Project "Don't Tell Dad"...
 

It's been a year since I moved far, far away from my family and friends. There's been highs and lows, but things have been great overall, and it is, undoubtedly, the best decision I ever made.

Throughout this time, my parents have been nothing but supportive and there to assist me should I ever need it... matter of fact, my parents have been that way since I've been around. We've had our differences over the years, but all in all, they're probably the best parents a guy could ask for. Even better than yours. Seriously. :nana:

In return for their help, I want to get them a present. And it can't just be any old present. A new watch for my dad or earrings for mom just won't do it for me. I want them to shít their drawers when they see what I got them, the looks on their faces has to be priceless.

My dad has always wanted one of two cars... a '58 Chevy Bel-Air ('58 being his birth-year), or an 80s C4 Corvette in Torch Red (or whatever it was called back then). Now, a nice drivable '58 Chevy is as much money as the down-payment on my house, I can't afford one of those considering my replacement for the Jeep will run me close to $40k to begin with. But C4 Corvettes can be had for around $6k-$10k USD for a decent one.

So here's my plan... when the Jeep is sold (which might happen sooner than later), I'm going to pick up the new car and the Corvette, drive the Vette into Winnipeg as though it is mine, then on the last day I'm in town, throw him the keys and tell him to drive me to the airport in his new car and watch his jaw hit the driveway. And mom will love it too. How's that for being a good son? :D



Here's where I need you guys... I know the F-Body like the back of my hand. But the C4 Corvette is forging new frontiers as far as I'm concerned.

Do you know anyone who has owned a C4 Vette or is well versed in them? What are the trouble spots (aside from that damned digital dashboard)? Anything to look for in buying one? Specific areas of maintenance to be aware of? I'm looking specifically at the 85-88 model years.

Any help would be uber-appreciated.

Wow, that sounds like an awesome plan!

One of the guys at my church is a Corvette freak and has owned tons of them including C4's. I'll talk to him and see what he says. I looked at them awhile ago but bought my Camaro instead. What I remember is whatever you do stay away from the Cross-Fire engine, try to get the TPI. I was only looking at 89 and newer because that was when you could finally get them with the transmission I wanted.

Thanks Chad, that'd be wicked. I know the Crossfires were only in the 1984 model year, which is why I didn't include it.

sounds like that one show on mtv. haha.. very cool though.

I know a lot about C4s, but not what to look for when buying one unfortunately.

we had a 93 with a six speed it kicked *** never had a problem with it. just watch interiors they can get pretty bad

I used to do all the service on them at the dealership (I was one of 2 guys who would touch them) problem areas, are pretty much the same as the rest of gm's line electrical, especially ecm, fuel senders, and the dash

ffvetteman on bcm has 2 or 3 c4's, blue, red and a white zr1 ill ask him.

wow thats awsome man i dont know much about vettes im still worikin on the camaro so good luck

you missed my birthday and I'm still waiting for my present!

UPS won't ship me. :( ;)

You just gotta be careful with rust on those C4's. Especially up in Canada. I'd suggest using the magnet trick to check for bondo as well.:eleph:

Cool idea though. My folks would kick my *** if I tried doing that for them.

Thats a awesome Idea.

yeah it is iv never heard of that

Rust on a fiberglass bodied car? Yeah, that'll be interesting to see.

I'm curious to see my folks' reaction.

check the frame for rust of course