1995 Corvette Profile Framed Print (Click HERE for details.)
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1995 Production Corvette
"Small Improvements = A Better Corvette" Here's the story...
It's funny how the mind remembers things. When you mention muscle cars, we usually think of Hemi 'Cudas, GTOs, 396 Camaros, or Boss 429 Mustangs. A 1995 Corvette certainly doesn't come to mind. But the fact is that Dave Hill and his team slowly and carefully honed the Corvette into what would have been hailed as one of the baddest of pavement burners of the muscle car era.
When you consider the dark days of 1981 when Chevrolet actually dropped a 307 passenger car engine into the Corvette, the base model 1995 Corvette is nothing less than amazing. In the good old days, '67 to '70 big-block 427 and 454 Corvettes were at the top of the feeding chain. Quarter-mile times in the low 14's and high 13's made enthusiast's head's spin. The '95 base model Corvette ran 0-to-60 in just 5.1 seconds and the quarter-mile in 13.7 seconds at 103 mph! Remember, that's with a 350 cubic-inch small-block engine. And lets not forget the 161 mph top speed! Of course the icing on the Corvette cake was the EPA gas mileage of 17 mpg in the city, and 27 mpg on the highway.
The C4 Corvette was a example of how factory participation in racing can dramatically improve a performance car. Through the '80s we saw spectacular factory-supported cars such as the Showroom Stock Series Corvettes, the Corvette Challenge racers, the GTP Lola chassis - Chevrolet-powered racers, and the jewel-like, racing inspired ZR-1. Lessons learned from those efforts were gradually integrated into street-driven Corvettes.
1995 was a significant year for two other reasons. It was the last year for the ZR-1 and it was the third time the Corvette was chosen to pace the Indy 500. Although the ZR-1 was not a sales success, it was a record setting, high-speed performance machine. The Indy 500 Pace Car Replica was by far the rarest of the three Corvette pace cars with only 527 units built and sold.
Although the '95 Corvette was essentially a carry over car, there were several improvements made on the car. The only visual change for the '95 model was the redesign of the front fender vents and new windshield wipers that eliminated chatter and floating at high speeds. Dark purple metallic paint was the only new color for the '95 model.
The power rating of the LT1 engine was unchanged, however new powdered-metal connecting rods were used for increased strength and uniformity of weight. At the top end of the LT1, the fuel injectors were improved to better cope with alcohol-blended fuels and to eliminate fuel dripping after the engine was shut off. A quieter fan was installed for overall noise improvement
A new shifter for the 6-speed manual transmission replaced the reverse-lock with a high detent design for easier operation. Automatic transmission equipped cars had improved clutch controls and a lighter torque converter.
Suspension improvements included softer springs for better ride quality and cars with the optional adjustable suspension were equipped with the 13-inch brakes from the ZR-1.
Small interior improvements included a transmission temperature readout on the dash, velcro straps to reduce rattling, improved stitching on the optional sport seats, and improved weather stripping to reduce water intrusion.
Overall, the '95 Corvette was a stunning car, making the number one spot on reader's poll. The end of the C4 lineage was fast approaching and the "Grand Sport" was about to make another appearance.
Be sure to check out the NEW Illustrated Corvette Series Portfolio.
This portfolio of Scott Teeters' "Vette Magazine" series, covers every production Corvette from 1953 to 1996. Also included are all of the major Corvette show cars, engineering prototypes, concept cars, and several Corvette racers.
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