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Here's the story:
Illustrated Corvette Series No. 74 - 1988 Corvette
"Fantastic Options!"
The
1988 Corvette looked nearly identical to the previous years C4
Corvettes, but under the surface there were three very exciting options
to choose from. Not since the late 1960s had there been so many choices
for Corvette buyers.
The only visual difference on the '88 Corvette was the the restyled
wheels which were only offered that year. The order sheet showed three
distinctive options: An improved Z51 Performance Handling Package, the
35th Anniversary Edition, and the amazing Callaway Twin Turbo.
The base price of the '88 Vette was up $1,490 from the previous year,
to $29,489. The car had minor but significant improvements in its
engine, suspension, brakes, and interior. Items such as power door
locks, cruise control, and stereo cassette were now standard.
For performance buffs, the $1,295 Z51 option was the hot setup and only
1,309 were ordered. The "new" Z51 package included huge P275/40ZR15
Z-rated tires on restyled 17-inch wheels, a heavy-duty suspension,
fast-ratio steering, larger front rotors and calipers, a radiator boost
fan, a finned power-steering cooler, Delco-Bilstein shocks, an engine
oil cooler, and higher rate springs.
The 35th Anniversary Package was a $4,795 option and featured a special
all-white body with badges on the front fenders, black B-pillars and
roof bar, tinted roof panels, and white 17-inch wheels from the Z51
package. The running gear was stock, but the interior came with
embroidered leather seats and trim, a special anniversary plaque, and
every creature-comfort option available. Only 2,050 were built.
The big gun for 1988 was the optional $25,895 Callaway Twin-Turbo. This
was the most aggressive out-sourced specialty Corvette ever made. The
Twin Turbo L98 350 engine packed 382 net-horsepower with 562 lb-ft of
torque. Even more impressive was the fact that the engine met EPA
emissions standards while providing owners with a car that had a top
speed of over 190 mph! An automatic version was available that used a
modified truck Turbo- Hydramatic and cost an additional $6,000!
And to keep the racing crowd stoked, Chevrolet built 51 street-legal
Corvettes for the SCCA Corvette Challenge Series. These cars had
matched power output engines and full rollcages.
It was almost like the old days, plus a lot more cash, and minus the
booming sidepipes.
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