12,948 original miles. One owner, great colors, beautifully maintained. Totally correct throughout, ready for preservation class judging. Everything works, drives right, and better than you remember. A bargain-priced Corvette that can hold its head high at shows.

With just under 13,000 miles on the clock, you know this lovely Torch Red Corvette was never a daily driver and has never seen winter weather. That’s the life of most Corvettes—protected toys—but this one has been especially well-kept by a guy who loved it from day one. The color combination is pure Corvette awesome, making this a Corvette that stands out for all the right reasons, and Torch Red is always the right color on a low-slung 2-seater. That’s factory-applied paint and the car has never been bumped or touched up, so everything fits just the way the guys at Bowling Green intended. Build quality on the all-new C4 ‘Vette was decent and these doors close with that kerCHUNK sound that is familiar to C4 owners and very reassuring to everyone else. The giant clamshell fits well and snugs down without slamming and the rear bumper hasn’t developed any of the usual stress cracks. The paint, which is approaching its 30th birthday, still shines up nicely, and while it’s not perfect, you’ll have to loo pretty closely to see any of the flaws. The chin spoiler has a few scuffs, there are a few chips from stray rocks being thrown by the big tires, but overall, it’ll be hard to find a better-preserved vintage ‘Vette for the price.

Do the patented C4 flop and get into the contoured sport seat and you’ll find yourself surrounded with supple red leather. There’s a bit of wear on the outer bolster of the driver’s chair, which is all but unavoidable in these cars, but there’s no question this is a low-mileage original car. Embroidered Corvette emblems in the headrests are a nice touch and there are tailored floor mats that fit in the C4’s unique footwells. Of course, as Chevy’s top-of-the-line car and GM’s ultimate halo product, everything was standard on the Corvette, including powerful A/C, power windows, locks, mirrors, and seats, cruise control, and a decent-sounding AM/FM/cassette stereo. The fully functional digital gauges give you a clear view of what’s going on under the hood and there’s a trip computer that can review a variety of engine functions using toggle switches in the center stack. The optional transparent top is in excellent condition and pops out to store in the rear hatch area for open-air motoring.

The Corvette L98 V8 is legendary for its performance, durability, and economy. Seriously, if you want one engine that does everything well and never asks for anything in return, this is it. 1985 was the first year for the tuned port injection system, which provides a fat torque curve and instantaneous throttle response that makes the C4 feel quick around town. Thanks to a long list of innovative features, it has also proven itself to be virtually indestructible no matter how hard you use it. There are hundreds of upgrades available, but this one is completely stock right down to the air filter and mufflers, which is how you want to buy your second-hand Corvette. That suggests there’s been no racing, no hack mechanic work, and no abuse, and the way it drives seems to confirm this assessment. It starts instantly, idles smoothly hot or cold, and pulls with authority at almost any speed. The engine bay shows quite well, too, with no signs of harsh weather use or questionable workmanship, just original parts and OEM hardware everywhere you look. There are no demerits in the way this car works.

Part of the reason why this car feels so punchy is the 700R4 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission, which is always ready to serve up a quick downshift and rip around the tach. Everyone whines and complains when they see a ‘Vette with an automatic, but there’s a reason it has been standard equipment for more than two decades. Few powertrains work better than this. Massive disc brakes are probably more than you’ll ever need and the exhaust has just the right combination of bark and tone, so it’s quiet on the highway. Factory 16-inch wheels are in excellent condition with no curb damage and carry their original 255/50/16 Goodyear Eagle “Gatorback” tires for that last bit of authenticity.

Look around and try to find more performance per dollar than this. Add in the desirable color combination, impeccable maintenance, low mileage, and totally stock mechanicals and you get a Corvette that’s ready for another 30 years of fun at a very reasonable price. Call today!

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