How to tell what year a C4 is by looking at it?
10-19-2002, 09:25 PM
#1
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How to tell what year a C4 is by looking at it?
I was wondering what some of the differences of C4's are. I want to be able to tell the year just by looking at it. Any thing you could offer would be helpful. Thanks.
:seeya :flag :seeya
:seeya :flag :seeya
10-19-2002, 09:31 PM
#2
Elite Torch Red Member
Re: How to tell what year a C4 is by looking at it? (VETHEAD JR)
Quite a few:
1984-says crossfire on the side
1985-says tuned port on the side
1986-third brake light added
1987-early coupes had wind deflectors on the sideview mirrors
1988-new 16 inch wheels and optional 17" wheels
1989- hard to tell from 1988 except thru VIN
1990-old body style, new interior
1991-new front and rear bumpers
1992-LT1 under the hood, easiest giveaway is the exhaust tips(went from dual to single
1993-had "40th" embroidered on the headrests
1994-had new style seats(I should post a pic, but none handy)
1995-new side fender gills
1996-hard to tell from 1995 except for six speed cars which had the LT4-hint-8000 rpm tach rather than 6000 rpm.
Those are the most basic, there are plenty of others, but I'm too tired to think.
1984-says crossfire on the side
1985-says tuned port on the side
1986-third brake light added
1987-early coupes had wind deflectors on the sideview mirrors
1988-new 16 inch wheels and optional 17" wheels
1989- hard to tell from 1988 except thru VIN
1990-old body style, new interior
1991-new front and rear bumpers
1992-LT1 under the hood, easiest giveaway is the exhaust tips(went from dual to single
1993-had "40th" embroidered on the headrests
1994-had new style seats(I should post a pic, but none handy)
1995-new side fender gills
1996-hard to tell from 1995 except for six speed cars which had the LT4-hint-8000 rpm tach rather than 6000 rpm.
Those are the most basic, there are plenty of others, but I'm too tired to think.
10-19-2002, 09:36 PM
#3
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Re: How to tell what year a C4 is by looking at it? (Mr Mojo)
1989-had optional 6-speed tranny and different wheels?
1996-Side marker is the same color as the rest of the car.
And I forget what year went from sawblades to A-Molds.
[Modified by LT5FIRE, 7:38 PM 10/19/2002]
1996-Side marker is the same color as the rest of the car.
And I forget what year went from sawblades to A-Molds.
[Modified by LT5FIRE, 7:38 PM 10/19/2002]
10-19-2002, 09:53 PM
#4
Elite Torch Red Member
Re: How to tell what year a C4 is by looking at it? (LT5FIRE)
1989-had optional 6-speed tranny and different wheels?
1996-Side marker is the same color as the rest of the car.
And I forget what year went from sawblades to A-Molds.
[Modified by LT5FIRE, 7:38 PM 10/19/2002]
1996-Side marker is the same color as the rest of the car.
And I forget what year went from sawblades to A-Molds.
[Modified by LT5FIRE, 7:38 PM 10/19/2002]
1989 had same as 1988 17" wheels, 1990 had the same style wheel as 88-89 except no more center cap.
10-19-2002, 10:44 PM
#5
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Re: How to tell what year a C4 is by looking at it? (VETHEAD JR)
Difference between '95 and '96 is that little space on the front bumper between the lights is black from '91-'95 and body color on the '96.
1995
1996
1995
1996
10-20-2002, 12:33 AM
#6
Team Owner
Re: How to tell what year a C4 is by looking at it? (GDP)
You can tell a '92 from a '93 by looking at the wheels. The '92 sawblades were left 'as-cast' on the finish, looks a bit smoother and more organic than the lathe-cut finish on the '93 wheels.
'94's had the 'cobra hood' style seats, where previous years had the regular sport bucket seats.
'94's had the 'cobra hood' style seats, where previous years had the regular sport bucket seats.
10-20-2002, 12:47 AM
#7
Drifting
Re: How to tell what year a C4 is by looking at it? (VETHEAD JR)
Also, in addition to what Mojo was saying....I know you're just talking about standard model vettes, but if you also wanna know how to tell the differences between ZR-1s, one obvious situation for that is the 90'. As the first year for the ZR-1(90-95), the 90' ZR-1 has a 91-96 rear and the 90 front end....which personally I think is the best look for any vette although they all look pretty damn cool. The way's to tell 91-95 ZR-1s are a little more difficult, but I believe they started putting side badges for ZR-1s on the latest year ZR-1 C4s. The 90' ZR-1 only had a badge on the bottom right rear. Also NEVER make a judgement right off the bat or you could be dead wrong with all the custom body styling these days. You often have to take a more detailed look at everything including the interior to really tell the true year of C4s.....aside from the obvious 84-86s. Many people put 91-96 bodies on 87s-90s.......though the smartest choice would be to use a 90 as it's a dead giveaway when you mod the body of anything through an 89 c4. All you have to do is take a glance at the interior. It can be done too but the interior much more of a PIA to do than the exterior as far as newer model c4s go.
10-20-2002, 01:42 AM
#8
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Re: How to tell what year a C4 is by looking at it? (Mr Mojo)
A molds only on '96 CE,96 GS,95 pace car and ZR1.
10-20-2002, 02:26 AM
#9
Melting Slicks
Re: How to tell what year a C4 is by looking at it? (Mr Mojo)
Quite a few:
1987-early coupes had wind deflectors on the sideview mirrors
1988-new 16 inch wheels and optional 17" wheels
Those are the most basic, there are plenty of others, but I'm too tired to think.
1987-early coupes had wind deflectors on the sideview mirrors
1988-new 16 inch wheels and optional 17" wheels
Those are the most basic, there are plenty of others, but I'm too tired to think.
10-20-2002, 03:12 AM
#10
Burning Brakes
Re: How to tell what year a C4 is by looking at it? (VQT88Vette)
How can I tell if a convertible is a 87 or 88? the conver. has the 17" wheels just like mine 88 Z52, and the interior look like my 88 also. The owner of the conver. said its an 87 and he had the wheel put on without any spacer
10-20-2002, 03:22 AM
#11
Burning Brakes
Re: How to tell what year a C4 is by looking at it? (jdog0411)
Some other interesting differences:
86 went to a thicker steering wheel design (I believe, it may have been 87)
84-85 had black center wheel area, while 86-87 had silver painted center area
86 convertibles were all "pace car" editions with a box of decals that could be placed on the car or not, but the only true 86 pace cars were yellow with decals.
89 first year 17" wheels standard, optional on 88 although most cars had them.
91- new body style, but with L98 engine
90-91's had silver painted accents and grey ***** for interior components
92 new body style along with LT1 engine, and also no more silver interior accents and writing changed to orange lettering on buttons and *****
94-96 had improved "tru vette" carpet, white lettering on buttons and *****, different steering wheels, dual airbags and different seats. One other thing that is easily overlooked is that the door pull on the door panels on 94-96's is just a recessed armrest pull rather than the short post that runs up from the armrest to the top of the door sill on 90-93's.
Man, I have way too much time on my hands.....that's what lusting after Corvettes for 19 years will do!
86 went to a thicker steering wheel design (I believe, it may have been 87)
84-85 had black center wheel area, while 86-87 had silver painted center area
86 convertibles were all "pace car" editions with a box of decals that could be placed on the car or not, but the only true 86 pace cars were yellow with decals.
89 first year 17" wheels standard, optional on 88 although most cars had them.
91- new body style, but with L98 engine
90-91's had silver painted accents and grey ***** for interior components
92 new body style along with LT1 engine, and also no more silver interior accents and writing changed to orange lettering on buttons and *****
94-96 had improved "tru vette" carpet, white lettering on buttons and *****, different steering wheels, dual airbags and different seats. One other thing that is easily overlooked is that the door pull on the door panels on 94-96's is just a recessed armrest pull rather than the short post that runs up from the armrest to the top of the door sill on 90-93's.
Man, I have way too much time on my hands.....that's what lusting after Corvettes for 19 years will do!
10-20-2002, 06:53 AM
#12
Elite Torch Red Member
Re: How to tell what year a C4 is by looking at it? (khornet)
Are they really?
I was thinking he meant the 5 spokes only.
I was thinking he meant the 5 spokes only.
10-20-2002, 05:15 PM
#13
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Re: How to tell what year a C4 is by looking at it? (Mr Mojo)
92 new body style along with LT1 engine, and also no more silver interior accents and writing changed to orange lettering on buttons and *****
The lettering on my old 90' and current 91' is orange.
The lettering on my old 90' and current 91' is orange.
10-20-2002, 05:31 PM
#14
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Re: How to tell what year a C4 is by looking at it? (jdog0411)
the ealy new style interiors (90-??) had yellow lettering on the buttons, the later (??-96) dashes had white lettering.
also '90's had one year only wheel design.
also '90's had one year only wheel design.
10-20-2002, 06:09 PM
#15
Burning Brakes
Re: How to tell what year a C4 is by looking at it? (LT5FIRE)
Sorry, I meant to say the writing was orange on 90-93, while 94-96 is was white. The silver accents part was only applicable to 90-91's.... :D
10-20-2002, 09:24 PM
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Re: How to tell what year a C4 is by looking at it? (jdog0411)
84's had turned down tailpipes,from the factory. Everything else looks like its been said. But cars are easily modded, Mine has newer bumpers late sawblades and rectangle exhaust. plus my seats have the 40 embroidery. I keep them guessing but Im always honest.
10-20-2002, 09:31 PM
#17
Team Owner
To add to most of this...
1984 - Rims black centers
1985 - Rims black centers
1986 - Rims natural finish centers
1987 - Rims argent gray centers and radial slots
1984 - Rims black centers
1985 - Rims black centers
1986 - Rims natural finish centers
1987 - Rims argent gray centers and radial slots
10-20-2002, 09:35 PM
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Re: How to tell what year a C4 is by looking at it? (MaSTeRofDZaSTeR)
, the 90' ZR-1 has a 91-96 rear
[Modified by Scoob, 10:10 AM 10/21/2002]
