Corvette Prints on Parchment|1987 Corvette Illustrated Series No.71

Here's the story:
Illustrated Corvette Series No. 71 - 1987 Corvette
"Return to Greatness" After having been kicked around for over 15 years as an overweight has-been, the '87 Corvette reestablished itself as America's performance car.

You have to go back to the '70-1/2 LT-1 and LS6 454 big-block to see performance figures like those of the '87 Corvette. Although there was only a 5hp increase in power, testers reported that it felt more like 25hp. With 0-60 mph times of 6.3-seconds and a top speed of 152-mph, critics, the competition, and racers were beginning to notice.

The fuel-injected 350 engine only received two improvements the old-style hydraulic lifters were replaced with racer-like roller valve lifters, and the sparkplugs were relocated to the center of the combustion chambers.

The overall performance of the '87 Corvette was vastly improved with the new Z52 "sport package." For $470, the '87 Corvette was treated to most of the parts used on the Z51 package, but with the softer, stock suspension. Z52 extras included a radiator boost fan, Bilstein shocks, an engine oil-cooler, a heavy-duty radiator, 16 x 9.5-inch wheels, faster 13:1 steering, and a larger front stabilizer bar. The Z52 option was available with the coupe and convertible, manual or automatic transmission.

And in keeping with the Duntov tradition, the Z51 option included all of the before mentioned, plus the stiffer suspension, as well as the extra structural stiffening from the convertible. The $795 Z51 option formed the basis of the SCCA Showroom Stock competition Corvettes that went undefeated for four years straight!

Visual changes on the '87 Corvette are hard to spot. On the wheels there was a paint change to argent gray on the center-section and radial slots. Interior changes included relocating the "overdrive engage" light to the tachometer display area, a lighted vanity mirror, heated side-view mirrors, rear window defogger, six-way power seats, and standard electronic air-conditioning. Two anti-thefth devices were now used major parts received I.D. tags and if not properly started, the fuel pump was disengaged. Base price of a coupe was $27,999.

Successful racing is what has always made the Corvette a performance icon. The SCCA Showroom Stock Corvettes were so fast that Porsche bought two '87 Corvettes to dissect to try to learn why their 944 racers couldn't keep up with them. Revenge can be sweet!

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