Corvette fans understand numbers. Horsepower numbers, serial numbers, production numbers, they all work together to make Corvettes special. Sometimes it makes the cars more valuable and sometimes it just makes them more interesting, as in the case of this Metallic Copper 1994 Corvette coupe. For those of you not in the know, Metallic Copper is the rarest of the “production” C4 colors, with just 116 cars being built, and of those, only 91 were coupes. Apparently there were problems with getting all the various body parts to match, since they were often painted at different times and even in different factories. After less than two weeks in production, RPO 66U Copper Metallic paint was discontinued.

Now we aren’t suggesting that the rarity of the color makes this Corvette more valuable, but it is a neat footnote that’s exactly the kind of thing that makes Corvettes special. Copper Metallic isn’t for everyone, it really is a love-it-or-hate-it color, but we find it attractive on the late C4 shape. This particular 1994 coupe is in fantastic condition and has apparently been a cherished toy since it was new rather than someone’s daily driver. It shows 93,083 original miles, which comes out to about 3600 miles—a summer’s worth—each year. Given the legendary durability of the C4 and the LT1 that powers it, the mileage isn’t something you need to worry about. You’ll note that the paint is in fantastic condition, with the right soft copper glow that made it a great choice for those who wanted to be a little different. Unlike many of its siblings, this one matches quite well and demonstrates none of the color variations for which Copper Metallic was notorious. Fit and finish are excellent and this Corvette has never been hit, wrecked, or injured in a way that would require serious repairs. If you like the color, you’re going to love the car.

You could order either a black or a beige interior with your Copper Metallic Corvette, with this car’s build sheet telling us that it was originally Light Beige leather. However, someone obviously liked the idea of black, so it was expertly reupholstered recently with black accents on the seats and door panels, which go well with the standard black dashboard to really tie the interior together. In person, it looks OEM and anyone but a Corvette expert will think this is how the factory built it. Excellent workmanship preserves the Corvette’s remarkably comfortable bucket seats and there are only light signs of use. This car is loaded with options, too, including electronic climate control, Delco/Bose AM/FM/CD/cassette stereo system, and dual power seats, which are in addition to the standard equipment like power windows, locks, and mirrors, cruise control, rear defroster, and fog lights. The 4-speed automatic transmission was standard equipment on the Corvette in 1994, which suggests they knew their clientele, and the combination analog/digital instruments work well once you’re accustomed to the setup. Despite being 26 years old, this is still a serious driver’s environment. Everything works, the gauges are bright, and there are few signs of use or age on any of the soft parts, more proof that this car has lived an easy life with caring enthusiasts.

The 350 cubic inch LT1 V8 remains one of the most versatile, reliable, and potent small blocks ever installed in a Corvette, and it provides the kind of Jekyll-and-Hyde personality that makes Corvettes so much fun. Take it easy and it’s a quiet, reliable traveling partner. Mash the loud pedal, however, and it delivers a big hit of torque at any speed and screams across the tach with a very familiar V8 soundtrack. Despite a dictionary’s worth of modifications available from the aftermarket, this one remains 100% stock, right down to the air filter, which is how you want to buy your second-hand Corvette. No mods means no amateur mechanics tinkering and the factory engineering ensures reliability and easy service in the future. It starts easily, idles properly, and goes about its business like a modern fuel-injected engine should. Heck, if you take it easy on the gas, it’ll even deliver decent fuel economy. All the hardware and fittings under the hood are OEM spec but there are signs of conscientious maintenance throughout, including newer belts, hoses, and tune-up parts. This one runs right.

Underneath, you can tell this one has never seen inclement weather. The 700R4 4-speed automatic transmission is durable and its tall overdrive combined with the standard 2.59 gears out back give it superlative high speed cruising abilities. Plant your foot and it’ll snap down a gear or two and rocket you forward but treat it gently and shifts are almost imperceptible. It’s an easy transmission to like. The familiar aluminum A-arm suspension is still capable of generating serious cornering forces and Corvette brakes were the envy of the industry when this car was built. The exhaust system is 75% stock, but now wears a pair of stainless Magnaflow mufflers that sound great exhaling through those rectangular tips. The only notable rust is some surface scale under the battery tray, which isn’t really a surprise. Even the original space-saver spare is still stashed in the rear compartment. Directional aluminum wheels are a great look and this particular coupe is fitted (per the build sheet) with staggered 255/45/17 front and 285/40/17 rear Nitto performance radials with plenty of life left in them.

Documentation is what all enthusiasts want to see: window sticker, build sheet, and the original manuals, plus the RPO sticker still in the center console, which verifies everything I’ve just told you.

C4 Corvettes are arguably the biggest performance bang for the buck right now, and this gorgeous coupe gets everything right. The rare color is icing on the cake, but the excellent maintenance, excellent documentation, and gorgeous interior all make it a car that you’ll be happy to own. Join an exclusive Corvette fraternity for a fraction of the cost of a high-end pedigree car. Call today!

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any car in our inventory prior to purchase.