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.

VIN 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

Position	Character	Description
1	1	US built
2	G	General Motors product
3	1	Chevrolet Motor Division vehicle
4 & 5	YY	Corvette
6	2 or 3	Body style number 2 = Two door hatchback style 07, 08, 77, or 87 3 = Two door convertible style 67
7	1 or 2	1=Manual seat belts 2=Active manual belts with driver and passenger inflatable restraint system 3=Active manual belts with driver-inflatable restraint system 4=Passive automatic belts 5=Passive automatic belts with driver inflatable restraint system
8	P	LT1 5.7-liter Multiport-Fuel-Injection (MFI) Chevrolet or GM of Canada V8
8	5	LT4 - 5.7-liter MFI V-8
9	?	A check digit that calculates the characters in the serial number and gives it a single digit code and can be used to verify that the serial number is legitimate
10	T	The model year where 1996
11	5	Bowling Green, KY
12-17	100001 and up	production sequence for coupes and convertibles
12-17	600001 and up	production sequence for Grand Sports

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:

Code	Engine	Horsepower	Compression	Transmission	Fuel Supply	Extra features
ZXA	LT1 350-cid	300-hp V-8	10.4:1	automatic	multi-port injection
ZXD	LT4 350-cid	330-hp V-8	10.8:1	manual	multi-port injection

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

Color	Leather Upholstery
Light Gray	143
Light Gray Collector Edition	144
Black	193
Black Collector Edition	194
Black Grand Sport	195
Light Blue	643
Red	703
Red Collector Edition	704
Red Grand Sport	705

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

Feature	Standard Engine (RPO LT1)	Optional Engine (RPO LT4)
Type	V-8, 90-degree Overhead valve	V-8, 90-degree Overhead valve with 4 valves per cylinder and 4 overhead camshafts
Block	Cast iron block and aluminum cylinder head	Cast iron block and aluminum cylinder head
Displacement	350 cid (5.7 liters)	350 cid (5.7 liters)
Bore & Stroke	4.00" x 3.48"	4.00" x 3.48"
Compression ratio	10.4:1	10.8:1
Brake horsepower	300 @ 5000	330 @ 5800 rpm
Torque	335 lb-ft @ 4000	340 lb-ft @ 4500
Main bearing	five	five
Valve lifters	hydraulic	hydraulic
Fuel supply	Sequential Multi-port injection (MPI) system	Sequential Multi-port injection (MPI) system

TRANSMISSION

CHASSIS

Feature	Coupe	Convertible
Wheelbase	96.2 inches (2.443 m)	96.2 inches (2.443 m)
Overall length	178.5 inches (4.534 m)	178.5 inches (4.534 m)
Overall width	70.7 inches (1.778 m)	73.1 inches (1.857 m)
Overall height	46.3 inches (1.176 m)	47.3 inches (1.201 m)
Front tread	57.7 inches (1.466 m)	57.7 inches (1.466 m)
Rear tread	59.1 inches (1.501 m)	59.1 inches (1.501 m)
Standard Tires Front/Rear	P255/45ZR-17 Goodyear Eagle GT / P285/40ZR-17 Goodyear Eagle GT
Grand Sport Tires Front/Rear	P275/40ZR-17 Goodyear Eagle GT / P315/35ZR-17 Goodyear Eagle GT	P255/45ZR-17 Goodyear Eagle GT / P285/40ZR-17 Goodyear Eagle GT
Steering	rack and pinion (power assisted)
Front suspension	Independent SLA forged-aluminum upper and lower control arms and steering knuckle, transverse monoleaf springs, steel stabilizer bar, and spindle offset.
Rear suspension	Independent five-link design with toe and camber adjustment, forged-aluminum control links and steering knuckle, transverse monoleaf springs, steel tie rods, stabilizer bar, and tubular U-joint aluminum driveshaft.
Brakes	Antilock four-wheel power disc
Body construction	Fiberglass; separate ladder frame with cross-members
Fuel tank	20 US Gal (16.7 Imp Gal) (76 liters)

OPTIONS

RPO AG1	Power driver seat	$305
RPO AG2	Power passenger seat	$305
RPO AQ9	Sports seats	$625
RPO CC2	Auxiliary hardtop for convertible	$1995
RPO C2L	Dual removable roof panels for coupe	$950
RPO 24S	Removable roof panels with blue tint for coupe	$650
RPO 64S	Removable roof panels with bronze tint for coupe	$650
RPO F45	Electronic Selective Real Time Damping	$1695
RPO G92	Performance axle ratio 3.07:1	$50
RPO LT4	350-cid 330-hp V-8	$1,450
RPO MN6	Six-speed manual transmission	no-cost option
RPO N84	Spare tire delete	$100 credit
RPO UJ6	Low tire pressure warning indicator	$325
RPO U1F	Delco-Bose stereo system with compact disc changer	$396
RPO WY5	Extended-mobility tires	$70
RPO Z15	Collector Edition	$1250
RPO Z16	Grand Sport package	$2,880 with convertible or $3,250
RPO Z51	Performance Handling package	$350

1996 CORVETTE

VIN Numbers

IDENTIFICATION

ENGINE

TRANSMISSION

CHASSIS

OPTIONS

HISTORICAL NOTES

PHOTOS

LITERATURE & LINKS