1996 Grand Sport
The LT4 engine found in the 1996 Grand Sport can be identified by the
red stripes and red throttle body.
The LT4 was only available with the 6-speed manual transmission. All
were painted a special Admiral Blue metallic paint with an Arctic White
stripe down the center of the car and two red painted hash marks on
the driver front fender wing. Special "Grand Sport" badging
was located on both sides of the hood above the fender vents as well
as a unique emblem on the nose and fuel cap.
Both a coupe and convertible versions were available, the coupe option cost $3,250 while the convertible option cost $2,880. Of the select 1,000 built 810 were coupes and 190 were convertibles. Grand Sport Coupes were equipped with P275/40ZR-17 tires on 17x9.5" wheels in front and P315/35ZR-17 tires on 17x11" wheels in the rear. Grand Sport Convertibles were equipped with P255/45ZR-17 tires on 17x8.5" wheels in front and P285/40ZR-17 tires on 17x9.5" wheels in the rear. Coupes came equipped with molded fender flares above the rear wheel arches while the convertibles did not. Grand Sport Wheels were the same as the 1994-1995 ZR-1's 5 spoke wheels except painted with a glossy black finish and a 50mm offset rather than the ZR-1's 36mm. Special gloss black finished front brake calipers with the "Corvette" name in bright aluminum were also part of the Grand Sport option as well.
Interior color choices for the Grand Sport were limited to all black, or a unique Torch Red and Black combination... red seats & trim but with black carpeting. The "Grand Sport" name was embroidered on the seat headrests.
The Z16 Grand Sport RPO was a 1-year only option for 1996 Corvettes. The production run for the Grand Sport ran from April 3rd, 1995 for GS VIN #0001 and ended with GS VIN #1000 on June 14th, 1996. No ZR-1 Corvettes were available in 1996.
Note: The LT4 engine was an option on all regular production Corvettes in 1996. Each LT4 came with a throttle body ID plate boldly emblazoned with the words "Grand Sport" leading many unknowing (or at times, unscrupulous) dealers to advertise a 1996 regular production Corvette as a "Grand Sport" even though it was not a Z16 optioned car.
| 1000 Total Grand Sport | |||
| 810 Coupes | |||
| 593 with black interior | |||
| 197 with black interior and base suspension | |||
| 206 with black interior and RPO F45 suspension | |||
| 190 with black interior and RPO Z51 suspension | |||
| 217 with red/black interior | |||
| 40 with black interior and base suspension | |||
| 91 with black interior and RPO F45 suspension | |||
| 86 with black interior and RPO Z51 suspension | |||
| 190 Convertibles | |||
| 137 with black interior | |||
| 76 with black interior and RPO F45 suspension | |||
| 61 with black interior and RPO Z51 suspension | |||
| 53 with red/black interior | |||
| 42 with black interior and RPO F45 suspension | |||
| 11 with black interior and RPO Z51 suspension |
Engine |
||||
| Type | OHV, pushrod V8 | |||
| Bore/Stroke | 4.00 x 3.48-inches | |||
| Displacement | 350 cubic inches | |||
| Compression | 10.8:1 | |||
| Horsepower | 330 bhp @ 5800 RPM | |||
| Torque | 340 lb-ft @ 4500 RPM | |||
Transmission |
Six-Speed Manual | |||
| Gear | Ratio | |||
| 1st | 2.64:1 | |||
| 2nd | 1.78:1 | |||
| 3rd | 1.30:1 | |||
| 4th | 1.00:1 | |||
| 5th | 0.74:1 | |||
| 6th | 0.49:1 | |||
