- 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, sportmg 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 teatured 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 Dark Purple Metallic; Arctic White; Sebring
Silver Metallic; Admiral Blue; Black; Bright Aqua Metallic; Polo Green
Metallic; Competition Yellow; and Torch Red.
- Interiors came in Beige; Black; Light Beige; Light Gray; Red; Red and Black; and 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.
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