• 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.

I.D. 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
  	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
  	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

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

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

• 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

• Calendar-year sales totaled 17,805 Corvettes.
• Model-year production totaled 21,536.
• Z15 Collector Edition option was installed on 5,412 cars.
• Z16 Grand Sport Package option was installed on 1,000 cars.

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