1988 Chevrolet Corvette C4 Targa LHD

Highlights

Genuine low mileage
Monza exhaust
Rare ‘Doug Nash Overdrive’ manual

The Appeal

There really is only one true American sports car, and that’s the Corvette. Over the years it’s worn a variety of styles and had many drivetrains, so there really is one for everyone, whatever your taste may be.

This C4 Corvette is a true 80s classic. From the two-tone paint to the targa roof and massive, unstressed V8, it’s every inch the product of the decade of excess. And it’s all the better for it…

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The History and Paperwork

First registered in April 1988
Imported from the US
US sales and ownership documents included
Apparently originally owned by a member of the Qatari royal family
Just 41,938Km / 26,059 miles from new
Original owner’s handbook included
Large history file, including previous MOTs and invoices for maintenance
Part specialist service history
MOT to June 2023

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The Interior

Delco Bose radio/cassette sound system
Black leather upholstery
Digital dash
Electric windows and mirrors
Air conditioning

The Corvette is a true 2-seater sports car, and the cabin certainly reflects this. With a low-slung driving position and deeply bolstered sports seats, it definitely makes you feel connected to everything that’s going on.

Finished with black leather, the seats hold you snugly in place and are embellished on the headrests with the Corvette legend. The leather itself is in good condition for the age of the vehicle, with signs of wear and some minor creasing, but no tears or significant damage as far as we can see. Similarly, the deep grey carpet appears to be in very good condition, with no staining, tears or damage.

One of the most striking, and period correct, features of the cabin is the digital dash. Deeply reminiscent of the digital dashboard in ‘Knight Rider’, it’s a very cool retro feature and definitely something that is perfect for the car. The centre console is replete with numerous buttons and switches too, very much in the vein of most cars from the period. All of the controls and switchgear look to be in fine order, with only minimal wear and age-related marks, as you would expect.

We’re assured by the vendor that everything works just as it should, and the only issue the new owner may wish to address is that they believe the air-conditioning is in need of re-gassing.

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The Exterior

Two-tone silver/grey paintwork
Targa roof
Original 16” turbine style alloys
Pop-up lights

With its two-tone paintwork and pop-up lights, there’s certainly no missing this fabulous C4. The paintwork itself is, as far as the vendor is aware, completely original. It presents in overall fine condition, with just a few minor marks and blemishes, most of which are simply age related. There is some blistering to the driver’s side door, but this is relatively minor and should be easily corrected.

The C4 was the first Corvette not to have a fibreglass body. Instead, the panels are formed from moulded plastic. As such, corrosion to the bodywork itself is simply not an issue. The panels all look straight and undamaged, with no cracking to the plastic that we could see.

Supplied from the factory with a targa roof, consisting of a structural glass panel, it makes the Corvette suitable for all weather conditions. The sculptural rear glass hatch is likewise in good condition and showing no signs of cracking or damage.

All of the interior trim and badging appears to be in good order, with nothing missing or showing unusual wear. There are naturally the scuffs and minor scratches that come with age, but nothing we would deem unusual.

Similarly, the turbine style 16” alloys present very well, with no notable marks or scuffs, and wear Michelin tyres which the owner tells us have good tread on them.

We’re told by the vendor that there is no notable corrosion to the underside of the vehicle.

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The Mechanics

5.7-litre (350 cu in) V8
Monza exhaust
Manual transmission with ‘Doug Nash’ overdrive

There are two things that a Corvette absolutely has to have: a massive V8 and lots of noise. This C4 delivers on both counts. With a 5.7-litre naturally aspirated V8, it delivers plenty of power – and that Monza exhaust certainly makes sure it has the soundtrack to accompany its looks.

Unusually for a Corvette, this car was specified from the factory with a manual transmission. As it is a 1988 car, this means it gets the robust 4-speed ‘Doug Nash’ gearbox, which features an automated overdrive on the top 3 gears. An unusual solution, for sure, but one that works well in the Corvette. As this transmission was only fitted in the C4 from 1984-1988, it makes it quite the rare thing too.

The owner reports that there is a small amount of smoke on start-up, but this quickly clears and otherwise the car runs and drives excellently. They tell us that there are no mechanical problems that they are aware of.

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Summary

As a slice of 80s Americana, nothing beats a two-tone targa-topped Corvette. With a barrel-chested V8, good history and that rare manual transmission, this C4 really is quite unique.

We love the styling, we love the drivetrain and we love the fact it comes with such low mileage. We’re certain whoever gets to be the next custodian of this characterful Corvette is going to love it too…

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