1996 CORVETTE

Nineteen ninety-six was a landmark year for Corvette enthusiasts.

• With the demise ot the ZR-1, Chevrolet offset the void by introducing two new special edition Corvettes, the Grand Sport and Collector Edition models.
• The Grand Sport evoked memories ot its 1962-63 racing predecessors, sporting Admiral Blue Metallic Paint, a white stripe, red "hash" marks on the left front fender and black five-spoke aluminum wheels.
• Powering the Grand Sport and optional in all other Corvettes was a 330-hp 5.7-liter LT4 V-8 featuring a specially-prepared crankshaft, steel camshaft, and water pump gears driven by a roller chain.
• The LT4 was available only with the six-speed manual transmission.
• The Collector Edition Corvette was produced as a tribute to the final year of production of the fourth-generation Corvette (the fifth-generation model was to debut the following year).
• The 1996 Collector Edition Corvette featured exclusive Sebring Silver paint, Collector Edition emblems, silver five-spoke aluminum wheels and a 5.7-liter LT1 V-8 fitted with a four-speed automatic transmission (the LT4 V-8 and six-speed manual transmission were both optional).
• On all Corvettes, 1996 marked the introduction of the optional Selective Real Time Damping system that employed sensors at each wheel to measure movement.
• Data retrieved from each wheel and the Powertrain Control Module was processed by an electronic controller that calculated the damping mode to provide optimum control.
• Also optional was a Z51 Performance Handling Package available on the Corvette coupe, and tuned for autocross and Gymkhana competition.
• Standard Corvette models again used the 5.7-liter V-8 with sequential fuel injection and four-speed automatic transmission.
• Corvettes came in the following colors:
  • Dark Purple Metallic
  • Arctic White
  • Sebring Silver Metallic
  • Admiral Blue
  • Black
  • Bright Aqua Metallic
  • Polo Green Metallic
  • Competition Yellow
  • Torch Red
• Interiors came in the following:
  • Beige
  • Black
  • Light Beige
  • Light Gray
  • Red
  • Red and Black
  • White
• Standard features included a removable body-color roof panel for hatchbacks or a convertible top.
• All Corvette convertibles except those with code 13, 28, or 45 paint colors could be ordered with one of three cloth top colors: Beige, Black, or White.
• Sebring Silver Metallic (code 13) cars came only with Black cloth tops.
• Admiral Blue (code 28) Grand Sports came only with White cloth tops.
• Polo Green Metallic (code 45) cars came with Beige or Black cloth tops, but not White.
• Leather seats were standard equipment.

V.I.N. NUMBERS

• The serial number [Vehicle Identification Number -- VIN] was stamped on a plate on the inner vertical surface of the left windshield pillar visible through the windshield.
• The coupe serial numbers ranged from 1G1YY225*T5100001 to 1G1YY225*T5120536
• The convertible serial numbers ranged from 1G1YY325*T5100001 to 1G1YY325*T5120536
• The Grand Sport serial numbers ranged from 1G1YY225*T5600001 to 1G1YY225*T5601000

• Corvette engines have the last six digits of the VIN stamped on the block just ahead of the cylinder head on the right-hand side combined with a three-letter engine code suffix
• Also cast into the top rear of the block is a four-symbol code indicating when the engine was built
  • The first letter of the date code shows the month the block was cast
  • The one or two numbers shows the month
  • The last digit shows the year
• Engine suffixes:

• The 1996 Corvette exterior colors were:
  • 05 = Dark Purple Metallic
  • 10 = Arctic White
  • 13 = Sebring Silver Metallic
  • 28 = Admiral Blue
  • 41 = Black
  • 43 = Bright Aqua Metallic
  • 45 = Polo Green Metallic
  • 53 = Competition Yellow
  • 70 = Torch Red
• Upholstery Codes

IDENTIFICATION

Model	Model No.	Body/Style No.	Body Type	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
Coupe	1YY	Y07	2-dr. Hatch Coupe - 2 passenger	$37,225	3298	17,167
Convertible	1YY	Y67	2-dr. Convertible - 2 passenger	$45,060	3360	4,369

ENGINE

TRANSMISSION

• Four Speed Turbo Hydra-Matic Automatic Transmission (TMH 700-R4) with floor-mounted gear shifter
• Six-speed Manual with overdrive and floor-mounted gear shifter

CHASSIS

OPTIONS

HISTORICAL NOTES