1997 Chevrolet Corvette

1997 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe Completely new suspension geometry at both ends has greatly reduced the C4's tendency to be pummeled by potholes, deflected by crowned roads, and upset by truck grooves on the road. The new model seems glued to the road, without transmitting all surface imperfections to its occupants. As valuable as these improvements are, however, they would be worthless had they been achieved at the expense of performance. We're happy to report that in the pursuit of their kinder and gentler priorities, Dave Hill and his team have not forgotten that speed is central to the Corvette experience. Part of Car and Driver's extensive review of the newly released C5 Corvette coupe, February 1997   For consignment, a 1997 Chevrolet Corvette coupe with a title verified 24,921 actual miles. This car has been family owned since 1998. Torch Red was far and away the most popular color in 1997 with 3,026 leaving Bowling Green that way. Black and silver were second and third respectively.  Exterior Little red Corvette, baby you're much too fast, sang Prince in a song released in 1983, oddly enough, the year the Corvette weren't produced! But after the success of the C4's came this, the more streamlined C5, rounded ends and more curvaceous overall, the wind defying shape of this car is trumped only by its bright color. You can see Torch Red coming from a mile away and this American classic is augmented by the front fender gills which have a stingray like tail in the form of a body molding spear. Air intakes up front are molded into the face while splitters are cut into the rear valance before making room for the epic quad exhaust chrome tips under ovalized quad tail lights, pure Vette. The wheels are stock here, known affectionately as wagon wheels in the Vette world, with 17-inch in front and 18-inch in back wrapped in staggered size tires for grippy performance. Some scuffs on the nose and numerous chin scrapes are noted as the only exterior flaws.  Interior There aren't many colors that set red ablaze better than a black interior and that's how this Vette is equipped beginning with the black formed door panels, ergonomic, efficient, and clean, all while housing integrated Bose speakers. Black leather sport bucket seats keep the monochromatic theme going and are in excellent condition with some slight compression and wrinkles on the driver's side. A meaty leather wrapped steering wheel presents to the lucky driver and frames a simple instrument cluster, still mostly analogue in '97, and relaying information via gauges and some digital readouts, under an arching dash pad. On the right, a pod of push buttons allows the driver to scroll through a series of info data points, adding to the race-like environment. Curves from the outside are reflected in the center stack, where rounded buttons control the AM/FM/CD radio and climate selections. The automatic shifter wears a black leather boot in the center console above black carpet protected by Corvette carpeted mats. Above us, the blue tinted targa top hints at the optional open air experience to be had. Black carpet perfectly coats the rear cargo area under the hatch.  Drivetrain Plastic panels abound in the engine bay that houses the venerable 5.7 liter LS1 engine rated at a respectable 345 horsepower. A 4L60E 4-speed backs it up, and power spins the back wheels with 3.15 gears and Positraction. Only the best for this legend, and it's equipped with power disc brakes on all fours.  Undercarriage Clean driver quality underneath, showing a car that's had some drivetime with some typical surface rust and a slight film of oil on the pans. Much of the underneath is flat through which a center tunnel houses the enclosed driveshaft and dual exhaust which carries on to meet the original equipment mufflers just from being expelled as four, oval chrome tips. Corvette's race inspired independent suspension at both ends employs aluminum controls arms with transvers