Flashback Friday: ‘88 35th Anniversary Coupe
There’s just something about a white Corvette…
I’ve been on a roll this week with the C4 generation so I might as well close it out today with another fourth-generation newsletter.
The photo above of my brother’s car was taken around 2012 at a local car show. He had bought this car on Long Island, New York and had it trailered to upstate New York to his home. The car was in very good condition and completely original with approximately 32,000 miles. It was equipped with an automatic transmission, like almost all of the “triple white” 35th Anniversary Corvettes. The other available transmission, a manual four-speed with overdrive in the top three gears, was installed in only 180 of these anniversary models, making those 180 Corvettes more collectible car today.
The 1988 35th Anniversary Edition came only in coupe form with a white exterior, white wheels, and white interior (including seats & steering wheel). It featured a removable black top and was optioned with everything, including dual six-way power sport seats, automatic climate control, and a premium GM Delco/Bose audio system. The 35th Anniversary cars received unique emblems identifying them as a special model, and they were serialized, with each car receiving an engraved number plaque on the console. The Anniversary Edition option package (RPO Z01) added $4,795 to the cost of the base coupe.
There’s just something about a white sports car that grabs me, and that’s especially true with white Corvettes. My brother’s 35th Anniversary Edition was no exception - I absolutely loved this car from the first time I saw it. I’ve owned several Corvettes but, for some reason, never a white one. I think the bright white accentuates the sleekness of these cars, and the black halo and black roof only enhance the effect. There are some people who are put off by all the white, but there are many more that love the presentation of this model.
Surprisingly, the value of these cars, like C4s in general, has not escalated very much. You can still buy a nice example for under $15,000, making this model affordable and attainable by the average enthusiast.
Here are some recent examples.
This one had about 12,000 more miles than my brother’s car when he bought it.
26-Years-Owned 1988 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe 35th Anniversary
44,000 miles Bid to USD $10,550 on 7/8/24
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-chevrolet-corvette-coupe-28/
This one had extremely low mileage and still sold for only a little over $16k
17k-Mile 1988 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe 35th Anniversary
17,000 miles Sold for USD $16,339 on 9/20/24
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-chevrolet-corvette-coupe-37/
This one is currently at auction ending Friday, April 11th and will probably sell in the high teens.
10k-Mile 1988 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe 35th Anniversary
Current Bid: USD $13,333 Ends in 1 day
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-chevrolet-corvette-coupe-42/
My other posts are at https://corvetteblog.substack.com
On various auction telecasts I would sometimes hear that C4 Corvettes are a great investment, that they will have to increase in value in the future. I have a friend who is an NCRS and Bloomington Gold judge, so he knows Corvettes.
When I once told him about the comments on C4 Corvettes I had heard on auction telecasts, my friend disagreed. So far at least, he is right and the TV pundits were wrong. Oh, this conversation was years ago.