1996 Chevrolet Corvette Review

This is the last model year for the current-generation Chevrolet Corvette, which has been a colorful part of the U.S. automotive landscape since its 1953 debut. It is an American cultural icon.

In fact, the Corvette was the only true U.S. sports car until the Dodge Viper arrived in 1992--with a much cruder design.

In contrast, the Corvette is comfortable, almost posh. It was given a major redesign for the 1984 model year--and has been refined and made more powerful since then.

But the 1996 model still has a 12-year-old design. While built tighter than ever, the car's fiberglass body still shakes and rattles a bit over rough pavement.

Corvettes have long lives. For instance, the 1963 model lasted through 1967, and the 1968 model went all the way to 1982. There was no 1983 Corvette.

The upcoming 'Vette--scheduled to debut next spring as a 1997 or 1998 model--will retain its rear-wheel-drive layout. But it will have tauter styling, more power and--to provide better balance--a rear-mounted transmission.

Such a transmission setup is considered a big deal by 'Vette fans. But the new model will have a fiberglass body--like Corvettes always have had--and will look much like the 1996 'Vette, which I recently tested in convertible form.

For decades, the average wage-earner could afford a Corvette, but the car has become very pricey in recent years. The coupe's base price is $37,225. The convertible, which has a manual top, stickers at $45,060.

To celebrate the current-genertion 'Vette's passing, Chevy is offering a $1,250 Collector's Edition option, which includes such things as silver metallic paint, chrome emblems and silver-spoke alloy wheels.

There also is a special Grand Sport package, which includes Admiral Blue metallic paint with a center white stripe, wheel flares, seats with ``Grand Sport'' embroidery, extra-wide tires on black-spoke alloy wheels--and a 330-horsepower LT4 V-8, which is a $1,450 option for other Corvette models. The Grand Sport package costs $3,250 for the coupe and $2,880 for the convertible.

My test car was a regular convertible, but cost $50,354 with options.

Wow. Fifty grand for a Chevy convertible! No wonder Chevrolet plans to offer a lower-priced version of the redesigned 1997 Corvette--although insiders say one should still expect to pay at least $30,000.

But then, the little Mazda Miata convertible stickers for $18,450, and the lowest-priced Porsche is $63,750.

The Corvette is an awesome performer, with all the reliability one expects from a standard, 5.7-liter, 300-horsepower pushrod V-8 that dates way back to 1955.

The Corvette will streak from 0-60 m.p.h. in 5.2 seconds and hit 100 in 12.9 with its standard engine. Top speed is electronically limited to about 165 m.p.h. All that performance means that passing and merging are effortless--as is getting out of tight spots.

The Corvette will go a bit faster with the LT4 330-horsepower version of the standard V-8, but there's really no need for those extra horses.

Despite its exotic-car performance, this two-seater still delivers an estimated 27 miles per gallon on the highway with a six-speed manual transmission--and 25 with a four-speed automatic. That's because the 'Vette is geared to just loaf at 65 m.p.h.

City fuel economy is in the high teens, which isn't bad for such a big, heavy car.

The 3,360-pound Corvette is very big--befitting its larger-than-life image. A Porsche 911 looks small alongside it. This Chevy's size, weight, and high-effort clutch and manual shifter give it almost a bull-in-a-china-shop feel in the city. Opt for the slick-shifting automatic, unless you plan to spend most of your time on open roads.

Like many true sports cars, the 'Vette loses its somewhat clumsy feel and comes alive on open roads. Its precise steering, competition-style suspension and huge tires provide incredible road-holding abilities. Its heavy-duty anti-lock disc brakes stop it quickly and surely.

While costly, the Corvette is well-equipped, with items such as dual air bags, air conditioning, AM/FM/cassette, cruise control and power windows and locks.

Also standard is a traction control system, which allows the Corvette to safely be driven in winter; not long ago, it was customary for the rear-wheel-drive Corvette's owners to park their cars because all that power and those big tires made for lousy traction on slippery roads.

The standard remote keyless entry system automatically locks the car when you walk from it--and unlocks it when you approach it. It's an intelligent system, considering that thieves love Corvettes.

High door sills make entry and exit difficult even for the athletic. The cockpit is too small for the car's size, and much of the instrumentation is awkward to read.

Don't even think about the insurance.

Still, the Corvette is a marvelous piece of work. Nothing in the world can match its performance, reliability and flair for the money.

Not that rivals haven't tried.