartke I’ve got an 86 convertible and your 100% correct! Car still to this day handles great! 86 convertibles were Pace Cars and they came with the aluminum heads that came standard 87 n up. Think it had 10+ hp over the cast iron headed cars....240hp..lol! Nothing compared to today’s cars!✌🏻
@@rogerstella458 ........bless you my son!
Rides like a log wagon even my 95 did my uncle's 86 and friends 89 with the rare zf 6speed did too
Thanks MotorWeek! I've been suffering from Retro Review withdrawals!
I HAVE LOVED THIS SHOW FOR 36yrs. 👍🏽👍🏽 Carry-On❗️❗️❗️The C4 made me a Vette enthusiast. Thanks for the memories❗️
I enjoyed the "Don't put big tires on the back god damnit!" segment
..lol..😆 Pat Goss is full of S#¡T
He was not a happy camper
I have not seen a gold one like the one in the beginning & ending in 30 years. The Florida sun takes it's toll on gold in quick fashion.
Ooh how I miss my '84 Vette. I bought mine in 1994. I was 20 years old and couldn't be told a goddamn thing!!! LOL! Good times.
Always loved the vettes and wanted to own but could never afford it especially now that after a stroke I can't drive anymore but still love cars
peter papadimitriou damn, well I have a friend who’s brother has cerebral palsy and epilepsy, but he’s able to legally drive thanks to lane keep assist, and several other electronic aids
Wishing you well sir .
@@waterheaterservices hello and good morning sir thanks for that, take care too be safe
@@OMGILOVEBANANAS thank you Sir or miss. I'm peter from Hamilton Ontario Canada I was born with a whole in my heart and had open heart surgery when I was 4 years old and grew up some what normal until April of '06 when I got a blood clot which caused a stroke on my left side and then on September first of '08 I didn't wake up that morning I had a cardiac arrest which both my cat Nemo and my now ex wife Angy saved my life. I'm okay now use a cane for balance when I'm outside walking around and have a defibulator in my chest for if my heart slows down. Be safe where ever you are too
Still see many early c4 around, often in good shape, some a little rough, but still around. Can't be said for many other 80s cars.
Hilina'i Koa helps that they were expensive at the time and most people garage kept them, not usually daily drivers either
The C3 Vettes were better suited as daily drivers. The C4 (and later) Vettes were more like champagne.
Most are garage queens no surprise.
86 in very good condition, in garage, but times i leave it out, not a big deal, as long as you don't leave it in the snow, bad weather, nothing wrong with leaving it outside at times
I never see them. If you do they are the later 90's C4's.
I just bought a 1984 corvette and I am so excited to start driving it
How is it so far? Deciding between c3 and c4 at the moment.
@@AIIRHEAD11 So far I am so happy that I bought the C4. If you’re deciding between the two, I definitely recommend the C4. I think the C3 would be too outdated even with the C4. There are normal problems that you’re going to run into because the car is 40 years old. Also, it’s pretty simple to work on especially if you know how to do things yourself, I will say in my area. It is hard to find a good mechanic.
I'm sure I'm not the only one who would enjoy seeing more full episodes posted. Also, more retro reviews of pickups would be neat.
For the TV broadcast, it would be cool to see you revisit vehicles reviewed in the past and compare to today's version if applicable.
+Aaron Fink Awesome idea
+Aaron Fink and maybe leave in a few retro car commercials as well.
nostalgia
Awesome I love the pickup trucks as well , well said
Aaron Fink I would love to see some of those "then & now" comparisons you described. Great idea!
My friends dad was a sales manager at Commander Ray Chevrolet in Cleveland, Ohio. Took all the kids on the block for a ride in it the Summer of '83. Still remember it.
Darn, in spite of all that quality checking, my mom's friend's new C4 she had when I was a kid was always in the shop.
Let's give a shout out to motor weeks longevity! This has always been a top notch show that I continue to watch to this day! Thanks John Davis!
loved driving it in Vice City
Best exhaust sound on it too haha
@classiccarz no way it’s in forza?
I'm guessing it was the Banshee right?
@@withjay3394 yes
Still watching 2019..
love these old videos. The nostalgia is hard on this one
That music is just so damn good!!! Love this channel
Last year I took the family on a Corvette museum and factory tour in Bowling Green, KY. Really cool experience. While on the factory tour with my younger sons, a assembly line worker ( hanging the doors on the Vette ) came over and handed each of them a Hot Wheels Corvette 👍🏼. You can tell they take pride in building them in that town.
They have the only 1983 Corvette on display that missed being crushed by a rain storm.
It's the rarest Corvette since none were ever sold.
Thank you for posting! I recorded this (on Betamax) when this program first aired but sadly, it was inadvertently recorded over in my youth. Brings back memories. The 84' Corvette (and this program) spurred my passion for Corvettes and automobiles in general since. MotorWeek was my can't miss program for decades and it is great to see these "retro-reviews" posted on YT.
The C4 Corvette, in my opinion, was the best generation Corvette ever made. (Although I personally like the C7 as well.) The C4 was also the most important BECAUSE it not only put high performance American sports cars back on the map (as later evidenced with the LT5-powered ZR1), but it also helped make the American automobile industry (and the USA, as a whole) proud again. I'm sure many will disagree with me, but in the beginning, the 1980's were trying times in the USA. But there was also a sense of pride and achievement by the end of the 80's.
the 1984 Corvette put the name Corvette back on top....won Motor Trends "car of the Year" ...beat out even some of the Porsche models.
Route 66 TV Series Chevy obviously lined the pockets of MotorWeek more than the other manufacturers.
Bought my '85 while working in Germany. Fantastic Autobahn car for the time. It doesn't compare to a lot of vehicles now, but compared what was available at the time, you needed something like a Lambo Countach to keep up. 0-60 in 6 sec. 155 mph top end, which I successfully tested. It's amazing how far we've come...my 2012 Charger will do 60 in 4.3 and tops out at 180 mph, and has much more creature comfort.
EVERY 1984 CORVETTE THAT MY FRIENDS OWNED ALL CAUGHT ON FIRE! THAT CROSS-FIRE INJECTION WAS JUNK. THE NEW BODY STYLE THAT YEAR WAS BEAUTIFUL!!!!!! BUT THAT FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM USED IN 82 & 84 WAS DANGEROUS.
Cause they was fooling with it. And don't know what they were doing. That's why lamborghini etc. Also bake
Never had a problem with crossfire.
I absolutely love the music! It reminds me of Monty Hall game show
I've got one of these that I'm bringing back to life. I've got a lot of work and a lot of parts to get, but man, I love this little thing.
3 years since comment... How's she coming along???
Took a ride in a 1959 red corvette, 10 years old, bought a new one 9 years later, owned 14 'vettes, never put a scratch on any of them. Drive them hard boys and girls, just know when to go and when to whoa.
You dont see TV presenters this professional anymore, back then they were like Robots, spot on perfect TV presentation.
love this video so much passion we have in that car that some people make fun of but i bet the latest c7 had that love as of recent
I'm so excited MW decided to put these old episodes up! Totally enjoying this as an 89 owner.
I still love that 167 degree head light rotation. The C4 Grandsport is a masterpiece.
Such a cool car. The C4 design has aged very well.
80's C4 are my favorite Corvette body style.
really is that why I see em mounted atop a lifted 4x4 chassis where a pick-up truck should be the C4's are the least expensive used vettes because of their generic appearance
I graduated high school in 84 . Remember seeing one at the Chevy dealership. Wouldn't be until 2007 until I got my first Corvette. Had 2 more since. Fun cars for sure.
My Dad had one of the first '84 Corvettes in California. I believe he took delivery of it in April of 1983. I remember that crowds used to gather at gas stations when he opened the clam shell hood. Of course, this stopped when more of them became available later in the year. His has the Z51 handling package with Bilstein shocks and was silver on silver. I had it up to a top speed of 130mph and it took a long time to get there! This was confirmed by the CHP who did not pursue me, yet called my father! LOL. I drove it many times down Highway 1 and the car felt like it was on rails. However, hit a reflector mid corner and it skipped over like it was going to skid sideways. The stiffest riding car I have ever experience but with almost no body roll. The digital dash failed many times as well as a loud "tink" from the driveshaft when putting it into reverse.
I can confirm much of this. I bought a like new '84 in early '86, with only 5000 kms on it. Medium Blue Metallic, it was gorgeous (dated looking now, in hindsight). It had the Z51 suspension and indeed, it cornered like it was on rails. I think it was the first production car to pull more than 1g on the skidpad.
It rode worse than a damn truck though, because of the Z51 suspension. If I hit a dip in the road, at speed, my head would smash into the roof. Probably the most uncomfortable car I have ever owned. I bought it to take a on a trip to Expo '86 in Vancouver, BC but ended up trading it before leaving, on an '83 BMW 533i because the ride was intolerable.
I only ended up owning it for about 4 months. Even though it had no miles, a couple things broke on it. The driver's side cloth upholstery separated from the plastic part of the seat (some air bladder control), and the rear hatch solenoid failed, so you couldn't open the hatch. The digital dash was cool, at the time, but I always feared what it would cost if it failed, and I KNEW it was going to fail one day - because GM.
Awesome to read it .... I love the 84’s
84's still used crossfire injection 🤢
OneFastDuster In 1994, I test drove a 1987 with Z51 suspension. Absolutely the stiffest, harshest ride I have ever experienced - it would rattle your teeth loose. A logging truck (we had one) had a better ride than that car.
It seems “GM Sweats the Details” with very few vehicles across their mammoth product lineup. Imagine if the run of the mill Cavalier or Cutlass or LeSabre had such focus from concept to execution to delivery? GM would have been, and would be now in a much better place.
The guy sounds like he’s from price is right. I keep waiting for the showcase shown bid.
It might be the music (from 2:00?). Totally sounds like Price is Right.
@@teeroh99 That music was pretty common in the 80's ;)
His voice is like a soft pillow to lay your head on.
Such a amazing beautiful car 😍 dream car
The bird that was chirping is dead now.
as well as this vette
@@schlomoubermann no
Profound 😐
I'm driving my '85 these days, has less miles than my daily driver and receive lots of attention and compliments. I'm happy to be able to live the 80s with this car, love the style and feeling behind the wheels.
My dad knew a guy who traded in a 1963 split window for an 1984 corvette thought they were going to be more collectible
Well yea thr 63 is more collectible but just because its older the 84 vette is a way better car
Back then people didn't think C2's would be valuable, can't blame him
@@LoudC4 technologically no question would out handle anything of its time. Stylistically not so much.
I loved this body style the best out of all the vette styles, even the ones today.
amazing video, would love to see more specials
hihhii I just drove my 84 vette to work today and it has only 87,000 miles, not sure about the fancy electronic dash, maybe back than was nice but today it will set you $400 to have it fixed or you can pay $900 to install a plug and play old fashion gauges and its a straight fit, no mods. The Bose system at $900 wow I took it out as each speaker had an built in amp and installed a normal stereo. The C4 today is least favorite of all the vets out there but let me tell you I love driving it and it has a better exhaust sound then the Viper I drive (my avatar). Changing a water pump was a painful process but it was done over time in a driveway. Dont install the old fuel lines as you will never be able to put them back the way they were just run a fuel hose from TBI to the bottom by the frame, it will save you lots of time. When you change the water pump grab a pen and paper and lots of zip lock bags, and every step you do you write it down and label the bag with parts and what step number, when you are dont you will be happy you did it. Watch out for the bolt at 6 oclock on a AC clutch as you can not put a socket on it but an open end wrench I said open end wrench and most of all THE BOLT DOES NOT COME OUT, just loosen it up and put the AC clutCH to the side. The water pump has 4 bolts and MAKE SURE you mark where they go as they are different. Have fun R/R the one that is my the PS pump hihihii. If it runs hot which they all do go buy a 4 row radiator and install it and it will all the time at 197F DO NOT LOWER THE RATING OF THERMOSTAT TO 185 as some people do, NOOOOOOOOOOO as computer module wants to see that temp of 197 and not 185 trust me, You will have to do some modification to top end of a fan shroud to make it fit like cap opening, trans lines opening, and you will not need the old radiator rubber stoppers as they wont fit and if your transmission lines are frozen jsut cut them off install new stubs and run a hose between new stub and old trans line below. Have fun taking off the two bolts that hold the top end of the fan shroud to the bottom, as you will curse as every single 1/64" turn you do as you can not put a socket there and no room to turn the wrench as the bolts are housed in a cockoon next. Once you get the two bolts loose when you are ready to install the top shroud back do yourself a favor and cut off the plastic housing where the bolts go it will save you ton of time and most of all you will not get a heart attack lol. Once you cut it they go on with socket in on e minute.
I would have been pissed buying the crossfire when the tpi was right around the corner
Gerald Alvarez I agree but the superior tpi enjoyed an 9 year run but I feel the same about tpi owners when the lt came out then ls so on and so on
Depends, I bought a 84 vette a year ago for 700 dollars, runs great, sat for 11 years ,they couldn't get it started , security device, cost me nothing, Started it up and cross fit was perfect, and I like the look of it,, I polished and ported it,, REALLY RUNS GREAT NOW.
I disagree,,as a real classic car guy,,,I know the first of any new production will bring the big money as time goes by,,,84, first year if the C4,,, the little bullshit won't matter..
Think about the guys that bought a TPI in 92' only to have LT1 in 93'.
The LT1 started in 1992. I own one.
Several interesting points in the factory....the plant manager was the only one applauding, number of people who were on the line, and naming the robots...which eventually replaced a lot of folks.
My dad worked at the GM plant which made those headlights. Remember as a kid touring the factory and seeing the stress test of those lights...wow.
A customer argued with me over the mid engine corvette idea being around for a long time, then I showed him this video, and one about duntovs mid engine prototype
I have a 96 CE LT1 and it's a beast. I bought it in 2018 and one thing that floors me is the seller had the factory night gown for storage.
Fantastic, thanks for posting the video
@23:41 Base price in 1984 was 21,800. That’s $59,462.87 in todays money (Dec 2021). The base model of a 2021 Corvette is $59,995. SAME PRICE!
beautiful car, the best looking corvette ever made, i love the digital dash. i own a 85 model.
Are the digital dashes reliable? I am thinking of buying an 84 as a near daily driver. Cool car!
@@skbuydens7717 They can become hard to read after UV exposure wears out the coating on the screens after awhile and they do fail like anything else on a car this old (bulbs burning out is the big one), but support is plentiful and there are many options that will rebuild your gauge cluster to better-than-new (e.g. replacing bulbs with LEDS, better screen quality).
The C4 will always be my favorite car. I have owned 2 1986's, 1 1989 and a 1990 ZR-1. Love them
i truly love the c4, gonna buy one as soon as possible
+TommyVercettism get one while the price is low. People ripped on the C3 for being crap......now look at where the collectability and prices are going,....one way UP
205 HP.
'Not the fastast'...no kidding lol
But great looker
+daz samuels yeah i can imagine, i was thinkin to a 89 c4
+Ozzstar yep, we're on the same line here...
Well, they're good fun to drive, not the fastest cars in the world or the cheapest to run, but if you like the blend of V8 muscle and that angular exterior you can't go far wrong. As for prices going up... for anything other than really high-end 'Vettes (ZR-1s, Callaway B2Ks, Lingenfelters ect) I remain to be convinced, but they're certainly a magnificent bargain performance buy. And the L98 engines can be given some serious performance boosts...
Coolest pop up headlight ,whatever may be the reason,they must make a comeback!!!
I don't know why but 0:34 is how I envisioned every corporate office in the 80's
Heck yeah.
I was 17 in '84, had a poster of this vette on my wall, the styling was remarkable
I have a 1988 C4 Convertible! Great reliable car.
I was 28 y o when these came out and they were awesome.
The first C4s were nightmares. They were very hard to get in and out of even by sports car standards, early on GM was told people hated the electronic instruments but they would never change them. My favorite C4 was the 1987 model.
I bought a black 84 Z-51 new. Loved it... especially the instrumentation, which they changed for 85. Handled like a go-kart.
My coworker just bought one with 28k miles. Interior is like new and it still had original tires !
I just picked up an 84 with 13,250 miles. It was in an old guys collection.
Pat Goss is such a legend. I wonder how many Vettes he’s up to by now.
He passed away.
Remember the year , missed the 83 and as a young man was soaking up every stat on any car couldn't wait to see the new Vette
Good looking car let down by it's interior design and build quality, but that could be said about pretty much all of the American cars of the time... Roadkill did the best mod to a C4 EVER IMO.
+4gasem The rail buggy one? Ya was awesome. Better than the actual car :)
1, every 4 minutes. ..
The plastic FANTASTIC! !!!
Corvette from 80s were last american car that i dreamed off
dzonikg, oh come on man
hmmm what choice to have -vette or yugo hihi , bravo srbine
As a Ford guy I gotta say I have shopped for a vet once, and if money was an option I would again. I've been into cars since the early 70s, and Corvettes have always been desirable. This model was very well received by the car community. It was seen as a major improvement of a tired design.
First openable rear hatch on any Corvette? Did you guys watch your 1982 Corvette review?
Came here to say this. The '82 Collector's Edition was the first with an openable rear hatch.
This is great; Please post more full episodes!
"headlights go up, headlights go down."
Duh
you can't explain that! LOL
I like the C4. It was a staple of "duels" in certain racing games I played in the 80's.
I love my 86 z51. Best 2800 dollar used car ever!
I can't believe how slow cars were! I ride in an '85 vette in the late '80s and thought it was so fast!!!
I love this review, thanks Motorweek!
The C4 must have looked like a space ship when it came out. Crazy how that body style lasted until 1996!!
I thought I wanted a Vette in the mid 90's. Drove a couple and quickly realized the car was built so crappy, I never wanted one ever again... till the Stingray came back in 14. Luckily I was selling them and didn't need to buy one since I was around them everyday.
I owned both 1994 and 1995 back in the mid/late 90's. I had ZERO squeaks or rattles in either one. I got 26mpg on the highway and both had Autos. I had a friend who had the 6 speed version and he got around 30 driving in 6th. His also had to rattles and he dragged his almost every weekend.
Vettes are not built crappy. If they were Chevy wouldn't be on the 8th Gen right now w so much demand u can't buy em at MSRP. Every Vette gen had to be good to get to the 8th
6:50
Love the font choice for that title.
Very reminiscent of the Kentucky Fried Chicken logo in use back in that year.
I got 84 corvette and love it only 70 k on it
I really liked the C4, I had a 96 with the LT4 engine. I wish I never sold it. It was a great car, probably because it was the last of the C4 so had all the refinements.
Those under hood "work lights" will run the battery down in about an hour and you will need a jump start. Also the '84 with TBI is a SLUG 0-60, even for an '84.
replace all the lights with LEDs and youll have no such issue
The '84 models were powered by a 205 hp L83 350 cubic engine V8. That's not a lot of power to haul a 1.5 ton automobile with any speed. This engine was replaced from 1985 to 1991 by an L98 TPI 350 with 230 hp. You won't be setting any speed records but it's better than the L83.
@@houseofno fun fact, the 84 was actually intentionally capped at 205. This was so they could boast about the next year's HP gain. On an 84, you can either replace or modify the intake runners to remove some material and get it closer to the 85 model's figures.
Had an 89. As far as the car and ride it was really a nice riding car. Would love to have one again as a daily driver. Beware though, these C4's were money pits and broke down to often for my taste and granted it was almost 30 years ago and times changed by now but there were very few things on the car you could actually fix yourself. Never spent so much for tow trucks in my life. Interesting listening to the guy talking about putting bigger tires on and then say it is not a big cost to replace the strut rod bushings. True, but the work it takes to just get to where you can get the struts off is a lot of work and removing the shock mount can be pretty challenging. I ruined one trying to get it out, the otherside just popped out, granted it was on my 69 C3, but seeing this video it looks the same.
Pat's discourse, was not reflective of an '84 Corvette rear end, he was demonstrating a 1982 Collector Edition Corvette. The rear control arms are beefier and the rear wheel bearing is now a self contained unit, with decreased torque loads on the bearings. (just an fyi)
Pat Goss is usually WRONG...He knows only what he IMAGINES is right based on his personal opinion... NOT FACTUAL INFORMATION.
C4 corvette is definately one of the best corvettes ever made!
Pat Gos is always a buzz kill